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Any help with Crossbow material?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
dawnmor
Dec 09, 2008 17:32:27 I know their isnt much on Crossbowmen, but Im planning on making a character that uses a Light repeater crossbow, problem is thats as far as I know for now.

So does anyone have anything on how best to make a Xbowmen besides taking 20 fighter? but is also simple to do ?
#2
reis
Dec 09, 2008 20:57:25 don't take more than 3 levels of fighter probably, fighter is bad

take the crossbow sniper feat from player's handbook 2

consider taking levels in a class that gives sneak attack/skirmish/sudden strike since bonus damage dice are about your only way to do lots of damage

what do you want the character to do besides shoot a crossbow?
#3
emansdrawkcab
Dec 09, 2008 21:20:50
don't take more than 3 levels of fighter probably, fighter is bad

3 is possibly the worst number in all Fighter levels.
#4
wih
Dec 10, 2008 0:42:50 Crossbow Sniper is a must. Scaling damage that will eventually be more potent than the Weapon Spec trees.
In the new Pathfinder system, there's an exotic xbow you can get (Minotaur Double Crossbow) that will pretty much double your damage for the proficiency feat and a -2 to your attack rolls. It's more or less the only way I've personally seen of getting an optimized crossbow user, except for the aptitude/great crossbow build found here.

Ironically, another way you could look at increasing damage with a xbow is to pick up a Heavy Xbow and player a Psychic Warrior, Warmind or something similar - Expansion, Goliath/Half Giant for size increases to damage.
#5
dawnmor
Dec 10, 2008 1:30:14 I was going to follow a character idea I had of a changling rogue 5, Chameleon 10/XXX 5.

Main weapon would be a Light Xbow and soon Duel weild 2 light repeaters at once.
#6
wih
Dec 10, 2008 2:38:15 Remember that you need a hand free to reload a crossbow, so you'll want to invest in either a Spare Hand (Eberron) or a pair of Gloves of Storing.
#7
jaronk
Dec 10, 2008 3:14:27 Actually, I've made some superpowered Warblade based crossbowmen.

Basic tools that will help you out are the following:

Feats: Crossbow Sniper, Hand Crossbow Mastery (works great with Aptitude enchantment), Improved Critical, Lightning Mace (with Aptitude), Roundabout Kick (with Aptitude), Piercing Ranged Weapon Mastery, Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, Precise Shot, TWF, ITWF, GTWF, Woodland Archer

Manuevers: Blood in the Water, Dancing Mongoose, Raging Mongoose, Time Stands Still, White Raven Tactics

JaronK
#8
reis
Dec 10, 2008 5:41:42 yeah but aptitude weapons with lightning mace usually make your dm kill you on purpose in my exp.

Get some sneak attack dice from whatever class. Ask your dm if you can also take the craven feat from champions of ruin (a fr book, but the feat has no fr specific flavor). Get some bracers of murder (from drow of the underdark) and the splitting and wounding enhancements on your crossbow(s), pretty decent damage ideas imo.
#9
emansdrawkcab
Dec 10, 2008 12:43:24 Warforged have really nice Light Repeating Crossbow components, which allow full attacks and could make for some pretty good crossbowmen.

Also, there is a feat in Dragon Magazine Compendium, that is very easy to get, and allows for an additional DEX to damage. Coupled with Crossbow Sniper, andyou'll be dealing some decent damage.
#10
volatris
Dec 10, 2008 12:56:03 Isn't Drow of the Underdark also full of crossbow (or hand crossbow) feats and prestige classes?
#11
dawnmor
Dec 10, 2008 14:08:21
Actually, I've made some superpowered Warblade based crossbowmen.

Basic tools that will help you out are the following:

Feats: Crossbow Sniper, Hand Crossbow Mastery (works great with Aptitude enchantment), Improved Critical, Lightning Mace (with Aptitude), Roundabout Kick (with Aptitude), Piercing Ranged Weapon Mastery, Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, Precise Shot, TWF, ITWF, GTWF, Woodland Archer

Manuevers: Blood in the Water, Dancing Mongoose, Raging Mongoose, Time Stands Still, White Raven Tactics

JaronK

Would this work with any kind of Crossbow?, because I was leaning towards trying to get a Light repeater Xbow to work?

Also, isnt that alot of feats just for a Warblade?, any fighter lvl in their somewhere?

EDIT: I just read the Armbow attachment. Problem is that I have no idea how im gonna heal myself since my group may not cast repair damage on me to repair me at the end of battle if I get hit.

To correct this, I could pick up cleric (Artifice). Crusader, or artificer. Beyond that im not sure how I can heal myself a decent amount.
#12
jaronk
Dec 10, 2008 20:45:04
Would this work with any kind of Crossbow?, because I was leaning towards trying to get a Light repeater Xbow to work?

As long as it's an aptitude weapon of some kind, it works. Light Repeater works just fine.

Also, isnt that alot of feats just for a Warblade?, any fighter lvl in their somewhere?

Sure, I think I went Feat Varient Rogue 2/Fighter 2/Warblade 16 or something like that.

