Crossbow - Black Ops 2 Weapon Guide

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This time, we're covering the Crossbow.
Perhaps the most highly strung of the secondary options, the Crossbow returns from Black Ops with a more modern look, and a 3-round mag - and is unlocked at level 25.
The Crossbow is an ancient weapon that dates to around the 5th Century BC.
The earliest examples stem from archaeological findings in China, although the precise origin of the weapon is not known.
The Crossbow's introduction to Europe was through the Greek 'gastraphetes' - a handheld wooden weapon that bears a close resemblance to its modern equivalent.
By the middle ages, the crossbow was a common sight on the battlefield, capable of imparting greater kinetic energy than a longbow, and remaining effective in the hands of an untrained soldier.
In modern times, crossbows still see limited use in specialised roles - with their ability to launch unconventional payloads, and the relatively quiet report of a launched bolt.
In-game, damage is rather unconventional: the crossbow's bolts deal minor damage upon impact, and after a few seconds will explode, dealing a lethal blow to any unfortunate souls they might be embedded in.
Impact damage is 40 units, meaning you'll need three such strikes to kill an uninjured opponent, although you might see some hurt foes succumb to a single stick.
Explosive damage is high, even sufficient to kill an opponent with Flak Jacket - but the blast radius is miniscule, meaning it's unlikely you'll kill anyone not directly stuck with a bolt.
Ranged performance is surprisingly good, as long as you accommodate for the parabolic trajectory and travel time of the bolt: aim above and ahead of a distant opponent, and the graceful arc of a successful stick will be your reward.
Of course, such shots are tricky - but with practice you'll be able to reliably hit stationary enemies at any distance.
It's also worth noting that despite the stealthy connotations of a real-life crossbow, the Black Ops 2 rendition does not behave as a suppressed weapon - you will appear on radar when firing.
Rate of fire is slow - at just 52 rounds per minute, it's important to make each bolt count.
The time spent resetting for the next shot is best spent tracking your bolt's terminal point - so you can better adjust your aim and score a hit with the next one if needs be.
Hipfire performance is generally poor - although spread is average, the slow rate of fire and fuse delay means that if you're forced to resort to hipfire with the crossbow, your outlook may be bleak.
Handling is generally OK - recoil isn't a factor in your accuracy, for one.
Aim time is as quick as an assault rifle, at 250 milliseconds - and switch times are quick enough for the Crossbow to be useful as a situational secondary.
While equipped, you'll move 100 percent of the maximum base speed.
Unlike its previous incarnation, the Crossbow in Black Ops 2 now has a magazine to draw bolts from - although capacity is limited, at just 3 bolts between reloads.
Reloads are relatively slow, at 2.85 seconds to complete - but given the limited starting supply of the crossbow, you won't have the opportunity to perform too many reloads, unless you're able to resupply.
This is one good reason to limit engagements with the Crossbow to longer distances only - at a close range, your enemy will find it easier to kill you in their last couple of seconds, leaving you with naught but an Afterlife medal and snuffed scorestreak.
Your ideal quarry is an unaware sniper over a mid-to-long sightline: such an opponent's stationary nature will make it much easier to land a successful stick at a distance.
With static targets you don't need to lead your shots to compensate for any lateral motion - all you need concern yourself with is the projectile drop, so aim higher the further you are from the target.
The Crossbow is an interesting and unique weapon, and while it fits in with few conventional loadouts it does provide a challenging and rewarding way to play.
Successfully sticking an opponent will yield a reliable kill - while a team-mate might pilfer your victim betwixt stick and detonation, the enemy's fate is otherwise sealed.
The Crossbow is perhaps one of the few secondaries that performs well at a longer range, too - meaning that it can be a good complement to a shotgun, in order to extend your reach.
However, the Crossbow is a weapon heavily dependent on accuracy - and one that does not fare very well under primary usage.
The limited ammunition supply is a major downside, hindering your ability to spam a large volume of explosives towards a target, and instead requiring that you regularly scavenge a supply.
Still, the Crossbow resides within the secondary selection for a reason - and it is a situational weapon that fills a role like none other.

[@joshb7227]

Manufacturer "ancient man" lol

[@z-trip5457]

xD

[@vyke2107]

Even funnier is that it isn’t ancient. As he says in the video, it only really arrived in the Middle Ages. How’s were the ancient crossbows. I guess time really does seem to blend together.

