Was wondering if someone with some more ranged weapon experience than I could help me out.

What range (melee, pole, missile) will I see the best results, damagewise, when using a bow? I use a light crossbow, if that makes any difference whatsoever.

Player of crossbow novice Kardlo

I do have the necessary ranks for arm-wearing a shield with my crossbow, so I generally am pretty safe at melee range, I just didn't know if melee range gave any sort of penalty for ranged weapons.

Thanks for clarifying that, though!

Player of the 3.5 feet tall Crossbowman Kardlo

This is mostly anecdotal, but I get more 1-hit kills form missile range with HX and short bow. I vaguely remember someone telling me that ranged weapons work better when not at melee years and years ago, if for no other reason than you want to prevent the critter from performing attack and gaining balance and position, it's best to use a ranged weapon from farther away.

~Ranger Hanryu, Sword of House Calibanor
Keeper of the CEC
http://www.kynevon.info/CombatEquipmentCompendium.xls