What would be a simple fix for crossbows?

[Erekose]

At work and really tired so forgive me if this is a "little stream of consciousness".

General consensus would appear to be that crossbows are the poorer option compared to short/longbows. While in reality it takes more skill to be an expert with short/longbows in game terms it's just as easy to use them as it is a crossbow.

So, how would we make rectify this potential imbalance and make crossbows more lethal (at least at close range)?

Have an overcranking/increased torc option so that Strength bonus can be added to damage?

Assume they don't draw an AoO when used in melee?

Any comments/additional ideas? Or alternatively please let me know if you think they are fine as is.

 

[TheEvil]

At work and really tired so forgive me if this is a "little stream of consciousness".

General consensus would appear to be that crossbows are the poorer option compared to short/longbows. While in reality it takes more skill to be an expert with short/longbows in game terms it's just as easy to use them as it is a crossbow.

So, how would we make rectify this potential imbalance and make crossbows more lethal (at least at close range)?

Have an overcranking/increased torc option so that Strength bonus can be added to damage?

Assume they don't draw an AoO when used in melee?

Any comments/additional ideas? Or alternatively please let me know if you think they are fine as is.

Actually, the fact that crossbows are simple weapons and bows are martial covers the ease of use angle. The damage also seems reasonably balanced since crossbows have a die higher damage dice. True, they do lose out on the strength bonus, but overall, I have felt they did a pretty good job with them. Really, the only disadvantage of crossbows is the slow loading time, and that is not hard to rectify for a dedicated crossbow user.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Dual wield two crossbows? With a few more loaded on your hip?

This?

 

[frankthedm]

Give crossbows an option to be cranked for multiple round reload times in exchange for a damage bonus and bonuses to penetrate armor [ effectively a bonus to hit ].

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

Not a huge fix, but how about loading a crossbow doesn't cause AoO. I know, not a big thing. But seriously, loading a bow doesn't (firing does), loading a crossbow shouldn't (because firing a crossbow still will provoke).

 

[shadyizok]

Make repeating crosbows not an exotic weapon. Allow all feats that improve bows also apply to crossbows.

 

[kitcik]

Hold your longbow horizontally and apply fluff?

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Crossbows don't need help. With no training (ie, feats) they're plainly better than bows right out of the box for any low level character, and while feat intensive, a crossbow in the hands of a trained user is better than a longbowmen in D&D, including all non-core options in the mix.

 

[anest1s]

At very close range, you can use them as melee improvised weapons

 

[Greenfield]

Simple fix for crossbows?

Well, if you oil the mechanism properly and perform all the basic maintenance, it shouldn't break to begin with.

Seriously though, TheEvil nailed it when he pointed out that crossbows *are* easier to use, as reflected in their categorization as "simple weapons". Anybody can use them.

Is it your goal to make them the equal of the longbow? If so, you're leaving realism behind. The simple fact is, they aren't as good or as effective as the longbow.

They fire a shorter, heavier projectile (a bolt, rather than an arrow), and its aerodynamics just aren't as good. Thicker profile, shorter lines.

IRL they pack more punch at point blank range, but fade at longer ranges. There are some quick-cocking modern versions around, with a quick pull-cord connected to a shuttle via a pully system (pull twice as far at half the strain), but those are so light they're toys compared to the genuine article. Pistol crossbows, in effect.

The repeating crossbow had an impressive rate of fire, but had all the punch of a butterfly. Okay at pinking massed yoeman troops (who were unarmored), but useless against anything tougher than a heavy coat. No stopping power.

The longbow is harder to use, but offers a superior rate of fire, and real stopping potential. The longer draw means a longer space/time for the arrow to accelerate. There's an effect called the Archer's Paradox, that the bow not only acts as a spring to hurl the arrow, but the acceleration flexes the arrow as well, causing it to act as a spring and fling itself away from the bow. And if you were to examine the firing motion from a vector mechanics point of view, it's remarkably elegant.

To simplify a complex mechanical function: The string starts out straight. As you begin to draw it back, it moves a lot compared to the flex of the limbs. The further back you draw, the more inches of flex the limbs undergo for each inch of draw. As you release, the limbs straighten, giving a lot of pounds of thrust at a low velocity. As the string straightens again, the thrust decreases, but the imparted velocity increases.

It's like a car, starting in first gear but auto-shifting up to 5th as the motion proceeds. No other firing mechanism replicates this elegant simplicity.