Crossbows lose accuracy badly. They are powerful point blank weapons. Historically, their value was that they were easy to use and could therefore be given to relatively untrained troops. Good longbow archers OTOH took years to develop.

I think that they are a great addition to Skyrim. First, they should be the standard ranged weapon of guards and bandits - who I see as ill trained. Second, they make a great addition to the warrior class - fire a crossbow and then charge. No worries about noise or reload time because you are only taking one shot and you are not trying to be sneaky about it. This is where the extra punch of a crossbow should serve a player well.

As has already been pointed out, they are horrible stealth weapons. Short ranged, slow, and noisy. If you want to compare them with guns think shotgun with buckshot, not sniper's rifle.

They really weren't advanced. They existed before plate mail, so they fit in just fine.

agree with arriere,as a stealth weapon crossbows are hopeless as you have to use a mechanical method to span it.
but if guards spot you from a fortress wall and they all have cb's,life will take a turn for the worse for you!

cant wait for them and what the modders will make of them.

and thank you skooma fiend,much appreciated! cheers

For one, I am excited to have this as my tertiary weapon right after the bow. Charge in fire off bolt or two and switch to melee, exciting and fast-pace combat.

I'm a little surprised there is only one crossbow type but different arrows. I would think they would've done a version for all your weapon materials.

http://www.justpushstart.com/2012/06/skyrim-dawnguard-dlc-contains-one-crossbow/

What about the dwemer crossbow?

All my characters are so expert with bows that they do ENORMOUS damage. I will be very surprised if I find the crossbow is of any use to me at all.

The giant thing mounted in dwemer ruins? You can't pick it up and use it like the new dlc crossbow. There is only one type of crossbow being added with the dlc.