As Coat said, the issue with chain is that it is designed to redistribute pressure across the surface of the strike, the larger the surface, the better protection it offers, however, the blunt force trauma can still split rings, and break bones/rupture organs, which is why jacks were worn, to provide more protection against the impact.
Arrows however have a very narrow area of pressure, allowing them to potentially split a ring, and dig in past the padding.Â
However, as Dog said, the most effective use of archers is in volleys, as you are more likely to hit a vulnerable location, such as a shoulder or face. Look at the battles of Crecy and Agincourt for examples of where large numbers of Welsh Longbowmen turned the tide against French Knights.Â
Plate was a better defence against arrows than Chain, but it was for that reason that crossbows were invented.
Arrows however have a very narrow area of pressure, allowing them to potentially split a ring, and dig in past the padding.Â
However, as Dog said, the most effective use of archers is in volleys, as you are more likely to hit a vulnerable location, such as a shoulder or face. Look at the battles of Crecy and Agincourt for examples of where large numbers of Welsh Longbowmen turned the tide against French Knights.Â
Plate was a better defence against arrows than Chain, but it was for that reason that crossbows were invented.
Aduu Avagnar, The Wanderer: Wiki
