Hand Crossbow vs. Sling

[ShinRyuuBR]

I must be missing something, this is just too wierd.

Why the heck would someone get a hand crossbow, when the sling has exactly all the same stats and is much cheaper?

They both are simple one-handed ranged weapons, +2 to hit, 1d6 damage, 10/20 range and load free.

The hand crossbow costs 25gp and weighs 2 lb. 20 units of ammunition cost 1gp and weigh 2 lb. Total 26gp and 4 lb.

The sling costs 1gp and weighs 0 lb. 20 units of ammunition cost 1gp and weigh 5 lb. Total 2gp and 5 lb.

I simply can't imagine any sain DM making a character pay 26gp instead of 2 over a difference of just 1 lb.

Also, everyone in the PH1 who's proficient with the sling is also proficient with the hand crossbow. I would find it very wierd for some future class to be able to operate a crossbow, no matter how simple, and not be able to shoot a sling.

Even rogue powers apply to both sling and hand crossbow. Might there be a class to come with benefits to crossbows but not slings? Even so, does it justify the price? Shouldn't perhaps the hand crossbow have a slightly better range than the sling? Might there be errata coming?

 

[MarkB]

If you're a ranged combat specialist, you're not going to be buying just one unit of ammunition. Multi-target attacks use one piece of ammunition per target, so you can get through quite a lot.

If you're equipping yourself with enough ammo to get through several fun-packed adventuring days, those extra pounds will stack up.

It's not a massive factor, but it is a point in the hand crossbow's favour.

 

[ShinRyuuBR]

Point noted... But I still don't think it's worth it. First of all, the game suggests not to track load unless it seems very significant. Also, I don't think more than 40 units would be necessary per adventure, so it would be just 2 extra pounds. Maybe 3 if you want to be even more prepared (60 units).

 

[Jack99]

Poisoning sling bullets might be a tad weird? Else, I guess the only thing that makes you chose the hand crossbow over the sling is the feel of your character. I know that I would never make anything but a halfling that uses a sling. I mean, how gauche is that?

 

[Henry]

As a counterpoint: Why buy a luxury sedan over an entry-model? Both carry 4 or 5 people, get similar gas mileage, and will get you where you want to go. Style is a factor that people will pay for - whether it's worth 26 gp is up for debate.

 

[lukelightning]

As a counterpoint: Why buy a luxury sedan over an entry-model? Both carry 4 or 5 people, get similar gas mileage, and will get you where you want to go. Style is a factor that people will pay for - whether it's worth 26 gp is up for debate.

Exactamundo.

I know what you're thinking. "Did he fire six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a +6 hand crosswbow, the most powerful crossbow in the world and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk? Oh, you can clearly see that there's not a bolt loaded in it? Um, nevermind.

 

[Staffan]

There's a paragon-tier feat that gives you +3 to damage with a crossbow if you didn't move that round. I can't find anything comparable for slings (but there is a bow version, which gives +3 damage against a target that doesn't have anyone else nearby).

 

[Mort_Q]

'Cause a Warforged with an embedded hand crossbow is sooooo much cooler!

 

[Goumindong]

Slings compress very small, but they are actually quite large. A hand cross bow you can conceal and shoot while concealed. A sling... not so much, its a weapon of war, making a 2-4 foot radius circle above your head before you release it.

You can poison crossbow bolts.

Many powers work with crossbows and not slings. Ditto feats.

 

[Obryn]

In 3e, you needed a feat to use a hand crossbow, and even then it was pretty much identical to a sling. The only difference is that hand crossbows in 3e crit on 19-20.

Hand crossbows were quite lame in 1e/2e, as well, IIRC.

I think the designers of every edition actually hate hand crossbows, since I can't remember an edition where they haven't sucked.

-O