Well, historical archers weren't exactly looking for accuracy. Bows have draw weights, it dictates how hard it is to pull the string and what force will be applied to the arrow.
Historical bows have absurd draw weights. They are incredibly hard to shoot accurately, but the arrows will travel a long distance. They were rarely shooting in a straight line, but were rather facing the sky such that the arrow will draw a curve through the air.
They used to create archer groups and shoot arrow barrages, that is a rain of arrows falling on the enemy troops.
There are exceptions. Some asian archers, especially, used to shoot arrows from horseback. They had the height and advantage and engaged in mid range combat that way.
What's funny, though, is how movies/games depict archers as some skinny guys. That's certainly not true. You had to be really fit to shoot such heavy bows.
iHateCoding7 t1_ixqws8e wrote
Reply to ELI5: How are archers “efficient” in combat? by Environmental_Point3
Well, historical archers weren't exactly looking for accuracy. Bows have draw weights, it dictates how hard it is to pull the string and what force will be applied to the arrow.
Historical bows have absurd draw weights. They are incredibly hard to shoot accurately, but the arrows will travel a long distance. They were rarely shooting in a straight line, but were rather facing the sky such that the arrow will draw a curve through the air.
They used to create archer groups and shoot arrow barrages, that is a rain of arrows falling on the enemy troops.
There are exceptions. Some asian archers, especially, used to shoot arrows from horseback. They had the height and advantage and engaged in mid range combat that way.
What's funny, though, is how movies/games depict archers as some skinny guys. That's certainly not true. You had to be really fit to shoot such heavy bows.