Bows are far easier to produce (boughs, string; stone/bones and branches for arrows) with a higher damage output than slings, since slings use leather which takes some time to be ready for use, considering very early game. Once a character has leather ready to be used and already built the first basic things like their initial palisade corner and maybe a backpack, a sling will probably be useless if compared to a q10+ bow and arrows.
There are, of course, some useful feats about the sling, like the fact that it can be used with one hand, alongside a sword or shield, &tc, &tc... but as a hunting weapon, the sling can be very frustrating as of now, even for new characters. Basically, the moment they become affordable hunting weapons you are more than set up with bows.
So, with a new world coming up on the next few weeks or maybe a month, I bring the following question:
Is this 'natural progression' intended? If not, here are some suggestions:
1. Improve the sling, debuff the bow, add a 'second tier' bow (like the old Ranger's Bow) with slightly more difficult requirements (maybe hardened leather or metal, not any string but produced string), making the progression of ranged weapons Bow - Sling - New Bow.
2. Make the sling cheaper/easier to craft (and maybe the bow a little more difficult), keeping their effectiveness as it is.
3. "lock" the progression by placing the bow far ahead into more expensive skills. (or, alternatively, unlock the sling earlier, without requiring leather)
4. Simply buff slings a bit so they are approximately similar to bows with the same Q, turning them into a choice rather than a 'progression' line (faster, minor dps or slower, heavy dps?) -- I think this was the original intention, but high Q slings are still pretty stupid/weak when compared to q15 bows, requiring you to have a q100 sling for it to be relatively useful when compared to a noob bow;
Anyway, just my thoughts. I'd love to see the "leather cloak + sling" age back to the game <3 Besides, the sling animation is incredible, it deserves love!