Double crossbow

[gpetruc]

I have this interesting crossbow variant idea.
(I don't know if it's already in any book)

Double crossbow
Size: Medium; Type: Exotic ranged
Price: 200 gp (the repeating one is 300, if I remember well)

The double crossbow is, as the name suggests, a crossbow with two bows and two triggers, so that it can fire two bolts.
The user can either fire only one bolt or fire both bolts (making two attack rolls, but with a -2 to each; also the two bolts must target the same creature)
Even if you fire both bolts it is still a standard action and does not require a full attack.
Damage is like the normal light crossbow but the critical is 20/x2 and not 19-20/x2 because it is less accurate than a normal crossbow. Range is as light crossbow
Reloading a bolt is a move equivalent action (reloding both bolts is a full round action) and provokes AoO. The idea is that you can use it as a normal light crossbow if you havent' got time to fully reload but you want to keep on shooting.

The main use of the double crossbow is to fire to shots on the surprise round.
The difference between the double crossbow andthe repeating crossbow is that with the rep. x-bow you can make multiple attacks but you need a full attack action, while with the double one you can fire to bolts at once, so it's a single attack (and so a standard action).

 

[Frostmarrow]

I like it. Good job.

 

[CRGreathouse]

How, exactly, would that work?

Regardless, I see potential for abuse - double sneak attack Shot on the Run boots of striding and springing comes to mind.

 

[Wolf72]

my guess is that it would be like shuriken, only one bolt gets the sneak attack dmg

 

[Draco Argentum]

Sounds cool. I remember seeing some movie years ago and some guy had one.

I'd leave the crit as 19-20/x2 if only one bolt is fired.
Can i use iterative attacks to fire both bolts?
What about a double heavy x-bow.

 

[Crothian]

I like this. I think it makes a good exotic weapon. Might have to make it a dwarven invention.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Sounds cool. I remember seeing some movie years ago and some guy had one.

Ladyhawke.

And of course, there was the Triple Crossbow from Ultima... uh, 7?

But that shot in three directions at once

-Hyp.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

There's one in the "Waylander" series of novels by David Gemell.

 

[Maddenus2]

Waylanders bow

The bow from the waylander series occurred to me too. As a rogue i loved it and wanted one.

I think to balance it the idea of only one shot being allowed to do the flank damage makes sense as the 2nd bolt is aimed at a slightly different spot (ok just about 1 inch but thats enough)

I'd go for that

 

[UD]

I like it.