Carrying Crossbows loaded?

[JacktheRabbit]

I agree to a point. But remember what is a minor detail most of the time can suddenly become very important later on.

Whether or not a character can walk around all the time with their crossbow locked and loaded seems like a minor issue right? Heck, its only one bolt, what can that do?

Well what if the current adventure is focused around a Rakshasa?

I think the key here is that it's a fantasy game, and getting bogged down on small details (what Wulf called "torch lighting" issues) is just not a lot of fun for anyone.

 

[Zad]

What you call "small details", I call rules. Light crossbows don't hold their bolts. Covered hand crossbows do. However, you need more money and an Exotic Weapon Proficiency feat to best use one. So, obviously, there is a huge rules difference between the two. That's no "small detail".

I don't think I was clear on what I meant by "torch lighting issues". What I mean is that it's a fairly minor point, so make a judgement and move one. I'm not faulting anyone's particular interpretation or ruling, just saying it's not, in my opinion, something worth spending a ton of time on.

Personally, I'd like them carry crossbows loaded in tactical situations (crawling through a dungeon), provided it's carried in-hand. But for other situations (on a two day ride through fairly safe country to a small hamlet) I would not.

But the point is, that's just me. Go with your gut and get to the fun stuff

 

[lukelightning]

What about bows?

If you're going to be picky about x-bows, don't forget, if you wander around with your regular bow strung all the time, you're going to end up with a weakened bow.

I would say that when you're travelling around it's a bad idea, but when you are wandering around a dungeon or other "risky" area it's logical and a good idea.

 

[kreynolds]

All I'm saying is this: If you're holding a loaded crossbow out in front of you as you explore a dungeon, I'm fine with that. If you sling it on your back, you're gonna hear "plink". Simple stuff like that.

 

[kreynolds]

Re: What about bows?

If you're going to be picky about x-bows, don't forget, if you wander around with your regular bow strung all the time, you're going to end up with a weakened bow.

You don't really have to worry about that with magical weapons though. Heck, they never tarnish or loose their edge, and its even been argued that they can resize to the wielder. The way I see it, warping or loss of tension should never pose a problem.

 

[Zad]

If you sling it on your back, you're gonna hear "plink".

Oh damn right you will. And then when you turn around to look for the bolt, you whack the guy standing next to you. 1d3.

(I actually have a period crossbow. It's easy to keep the bolt in when you carry it. On the back? Oh my god. The only question is would the bolt fall out before or after you accidentally fired it.)

 

[Jondor_Battlehammer]

Given the availablity of special metals like Mithral and Adamantine, not to mention simple Masterwork quality, I don't think warping is a breaking issue. You don't see armor repair kits filled with oil, nor sharpening stones being required to keep sords working. All of these are perfectly reasonable, but delve into deeper details than the basic rule. The guys in the movies never have to worry about ammo till they run into the BBEG. The bow example was a good one, too.

Having it loaded in a dungeon, or at camp while asleep/on watch, but unloade while on horse back, ect, seems reasonable. It's the way I'd have done it if the question had come up. You could also keep it drawn, and then just load the bolt and fire, like from a bow. You just get the one shot.

In a game where the right feats could let you put 6+ arrows on the moon in less than six seconds with no range penalties, I ain't worried.