[@VideoMask93]

@@vyke2107 The Han dynasty, contemporary with Rome, would like a word with you.

[@xtimes3952]

lel

[@kayagorzan]

Lmao

[@Wiiranger87]

The one thing that baffles me is the fact that there is no "normal arrow" attachment, this could have a be an awesome long range silence weapon like in the Black Ops campaign. Such a letdown that in black ops 2 they loss the opportunity.

[@javiktheprothean1469]

I share your pain

[@ianthomo33]

In the campaign I tried to unlock the 2 crossbows thinking one was explosive and the other normal arrow they were both explosive such a troll

[@xskatewarriorkidx]

That would be really cool to have, the closest thing we have is using tribolt and getting direct impact kills

[@weakestlink20]

Wiiranger87 While it'd be cool, it probably wouldn't make the Crossbow practical in any case. It'd be just a Battlefield Sniper Rifle that kills anywhere to the body, and gives no indication on radar. It'd be hell on wheels for less accurate players.

[@british35]

@@weakestlink20That and most snipers would see no advantage to equipping this and denying any chance of a reliable mid-to-close range secondary instead of just spending a point on a suppressor

[@kloost3730]

He got a quad feed with greanads

[@big_sea]

swag

[@longdongbongchong]

Another thing, I don't think that Flak Jacket is a good perk to run here. It doesnt protect you from your own explosives, and since the crossbow is for longer range, I don't see its use.

[@mchandler2112]

"Manufacturer: Ancient Man" Thanks.

[@JahovasFitness]

Getting a bloodthirsty with this thing is so damn hard I almost cried a couple of times. It ain't easy at all. Lot of luck needed, even in sticks and stones.

[@paullawrence4397]

I got the bloodthirsty in sticks and stones but I can't get skulls or it would be diamond

[@JahovasFitness]

I'm sorry, but I don't quite understand what you're saying with the way you worded your sentence. Not trying to be insulting, but I just don't get what you're getting at.

[@paullawrence4397]

Basically I got the bloodthirsty but I reloaded in the middle of the streak

[@weakestlink20]

Jake Holland You should probably stick to Tri Bolt, and keep getting Scavenger packs. Even though it's nowhere near as efficient, multi-kills can be possible if playing objective game modes like Demolition or Hardpoint. Rely on your teammates to force the scavenger packs to drop.

[@Europium]

5:30 dat quad feed doe

[@BabyKobeeee]

Actually you can survive a stick from the explosive arrow. If you jump into a wall the game thinks the arrow is in the wall and there's a limited Chance you'll survive

[@davecrupel2817]

I never knew that.... Probably wouldnt get time to do it anyways. S:

[@kapitan762x54R]

Yeah. Sounds impractical.

[@DaxCorsiar]

2:25 oh I see you sniper... trying to do a 360 no scope. >o>

[@BenSelleyP]

Dax Corsiar lol

[@hatedarksideninja2362]

Is it just me or HOW FUCKING INSANE IS THIS GUY that TIMING THO

[@Jarpey77]

*Subscribes cause of his voice*

[@RaaZVan99]

He's the second Morgan Freeman =D

[@iwishiwasasian8380]

Morgan Freeman is not british -_-

[@Michael-wm3nl]

I wish I was Asian Facepalm

[@shong42]

Your voice is so cool

[@DungeonTracks]

I always have trouble making builds without Scavenger, it's just such a fun perk - especially in BO2.

[@thefez-cat]

Call of Duty logic: the tiny click of this crossbow firing isn't a stealth weapon, but a 146dB suppressed pistol shot is.

[@tobos8909]

So the crossbow was the AKM of the middle ages

[@richhomietrevon778]

Dude... U are soooo good with the crossbow!

[@soundoftime7923]

These are only the highlights

[@DootNeon]

SoundofTime sadly

[@Horrorfreak106]

Your voice...so soothing....

[@leonardcrainie9928]

an interesting fact to note is that some reticles on the acog acurately gauge the parabolic arc

[@TheUKNutter]

+Leonard Crainie Name any?

[@leonardcrainie9928]

+TheUKNutter it's been so long I can't remember any sorry

[@TheUKNutter]

+Leonard Crainie what about the ranged drop reticle? Although I had tried this theory you had myself 2 years ago and found it was only good when aiming for the 3rd circle when dropshotting.

