Manyshot with a crossbow

[atomn]

The Manyshot feat specifies that "As a standard action, you may fire two arrows at a single opponent within 30 feet." (Emphasis added.) Since crossbows use bolts instead of arrows, I'd say it couldn't be allowed technically. Besides RAW, is there any game unbalancing reason not to allow Manyshot with a crossbow?

(While I'm a terribly far cry from a weapons expert, as a logic test I looked at some pictures of crossbows and while they generally only have one groove, I'd guess that physically they could still accomodate the Manyshot feat. And there were even a certain type of Chinese crossbows, lian-nu, that had either up to three grooves for firing up to three bolts at a time.)

Anywho, any input would be great! Thanks!

 

[diaglo]

look up the rules on loading a crossbow in the RAW. it should give you the answer you seek.

 

[Xath]

RAW, no. Crossbows cannot fire with Manyshot. However, in a game in which I am playing, there is an insane halfling fighter who only fights with a crossbow. He's put max ranks into craft(bow) and has created a bizarre magical crossbow that has about 12 tiers for bolts. He has manyshot, and the DM lets him use it.

Check out (I think) the Arms and Equipment guide for crossbow enhancements. There are several "extra" parts you can add to crossbows to make them fire faster/more efficiently.

 

[atomn]

look up the rules on loading a crossbow in the RAW. it should give you the answer you seek.

Sorry, I'm not seeing it! Do you have a page number?

 

[diaglo]

Sorry, I'm not seeing it! Do you have a page number?

"Ammunition: Projectile weapons use ammunition: arrows (for bows), bolts (for crossbows), or sling bullets (for slings). When using a bow, a character can draw ammunition as a free action; crossbows and slings require an action for reloading"

under Light Crossbow: "Loading a light crossbow is a move action that provokes attacks of opportunity."

edit: this is all in the Equipment section

 

[javcs]

What about Rapid Reload?

 

[FireLance]

Besides RAW, is there any game unbalancing reason not to allow Manyshot with a crossbow?

Not as far as I can see. Presumably, a crossbow could be made with multiple grooves to fire multiple bolts as a standard action, or a character with sufficient skill could fire multiple bolts from a standard crossbow at the same time with reasonable accuracy. The Multishot feat for crossbows should also allow a character to reload his crossbow with multiple bolts as a single move action (a free action with Rapid Reload).

 

[atomn]

"Ammunition: Projectile weapons use ammunition: arrows (for bows), bolts (for crossbows), or sling bullets (for slings). When using a bow, a character can draw ammunition as a free action; crossbows and slings require an action for reloading"

under Light Crossbow: "Loading a light crossbow is a move action that provokes attacks of opportunity."

edit: this is all in the Equipment section

Ah, I thought maybe that's what you were getting at. I forgot to mention I was assuming having Rapid Reload too.

 

[irdeggman]

My opinion is that the crossbow is more limited due to mechanics. That is to say it's use is purely driven by mechanics (hence no STR bonus to shots) while the "regular" bows are more driven by skill.

This is also reflected, IMO, by the fact that crossbows are simple weapons and bows are martial ones.

Now if a special exotic crossbow were built . . . .

 

[starwed]

It actually kind of bugs me that things like manyshot only work with bows. I just don't see any balance reason behind it... does anyone see a reason why it shouldn't work with any type of ranged weapon?