This is only my opinion, and as someone who led the charge when Crossbows were taken out in Oblivion (that didn't end up being so bad because, well, Oblivion svcked so I quickly stopped caring anyway since I just went back and played Morrowind), let me just say that the Crossbow (unfortunately I think there's just the one type, but I'm not sure on that) is [censored] badass, especially for stealth characters.

Now, that being said, I think the Crossbow should do MORE damage, and have a significantly longer reload time. Maybe 150% of the damage it does currently, but like 250% of the time to reload it as currently cause honestly, right now it only feels a little different from the bow. I mean, I have almost every single perk for the bow (the ones I care about), so I can pop shots off pretty fast, but I feel like I'm not spending much more time between shots with the crossbow. As many know, the two are very, very different weapons. This is only a video game, and there's magic and all sorts of [censored] like that, so I'm not going to harp too much on realism and everything, but just making them feel a little bit different would be a good thing in my opinion. Then again, with how badass they are and how I can take out groups with it, I guess I wouldn't be too upset if there was no change. Just a thought, though, and just my opinion.

I'd totally take more damage with a longer reload time.

I generally have the thing primed to fire once before switching to melee.

Great weapon.

More damage but longer reload would work with both my characters. My assassin would take the "one hit one kill" aproach and my warrior gets off a shot before pulling his greatsword. Nice idea and it gives them more of a different feel than bows, like you said, my assassin can shoot almost just like it is a bow because of the perks.

Quality idea. I wonder if Bethesda monitors their forums...

Not thoroughly enough.

There are technically four types of crossbows, but they all function the same way. The only real difference I feel with crossbows is the ability to shoot enchanted bolts. Other than that, they are just like bows except look different.

I agree with this idea.

I agree with this entirely. I love the fact that the enhanced ones pack a bit more punch, but they're still not up there compared to the higher level bows.

@Acid_Relic that's exactly the way I play. Get the OHK and then draw my enchanted Dragonbone Greatsword of Dawnguard Axe and shoot spells at them. I think it makes sense to get the damage boost and sacrifice reload time.

You know, I think the Steel crossbow should probably stay as is, but once you get the enhanced ones, those pack much more punch but take longer to reload. Maybe they should be scaled?

Theres more than one type. Theres dwarven and steel, I got the dwarven one by doing the ''Ancient technology'' quests.

That's strange. My crossbow does more damage than my dragonbone bow.

I swear that's how it is supposed to be. Or is it just you and me with the awesome crossbows?

High Smithing gear and potions do help with that quite a bit.