[@leonardcrainie9928]

+TheUKNutter no idea mate sorry but it worked for me quite well

[@tyresewomack4066]

I can beat anybody with that crossbow

[@infraredplayer]

I am amazing with the crossbow at any range but aiming at a moving target who's running left or right is difficult. I recommend using Tri-bolt if you're going against opponents with shields. I also highly recommend the Dual Band attachment for it is amazing. I have many spots you can cover with the Crossbow Dual Band at the beginning of games. The little down lines on the Dual Band I call ventricles ( I don't know why) The Highest is the 1st going to the last one on the bottom which is 3. In Yemen you can use the third ventricle at the sniping spot which over looks the other side at the map or the stairs where you first spawn on your right looking back at the spot, it will hit every time. In Express you can stand by the stairs or the sniping spot in the hallways above the train which overlooks the other sniping spot to right or left depending on where you spawn and get them with the third ventricle depending where they are (stairs or sniping spot) In Standoff the sniping spot which over looks the other building you use the third ventricles and the second when there's enemies at the bottom of the other sniping spot. In Hijacked the sniping spots in the middle you use the first ventricle applying to nuketown as well. In Raid, the sniping spots by the pool (window) and the basketball court( the large frame next to the money room outside that the other sniping spot overlooks) you use the second ventricle. I have other and I can show you GT: Infrared NRG

[@AlchemistOfNirnroot]

Nope. all you need to do is stick their shield and they'll die.

[@infraredplayer]

AlchemistOfNirnroot You'll miss or die it's not easy as it sounds. Trust me.

[@AlchemistOfNirnroot]

NRG Player If you can't hit a massive assault shield just stop playing FPSs...

[@infraredplayer]

AlchemistOfNirnroot It's not as easy as you think it is in Black Ops 2. Their shield is not that big and could automatically switch to C4 or Executioner. They also move around too much and it's difficult to get a kill. I can hit it you fucking idiot but it;s fucking hard when they're moving or switching every 2 fucking seconds I like to see you try.

[@AlchemistOfNirnroot]

NRG Player Use Flak Jacket... Tactical Mask etc etc etc.

[@321MXM]

I've watch alot of you XboxAhoy· but not really you weapon guides simply because i was to lazy to follow it. but now watching your weapon guide it honestly surpasses alot of the other weapon guides on KZbin. I mean not only do you provide an greatly detailed breakdown of the gun you also create a class that actual compliments both player and gun. make it actual efficient. after watching the break down XboxAhoy· your deffenitly going to be my got to weapon guide. Continue the good work! ~MxM

[@lil_ch3x_pdx018]

I feel like these videos just secretly show us how much a god he is.

[@lor05]

I miss this weapon, I had fun using the crossbow.

[@xexilez99x]

Love the format of these reviews.

[@TheColdsuit]

I like his commentary and the humorous quote at the end of each guide.

[@jelob6783]

Ahoy,mm you have the voice, the speech, and the English of a badass

[@z-trip5457]

thays completely true! im not british but i love them!

[@jackiechan5815]

7:36 was sick

[@L3ONLINEz]

Great clips this week Stu

[@usernamedkjahstill5003]

I absolutely love this crossbow. Especially playing on Hardcore you shoot the target and then it explodes getting rid of all the other collateral enemies. But even playing on standard was also hilarious because we could see one of your teammates being swamped by enemies fire one of those into his back and then he become a detonating problem!

[@dankydont]

Nowadays, a glitch has plagued this weapon when going for car kills. If you're trying to get gold for it now, it won't work. Any car kill doesn't count towards your camouflage challenge.

[@LO-zr6he]

ooh dat triple kill in the begining

[@greenhawk655]

Your Videos are the best! Keep up the great work!

[@hurpdurpdurpity]

this weapon had to have taken a long time well done stu!

[@ahmedhassan9256]

This weapon will leave your opposition ...... with an arrow to the knee.

[@CreeperKohlmann]

Because that joke is not old :)

[@davecrupel2817]

And then no knee at all.

[@YugoslavGamer]

Skyrim lel

[@0IIIIII]

I hate quickscopers I'm sorry but they're overpowered. Time-to-kill is instantaneous, and they're deadly at any range.

