Quote Originally Posted by Quintus.JC View Post
In my mind Retinue Longbowmen have several advantages over crossbows.

1. Able to plant stakes
2. Faster rate of fire
3. Accurate when firing overhead (when standing behind friendly forces, Crossbow have to fire straight on)
4. Armour peicing (arrow)
5. Good melee capability
6. Armour Peicing (hammer, I think)

So I think Retinue Longbowmen are better in the game, if you are debating historically accuracy and all then it should be in the monastary.
The fact is that historical accuracy is relatively well reflected in game when it comes to the question of longbows vs crossbows.

There are far more crossbow units available, earlier, and for a cheaper recruitment cost as well as upkeep.

Still- A unit of crossbowmen vs a unit of longbows isn't really even fair. The crossbowmen have most likely taken casualties and a moral hit before they've even fired their first shot off @ the longbows.