PHB Ranged Weapons in 3.x

[Mark CMG]

What PHB ranged weapons have you seen used for PCs in 3.x games (and why)?


(You can choose as many as apply!)

 

[Grymar]

Either a light crossbow as a simple weapon or a longbow which they upgrade to composite when they have a chance. As a DM I've used heavy crossbows in fortified positions, but that is even pretty rare.

 

[Firedancer]

Primarily its the players decision on a characterful weapon for their PC.
Mostly this is picked as a backup; something to use either when waiting for foe to close the distance or for when range is the only option.

Rarely have I seen someone specialise in ranged weaponry (1 scout and 1 ranger/cleric).

Light xbow is more popular than the hvy.
Longbow is upgrade to composite once affordable.

Javelin was a players choice for background reasons.

I must add I've seen lots of daggers thrown around, 1 sword, and 1 enlarged warrior insisted on a bag of holding plus ballista!

 

[Shade]

From a DM's perspective, I've seen all of 'em used, as at least some monster entry has each of those (with the possible exception of bolas).

I've never seen a PC use a sling, shortbow, javelin, or shuriken. Most either go composite longbow route (for the Str modifier) or some form of crossbow (for the higher threat range and the fact that it shows up on more class proficiency lists).

The fact that I've never seen a non-elven or non-multiclassed arcane spellcaster PC probably explains some of this.

 

[Anand]

My players love to use ranged weapons, even the wizard. The rogue, although very proficient with his rapier, uses his bow a lot.

 

[Gothic_Demon]

Fighters and rangers tend to take the regular bows, clerics tend towards the crossbows, rogues tend towards the thrown weapons, and I once had a barbarian character who used to throw his bola as he charged in to melee combat, or to trap people who tried to get away from him!

Only thing I've never seen in use by a player is a repeating crossbow.

 

[iwarrior-poet]

Mix it up

I love ranged weapons. Even my 'Tank' fighter types will have one use and forget weapons---like a heavy crossbow or javelin. It helps when they can't quite close to fighting distance for one reason or another---but still want a chance at hitting the bad guys. For PrC I love the Bowman from Quintessential Ranger II (Mongoose publishing).

 

[hagor]

A character I'm currently playing (well, when the campaign continues, that is) is a halfling archer with composite short bow. Other players have a longbow and a light crossbow.

A player in my latest campaign as DM used a net a lot (as befitting his spider-themed druid). Light crossbows, long bows and javelin have also seen use ranged weapons as well as daggers and throwing axes.

I don't think my (fellow) players use darts, although in AD&D 2ED these were very popular (due to high rate of fire and low speed factor, making it ideal weapons to disrupt spell casters)

Hagor

 

[Laman Stahros]

In the current campaign that I am running (the Drow War campaign by Mongoose), I have the following ranged weapons in use. By the way, I use the weapon groups rule from Unearthed Arcana.

Sorcerer with light repeating crossbow
Rogue with light repeating crossbow
Ranger with composite greatbow
6 others with composite longbows (one is a NPC)

The ranger is bow focused, and the sorcerer almost has more kills with that crossbow than she does with her spells.The first three game sessions, she never used a spell, just that blasted crossbow.

 

[DaveyJones]

you forgot str versions of the bows. (+1 to +5)

also all my newer edition PCs carry infinite slings. they cost nothing and weigh even less.