Board Thread:Suggestions forum/@comment-33140459-20170919193150/@comment-26149161-20170920113428

The argument against crossbows basically stems from two things: the good side's aversion to mechanical weapons, and their lack of mention in Tolkien's work. Overall, the good guys avoided the more technologically complex and mechanical-style items that evil used. Furthermore, the fact that crossbows are never mentioned on either side, and longbows are even specifically alluded to with the Uruk-hai, makes it highly unlikely that they were ever in use.

Middle-earth is considered somewhat similar in technology to the Kingdoms of Mercia and Westaphalia. These guys did not have crossbows, certainly.

Ithilion, Discussions Moderator (Auta i lómë) 11:34, September 20, 2017 (UTC)