JaronK
#13
heliomance
Dec 11, 2008 3:19:44 The Archery Handbook, Crossbow section

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 dawnmor Dec 09, 2008 17:32:27	I know their isnt much on Crossbowmen, but Im planning on making a character that uses a Light repeater crossbow, problem is thats as far as I know for now. So does anyone have anything on how best to make a Xbowmen besides taking 20 fighter? but is also simple to do ?
#2 reis Dec 09, 2008 20:57:25	don't take more than 3 levels of fighter probably, fighter is bad take the crossbow sniper feat from player's handbook 2 consider taking levels in a class that gives sneak attack/skirmish/sudden strike since bonus damage dice are about your only way to do lots of damage what do you want the character to do besides shoot a crossbow?
#3 emansdrawkcab Dec 09, 2008 21:20:50	don't take more than 3 levels of fighter probably, fighter is bad 3 is possibly the worst number in all Fighter levels.
#4 wih Dec 10, 2008 0:42:50	Crossbow Sniper is a must. Scaling damage that will eventually be more potent than the Weapon Spec trees. In the new Pathfinder system, there's an exotic xbow you can get (Minotaur Double Crossbow) that will pretty much double your damage for the proficiency feat and a -2 to your attack rolls. It's more or less the only way I've personally seen of getting an optimized crossbow user, except for the aptitude/great crossbow build found here. Ironically, another way you could look at increasing damage with a xbow is to pick up a Heavy Xbow and player a Psychic Warrior, Warmind or something similar - Expansion, Goliath/Half Giant for size increases to damage.
#5 dawnmor Dec 10, 2008 1:30:14	I was going to follow a character idea I had of a changling rogue 5, Chameleon 10/XXX 5. Main weapon would be a Light Xbow and soon Duel weild 2 light repeaters at once.
#6 wih Dec 10, 2008 2:38:15	Remember that you need a hand free to reload a crossbow, so you'll want to invest in either a Spare Hand (Eberron) or a pair of Gloves of Storing.
#7 jaronk Dec 10, 2008 3:14:27	Actually, I've made some superpowered Warblade based crossbowmen. Basic tools that will help you out are the following: Feats: Crossbow Sniper, Hand Crossbow Mastery (works great with Aptitude enchantment), Improved Critical, Lightning Mace (with Aptitude), Roundabout Kick (with Aptitude), Piercing Ranged Weapon Mastery, Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, Precise Shot, TWF, ITWF, GTWF, Woodland Archer Manuevers: Blood in the Water, Dancing Mongoose, Raging Mongoose, Time Stands Still, White Raven Tactics JaronK
#8 reis Dec 10, 2008 5:41:42	yeah but aptitude weapons with lightning mace usually make your dm kill you on purpose in my exp. Get some sneak attack dice from whatever class. Ask your dm if you can also take the craven feat from champions of ruin (a fr book, but the feat has no fr specific flavor). Get some bracers of murder (from drow of the underdark) and the splitting and wounding enhancements on your crossbow(s), pretty decent damage ideas imo.
#9 emansdrawkcab Dec 10, 2008 12:43:24	Warforged have really nice Light Repeating Crossbow components, which allow full attacks and could make for some pretty good crossbowmen. Also, there is a feat in Dragon Magazine Compendium, that is very easy to get, and allows for an additional DEX to damage. Coupled with Crossbow Sniper, andyou'll be dealing some decent damage.
#10 volatris Dec 10, 2008 12:56:03	Isn't Drow of the Underdark also full of crossbow (or hand crossbow) feats and prestige classes?
#11 dawnmor Dec 10, 2008 14:08:21	Actually, I've made some superpowered Warblade based crossbowmen. Basic tools that will help you out are the following: Feats: Crossbow Sniper, Hand Crossbow Mastery (works great with Aptitude enchantment), Improved Critical, Lightning Mace (with Aptitude), Roundabout Kick (with Aptitude), Piercing Ranged Weapon Mastery, Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, Precise Shot, TWF, ITWF, GTWF, Woodland Archer Manuevers: Blood in the Water, Dancing Mongoose, Raging Mongoose, Time Stands Still, White Raven Tactics JaronK Would this work with any kind of Crossbow?, because I was leaning towards trying to get a Light repeater Xbow to work? Also, isnt that alot of feats just for a Warblade?, any fighter lvl in their somewhere? EDIT: I just read the Armbow attachment. Problem is that I have no idea how im gonna heal myself since my group may not cast repair damage on me to repair me at the end of battle if I get hit. To correct this, I could pick up cleric (Artifice). Crusader, or artificer. Beyond that im not sure how I can heal myself a decent amount.
#12 jaronk Dec 10, 2008 20:45:04	Would this work with any kind of Crossbow?, because I was leaning towards trying to get a Light repeater Xbow to work? As long as it's an aptitude weapon of some kind, it works. Light Repeater works just fine. Also, isnt that alot of feats just for a Warblade?, any fighter lvl in their somewhere? Sure, I think I went Feat Varient Rogue 2/Fighter 2/Warblade 16 or something like that. JaronK
#13 heliomance Dec 11, 2008 3:19:44	The Archery Handbook, Crossbow section