> The fact of the matter is that most arrows are not travelling that
> fast and above a certain range they are parry-able if you know they
are
> coming. I did archery for two years at university and while target
bows
> are slower than hunting bows neither are most shots in combat taken
at
> the 20 yard range used indoors.
Agreed, my own arrows take 3 seconds to travel 100 yds.
> being rushed by the swordsman and cut down effectively weaponless
Thus the common contest of Archery vs Running.
Archer's Action: Ranged Combat vs Dodge
Warrior's Action: Running vs Ranged Combat
> too but it would be possible to use your shield. How would that
effect
> the playing out of archery contests?
Close Combat is usable as a defence against archery, with a suitable Improvisation Modifier. Remember, you CAN see an arrow coming but only if you KEEP watching it - so you can't watch anyone else! I would allow it at -10 if you can see the archer shoot, even worse if you can't. And worse if you are also defending in melee (where you must keep your shield constantly ready). In Live RolePlay I've been hit by a LOT of slow-moving foam-headed arrows, but I've rarely seen one coming if I was in melee at the time. You don't catch sight of arrows in mid air easily.
Wulf
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