The defining characteristic of a crossbow, relative to other bow types, resides primarily in its mechanization. Unlike traditional bows where the archer must continuously exert force to hold the string at full draw, the crossbow incorporates a locking mechanism to retain the drawn string. This allows the user to aim steadily without the increasing muscle fatigue associated with holding a standard bow at full draw. A trigger releases the string, propelling the projectile. This fundamental difference impacts aiming precision and required physical strength.
This distinction grants advantages in terms of accuracy and accessibility. The reduced physical demand means individuals with less upper body strength can effectively utilize a crossbow. Historically, this characteristic made crossbows appealing to soldiers who might lack extensive archery training. Furthermore, the stable aiming platform afforded by the locking mechanism generally leads to improved shot consistency. This mechanization, however, traditionally came at the expense of speed, with crossbows often having a slower rate of fire than longbows.
