I had always assumed missiles were deadlier at closer range due to increased penetration but I guess its just due to increased accuracy.

Just reading up on the physics of longbows, I saw a claim that it could shoot an arrow a mile. Pretty ridiculous considering the absolute maximum range of a rifle bullet is only about 2 miles. A much more enlightened website quoted a historical source complaining that only 1/10th of his archers could shoot farther than '12-14 score' = 240-280 yards.