Any love for the crossbow out there?

[John Q. Mayhem]

There are cool little weapons called dart thrusters in Underdark. Spring-powered hand crossbows with no "wings" and a 3-bolt magazine (doesn't say if it's box, internal, or what). Martial, 1d4. I've made them very common in my revamped siblings campaign. we use DanMcS' weapons rules, so they're more damaging, though.

 

[interwyrm]

...crossbows can be fired prone...

This is the real benefit in my opinion. If I remember right, there is a +4 ac bonus vs. missile attacks for being prone. So... crossbowmen vs. archers, the crossbows win if they are lying down.

 

[Storyteller01]

This is the real benefit in my opinion. If I remember right, there is a +4 ac bonus vs. missile attacks for being prone. So... crossbowmen vs. archers, the crossbows win if they are lying down.

Some rules also give a +2 to hit when firing prone. Greater stability at the cost of your Dex AC bonus...