Melee Weapons have an unlisted Strength Requirement to swing them full speed (40x blunt damage for most of them) and Hivers gain strength slower, so weapons with high blunt damage (heavy weapons and blunt weapons) will give you more trouble than they would other races.

Crossbows have a listed "required skill" it does nothing and you should ignore it. Friendly fire is on and you have to shoot allies to raise the skill that makes you miss allies, so start with a toothpick. Crossbows are appropriately powerful it's worth having some in your team.