Post/Author/DateTime	Post
technodemon 10-24-05, 11:34 AM	Hey I was wondering if anyone knows or has done rules for Automatic Crossbows for D&D? I am not talking about the repeating crosbow but a magical means of automatic?
tarkin 10-24-05, 01:26 PM	In 3.0 there was a self-reloading crossbow enchantment (+2 cost I think)
mvincent 10-24-05, 02:58 PM	I believe the Arms and Equipment guide had this.
00_Whupass 10-24-05, 03:23 PM	While I tend to dislike attempts to bring such modern ideas as automatic fire into d&d were I to do something like this in my campaign heres how I would handle it. Allowing extra attacks from an automatic crossbow would not be the way to go, since there are already plenty of ways to achieve extra ranged attacks. I would use a rule similar to the way d20 modern handle automatic weapon fire, which is to say as an attack action a character may attempt an automatic fire which consumes10 bolts, targets a 10x10 area, if you succeed on a ranged attack roll against AC 10, all targets within that area must succeed at a DC15 reflex save or take the listed weapon damage. IIRC this is also similar to the volley rules outlined in heroes of battle. I would give this the equivelent of a +3 enchantment (since it takes the +2 self-reloading and adds the area attack) and call it a Crossbow of Volleys.
primemover003 10-24-05, 04:09 PM	I like the idea whupass... but DC 15 is kind of weak, especially at the levels where a +4 weapon would be used at...
SoulStorm 10-24-05, 08:12 PM	I would do this as two separate items. A Quick Loading Crossbow (Arms and Equipment Guide page 97) and the... Bolts of Babylon (Based upon Quiver of Anariel Below) These crossbow bolts usually come in sets of 3. One of each: Adamantine, Cold Iron, and Alchemical Silver. They may be found with an enhancement bonus of between +1 and +5 but otherwise seem like normal magical crossbow bolts. They only reveal their true power upon being loaded into a Quick Loading crossbow. Once loaded into a Quick Loading crossbow the user soon discovers that he never runs out of ammunition. In addition, with a simple thought (a free action), the user can choose to fire Adamantine, Cold Iron, or Alchemical Silver bolts. Quiver of Anariel: Quivers of Anariel appear to be typical arrow containers capable of holding a score of arrows. However, the quivers automatically replenish themselves with standard or magical arrows, such that they are always full. Some quivers also create arrows made of special materials, such as adamantine, cold iron, or alchemical silver. Once an arrow it taken from the quiver, it must be used within 1 round or it vanishes. Moderate conjuration; CL 7th; Craft Wondrous Item, magic weapon, minor creation; Price 28,000 gp (standard arrows), 29,000 gp (masterwork arrows), 32,000 gp (+1 arrows), 44,000 gp (+2 arrows), 64,000 gp (+3 arrows), 92,000 gp (+4 arrows), 128,000 gp (+5 arrows); Add an additional +6,000 gp for adamantine arrows, +4,005 gp for cold iron arrows, or +200 gp for alchemical silver arrows; Weight 1 lb. Special Bonus: The Crossbow of Babylon: The Crossbow of Babylon is a heavy +1 Hideaway Quick Loading, Exit Wounds, Splitting Crossbow. The peculiar enchantments upon this crossbow only allow it to fire when loaded with the Bolts of Babylon. If loaded with any other type of bolt the crossbow simple refuses to fire. In addition, the owner must make a one-time blood sacrifice to the crossbow before it will function for him. This bonding ritual requires in addition to the blood sacrifice 24 hours of meditation and prayer. Only a person bonded to the crossbow may fire it or awaken it from its hideaway form. Market Price: 169,850
E. Ravenwood 10-24-05, 09:03 PM	I'd like to think of myself of as a weapon's expert on such matters as yours. The crossbow you are looking for is a Quick-Loading crossbow. Up to 100 bolts can be held in an extra-dimensional space. Hand & Light Crossbows can be reloaded as a free action. Heavy Crossbows can be reloaded as a move-equivalent action. It is a +2 Enhancement, so it might cost you some gold. If this doesn't intrest you now, I might suggest taking the "manyshot" feet, or get and Elven Double bow. :cool:
Vengeblade 10-24-05, 09:17 PM	It's a shamless plug, but I do have a PrC I made that kinda has that ability, not totally automatic but it's almost as good in D&D in my terms. Here it is...I think http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=514830
FlameLover 10-24-05, 09:38 PM	I'd make the automatic crossbow a little different: you don't have to hit any certain AC to fire in the right square but your attack roll would equal the reflex save DC divided by half probably. This makes it weak at low levels (average DC5) but at high levels should be balanced (around a DC20 save). It would be weak against Rogues and stuff but Fighters and Wizards would be shazz-oomed by this one.
Rulebook 10-24-05, 09:44 PM	i'd make it a big crank orperated thing, like a gatling gun. mechanically that wouldnt be too hard to do, just expensive. GATLING BALISTA!
Jaid 10-24-05, 10:04 PM	I'd make the automatic crossbow a little different: you don't have to hit any certain AC to fire in the right square but your attack roll would equal the reflex save DC divided by half probably. This makes it weak at low levels (average DC5) but at high levels should be balanced (around a DC20 save). It would be weak against Rogues and stuff but Fighters and Wizards would be shazz-oomed by this one.until someone casts true strike.
00_Whupass 10-24-05, 11:11 PM	I like the idea whupass... but DC 15 is kind of weak, especially at the levels where a +4 weapon would be used at... What I presented was the rules for burst fire as presented in d20 modern and DC 15 is indeed what they use.