Heavy Crossbow

The heavy crossbow outmatches all other ranged weapons on a shot per shot basis, but pays for this by being slow to reload and thus impractical to use if the target is not killed or crippled with the first shot. A heavy crossbow loaded with blunt arrows can be used to devastating effect against more dangerous animals caught in traps without needing to close in.

A crossbow with a heavier bow strengthened by bone or metal.

- Game Encyclopedia