Longbows: Lobbed Or Not?

The longbow is a powerful medieval weapon that played a significant role in the military history of England and Wales. With a length of about 6 feet, it required significant practice and skill to use effectively. The question of whether longbows need to be lobbed arises due to their size and the challenge of manoeuvring in tight spaces.

Longbows, with their impressive length, can be cumbersome to carry and manoeuvre, especially in thick vegetation or confined areas. Their length makes them prone to knocking into objects and creating unwanted noise. However, when used in open spaces or while sitting in one spot, longbows provide ample power and accuracy for activities like hunting.

The act of lobbing refers to the technique of throwing or tossing an object, and in the context of archery, it might suggest shooting an arrow with an arched trajectory. While longbows don't need to be physically lobbed like a thrown object, the term lobbing could be used metaphorically to describe the technique of shooting arrows with an arched path due to the significant draw weight and power of the longbow.

In conclusion, while longbows don't need to be physically lobbed, the term lobbing can be metaphorically applied to describe the shooting technique that takes advantage of the longbow's power and range capabilities.

Longbows are heavy and cumbersome to carry around

The weight and bulk of longbows also make them too large for small or tiny creatures to use effectively. Additionally, longbows require both hands to use, so it is not possible to use a shield or hold another item while firing a longbow. This lack of mobility and protection can put longbow users at a disadvantage in combat situations.

Longbows are made of wood, typically yew, but also ash, elm, or other hardwoods. The arrows are also usually made of wood, with tips made of brass or iron and natural feathers. The time and materials required to make a longbow contribute to their weight and cumbersome nature. The traditional way of making a longbow involves drying the yew wood for 1-2 years and then slowly working it into shape, a process that can take up to four years.

Despite their weight and bulk, longbows were crucial to British victory in battles such as Crecy and Agincourt. They were powerful weapons with a long range, able to deliver arrows with high force and accuracy. However, their weight and the years of practice needed to use them effectively meant that longbow users required specialised training and could not easily adapt to new situations.

Longbows are difficult to manoeuvre in tight spots

One user shared their experience of using a 6-foot longbow, stating that simply carrying it from their garage to the backyard resulted in them hitting various objects along the way. They also mentioned the concern of knocking the bow on trees and making noise while moving through the woods, which could be a problem for hunters or archers in natural environments.

Another user highlighted the advantage of shorter bows for hunting, stating that a shorter bow is easier to manoeuvre in blinds and tree stands or when stalking through grass or brush.

The length of longbows also makes them challenging to transport, especially when compared to takedown recurve bows that can be easily packed for travel.

In addition to their length, longbows also require both hands to hold and use effectively. This means that archers cannot use a shield simultaneously, which could leave them more vulnerable in combat situations.

While longbows offer power and accuracy, particularly at longer ranges, their size and manoeuvrability can be a significant disadvantage in certain situations, such as tight spaces or when quick movement is required.

Longbows are made of wood, aluminium or carbon

Longbows are traditionally made of wood, but they can also be made of aluminium or carbon.

The historical longbow was a self bow made of a single piece of wood. The traditional English longbow is made from yew wood, which is good in compression and light and elastic. Yew was the preferred material to make the longbow, but ash, elm, and other hardwoods were also used. Yew was the wood of choice in Europe because of its high compressive strength, light weight, and elasticity.

Modern longbows may also be made from modern materials or by gluing different timbers together. Wooden laminated longbows can be made by gluing together two or more different pieces of wood, usually taking advantage of the inherent properties of different woods. For example, hickory and lemonwood, or bamboo and yew longbows: hickory or bamboo is used on the back of the bow and is in tension, while the belly is made of lemonwood or yew and undergoes compression.

Kyudo bows are made of carbon, as well as traditional bamboo. There is also a guy on the Yorkshire scene who is notorious for his suspected use of carbon fibre in his longbow. Although it would not be impossible to make a longbow with carbon inserts, it would not be legal in the National Field Archery Society's longbow class, which states that wooden bows are the only ones allowed.

Longbows are harder to master than other weapons

Longbows are harder to shoot than modern bows. They are the hardest type of bow to use. They are quite different from recurve and compound bows. They don't come with any of the advantages that either the recurve or compound bow has. They make you rely on your technique.

The longbow is the same as a melee weapon when you attack. You first determine the range of your target with the longbow. The DM will then determine which modifiers you need to add to your attacks. For example, whether you have an advantage over someone else. The final step is to roll for your attack roll. If you’re proficient with the longbow, your attack roll will be 1d20 + Strength modifier + proficiency bonus.

Longbows are harder to shoot than other bows because they are so long. They are typically about 6 feet tall. Carrying a 6-foot-long stick around is not as easy as you would think. It's surprisingly cumbersome and difficult to move around.

Longbows are also harder to master because they require a lot of practice. In an era when warfare was usually seasonal, and non-noble soldiers spent part of the year working on farms, the year-round training required for the effective use of the longbow was a challenge.

Longbows are more effective in certain classes in Dungeons & Dragons

In the game, the longbow is considered a martial weapon, and only certain classes are proficient in its use. These classes include the Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, and Ranger. These classes are considered skilled fighters, and their proficiency in martial weapons makes them better suited to handle the longbow effectively.

While any class can technically use a longbow, the aforementioned classes have an advantage due to their combat-oriented nature and proficiency with similar weapons. The longbow's range, damage output, and accuracy make it a powerful tool in the hands of these skilled fighters, allowing them to keep their distance from enemies and deal significant damage.

Additionally, the longbow has magical variants that can be obtained, providing further advantages in combat. Overall, the longbow is a valuable asset for specific classes in Dungeons & Dragons, particularly those with martial prowess.

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