[@texychick]

Not just anyone can quick scope accurately, you need skill

[@0IIIIII]

Sherlock Holmes What's important is that it's unbalanced and overpowered, and that not everyone wants to quickscope, or play with quickscopers.

[@beefalo7589]

+0IIIIII Nah, the slow mo hack is more annoying.

[@0IIIIII]

I like Wolves and Bears Maybe, but I still do not like quickscopers. In Black Ops they were able to get rid of it somehow, I think due to changes with sniping and aiming mechanics. I don't think they should completely remove quickscoping, because it is cool, and I get that at least some people really like it, but can they at least nerf it, or remove it from every other series, or something?

[@beefalo7589]

0IIIIII You are amazing. That's literally what I feel. Most people say that quickscoping should be completely removed, but they should still be in the game. Just make it more challenging. Again,I agree with you completely.

[@dousuck7]

Nice vids keep it up I look forward 2 more of them

[@ALEXorANDRE]

that rc xd shot at 7:36 was sick

[@OliSR]

If you could choose only one weapon which would you choose?

[@arkodex1768]

Oi OliSR!

[@jehehehedias5881]

MP7

[@dj-ze5rz]

0:37 Fart lol

[@Zoraxon]

I love the crossbow, nobody else I play with really appreciates it. also, ballistics calculations.

[@sniperheroes3082]

It actually took Activision seven years from BO2 to implement ballistic calculations to every weapon, while EA's Battlefield had already done that by 2012.

[@denisedeluca456]

Coolest reviews ever thx SO MUCH u earned a sub

[@daamazingpetloversl8267]

He tried to noscope :D 2:25

[@jh0347]

Trickshot*

[@scoundrelneo913]

+Justin Bieber Sucks Hip fire*

[@jh0347]

Lol

[@scoundrelneo913]

+Justin Bieber Sucks Lol

[@Dank_Dank]

Did this gun get nerfed? cuz i can only get kills if i hit them directly

[@TheGunslinger44]

Not for me. I got a few kills just now by getting 'em really close to the radius.

[@Dank_Dank]

James Blackburn Oh

[@t1995roger10]

Happy 300k subscribers Stu

[@AgentCat314]

YOU DARE DEFY THE EPICNESS OF XBOXAHOY?!?!?

[@zephyrbat]

these clips are sick! damn

[@kraftedFTW]

I have been subbed from your other channel bonus channel for over 3months without realising about this one xD

[@Ratt611]

Love that crossbow gameplay!

[@dillonc7955]

Getting all of the camos with the crossbow is quite the challenge. For getting a triple kill with this thing, you'd have to be beyond lucky to find 3 enemies standing next to each other.

[@Breikzer]

Great video!

[@Lionclaw]

I finally finished it today. I tried every game mode I could think of, and the one that got the job done was hardcore kill confirmed. The game goes to 100 giving you more time when you die the first few times. The class is Tribolt as the attachment (the only way to get consistent hits and they die on impact, no waiting for the explosion), lightweight, ghost, scavenger, and dexterity with a concussion. It took me a few days of trying it on and off, but when you get it, you'll be jumping for joy.

[@SonnyRed420]

Great work.

[@vladasviciunas3189]

that semtex quad was nasty!!!!

[@EpicAdz]

Welcome back Bond, now it is time to be briefed about the Crossbow...

[@Nordheide]

Really liked the music in the background

[@MrFanBoyDee]

Holy crap man. That bloodthirsty took me DAYS. Litterally

[@ethanbaum6475]

Nice end line. I liked it

[@SwagmasterShamwow]

Almost 300K Stu!

[@osokTHEelegy]

That long shot at the end... WOW that was some stick

[@harryevans4994]

4:30 i love how he used the flashbang as a transitional element

[@juliobrian4757]

I've had some fun using the Crossbow. I also used it to trick opponents into specific choke points...

[@simonriley983]

How do you aim SO GOOD ... If there's an enemy so far that they are a pixel on a screen you can literally pin point you're sights exactly on them very quick!!!

[@NickyGi]

In half an hour the msmc weapon guide will be up on youtube!!!! Can't fucking wait!!!

[@iceypumpkinhead]

Tip: always remember to return to your last death location when low on ammo.

