Composite vs. Non-Composite Bows

[theoremtank]

I was thinking that a composite longbow and a longbow are not different enough to merit their own distinct proficiencies (open to opinion). I personnaly think that the composite feature should be an additional quality you could add to the bow, such as the mighty feature that can be added to the current composite bow.

So if a character were proficient in longbow, he would also be proficient with a composite longbow, and a mighty composite longbow. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Mr Fidgit]

i agree

i also think weapon focus and specialization should apply to both (normal and composite longbow; normal and composite shortbow) simply because you fire them in the exactly same way. one just has a stronger pull

 

[Rackhir]

Well, they are very different from the perspective of mechanics. A long bow is just that, a long piece of wood about the height of a man. A composite bow is generally substantially shorter and typically more powerful as well, since they are a fairly sophisticated layered creation involving different types of wood, bone and glues, that can take up to a year to cure and dry properly.

Granted they are basically similar in operation, but the same could be said of many melee weapons. If you loosen the restrictions on wpn spec and focus then you should do so as well for melee weapons as well.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

You'll find the same thought in Sword and Fist under the Optional Rules: Flexible Weapon Focus with Bows section.

For that matter, it's pretty hard to get proficiency with one without the other. I think you can with the bard class, by being a cleric with the war domain (and favored weapon longbow) or by spending a martial weapon proficiency. I can't think of any other way.

I was thinking that a composite longbow and a longbow are not different enough to merit their own distinct proficiencies (open to opinion). I personnaly think that the composite feature should be an additional quality you could add to the bow, such as the mighty feature that can be added to the current composite bow.

So if a character were proficient in longbow, he would also be proficient with a composite longbow, and a mighty composite longbow. Any thoughts on this?