Crossbow reloading

[trentonjoe]

IS there a feat that allows light crossbows to be reloaded as a free action?


What book is it in?

What are the prereq's?

Thanks, I think it is in S&F but cannot remember right now!

 

[Balgus]

just to add onto that:

Why is it that a repeating crossbow takes an action to shoot? If you think about it, I can probably crank that thing a couple times a round- so in theory should be able to shoot 2-3 shots a round (lvl 1 commoner w/o prof)

Now, take a fighter with proficiency. How come he can only crank it once a round? until he hits lvl 5- then twice a round.

 

[AuraSeer]

The Rapid Reload feat from Sword & First lets you reload crossbows faster. I believe its only prereq is that you be proficient with the crossbow.

A repeating crossbow takes an action to fire because it takes you that long to aim. If a low-level character just cranks the handle as fast as possible, he may be able to shoot five bolts, but he has no chance of hitting anything with them.

 

[Mulkhoran]

From S&F:


Rapid Reload [General]*
You reload a crossbow more quickly than normal.
Prerequisites: Base attack bonus +2, proficiency with crossbow used.
Benefit: You can reload a hand crossbow or light crossbow as a free action that provokes an attack of opportunity. You may reload a heavy crossbow as a, move equivalent action that provokes an attack of opportunity. You can use this feat once per round.
Normal:Loading a hand or light crossbow is a move
equivalent action, and loading a heavy crossbow is a full round action.



Just as an aside, what do people think of this? I have it for my Rogue, and it's proved invaluable. I like the style, and I almost think it should let you reload more than once a round, based on your iterative attacks.

 

[Berk]

only being able to use the feat once a round is decent, concidering what goes into loading a crossbow.

 

[Mulkhoran]

only being able to use the feat once a round is decent, concidering what goes into loading a crossbow.

True, but it makes the feat next to useless at mid to higher levels. You can make 2 attacks/round with it, tops. I just think it should scale reasonably, so that if you want a crossbow guy, you can build one.

 

[Dr_Rictus]

I disagree. Some weapons are simply better than others. I don't see the need for a feat that makes a dagger every bit as good as a sword, for example.

Crossbows pack a good punch and are easy to learn to use, but quick they ain't. That is not a bad thing, it's simply the difference between a crossbow and a bow.

 

[Mulkhoran]

I disagree. Some weapons are simply better than others. I don't see the need for a feat that makes a dagger every bit as good as a sword, for example.

Crossbows pack a good punch and are easy to learn to use, but quick they ain't. That is not a bad thing, it's simply the difference between a crossbow and a bow.

I know, I don't think it's broken or out of whack. I just wish there were options for creating an effective high level crossbow guy. It's just a consideration of style.

 

[Gumby]

Well, there's an Epic Feat, Instant Reload, which makes the reloading into a free action.

 

[AuraSeer]

Just as an aside, what do people think of this? I have it for my Rogue, and it's proved invaluable. I like the style, and I almost think it should let you reload more than once a round, based on your iterative attacks.

From a pure damage standpoint, the average character is better off taking Martial Weapon Proficiency: Longbow. It has the same damage die as a light crossbow, but has better range, can potentially apply a Strength bonus, and is not limited to two attacks per round.

Possible reasons to take Rapid Reload instead of the MWP:
1) If you're Small, you cannot wield a longbow, but you can wield a light crossbow.
2) If you have a Strength penalty, it reduces your damage from bows, but not from crossbows.

Other than those two, I can't think of a situation where a longbow would lose out to the rapid-reloading light crossbow.

Of course there's more to the game than damage. The bard IMC uses a light crossbow for RP reasons, so she gets a lot of use out of this feat. (She's had the same crossbow ever since first level. She won't even get a masterwork one to replace it, hit bonus or no.)