Crossbow Idea [Archive] - Wizards Community

Crossbow Idea [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
baby_kamikaize_kobold
08-07-07, 06:57 PM This was something I thought of after reading this book I have about firearms:

a crossbow add-on that can be loaded with just one hand allowing for firing speed similar to a bow. The shoulder strap is linked to the cocking mechanism and a forceful forward push of the crossbow. the strap is located on your shoulder and so your hand that was holding the crossbow is free to draw another bolt while your other hand continoes the task it was originally. I know that this could only work with a light crossbow or a hand crossbow as the heavy crossbow requires a crank to reload.

What do you think. (I know it looks like quick reload for free but is that rreally a bad thing?)
Dalthbar
08-07-07, 07:03 PM What do you think. (I know it looks like quick reload for free but is that rreally a bad thing?)
Any time you're circumventing a mechanic that other characters need to pay for (be it feats, skills, weapon abilities, etc.) then it is clearly "a bad thing".

If your idea is so good, then everyone would be using it already and you completely devalue those people that have taken whatever mechanic that you're giving away for free.
tarkin
08-07-07, 07:24 PM The reason a crossbow takes so long to load and the reason it takes two hands is not the loading of the bolt. Instead it is the pulling back of the chord.

You know - that thing that actually supplies the energy to launch the bow. It takes strength and leverage to pull that chord back.

I can think of no possible way to do it one handed that does not increase the time by a huge amount.

The only way I have heard of people doing it one handed in real life is something called "a belly bow". Here, you stick the a spike at the end of the bow down into the ground, lodge the butt against your belly, then pull the chord back with one hand.

Obviously this significantly increases the amount of time it takes to load the crossbow, but at least you can do it one handed
baby_kamikaize_kobold
08-07-07, 07:41 PM ok sorry I thought of it

err... I mean I'm sorry I didn't take into account the tension of a crossbow is different than what I got the idea from. I don'y know what I was smoking when I thought this and no I don't know where to find any for other people.

and Dalthbar I didn't plan on making it a standard accessory for any crossbow it would probably cost a it of money on par with a magical enhancement bonus just not magical.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
baby_kamikaize_kobold 08-07-07, 06:57 PM	This was something I thought of after reading this book I have about firearms: a crossbow add-on that can be loaded with just one hand allowing for firing speed similar to a bow. The shoulder strap is linked to the cocking mechanism and a forceful forward push of the crossbow. the strap is located on your shoulder and so your hand that was holding the crossbow is free to draw another bolt while your other hand continoes the task it was originally. I know that this could only work with a light crossbow or a hand crossbow as the heavy crossbow requires a crank to reload. What do you think. (I know it looks like quick reload for free but is that rreally a bad thing?)
Dalthbar 08-07-07, 07:03 PM	What do you think. (I know it looks like quick reload for free but is that rreally a bad thing?) Any time you're circumventing a mechanic that other characters need to pay for (be it feats, skills, weapon abilities, etc.) then it is clearly "a bad thing". If your idea is so good, then everyone would be using it already and you completely devalue those people that have taken whatever mechanic that you're giving away for free.
tarkin 08-07-07, 07:24 PM	The reason a crossbow takes so long to load and the reason it takes two hands is not the loading of the bolt. Instead it is the pulling back of the chord. You know - that thing that actually supplies the energy to launch the bow. It takes strength and leverage to pull that chord back. I can think of no possible way to do it one handed that does not increase the time by a huge amount. The only way I have heard of people doing it one handed in real life is something called "a belly bow". Here, you stick the a spike at the end of the bow down into the ground, lodge the butt against your belly, then pull the chord back with one hand. Obviously this significantly increases the amount of time it takes to load the crossbow, but at least you can do it one handed
baby_kamikaize_kobold 08-07-07, 07:41 PM	ok sorry I thought of it err... I mean I'm sorry I didn't take into account the tension of a crossbow is different than what I got the idea from. I don'y know what I was smoking when I thought this and no I don't know where to find any for other people. and Dalthbar I didn't plan on making it a standard accessory for any crossbow it would probably cost a it of money on par with a magical enhancement bonus just not magical.