Medieval Missile Weapons Prices and Rules

 

The STR mins and modifiers for some of these weapons have been changed from the basic list presented in the HSR. This is (in part) to accomodate the changed cost of STR in Gothick Empires. The rationale for changes and what exactly was done is explained in the House rules and the Hand to Hand weapons sections.

STR Min for Autofire throwing of weapons is based upon their active point cost, same as with +1 Stun weapons. However, these weapons have two STR Min listed: one for single shot, and one for autofire use.  

As for the other equipment lists, all costs are given in "generic" silver pieces and will be modified in different areas, by the actual currency in use. You should see the currency pages of the different kingdoms to calculate actual prices in those areas.

 

Missiles

Item	Cost	OCV Mod	Damage	STUN x	STR Min	Weight (kg)	Notes
Normal arrow (or quarrel)	15 cp			normal	as for bow	0.1
Broadhead	15 cp		+ 1 DC			0.1	Attack is Reduced Penetration
Signal arrow	12 cp		-2 DC			0.1	Images versus normal hearing
Blunt head	12 cp		(DC)			.01	Converts K into normal DC
Bodkin point	1 sp		-1 DC			0.1	Attack is AP
Sling (or prod) bullet	2 cp					0.3
Sling stone	free		-1 DC			0.2

Note: To get a missile tipped with silver costs approximately eight times the listed price.

Missile weapons

Item	Cost	OCV Mod	Damage	STUN x	STR Min	Range	Weight (kg)	Notes
Short Bow	40 sp		1d6-1K		5	50	1.0	1/2 DCV, 2H
Short Bow	50 sp		1d6K		7	75	1.2	1/2 DCV, 2H
Short Bow	75 sp		1d6+1K		10	100	1.5	1/2 DCV, 2H
Stone Bow	50 sp		1/2d6K	+1	7	50	1.2	1/2 DCV, 2H
Recurved Bow	130 sp		1d6K		7	75	1.5	1/2 DCV, 2H
Recurved Bow	175 sp		1d6+1K		10	100	1.7	1/2 DCV, 2H
Recurved Bow	210 sp		1.5d6K		12	125	2.0	1/2 DCV, 2H
Longbow	75 sp	+1 Rng	1d6+1K		11	100	1.8	1/2 DCV, 2H
Longbow	100 sp	+1 Rng	1.5d6K		14	125	2.0	1/2 DCV, 2H
Longbow	150 sp	+1 Rng	2d6K		16	150	2.2	1/2 DCV, 2H
Crossbow	100 sp	+1 Rng	1d6K		10	75	4.0	see below
Crossbow	175 sp	+1 Rng	1.5d6		14	125	5.0	see below
Crossbow	200 sp	+1 Rng	2d6+1		17	175	6.0	see below
Arbalest	275 sp	+1Rng	2.5d6		20	200	8.0	see below
Prod	175 sp		1d6K	+1	11	110	5.0	see below
Dart	3 sp	+1	1/2d6		5 (7)	50	0.2	can be thrown AF
Dart	5 sp	+1	1d6		7	75	1.0
Javelin	25 sp		1d6		7	75	2.0
Sling	2 sp	-1 Rng	1d6K	+1	11	110	0.1
Staff sling	15 sp	-2 Rng	1d6+1K	+1	15	150	2.0	Full phase, 2H !/2 DCV

The STR required to use a crossbow can be reduced by 5 if a simple device such as a belt-hook or goat's foot lever is used. In any case, the user is reduced to 1/2 DCV while loading and takes a full phase to load. Use of a crank reduces the STR needed to use a crossbow by 7, but also reduces the users DCV to 1/2. A crank requires 2 full phases to load.

 

Description of weapons

Arrow: Blunt	Simply an arrow with the head replaced with a heavy, round knob. Used for hunting small game or bring down a foe without killing them.
Arrow:Bodkin	A war arrow with a square, pointed head, designed to punch through armour.
Arrow:Broadhead	Originally a hunting arrow, with a wide, barbed head designed to cause nasty flesh wounds.
Arrow:Signal	An arrow with a round, fluted head made of wood or ceramic that whistles shrilly when air passes through it as it is fired
Quarrel	The missile used by a crossbow - thicker and shorter than a normal arrow.
Sling bullet	slings often fired a good sized stone. For extra oomph they could use a metal bullet - normally made of lead. Witty armourers would cast them with messages on them - such as "Take that!"
Short (or Self) Bow	The traditional bow, about half a man's height and simply carved from wood.
Longbow	A bow also carved from wood, but longer and heavier than a shortbow, allowing it to fire heavier missiles.
Recurved bow	A more sophisticated weapon made by laminating layers of horn, or even bone, with glue. The bow was formed into an exaggerated W-shape, which when strung was almost inverted. This allowed a longer bow in a smaller space.
Stone bow	A bow designed to fire small missiles like a sling stone rather than an arrow. Mostly used for hunting small game.
Crossbow	A weapon in which a bow is affixed horizontally to a stock, and the bowstring held in place by a lock. This allows the weapon to be held loaded (at least for a short time) and simplifies aiming. However, crossbows - while more powerful - were generally slower to load.
Dart	This covers an assortment of small hand-hurled missiles. They can be thrown singly or in groups. There is also a larger type of dart (such as the martobuli) which cannot be thrown autofire, but which are haevier - often having a lead weight behind the head.
Javelin	A light spear designed for throwing. It can also be used in HTH combat, doing 1d6 HKA.
Prod	A crossbow designed to fire small missiles like a sling stone rather than a quarrel. Mostly used for hunting small game.
Belt hook	a simple device to ease the drawing of a crossbow - it is simply a belt with a hook on it. Put the crossbow's front on the ground, bend down and slip the hook through the string and stand up - using your back and legs to draw it rather than your arms.
Goat's foot lever	Another device for drawing a crossbow - a simple lever
Crank	For drawing the heaviest crossbows - a windlass-like affair.
Sling	A simple leather or cloth strip that could be drawn up and used to flick a small missile. Contrary to the movies, you NEVER whirl a sling around.
Staff sling	The same device but mounted on a short pole to increase the momentum. Sometimes used to deliver small firepots, or jars of angry bees and the like.