is it possible to have a xbow loaded?
- Thread starter Alica Vandaark
- Start date
Sir Hawkeye
First Post
I'm reasonably certain that you can take free actions during a full-round attack. So if you have rapid reload (IIRC, makes loading a light X-bow a free action) you can fire up to full BAB. Same thing with quick draw and dagger throwers (or the aforementioned set of loaded crossbows)
DM with a vengence
First Post
Some crossbows had leaf springs over the bolt to hold it in place until firing, so having the bolt fall out is not such a problem.
I would say that you could have a crossbow loaded and ready to fire for several hours, but if you kept it strung for days on end, I might start randomly rolling for breakage once in a while.
I would say that you could have a crossbow loaded and ready to fire for several hours, but if you kept it strung for days on end, I might start randomly rolling for breakage once in a while.
DM with a vengence said:
I suppose most MW crossbows could easily have one. Still I'd want an in depth description of how it was stored. Springs or no, if its flopping around banging into your back as you run, its probably going to go off.
As far as the free actions, you were correct (whoever said it) you can take free actions during a FullAttack, which allows throwers, archers, and lt crossbowmen with the feat/magic ability to get all thier attacks.
And with the multiple crossbows idea- works best with Hvy crossbows. And you could always Mad Martigan them and fire one in each hand (the lights that is).
Last edited:
SableWyvern
Hero
Just backing up DM With a Vengeance:
The mechanism he describes was designed primarily so that mounted crossbowmen didn't have problems with their bolts falling out.
As to crossbows discharging due to jostling, I speak only out of personal opinion, but I would think that a trained crossbowman would know how to keep his firing catch out of the way; much the same as modern infantrymen generally keep their fingers outside of the trigger guard unless they are preparing to fire.
Personally, I think that if a character has a good reason to expect combat, he would be stupid not to have his weapon ready; as others have said, I also agree that in a secure environment, where combat may be possible but not likely (travelling through civilised countryside, for example), there is no justification for a loaded weapon.
The mechanism he describes was designed primarily so that mounted crossbowmen didn't have problems with their bolts falling out.
As to crossbows discharging due to jostling, I speak only out of personal opinion, but I would think that a trained crossbowman would know how to keep his firing catch out of the way; much the same as modern infantrymen generally keep their fingers outside of the trigger guard unless they are preparing to fire.
Personally, I think that if a character has a good reason to expect combat, he would be stupid not to have his weapon ready; as others have said, I also agree that in a secure environment, where combat may be possible but not likely (travelling through civilised countryside, for example), there is no justification for a loaded weapon.
Whether a crossbow is damaged by extended loading probably depends on what you feel they are made of.
A cross bow whose string and bow are made of natural materials (a gut string, and wooden or composite bow) will probably be damaged by being held loaded for prolonged periods - the string will stretch, and the bow will warp, especially in damp conditions. If these parts are meade of metal, though, this is much less a problem.
A cross bow whose string and bow are made of natural materials (a gut string, and wooden or composite bow) will probably be damaged by being held loaded for prolonged periods - the string will stretch, and the bow will warp, especially in damp conditions. If these parts are meade of metal, though, this is much less a problem.
