is it possible to have a xbow loaded?
- Thread starter Alica Vandaark
- Start date
ConcreteBuddha
First Post
We play that crossbows are loaded whenever the character in question is wielding it. After the initial shot, the crossbow then has to be reloaded. But if the crossbow is anywhere other than in the PC's hand(s), then it is not considered loaded unless special circumstances apply. (The Alamo thingy.)
Is this overbalancing? Um...I really don't want to track wear and tear on every weapon just because I feel like items should take damage after continual use. I'd rather overlook dumb abstractions in the game so that I can instead spend my time on other avenues of roleplaying.
Is this overbalancing? Um...I really don't want to track wear and tear on every weapon just because I feel like items should take damage after continual use. I'd rather overlook dumb abstractions in the game so that I can instead spend my time on other avenues of roleplaying.
Just trying to say if the PC is going to be a fool to leave the tension on the crossbow 24/7, than there should be some way to get the PC to use his head to realize hey this is a stupid idea. Duh. I am not saying to track wear and tear, and I all I asked than is about crossbow traps, since they are in the pulled back mode for quite sometime.
BairnFley
PS Duh is for the PC not for any of the readers
BairnFley
PS Duh is for the PC not for any of the readers
Henry
Autoexreginated
I would say that having it readied for the first shot is no problem, but if it were stored as such, or were left for more than a few hours, then the weapon would either take damage, or risk being shot.
However, since most people wouldn't be stupid enough to have a crossbow readied while NOT in hand, this has not been a problem in our games. Note that not even Long and Short Bows can be stored in a strung position for extended periods of time.Most archers with natural-materials bows would not leave them strung for long periods of time.
However, since most people wouldn't be stupid enough to have a crossbow readied while NOT in hand, this has not been a problem in our games. Note that not even Long and Short Bows can be stored in a strung position for extended periods of time.Most archers with natural-materials bows would not leave them strung for long periods of time.
Henry, I do agree with you, as long as the Crossbow is in hand as it's loaded, no problem to use. However, according to Alicia, the person who started the thread, I dunno, maybe I read it wrong, but a PC of her's does walk around with it strung and pulled back 24/7. That's what I get from her questions.
Even modern day crossbows and bows tell you when storing the weapon to unstring it. I agree that is a wise choice. No one would want to shoot with a weaker string, with a weaker cross guard or mis-shapen bow. That's why I say there has to be a way to show the PC the error of his ways, since he won't listen to reason (or common sense).
Than I bring up the idea of the crossbow trap, cause I can see the player saying well, shouldn't that be subject to same rules since it could be like that for years? That's all I am trying to get across. Nothing more, nothing less.
BairnFley
Even modern day crossbows and bows tell you when storing the weapon to unstring it. I agree that is a wise choice. No one would want to shoot with a weaker string, with a weaker cross guard or mis-shapen bow. That's why I say there has to be a way to show the PC the error of his ways, since he won't listen to reason (or common sense).
Than I bring up the idea of the crossbow trap, cause I can see the player saying well, shouldn't that be subject to same rules since it could be like that for years? That's all I am trying to get across. Nothing more, nothing less.
BairnFley
Ridley's Cohort
First Post
BairnFley said:
The crossbow trap is an exception. It does not have to survive heavy use of the normal type. And the owner is not injured if it fails.
0-hr
Starship Cartographer
Heh, I can just imagine what my players would do if I told them their bows were unstrung when they were ambushed in the middle of the night...
Since I let the bow wielders assume that their bows are strung when they are needed; I think that it is only fair that I let the crossbow wielders assume that their crossbows are cranked back when first needed. So they can load and shoot their first bolt just as fast as a bow archer? Not a big deal. It's just not worth the hassle and DM-Player antagonism to try and nit-pick them to death with this sort of thing.
Since I let the bow wielders assume that their bows are strung when they are needed; I think that it is only fair that I let the crossbow wielders assume that their crossbows are cranked back when first needed. So they can load and shoot their first bolt just as fast as a bow archer? Not a big deal. It's just not worth the hassle and DM-Player antagonism to try and nit-pick them to death with this sort of thing.
Say this one last time, I have no problem with the Crossbow being pulled back and loaded WHILE IN HAND IN A DUNGEON CRAWL.
I have a problem if the character is going to keep TENSION ON THE STRING 24 hours 7 days a week. Tension being, the string is PULLED BACK and ready to be knocked with a bolt. Say he is on horseback, there is no reason for it to be, you should be stuck to load the weapon, cause who would in their right mind keep the tension on the string for all that time? Again, he can have it loaded and ready while in hand. If it's slinged over his shoulder, or horse or what have you, it just can't be pulled tight ready for the bolt to be added and fired. If they get ambushed in the middle of night, while sleeping, he better not have the crossbow string pulled back next to him. If they are travelling through a forest expecting trouble, and the crossbow is in hand, fine than, but not 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
BairnFley
I have a problem if the character is going to keep TENSION ON THE STRING 24 hours 7 days a week. Tension being, the string is PULLED BACK and ready to be knocked with a bolt. Say he is on horseback, there is no reason for it to be, you should be stuck to load the weapon, cause who would in their right mind keep the tension on the string for all that time? Again, he can have it loaded and ready while in hand. If it's slinged over his shoulder, or horse or what have you, it just can't be pulled tight ready for the bolt to be added and fired. If they get ambushed in the middle of night, while sleeping, he better not have the crossbow string pulled back next to him. If they are travelling through a forest expecting trouble, and the crossbow is in hand, fine than, but not 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
BairnFley
A crossbow should be loaded all the time while it is in your hands. And even loaded while it is lying next to you in camp. But not when strapped to your back or hanging off your mount.
Just add some life spans for new strings and bows. And hopefully the character in question has taken some skill points in Weaponsmithing... because it is a DC of 15 to repair a crossbow. And it costs 1/5 of the original price.
Just add some life spans for new strings and bows. And hopefully the character in question has taken some skill points in Weaponsmithing... because it is a DC of 15 to repair a crossbow. And it costs 1/5 of the original price.
