In BG1 they are better if you are going to use the Army Scythe, and they are not worth for anyone else than a Bard (which goes well with RP also). In BG2 they are better for Warrior classes, you don't have to worry about APR, use AGWW and done, Crossbows deal higher damage and have better effects on hit, easier to get higher THAC0 and with AGWW you have 10 APR anyway. In BG2 they are not worth for non-fighter classes same way they are not worth for any other than bards in BG1. In a RP sense they are besides my favorite weapons, but bows look better in this game
The only time I ever give anyone crossbow proficiency is when I come across random loot with a bolt of polymorphing. Totally worth it to turn some unsuspecting schmuck into a squirrel for the rest of their life.
In BG1, bows have access to arrows so completely OP (arrows of detonation) than crossbows cannot really compete, even if you take into account the extremely expensive army scythe. it does not mean that they are bad, far from it but bows are just better
Oh, come on. Obviously armies used bows and crossbows because the range and because the amount of ammo, both compared to throwing weapons. Besides, chopping a tree is not like killing a person. A tjrowing axe is equaly deadly than a two handed axe.
The Army Scythe isn't that outrageously expensive is it? I mean compared to things like the robes of the archmagi it seems reasonably priced, especially considering how good it is... Come to think of it... Isn't the Army Scythe the cheapest of the 3 unique items that Thunderhammer has?
Edit: Not only is it the cheapest of the unique items in Thunderhammer's shop; it is also the cheapest unique item in Thunderhammer's and Thalantyr's shops combined.
For the same price you get the Short Bow +1 and the Composite Long Bow +1 and still have enough left gold over for good ammo for two bow users. It's usually last on my shopping list unless it's for my PC.
Comments
In BG2 they are better for Warrior classes, you don't have to worry about APR, use AGWW and done, Crossbows deal higher damage and have better effects on hit, easier to get higher THAC0 and with AGWW you have 10 APR anyway. In BG2 they are not worth for non-fighter classes same way they are not worth for any other than bards in BG1.
In a RP sense they are besides my favorite weapons, but bows look better in this game
Edit: Not only is it the cheapest of the unique items in Thunderhammer's shop; it is also the cheapest unique item in Thunderhammer's and Thalantyr's shops combined.