2+ Light Crossbow Shots Per Melee Atk? [Archive] - Wizards Community

2+ Light Crossbow Shots Per Melee Atk? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DragonX10^9
11-21-03, 04:20 AM Does this do what I think it does?

Weapon Focus (Light Crossbow)
Point Blank Shot
Rapid Reload
Rapid Shot
Weapon Specialization (Light Crossbow)

Rapid Reload means I can reload a Light Crossbow as a free action; Rapid Shot allows me one extra shot at my highest BA (with a -2 to all Atks made in conjunction with Rapid Shot). Does this mean I can fire off two crossbow shots per my Atk? When I get my second Atk, can I fire off 3 crossbow shots per my Atk? It does say I can only use Rapid Reload once per round. Does that mean I can only reload once per my Atk? In that case, isn't Rapid Shot redundant at later levels when I get second and third Atks? By the time I get Rapid Shot, I'll already have a second Atk, so...

By level 9, I was thinking my Atk with a light crossbow would be something like +11/+6/+11 (including Point Blank Shot and Weapon Focus)? Am I buggin', or what?
Otaku Ashram
11-21-03, 04:31 AM Rapid Reload lets you reload the crossbow once per round for free. So you could get 2 attacks instead of 1, but you can't get 3 with it. However, if you go with a longbow instead, you can get the extra shot, have 3 attacks and more, once you get them, and use one less feat. Or if you really want a crossbow, take EWP (repeating crossbow). Then you can get up to 5 shots. It carries 5 bolts, and if you get a heavy repeater it does more damage, but any repeater takes a full round action to load. All in all, you're better off with a longbow.
DragonX10^9
11-21-03, 05:15 AM In that case, I could forfeit my second attack, and use Rapid Shot instead to get a better Atk, right?

So, it would look like this: +11/+11, instead of +11/+6? That's still pretty good.

So, 2 shots per Atk, maximum.

But I couldn't do +11/+6/+11. Too bad.

Can't use a Longbow, by the way. I'm playing a rogue/sniper (ranged sneak attacks). Could use a shortbow, though, I guess.

And I find the repeating crossbow to be a rather silly invention; it looks silly and ugly, it's too bulky and heavy, and it takes too long to reload. Besides, what happens when it breaks? Pretty sure I'm not going to find one lying around in an orcs lair, or anything. On the other hand, I'm quite likely to find a light crossbow or a shortbow lying around.
Mr. Dog
11-21-03, 07:02 AM Rapid shot incurs a -2 penalty, so it would be +9/+9 instead of +11/+6

Normal:
+11/+6

With Rapid shot:
+(11-2)/+(11=2), so +9/+9
blackbrrrd
11-21-03, 08:34 AM Originally posted by Mr. Dog
Rapid shot incurs a -2 penalty, so it would be +9/+9 instead of +11/+6

Normal:
+11/+6

With Rapid shot:
+(11-2)/+(11=2), so +9/+9

Not really

normal
+11/+6

rapid shot
+11-2 / +11-2 / +6-2 => +9 / +9 / +4
Balthanon
11-21-03, 08:39 AM Originally posted by Otaku Ashram
Rapid Reload lets you reload the crossbow once per round for free.

3.5 removed the "once per round" portion of the feat. You can now use the feat to get your full base attack. So potentially that could be as much as +18/+18/+13/+8/+3. While a longbow is generally more useful, if you have a strength penalty rapid reload could possibly be more effective than one.
Lord Schpungus
11-21-03, 10:15 AM Also, 3.5 got rid of the 'melee weapon' restriction in TWF. It's not terribly useful for standard races without repeating crossbows, but my thri-kreen ranger is having lots of fun firing six shots a round, holding two crossbows in two 'hands' and reloading with his other two.
DragonX10^9
11-22-03, 12:48 AM Mr. Dog, I was including the -2 incurred when I calculated those Atk bonuses...however, I didn't mention that, and I should've. My bad.

