I'm not an archer, but I really like the crossbow, although I believe it is overpowered. The distance and damage are ridiculous compared to any other standard bows. Naturally the rate of fire is very slow, so not very effective against multiple foes. What do you think of the crossbow in general?

I love archery (I'm an archer in real life), and I also love the crossbow. The ammo is expended rather easily, even with Hunter's Discipline, but it's so fun to use.

I don't love or hate the crossbow, but I like it.

I prefer to use the bow myself, but it looks cool when given to a follower.

I love it! Using SkyRe its distributed into the levelled list, so even early in the game, I'm bumping into bandits firing at me with them! Deadly if you're not careful

love it for certain characters but its noisy and slow.

It is my primary weapon, and has been since Dawnguard. The disadvantages it brings are quite welcomed, for it's stopping power offsets them.

It seems a little OP for me. I wish it were much slower for the big damage it deals out.

The bolts make a very satisfying *THAK* noise when they hit their mark.

I think the crossbows are balanced just right. They fire instantly, no draw time... because all that draw time is after the firing. You are mobility-impaired while you're drawing a new one. you can't dart back behind cover like you can with a bow. The ammo is a bit harder to come by too... but then again, the game practically throws regular arrows at you by the wagon load so that's not as big a deal as it seems.

Also, has anyone else done this? I can't be the only one...

I play with SkyRe active. I favor the longbows. I shoot in RL on a regular basis as well as craft my own. There is nothing quite as satisfying as cutting down an Osage Orange and turning it into a weapon to harvest your own game.

In game... my archers are snipers that launch from great distances. Something that I cannot achieve in RL so it holds a deep appreciation in that aspect.

It's not slow with the right perks...

I have ALL the archery perks and whenever I'm using my Crossbow, I **** things up! XD

And yes, I love crossbows. Always a fan of such an awesome weapon.

I like it. Prefer bows though.

I've a feeling this poll will have an overwhelming number of "Love it" votes.

But I'll be one of the few who hate it. I'll stick to the bow, even if they are a bit ugly.

I always use a bow at some point on all my characters.. On my heavy armored knightly characters, i try to go Xbow.. Its 'supposed' to hit harder, and shoot further than a bow.. The bows on the Xbow, have more tension on them.. They were actually used to pierce armor back then...Its not used for repeated shots, and its more of a 1 time use thing, or gap closer than someone like an archer, who can fire and reknock an arrow in quick succession... The Xbow used to take tools, or even 2-3 ppl to reload... Some were made with cranks on them to pull the strings back...

So yes, i think the representation of it in Skyrim, is accurate, for a game.. Actually theyd fire far slower!

While i prefer a bow on light characters, knights should go xbow (if any at all)

Longbow every time!

I dont mind it as well. Only use it when i join the DG. Theres other bows id rather use.

The crossbow ia a sixy weapon but I prefer my Nordic Bow.

Crossbows are cool and I'm glad they are in the game, but I much prefer longbows, preferably simple long bows that have been uber-smithed to roughly Dragonbone equivalency. For Jarand, that's his ranged weapon of choice.

I don't find them overly slow at all; even if the reload took twice as long, I still think it rather on the quicker-than-not side. I simply enjoy longbows more, both in real life and in-game.

I usually prefer my Pa's axe and just fighting in melee but the crossbow is my favourite ranged weapon.

I usually use Traditional bows for thieves and crossbows for warriors.

hate it, its boring and i wish there were more variety

U TAEK THET BAK!

I also disagree. I don't find it boring at all, but I do switch to first person every time I use it. I do that with all types of bows. When you use it in first person it will give the crossbow a whole new dimension.

I'm incline to agree on all accounts. Especially the latter. The game should have had a http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/23876/?tab=3&navtag=%2Fajax%2Fmodimages%2F%3Fid%3D23876%26user%3D1&pUp=1

Crossbow for me is more for a warrior with good stamina

Bow is more for a character that has high agility (stealth)

I've completed Dawnguard twice, but have never picked up a crossbow, as I simply prefer regular bows, especially the quicker rate of fire.