[RANT] Archer Prestige classes? Why none for X-bows or Sling users?

[Krug]

I'm sick of the number of archer prestige classes out there. Arcane Archers, Order of the Bow, Snipers and so on. Why aren't there Prestige classes for Crossbow wielders or Sling shot users?

So PrC creators, fill the void!

 

[Psion]

Imperial Crossbowman, Libram Equitis 1:

http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=96&PHPSESSID=7a80ddc9800de5201103ad620061c860

Also now available in a more complete print format.

HTH

 

[Crothian]

Quintessential Fighter has a great fighting style for the Heavy Crossbow. It can easily be adapted into a prestige class.

 

[Psychotic Jim]

I'm sick of the number of archer prestige classes out there. Arcane Archers, Order of the Bow, Snipers and so on. Why aren't there Prestige classes for Crossbow wielders or Sling shot users?

Here are you referring to the Deepwood Sniper prestige class in Masters of the Wild? It can be used by crossbow wielders as well as normal bow users.

 

[hong]

I'm sick of the number of archer prestige classes out there. Arcane Archers, Order of the Bow, Snipers and so on. Why aren't there Prestige classes for Crossbow wielders or Sling shot users?

Why not make one up yourself? There's a whole board, House Rules, devoted to this kind of stuff.

 

[Droogie]

Or, maybe you can try to adapt the Weapon Master; make it apply to missile weapons. Call it a "marksman" or something like that.

 

[Rackhir]

The short answer is that compared to a long bow/composite bow a Crossbow sucks. The longbow out ranges it and has a vastly higher rate of fire, especially vs a heavy crossbow that requires a mechanical assist for cranking it.

The only real advantage to a crossbow is that you can train an inexperienced person to use a crossbow in a relatively short period of time (weeks-months). Where as a it takes about a decade's worth of practice to get someone to the competency level of your classic English longbowman. Since your typical character who is going to focus on a single weapon is going to more resemble the 10 years of training (since 10 yrs old) than the inexperienced millitia member. That's the way to go.

Also I suspect you can blame Robin Hood. Aside from William Tell (an opera, not exactly mass market), there aren't really any "crossbow" oriented heroes and he's really only famous for shooting an apple of his son's head. With Robin Hood as one of the all time classic adventure heroes (and a primary source for things like D&D) guess who things are going to be biased towards.

 

[SemperJase]

Martial vs. Simple

Aside from game mechanics, the reason has to do with the type of weapon. Longbows are martial weapons, crossbows simple. The longbow took extensive training to use. Any idiot could fire a crossbow. This is what led to the phasing out of the longbow. It made training and replacement of archers cheaper and faster.

Crossbows are simple weapons. Even wizards can use them. May as well specialize in rock throwing.

 

[Ave Rage]

Robin hood Shombin hood. Remember the guy from Lady Hawk? Who turned into a wolf at night but by day kicked ass? He used a crossbow(an odd one, held 2 shots loaded) and he'd womp on everyone.


Plus it had 'Mouse' played by the guy from Ferris Beulers day off. Robin Hood had who? Kevin Costner? SPff

 

[Ranger REG]

Actually, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves has Christian Slater (now appearing in Windtalkers) and Morgan Freeman (now appearing in The Sum of All Fears).

"Mouse" is that babyface guy who knocked up Sarah Jessica Parker of Sex and the City and sang with Nathan Lane in the broadway musical The Producers.

As for no prestige classes for crossbowmen and slingers? I don't mean to be blunt but they're peasant weapons. Regardless, you can still have professional units or elite orders of crossbowmen and slingers (just don't call them the Branch Davidian in honor of David who slayed Goliath).