ThatGuySteve
Explorer
So the idea is you need X value of STR to load a crossbow by hand? You could preload a heavy crossbow with a windlass, but after the first shot need to switch to hand/light, assuming you didn't have the STR required for heavy?if you remove any long time loading crossbows. 1+ round, all you have left is your strength to load the crossbow.
As a once-per-round "free" action, you dont have time to employ any complicated devices for cocking the crossbow.
It's more or less; put your foot in the stirrup and pull the string back with your leg and back muscles.
With an extra bump to heavy crossbow damage (2d8), I could see something like that working.
I'd be inclined to see a similar minimum STR to draw a bow, while still adding Dex to damage, over adding STR to damage.
Basically boils down to STR determined the size of damage dice, add Dex to damage.