D&D 5E Champion Fighter level 11 only one shot with crossbow?

[Clancey]

I am playing said Champion Fighter and had not really used a ranged weapon. I have had a light Crossbow that I picked up early on. My first battle at 11th level and the 3 attacks (plus off-hand TWF) I was too far away to hit the Gorgon and fired my crossbow. I started to roll my next of what I thought should be 3 shots and was told that I only get 1 shot because I have to cock the crossbow. Is there anywhere in the rulebooks that states one cannot make multiple attacks with a crossbow unless they have taker the Crossbow feat? I figure with an 18 strength and Light Crossbow that doesn't make sense to me. Anyone have any ideas? I know dm is the arbiter, but I don't know where he is getting his info.

 

[MerricB]

Crossbows have the "loading" property, described on page 147 of the PHB, which restricts your rate of fire as the DM describes.

Cheers!

 

[Clancey]

Crossbows have the "loading" property, described on page 147 of the PHB, which restricts your rate of fire as the DM describes.

Cheers!

Thanks! I had never seen that one. Trying to read cover to cover didn't work and I gave short schrift to that section. Longbow here I come, I suppose.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

Thanks! I had never seen that one. Trying to read cover to cover didn't work and I gave short schrift to that section. Longbow here I come, I suppose.

Yep. Bows are for traditional fighter types, because they're proficient and they can make lots of attacks. Crossbows are for utility fighters (rogues and clerics) who only ever get one attack anyway, and generally aren't proficient in longbows.

 

[MerricB]

Incidentally, the Crossbow Expert feat allows you to take multiple shots per action with a crossbow (assuming you have Extra Attack).

I've just written an article about some of the finer points of using (and choosing) ranged weapons:
http://merricb.com/2015/05/01/choosing-the-right-ranged-weapon-in-dungeons-dragons/

Cheers!

 

[Dausuul]

Perhaps off topic, but if you're a Strength-based fighter, why are you using a bow as your main ranged attack? Javelins would allow you to use your Strength instead of Dexterity on ranged attacks. (Though I suppose you would still want a bow for when the range is too great for javelins.)

 

[Sunseeker]

Perhaps off topic, but if you're a Strength-based fighter, why are you using a bow as your main ranged attack? Javelins would allow you to use your Strength instead of Dexterity on ranged attacks. (Though I suppose you would still want a bow for when the range is too great for javelins.)

Sounds like in that situation the crossbow was all he had ranged-wise.

 

[Dausuul]

Sounds like in that situation the crossbow was all he had ranged-wise.

Well, obviously you can't just conjure up javelins in the middle of battle, but in most campaigns it's possible to go someplace and buy mundane gear in between adventures.

 

[MerricB]

Perhaps off topic, but if you're a Strength-based fighter, why are you using a bow as your main ranged attack? Javelins would allow you to use your Strength instead of Dexterity on ranged attacks. (Though I suppose you would still want a bow for when the range is too great for javelins.)

There are two major factors: Range is one, but number of attacks is the other. Drawing a thrown weapon isn't like using ammunition; it counts as your item interaction for the turn. So, if you had three attacks in the round, you could throw the javelin you held, draw another (free), throw it, but then couldn't throw a third javelin, because it'd take an action. And then each round after that you could only throw one javelin.

Cheers!

 

[famousringo]

Incidentally, the Crossbow Expert feat allows you to take multiple shots per action with a crossbow (assuming you have Extra Attack).

I've just written an article about some of the finer points of using (and choosing) ranged weapons:
http://merricb.com/2015/05/01/choosing-the-right-ranged-weapon-in-dungeons-dragons/

Cheers!

One thing your article missed about the sling: It's the only ammunition weapon that is neither loading nor two-handed. You can fire multiple attacks while equipping a shield or leaving a hand free for ready spellcasting!