A crossbow can be carried already loaded with a bolt. You add your dexterity bonus to crossbow damage to represent increased precision. There are two or three notches to rest the thumb which can then be lined up with the bolt forming the crossbow sight. The crossbow bolt is laid in a groove on the top of the stock and the trigger pulled. This “cocking” of the crossbow is what gives a crossbow the “loading” property. The string is pulled back by using a lever or winding a crank on a ratchet. The string has been soaked in glue as some protection against moisture. The ‘bow’ is made of wood, iron or steel. General crossbow description: A crossbow has a wooden stock generally made from yew, ash, hazel or elm and coated with glue or varnish. This post represents my thoughts on the subject and how I deal with it using a couple of house rules. In my opinion, their subsequent attempt at clarifying the rules didn’t help all that much. Doing all of this and also keeping the rules simple and short created quite a bit of confusion. When the rules were written for fifth edition they attempted to restrict the number of times a crossbow could be fired and still allow for exceptions. Because Player Characters aren’t “most people” they often are able to make multiple attacks each round. (2 bow attacks would get you 2d8+8 for 18 dex vs 1d10+8 for 18 dex, 18 str).The only problem with a crossbow is that it takes so long to load most people can only make one crossbow attack each round. Pretty solid DPR if you mix it up, but the longbow would still out damage a crossbow exclusively. Never get 2+ attacks with it, but could Shoot, drop xbow, move up (drawing weapon), and attack in the same turn. * Heavy Crossbow: Str 18 (minimum 14 to load) 1d10+4 damage, loading (1 Action) for Str 17 or less, move action for Str 18+įeat: Crosssbow expert would reduce reload times 1 step:Īction > Move Action > Bonus Action > no action (part of attack).Ī suitably strong person with the Crossbow Expert Feat could load a heavy crossbow with a move action (or bonus action with Str 18+ since they wouldn't need the winch/windlass). * Light Crossbow: Str 14 (minimum 10 to load) 1d8+2 damage, loading (move action) for Str 13 or less, bonus action for Str 14+. My Houserule: Crossbows have STR bonuses (plus dex) and have load times if you meet the STR of the crossbow. Slings, bows, etc.Īt any rate, you use xbows if you aren't proficient in bows, or perhaps plan to fire from a prone position (which I would allow with a crossbow). All projectile weapons should have the loading property. Yes, there are specially trained archers that can rapid reload and shoot, but a vast majority of archers don't have that special training (feat?).
Anyone who's done real archery would tell you that it takes more time to draw and knock an arrow than it does to draw a dagger. That, and bows really should require load time. I've always house-ruled crossbows to deal more damage but require time to load. Honestly who uses a crossbow unless its a hand crossbow magical are they just like them for the flavor, they need to be adjusted up to a more even footing with bows. There are classes that are not proficient with the longbow and may be with the crossbow but as I have said they usually have a cantrip are special class ability that will out class the crossbow very quickly if not out right. Longbow range is 150/600(damage 1d8) and crossbow is 100/400(damage1d10) but we really only want short range as to fire at any range beyond is at Disadvantage, So the crossbow is behind already in two points range and damage over time as it does a d10 every other round while the longbow does a d8 every round. have the two-handed feature, need ammunition, heavy feature, the crossbow requires loading.
What have I missed in the standard rules and supplements?Įveryone likes to keep referring to the Crossbow higher damage over the Bow as its best feature so lets look at the two top weapons of the Bow/Crossbow lines the 50gp Longbow and the 50gp Heavy Crossbow both according to PHB page 149. With out Some additional Rule giving Crossbows better damage are armor penetration as in earlier additions only the hand crossbow competes with bows, and then really only when FEATS are allowed. Not sure if this subject has been bought up before? But other than Proficiencies and availability and personnel choice why would anyone use a crossbow in 5E FEATS not withstanding over a Bow? Rate of fire is worse(loading rule) damage isn't much better if any better and range is worse in most cases.