Crossbow

A Crossbow is a recent innovation in long-range weaponry in Skyrim which has appeared coincident with the coming of the Dawnguard, who are the principal users of this weapon. It is an improvement on the Bow in that it provides brutal penetrative power but in balance, takes longer to reload. It uses short steel bolts instead of arrows, and is aimed differently than a bow. (It compares to aiming a rifle, as it has a stock.)

A crossbow uses a pliable metal bow mounted to a wooden stock, as well as metal wire, to provide to forceful penetration and flight speed to the steel bolt. This also gives the steel bolt excellent penetrative power against armour.