Pistol Crossbow

[Tartar Horde]

A favourite combination in earlier times was a pistol and rapier, discharge one shot and then attack with the blade. The pistol crossbow could be used in the same manner, in conjunction with something like a machete that does not require the same amount of skill to handle as a sword. I have one of the 80lb models and have tested it on a range of targets from point blank to thirty yards, and under ten yards I have no doubt it will penetrate deep enough to cause a lethal wound on a human in the chest area wearing "normal" clothes. I accept the arguments about "what if someone is wearing thick leather jackets", but as Timelord says that's the roll of the dice isn't it, and life is not always fair. The chances of this crossbow stopping you dead is slim, but it might buy you a bit of time. Over ten yards the small bolts lose velocity very quickly and subsequently energy on target and any thoughts of long shots should be forgotten as fantasy. For me the best scenario (if there is one) would be a hallway/passage where you only have to shoot straight ahead of you. Pull the trigger and then throw it at them.