How exotic is a repeating crossbow?

[Alchemist]

This question came up amongst my players a few sessions ago, and we can't find a good reason amongst us for it to be an exotic weapon. It seems to be "exotic" in the sense that they are rare, but why require their own proficiency? They would seem to be in the same vein as a firearm, and the firearm is renown for its ease of use by people with little to no training. You don't even have to the thing or reload it, just wind the crank and whack it again. Slap in a new box when the old one is empty.Any opinions on the justification would be appreciated.

Straying slightly, I'm not sure that I agree that firearms injected into a standard D&D campaign should require an exotic proficiency slot. Not that I'm planning on such a thing, it just seems to make very little sense to me.

 

[Alchemist]

Drr. I didn't realize that was a bad word in that context. That should read "You don't even have to pull the string back on the thing...

 

[1337 h4xor]

i beleive the exotic part comes in reloading the thing, and general operation and maintenence. Weather the benefit is worth a feat... i dont think so.

 

[kreynolds]

i beleive the exotic part comes in reloading the thing, and general operation and maintenence.

I agree.

Weather the benefit is worth a feat... i dont think so.

I don't either. Just get the Quick-Loading weapon enhancement.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

Compare it to a regular crossbow and the difference becomes obvious.

1. The weight and balance is much different.

2. How do you aim it? The "cartridge" that holds the bolts is on top. So you cannot aim a repeating crossbow the same way you aim a standard crossbow.

Sounds pretty exotic to me.

BTW, a schlep can pick up a gun and shoot it. But as gang bangers prove all over this country almost daily hitting your target is harder than one thinks.

 

[kreynolds]

But as gang bangers prove all over this country almost daily hitting your target is harder than one thinks.

Yup, and if you hold the gun sideways, that's bystander mode.

 

[Alchemist]

Yup, and if you hold the gun sideways, that's bystander mode.

ROTFL.

These are good reasons, but I remain unconvinced. I lean towards thinking one is penalized enough for reloading the thing (full action w/AoO) without it being so specialized that it requires a feat. As for aiming, I see no sights on the standard xbows. I can envision somebody looking through the clip (open at both ends) of the repeater and having a narrow view ahead. That could be considered a sighting mechanism, of sorts. Balance I am not certain about.

And I guess I take accuracy for granted, having been raised on firearms. It amazes me how wild them there bangers shoot.

Ahh well. It's not like anybody in my group actually cares about repeating xbows. Perhaps a fancy magical one with that quick-load enhancement would interest one of them, but probably not. I was just looking for some insight from outsiders. Thanks.

 

[Xarlen]

I'll definetly use one for the dungeon crawl I'm planning.

Gotta love Archers. Ghoul assaulters riding Carrion Crawlers. Minotaurs with Huge Mighty Bows that compass +4...

 

[Jondor_Battlehammer]

Compare it to a regular crossbow and the difference becomes obvious.

1. The weight and balance is much different.

2. How do you aim it? The "cartridge" that holds the bolts is on top. So you cannot aim a repeating crossbow the same way you aim a standard crossbow.

Sounds pretty exotic to me.

I don't think 3E takes this into consideration, but on real repeating crossbows, most times the bolts had no flights, as they would interfere with being fired out the clip hole. No fins would alter the flight dynamics and range to a noticable degree, thus warrenting the feat. It would no different than weilding a bastard sword with one hand, not hard, just awkward.

Also, using the lever in combat would also take getting used to.