Balthanon; so in the updated rules (3.5), I can use rapid reload and rapid shot to fire more than twice per melee round/Atk, yes? That's bloody marvellous! I was wondering about that "once per round" thing, because it seems like Rapid Reload and Rapid Shot are supposed to support each other.
PhaedrusXY
11-22-03, 02:46 AM Rapid Reload is a feat, and does nothing but let you fire a light Xbow at the same rate as a bow. Martial Weapon Proficiency: Longbow (or Shortbow) allows you to actually use a bow, and you can add your Str bonus onto your damage if you have one. But as someone else said, if you have a Str penalty you might be better off with a Xbow.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DragonX10^9 11-21-03, 04:20 AM	Does this do what I think it does? Weapon Focus (Light Crossbow) Point Blank Shot Rapid Reload Rapid Shot Weapon Specialization (Light Crossbow) Rapid Reload means I can reload a Light Crossbow as a free action; Rapid Shot allows me one extra shot at my highest BA (with a -2 to all Atks made in conjunction with Rapid Shot). Does this mean I can fire off two crossbow shots per my Atk? When I get my second Atk, can I fire off 3 crossbow shots per my Atk? It does say I can only use Rapid Reload once per round. Does that mean I can only reload once per my Atk? In that case, isn't Rapid Shot redundant at later levels when I get second and third Atks? By the time I get Rapid Shot, I'll already have a second Atk, so... By level 9, I was thinking my Atk with a light crossbow would be something like +11/+6/+11 (including Point Blank Shot and Weapon Focus)? Am I buggin', or what?
Otaku Ashram 11-21-03, 04:31 AM	Rapid Reload lets you reload the crossbow once per round for free. So you could get 2 attacks instead of 1, but you can't get 3 with it. However, if you go with a longbow instead, you can get the extra shot, have 3 attacks and more, once you get them, and use one less feat. Or if you really want a crossbow, take EWP (repeating crossbow). Then you can get up to 5 shots. It carries 5 bolts, and if you get a heavy repeater it does more damage, but any repeater takes a full round action to load. All in all, you're better off with a longbow.
DragonX10^9 11-21-03, 05:15 AM	In that case, I could forfeit my second attack, and use Rapid Shot instead to get a better Atk, right? So, it would look like this: +11/+11, instead of +11/+6? That's still pretty good. So, 2 shots per Atk, maximum. But I couldn't do +11/+6/+11. Too bad. Can't use a Longbow, by the way. I'm playing a rogue/sniper (ranged sneak attacks). Could use a shortbow, though, I guess. And I find the repeating crossbow to be a rather silly invention; it looks silly and ugly, it's too bulky and heavy, and it takes too long to reload. Besides, what happens when it breaks? Pretty sure I'm not going to find one lying around in an orcs lair, or anything. On the other hand, I'm quite likely to find a light crossbow or a shortbow lying around.
Mr. Dog 11-21-03, 07:02 AM	Rapid shot incurs a -2 penalty, so it would be +9/+9 instead of +11/+6 Normal: +11/+6 With Rapid shot: +(11-2)/+(11=2), so +9/+9
blackbrrrd 11-21-03, 08:34 AM	Originally posted by Mr. Dog Rapid shot incurs a -2 penalty, so it would be +9/+9 instead of +11/+6 Normal: +11/+6 With Rapid shot: +(11-2)/+(11=2), so +9/+9 Not really normal +11/+6 rapid shot +11-2 / +11-2 / +6-2 => +9 / +9 / +4
Balthanon 11-21-03, 08:39 AM	Originally posted by Otaku Ashram Rapid Reload lets you reload the crossbow once per round for free. 3.5 removed the "once per round" portion of the feat. You can now use the feat to get your full base attack. So potentially that could be as much as +18/+18/+13/+8/+3. While a longbow is generally more useful, if you have a strength penalty rapid reload could possibly be more effective than one.
Lord Schpungus 11-21-03, 10:15 AM	Also, 3.5 got rid of the 'melee weapon' restriction in TWF. It's not terribly useful for standard races without repeating crossbows, but my thri-kreen ranger is having lots of fun firing six shots a round, holding two crossbows in two 'hands' and reloading with his other two.
DragonX10^9 11-22-03, 12:48 AM	Mr. Dog, I was including the -2 incurred when I calculated those Atk bonuses...however, I didn't mention that, and I should've. My bad. Balthanon; so in the updated rules (3.5), I can use rapid reload and rapid shot to fire more than twice per melee round/Atk, yes? That's bloody marvellous! I was wondering about that "once per round" thing, because it seems like Rapid Reload and Rapid Shot are supposed to support each other.
PhaedrusXY 11-22-03, 02:46 AM	Rapid Reload is a feat, and does nothing but let you fire a light Xbow at the same rate as a bow. Martial Weapon Proficiency: Longbow (or Shortbow) allows you to actually use a bow, and you can add your Str bonus onto your damage if you have one. But as someone else said, if you have a Str penalty you might be better off with a Xbow.