A bow is a weapon that consists of a flexible wooden arc designed to launch projectiles through means of elastic energy. A common piece of war equipment throughout Terran history, bows feature prominently in a number of other worlds, including Britannia, Serpent Isle, Eodon, Tarna and Rhiannon. They appear in Ultima I, Ultima II, Ultima III, Ultima IV, Ultima V, Ultima VI, Ultima VII, Ultima VII Part Two, and Ultima IX, as well as in the Ultima Underworld, Ultima Underworld II and Savage Empire.
Description[edit]
The standard Britannian bow is a simple weapon made out of wood, often yew. Dating back to the ancient days of Sosaria, this simple weapon was long a favorite of bards and rangers, and it allowed inexperienced or injured opponents to strike defensively against distant foes, raining a barrage of arrows against them before they could attack. In later ages, (Ultima V and onward) ammunition became crucial to archers, and a variety of magical arrows slowly made their way into warriors quivers.
Effectiveness of the Weapon[edit]
- In Ultima IV a normal bow has a damage rating of "40" and could be used by all professions except shepherds and mages.
- In Ultima V a normal bow has a damage rating of "10" and a range of "7".
- In Ultima VI a normal bow has a damage rating of "10" and a range of "5".
- These common bows were listed in Ultima VII as having an effectiveness rating of "8" and in Ultima VII Part Two as having a damage of "6" and an effective range of "10". In Ultima IX, novice bows did 1-6 damage at a short range; short bows did 10-15 damage at a medium range; and longbows did 20-25 at a medium range.[1][2]
Variants[edit]
Nahuatla Short Bow[edit]
In the temporally displaced valley of Eodon, the Nahuatla Tribe made use of bows instead of the more common atl-ah and blowguns found throughout the region. During the Avatar's journeys while stranded in this unique locale, the hero could purchase such weapons from the armor smith Atlipacta in exchange for two emeralds.
Siege Bow[edit]
- Main article: Siege bow
The strongest commercially made bow available in Ultima IX, the siege bow was a heavy piece of equipment designed for those already adept at archery. While its firing power was easily exceeded by magical weaponry, it was among the stronger weapons for wayfarers not able to afford or discover such enchanted pieces of equipment. It dealt 30-35 damage per hit and struck at a long range.[2]
Iolo's Bow[edit]
- Main article: Iolo's bow
One of the most famous bowyers of Britannian history, Iolo FitzOwen, prepared an expertly crafted bow in his later years, which he would gift to the Avatar should the hero be able to save him from death in the midst of the dungeon Despise. Requiring the archer who wielded it to be at peak physical condition to draw its bowstring, Iolo's bow delivered a fearsome bite to those in its sights, striking for 45-50 damage per hit and covering a long range with its arrows.
Magic Bows[edit]
- Main article: Magic bow
In addition to conventional bows, a number of magically enhanced bows existed that had been enchanted to improve their accuracy or hitting power – in some cases even being capable of manufacturing their own ammunition. Such artifacts were often rare or costly and would require a fat purse or an adventurous temperament to obtain.
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A truly competent long-range weapon. Get thy enemies before they can get thee! The Britannian bows are made from the finest yew wood. Each longbow is hand-rubbed and ornamented with horn nocks on the tips. A favorite among those with poor armour.
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Bows come from craftsmen in the deep forest. Made from strong and resilient yew, bows, and their stronger counterparts, crossbows, make formidable long-range weapons. Be aware, however, that one engaged in hand-to-hand combat is unlikely to be able to load such a weapon, much less shoot it.
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Bows and crossbows are capable of firing with tremendous force, but they require use of both hands and cannot be used effectively at point blank range.
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The disadvantage of bows, crossbows and slings is that loading them requires the use of both hands. Bows and crossbows also require two hands to fire.
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An expert bowman can end a fight without the enemy's awareness that one has begun. Though of no use in hand-to-hand combat, a bow can deliver a killing blow from a hundred yards distant. Crafted of flexible timber and animal sinew, a lightweight bow does unduly burden a fighting man. Targeted from afar, a strong enemy can arrive in a weakened condition. They who would flee can be encouraged to remain. Only a fool refuses to carry one.
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- In Ultima II, an Agility of 21 was required to wield a bow.
- In the Nintendo-port of Ultima III, the blowgun was the standard ranged weapon of the realm and was available for the same price as a bow in the original version of the game. Proper bows were only available in the city of Dawn.
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
