Charge the Archer! *Twhack* Uuugh

[Xarlen]

I saw this idea a long time ago (couldn't find the thread), but what would happen if I gave Crossbows a 10' threat range?

Only if there is an arrow loaded before they are threatened. My reasoning is, all you do with a loaded crossbow is flick it up and fire, especially up close to someone. I take this into account like a gun. You usually don't want to charge someone with a loaded gun. It would not act as a Flanking tool, or such, but merely as a danger to anyone charging or within 10' before the first bolt gets launched.

Crossbows aren't that effective after a certain level, especially after you get Inertive attacks, unless you have a Repeating crossbow or funky magic crossbow and feats.

I figure this will allow atleast the Mage or rogue in the party to have a somewhat physical defense before they're dead meat, and give the Crossbow a little coolness factor to it.

Would it unbalance things?

 

[las]

It might it might niot its all what it might do. Youll need to see for yourself. These kinda things need to be tested not just spening time thinking about then.

 

[wolff96]

One thing I added in a one-shot campaign is a similar house-rule.

Anyone with a crossbow threatens a 5-ft. square. They can use the crossbow as a club by whipping an opponent with the stock of the weapon. It seemed to work pretty well.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Well, you'd be introducing several new distinctions into the rules--the distinction between being able to threaten for the purpose of taking AoOs and being able to threaten for the purpose of flanking (which would be the opposite of the only similar case currently in the rules which is: a character with 50% cover may not be the target of an AoO but is still flanked), and the distinction between being able to take AoOs for movement and being able to take AoOs for other reasons (drinking a potion, casting a spell, using the disarm or sunder manuevers without the feats, etc.)

Other than that, the predictable in game effects would be:

Repeating crossbows become much more useful weapons. Not only are they already good weapons for characters without strength bonusses; now they can threaten as well.

Wizards now get a free shot with their crossbows every time someone closes to melee range to keep them from casting spells.

 

[Xarlen]

No, it wouldn't go over to Repeating crossbows.

And, I have nothing against letting them use it during AoO procedure, but it only qualifies for the loaded shot.

 

[Happiest_Sadist]

Every fighter i make will have quickdraw. Walk around with a loaded heavy crossbow, and drop it for the greatsword when the time comes.

I'd only consider this with hand crossbows. I wouldn't be nearly as worried about charging someone holding a rifle (light or heavy crossbow) as a pistol. And they are exotic (althought concealment justifies that somewhat).

Even so, rogues might often take rapid reload so they can shoot each round holding rapier in one hand and hand crossbow in the other, but this dosn't seem that unbalanced. Although the drow are scarier with this.

 

[Xarlen]

Well, seeing as none of my PCs really have access to them books (Well, one PC does but he's playing a monk), I don't see it as a huge problem. And I'm thinking a Light crossbow (ie, able to fire one handed).

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

Even so, rogues might often take rapid reload so they can shoot each round holding rapier in one hand and hand crossbow in the other, but this dosn't seem that unbalanced. Although the drow are scarier with this.

How, exactly, would you reload a Hand Crossbow with a Rapier in your other hand? Especially if you intended to do it quickly?

I don't care what feats you have, that just doesn't work.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

I think I might try play testing this rule. It could be interesting.

 

[zorlag]

"Even so, rogues might often take rapid reload so they can shoot each round holding rapier in one hand and hand crossbow in the other, but this dosn't seem that unbalanced. Although the drow are scarier with this. "

Won't work, but that's why I use spiked gauntlet instead of rapier... Too bad straight rogues don't have the profiency for (I play with fighter/rogue).

Z.