Seeing that there are a lot of threads suggesting guns (Most recently a controversial one on flintlock pistols) I would like to propose something different. The propelled arrow is exactly what it say on the tin. It's an arrow that's propelled by a small gunpowder charge, similar to fireworks. It's crafted with an arrow (duh) and three gunpowder in a shapeless recipe. Rather expensive, but you'll see why below.
To fire a propelled arrow you must sneak while right clicking with the bow. You can stop sneaking once the arrow is "loaded". If you only have propelled arrows in your inventory, you'll load them automatically. However, you must have a have a flint and steel (Will use 1 durability) or a fire charge (Will be consumed) in your inventory. Shooting from a bow enchanted with flame or being on fire also work. A bow with infinity will not duplicate propelled arrows. When fired the arrow will travel at twice the speed of an regular arrow for 2 seconds, and then gradually slow down to regular arrow speed over the next second. Once it hits a target, it creates a small explosion effect (Does not damage blocks). If it misses, the arrow explodes anyways and cannot be retrieved. The target is dealt 7 points of damage (3.5 hearts) as well as 2 points of armor piercing damage, AKA "True damage", as well as heavy knockback (Explained with more detailed below). This arrow is effective against heavily armored targets, ones that are hanging out by a cliff, or ones that are far away.
But wait! That's the same as an regular arrow!! Your right, but the true star of the show is not the damage but the knockback effect. The arrow has a base of 3 blocks worth of knockback, plus a block for each point of damage absorbed by the targets armor.This effect is capped at 13 blocks, including the base 3 blocks (For enchanted bows) and does not stack with the punch enchantment.
Example: Let's say I fire an propelled arrow at my friend, who has full diamond armor enchanted with protection IV. My bow is unenhchanted. The arrow hits my friend for 2 points of true damage and 7 regular damage. His armor absorbs all 7 points and he is knocked back 10 blocks. (Base 3 blocks + 7 for the absorbed damage). That's quite a bit! If we were fighting on a skyblock map or a really tall cliff, the arrow itself wouldn't kill him. The fall from it caused would.
Death by damage caused by the arrow itself is reported as "[Killer] blew [Victim] up". Death caused by the resulting fall is reported as "[Killer] blew [Victim] off a cliff/out of the world/into lava".
How is this an alternative to guns? The arrow uses gunpowder to propel a projectile, basically what a gun does. Heck if you think of it, these things are basically low tech RPGs, circa 904 AD
To fire a propelled arrow you must sneak while right clicking with the bow. You can stop sneaking once the arrow is "loaded". If you only have propelled arrows in your inventory, you'll load them automatically. However, you must have a have a flint and steel (Will use 1 durability) or a fire charge (Will be consumed) in your inventory. Shooting from a bow enchanted with flame or being on fire also work. A bow with infinity will not duplicate propelled arrows. When fired the arrow will travel at twice the speed of an regular arrow for 2 seconds, and then gradually slow down to regular arrow speed over the next second. Once it hits a target, it creates a small explosion effect (Does not damage blocks). If it misses, the arrow explodes anyways and cannot be retrieved. The target is dealt 7 points of damage (3.5 hearts) as well as 2 points of armor piercing damage, AKA "True damage", as well as heavy knockback (Explained with more detailed below). This arrow is effective against heavily armored targets, ones that are hanging out by a cliff, or ones that are far away.
But wait! That's the same as an regular arrow!! Your right, but the true star of the show is not the damage but the knockback effect. The arrow has a base of 3 blocks worth of knockback, plus a block for each point of damage absorbed by the targets armor.This effect is capped at 13 blocks, including the base 3 blocks (For enchanted bows) and does not stack with the punch enchantment.
Example: Let's say I fire an propelled arrow at my friend, who has full diamond armor enchanted with protection IV. My bow is unenhchanted. The arrow hits my friend for 2 points of true damage and 7 regular damage. His armor absorbs all 7 points and he is knocked back 10 blocks. (Base 3 blocks + 7 for the absorbed damage). That's quite a bit! If we were fighting on a skyblock map or a really tall cliff, the arrow itself wouldn't kill him. The fall from it caused would.
Death by damage caused by the arrow itself is reported as "[Killer] blew [Victim] up". Death caused by the resulting fall is reported as "[Killer] blew [Victim] off a cliff/out of the world/into lava".
How is this an alternative to guns? The arrow uses gunpowder to propel a projectile, basically what a gun does. Heck if you think of it, these things are basically low tech RPGs, circa 904 AD
TL:DR