pming
Legend
Hiya!
It was a "general you", not you specifically. But seeing as you asked me specifically something...
I find the rules under Crossbow Expert perfectly clear. As in there is no other way for me to interpret what it is intending and saying. I don't think there needs to be a "fix" because I don't see it as being broken. However, if I was to have to get more specific for those requireing it, I'd probably just add something under the Equipment section that said "Missile weapons that require Ammunition must have a free hand available in order to reload the ammo into the device".
Would that be helpful? Maybe to some...but to the rest of us, it would be seen as silly. It's like saying "The in order to eat Rations, the person must have a mouth and be capable of swallowing". Everyone knows you need to use your mouth to eat food...just like everyone knows that in order to put a crossbow bolt in a crossbow you need to use your other hand. The Crossobow Feat is just saying that "You're so expert with Crossbows, you can shoot, grab a new bolt, slap it in, and shoot again; you are like a practiced machine of loading precision; you can shoot as many times as you have Actions, that's how fast and precise your shooting and loading technique is". It's a no brainer, really. The fact that some players out there insist that just because "the book doesn't explicitly say..." something gives them the 'right' to ignore common sense and logic in order for them to "win" has always baffled me.
But, in the end, the rules are quite clear on one thing: The DM gets to decide what is or isn't in his game, as well as how those things are used. So I'd suggest asking your DM. However he/she says it is, is the way it is. Is (I just had to say "is" one more time!
). If you are the DM... then stop waffling and make a decision already. Go with that. If it starts to break your game...change it. If not...keep on playing. All I have to say is: In 5e D&D, the 5e DM is the "rule" that fills in all the blanks.
So: Shoot Crossbow = 1 hand. Load crossbow = two hands. Shoot Crossbow as Expert = 1 hand. Load crossbow as Expert = two hands. Shoot Crossbow in One Turn = 1 only. Shoot Crossbow as Expert in One Turn = # of Actions you have. Simple.
^_^
Paul L. Ming
It was a "general you", not you specifically. But seeing as you asked me specifically something...
If you are referring to me, yes I read his post (assuming you talk about post #5 in this thread).
However, I don't see what he nailed at all. First he simply reiterates the rules. But I already know they work in absurd and deeply unsatisfying ways!
Then he embarks down the same road Canuck travels, with visions of picking up and dropping and sheathing weapons in an unholy mess; but let me tell you that for me that is not D&D, that is a hellish nightmare.
So let us talk about something else instead!
Let me ask what you, Paul, think about the rules as written and their consequences (intended or not)?
Then, if you want, I would be happy to hear your opinion on my proposed fixes?![]()
I find the rules under Crossbow Expert perfectly clear. As in there is no other way for me to interpret what it is intending and saying. I don't think there needs to be a "fix" because I don't see it as being broken. However, if I was to have to get more specific for those requireing it, I'd probably just add something under the Equipment section that said "Missile weapons that require Ammunition must have a free hand available in order to reload the ammo into the device".
Would that be helpful? Maybe to some...but to the rest of us, it would be seen as silly. It's like saying "The in order to eat Rations, the person must have a mouth and be capable of swallowing". Everyone knows you need to use your mouth to eat food...just like everyone knows that in order to put a crossbow bolt in a crossbow you need to use your other hand. The Crossobow Feat is just saying that "You're so expert with Crossbows, you can shoot, grab a new bolt, slap it in, and shoot again; you are like a practiced machine of loading precision; you can shoot as many times as you have Actions, that's how fast and precise your shooting and loading technique is". It's a no brainer, really. The fact that some players out there insist that just because "the book doesn't explicitly say..." something gives them the 'right' to ignore common sense and logic in order for them to "win" has always baffled me.
But, in the end, the rules are quite clear on one thing: The DM gets to decide what is or isn't in his game, as well as how those things are used. So I'd suggest asking your DM. However he/she says it is, is the way it is. Is (I just had to say "is" one more time!

So: Shoot Crossbow = 1 hand. Load crossbow = two hands. Shoot Crossbow as Expert = 1 hand. Load crossbow as Expert = two hands. Shoot Crossbow in One Turn = 1 only. Shoot Crossbow as Expert in One Turn = # of Actions you have. Simple.
^_^
Paul L. Ming
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