[@KGODSMACKC]

Ive noticed that the ranger drop reticule on the ACOG scope seems to work quite well with the crossbow... since it fires on a parabolic trajectory.. you can use the notches under the main sight to accurately place your shots if you're trying to fire from longer ranges..

[@wrangler8286]

thank you what a useful tip, it helps me to be good at using it.

[@Twilit_Reaver]

That grenade quad feed tho 👌👌👌

[@XaviosAedifica]

From 1:13, I see a combine emblem on the crossbow that I'm pretty sure I made.

[@Jafly707]

Firstly I love your voice (its the best in all of KZbin land) and secondly I would like to know whether your voice was always so low or if it just dramatically changed during your voice breaking. Thank you in advance :)

[@chenugent]

wow stu your amazing with the crossbow!

[@DaUtubaA]

I feel this whole situation has been blown out of proportion.

[@noodlesthe1st]

a assault shield actually goes well with a crossbow because you can plant it and aim at them through the shield and pop up and shoot.

[@mailmailfredricks]

Your videos are helpful

[@yazackak]

Nice combine emblem! I gotta get me one of those.

[@venomss95]

Played hardcore to get this gold, if you get a stick in hardcore they die from the impact and still drop scavenger packs so as long as you can stick them you will always have ammo, the tri bolt attachment works well for this to ensure that you get a stick

[@TheFlipsterGoodfella]

Dude your really good at the crossbow 0.o :D

[@kniter]

MMS next please :D? Love your guides

[@zzToXicM0nkeyzz]

Stu, the crossbow bloodthirsty is the bane of me !! Ive been trying for months to get the if any sugeations

[@Donutplayer]

Uploaded a few hours before my B-Day enjoyed it XD

[@neville5555]

I recommand to use dexterity perk instead of a secondary concussion grenade. It´s very useful to aim faster. And because you got scavenger, you'll have all the concussion grenade you want. Cheers.

[@sleuth-yi1xt]

Love this weapon miss the old days

[@SNoScreamer]

For the BT medals I did: use the crossbow (dont use tribolt) and stuck some enemies. Once you've depleted the mag knife an enemy so he drops the scavenger pack. The BT challenges are given to you with 5kills with the weapon in the same life, not using only (yeah it is said there) the weapon. Give it a try

[@sand9979]

bring back the weapon guide's :D

[@FangSylux]

I love the crossbow, such a ridiculous yet fun weapon to use :P

[@blackpowersurge]

@115stfx21 The crossbow doesn't work off of hit detection, it fires an actual bolt, but you got that right, it has terrible splash.

[@TheDominator457]

while I like Stu's crossbow class, I found it much easier to use the reflex sight. Helped me get the crossbow gold

[@Mauritsiobro]

Nevermind actually, he stated he was busy this week in the FAL OSW bonus video.

[@Arek_1]

In headshotz2weak's minor defense, when the video starts it goes from 9:11 to 9:10. If it's playing an ad at the beginning, it stays at 9:11 until the video starts. Headshotz2weak probably had an ad, noticed the duration of the video, disregarded the content of the video, and chose to post his off topic comment.

[@omegaxtrigun]

Unless a stuck bolt is special or flak jacket changed in the few weeks since I played the game, flak jacket doesn't protect you from your own explosives. So it won't help you survive someone trying to kill you with your own stick.

[@alek5201]

He answers people's questions that are on these videos on his Ahoy Xbox channel like I just said..

[@M.asem-]

I love the puns at the end

[@marvinminaya9043]

Golden crossbow was such a beauty

[@SSgtGriffin]

crossbow trickshot killcams would be epic XD

[@zoobieloobie3646]

Man I miss this game

[@FrankTic-kx4hm]

I've seen a video similar to this with black ops 2, it was funny to see your comment on the video too.

[@fac3book345]

after he does a guide on all of the weapons that are unlocked before the KSG because thats how he did it for modern warfare 2, black ops 1, and mw3

[@Retroflecks]

He goes from the one at a time in each category, AR, SMG,LMG,SR,SG then pistols at random. Sometimes it's random, though. hope that clears things up.

[@FlakDraakon]

Crossbow killcams are always the best.

[@WoWbloodcrazy]

That voice is why im subbing lol

[@Z4G.]

Should i subscribe? His content and voice is so awsome!

[@a46marius]

More Euro Truck 2, i started playing that game because of you :D