Crossbow
Deadly silence from afar, requiring little skill but great patience.
The crossbow stands as one of the most versatile ranged weapons in the Kingdom Come Deliverance universe. Unlike the traditional longbow, which demands years of training to master, this mechanical device allows soldiers and hunters to deliver lethal force with relative ease. In the hands of Henry or his enemies, it serves as a tool for ambushes, defensive positioning, and hunting game across the rugged landscapes of 15th-century Bohemia.
- Weapon Type
- Ranged
- Skill Category
- Crossbows
- Ammunition
- Bolts
- Charging Mechanism
- Manual Lever or Crank
- Primary Attribute
- Stamina Cost
- Availability
- Common among Mercenaries and Hunters
Lore & Background
Within the game's narrative, Henry encounters crossbowmen frequently among bandit groups and enemy patrols. These weapons represent a threat that cannot be easily parried; a bolt flies silently and strikes with piercing force. Players must respect the reload time inherent to the weapon, as cocking the mechanism consumes significant stamina, leaving the user vulnerable if they mismanage their breath during prolonged engagements.
In Their Own Story
The rain slicked Henry's leather jerkin as he crouched behind a mossy stone wall. Through his fingers, he watched the patrol march past, oblivious to the danger lurking in the shadows. He raised the heavy crossbow, the wood cold against his shoulder. With a slow exhale, he engaged the crank, feeling the tension build in the string. A single breath held, a single bolt loosed, and the guard crumpled before the sound of the release even faded into the wind.
Reader's Guide
Mastering the crossbow requires patience and careful stamina management. Unlike bows, you cannot fire rapidly without exhausting yourself quickly. Always ensure you have enough breath to brace the weapon before aiming; running immediately before shooting drains your energy pool significantly. If you feel fatigued, switch to a melee stance or sheath the weapon immediately to recover your wind.
Maintenance is crucial for reliability in battle. A dirty mechanism jams under pressure, costing you vital seconds. Regularly clean the stock and lubricate the string using oil found in crafting kits or purchased from merchants. Neglecting this upkeep leads to slower reload times and potential misfires during critical moments against armored foes.
Progression focuses heavily on precision and speed improvements. Invest skill points into increasing your effective range and reducing stamina consumption per shot within the combat menu. The perk tree allows you to unlock the ability to fire while moving, though accuracy suffers greatly compared to stationary shots. Practice in safe zones like Rattay’s training grounds before facing armored knights or bandits in the open field. Retrieve bolts after engagements whenever possible to conserve resources on long campaigns through Bohemia.
Did You Know?
- Heavy crossbows deal higher damage but require significantly more stamina to cock than light variants.
- Bolts embedded in enemies can be retrieved for reuse, reducing ammunition costs during exploration.
- Some bandit camps feature dedicated snipers who use crossbows to pick off travelers from high ground.
- The weapon skill tree includes perks that reduce the time needed to reload after a shot is fired.