|
A tactical combat crossbow in reality
A crossbow is a weapon consisting of a bow mounted onto a stock that shoots projectiles named bolts or quarrels at parabolic arcs. Their first major usage originates in China around 600 B.C.. Although they see very little use in modern militaries, crossbows are still used for hunting and recreational target shooting.
Battlefield 3
— Battlelog Description
The XBOW is an improvised crossbow made on a malfunctioning M417 appearing in the Battlefield 3: Aftermath expansion pack.
of the USMC Recon equipped with a PKS-07. It was also seen equipped by the USMC Engineer and USMC Assault.
According to a post in the Battlefield Blog, it is described as a jury-rigged weapon made from a malfunctioning assault rifle, an M417, wire from a broken down car, scrap metal for the bow, and a optical sight like the Red Dot Sight or PKS-07 as shown in the trailer and preview screenshots.
Bolt Types
Standard bolts are the starting ammunition type. The three non-standard bolts are unlocked via assignments. Change fire rate (default V on PC, ↓ on consoles) switches between the bolt types.
Standard Bolt
The Standard Bolt is the default bolt type for the XBOW. It inflicts fatal damage at close range, and can kill with a headshot at any range. Due to its barbed head, it has a higher bolt drop compared to the balanced bolt thus limiting its range.
HE Bolt
— Battlelog description
The High Explosive Bolt is tipped with C4 that explodes on impact. It does not deal as much damage as an actual C4 charge or an RPG shot, but it can still disable scout choppers (AH-6 and Z-11w) in a single shot, and take out small groups of infantry. The HE Bolt is unlocked by completing the assignment A Good Demo Man, which requires the player to get:
- 5 kills with hand grenades
- 5 kills with underslung grenades
- 5 kills with C4
Scan Bolt
— Battlelog description
The Scan Bolt is tipped with a radio emitter that scans for enemies in a 10m radius. Scanned enemies are automatically spotted with a special flashing icon. The radio head only inflicts damage comparable to a single 5.56mm round, least among the bolt types. The Scan Bolt is unlocked after completing the assignment It Is Ok To Thank Me, which requires the player to get:
- 20 spot assists
- 10 vehicle laser designations
- 1 designated assist
BA Bolt
— Battlelog description
The Balanced Bolt, being more aerodynamic due to it being double-feathered, has the most range among the bolt types, but does less damage with its thinly-tipped head. The BA Bolt is unlocked after completing the assignment Stay Away From My Tent, which requires the player to get:
- 50 kills with sniper rifles.
- 10 headshot kills with sidearms.
Sights
Two assignments award the player with an XBOW equipped with a sight—the Kobra or the PKS-07.
Gallery
Trivia
- The lower part of the XBOW, the M417 receiver, has its ejection port, bolt release button, and magazine well taped shut.
- The XBOW on Battlelog is listed twice under the weapons tab, once with the Kobra and once with the PKS-07.
- In the Battlelog, once clicked on, the page for the XBOW SCOPED is equipped with the US 8x rifle scope instead of the PKS-07 scope it actually uses.