Any love for the crossbow out there?

[Felon]

Besides the Rapid Reload feat, I haven't seen much material designed specifically to improve crossbows. Anyone aware of any feats, magic item properties, etc, that make the crossbow a more appealing weapon?

In particular, I'd like to know if there's anything out there that improves a repeating crossbow. It's actually not a half-bad exotic weapon, but I'd like to know if there's a feat, magical property, or just a special type of repeating crossbow that circumvents the problem of having to reload it as a full-round action after every five shots.

 

[Ace]

Besides the Rapid Reload feat, I haven't seen much material designed specifically to improve crossbows. Anyone aware of any feats, magic item properties, etc, that make the crossbow a more appealing weapon?

In particular, I'd like to know if there's anything out there that improves a repeating crossbow. It's actually not a half-bad exotic weapon, but I'd like to know if there's a feat, magical property, or just a special type of repeating crossbow that circumvents the problem of having to reload it as a full-round action after every five shots.

The repeating crossbow really should be a martial weapon as it doesn't seem any better than a longbow -- heck even the heavy repeater is anout the same as a mighty composite longbow
As for feats --. two feats to improve it -- Rapid Shot and Rapid Reload -- both work quite well as does weapon focus

If you want a nice Prestige Class grab Libram Equites and take the Imperial Crossbowman -- it can be taken at 3rd level -- gives some nice Bennies and proficiencies in ALL crossbow types

 

[Felon]

I think the superior crit range is what makes the repeating xbow appealing to me. If you didn't need two hands to reload it, it would be a great exotic weapon. Basically, I need that Van Helsing model.

Unfortunately, the Rapid Reload feat does is not applicable to repeaters. The ammo loads as a free action; the case of ammo takes a full-round to load, and that's not covered by the feat.

 

[I'm A Banana]

One recipie for Badass below:

Rapid Shot + Two-Weapon Fighting + Quick Draw + 4 or more pre-loaded, one-handed, repeating crossbows stashed on belt loops = badass

Quick draw means you can draw a weapon as a free action, enabling you to arm yourself even after emptying your repeating crossbows.

Don't invest in magic crossbows. Invest in magic ammo. You'll be shedding crossbows like dandruff, throwing them to the ground as soon as they're empty, maybe picking them up later. Just make sure to have backups.

And with a light enough crossbow, you usually don't have to winch it, meaning you can take advantage of a hail of bolts.

 

[Red Spire Press]

*ahem*

The Dark Legacies Player's Guide presents multiple versions of the repeating crossbow, called "repeaters" in the setting: hand, light, heavy, double-barreled, and the chain-fed assault repeater, in addition to supporting rules like jamming, and new gear such as different ammunition types and combat harnesses. There is also an assault version of the standard crossbow. The asssault versions are exotic while all others are martial.

Additionally, there are a number of "masterpiece" qualities that can be added to all weapons, including repeaters. Notably, you'll want the "faultless" quality to negate those pesky repeater jams that can cost you your life in the thick of battle.

The forthcoming Campaign Guide has a prestige class called the Combat Inventioneer -- essentially a repeater expert/mechanic/battlesuit pilot. He has a whole range of customizations he can add to repeaters including balancing, dual ammunition feeds, mechanical clip ejection, customized stocks, ported ammunition feeds, elongated barrels, and heavy duty tensioners. Not to mention the steam-powered assault repeater on his battlesuit...

So, yes, you could say we like crossbows a little...

 

[S'mon]

Here are the advanced crossbows (arbalests) IMC. They're still inferior to a longbow for most purposes (longbow w rapid shot 2 x d8 dmg/round > 9 damage/round, light arbalest 2d10 dmg/3 rounds > under 4 damage/round) but handy vs opponents with DR and they don't require the extensive training/feat investment of a longbow, I think they model the real effectiveness of a crossbow better than the pathetic d10/2 rounds heavy crossbow. I use the light crossbow IMC as a personal defence weapon, like a big pistol or light carbine.

Arbalests
A progressive development of the heavy winch crossbow, Arbalests are restricted to military use only and may not be sold to private citizens, though they are occasionally available on the black market at considerable cost (several hundred gp).

Light arbalest - the heaviest missile weapon that can be fired without a separate support, the light arbalest weighs around 24 lbs, has a draw weight around 250lbs and takes 2 rounds to load by winch. They do 2d10 damage, with a range increment of 120'. They ignore 5 points of target armour. They cannot be loaded from horseback.

Medium arbalest - the medium arbalest requires a light support 'foot' to fire from; although a strong man can carry both arbalest & support (max spd 15'), they are thus impractical as a skirmish weapon. The medium arbalest weighs around 48lbs + 24 lb foot, has a 400lb draw weight, and does 3d10 damage, ignoring 8 points of target armour, range 120'. They take 3 rounds to reload.

Heavy Arbalest - also known as the Siege Crossbow, this weapon is more a light ballista than a crossbow, it requires a heavy support 'foot' which requires its own bearer and is usually crewed by a two-man team on the battlefield (spd 15'). The heavy arbalest can easily kill a charging warhorse with a single shot. The heavy arbalest weighs around 72 lbs + 36lb foot, has a 700lb draw weight and does 4d10 damage, ignoring 10 points of target armour. It takes 4 rounds to reload.

 

[KB9JMQ]

I love crossbows and my bad guys use them all the time.
But my PCs never pick them up unless to sell. They just arent interested.
But I have never put them up against someone with a repeating crossbow either so that may make a difference.

 

[Enkhidu]

... or just a special type of repeating crossbow that circumvents the problem of having to reload it as a full-round action after every five shots.

The easiset method: enchant a repeating crossbow's hopper and make it similar to the Efficient Quiver.

 

[diaglo]

army of commoners.

xbows are simple weapons. longbow, shortbow, comp bow are martial weapon
light crossbow has more range and does more damage per single shot vs short bow
heavy crossbow has more range and does more damage per single shot vs long or comp bow
crossbows can be fired prone. helps snipers.

 

[Storyteller01]

If you're in the mood for a little research, check out modern and future campaign settings. Anything that will improve a pistol will most likely aid with your repeating crossbow.

Here's a few from DragonStar:

Crack Shot: halves cover AC
Improved Far Shot: Reduces range penalty to -1 per range increment
Improved Shot on the Run: You can make more than one attack while moving at your base speed (can't be used in heavy armor)
Mobile Shot: You get a +4 AC bonus when using a ranged weapon in a threatened area
Dead Eye: If a target is within 30 ft, you can make one attack as a full attack option. If so, your Dex bonus is applied to damage as well as the attack roll.
Speed Load: Same as Rapid Rapid, but reloading is a free action due to the use of magazines/clips.

d20 modern has some good ones as well (Doubletap is a personal favorite )


EDIT: How much would it cost to have a crossbow that uses such a magazine/clip? It should decrease your load time to a move equivalent action. Thought I saw these buggers in OA (loaned my book out, so I can't say for sure)...