D&D 5E Rapier & Hand Crossbow Rogue

[MindxKiller]

There's no good reason to not allow weapon + handbow (or dual handbow). Your doing the same damage either way (1d6+dex), and you look cool doing it.

Just don't allow shield + handbow.

That's only true if the weapon uses a d6 die, the rapier is d8 so it doesn't fit. Though I play in a game where I use a shortsword and hand crossbow and the DM doesn't mind since it's the exact same as using just a hand crossbow by itself except I put myself in melee for flavor.

 

[CapnZapp]

Yes, Wizards really shot themselves in the foot with their rules, fixes and errata for this situation.

It really is a mess when the rules can't support the intended archetype... :-( (Nice image btw!)

If you want to read more about everything that went wrong: http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?470488-Crossbows-and-dual-wielding

 

[Noctem]

As noted you can't reload a handcrossbow while holding something in your other hand. So your archtype requires jumping through multiple hoops to pull off if your DM isn't willing to handwaive it. Ask your DM.