Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Phobos Feb 15, 2015 14:21:35	Ok, the feat removes loading, meaning you can now make more than 1 attack per round, alowing you to make a bonus attack with a hand crossbow and a one hand weapon attack.   But, the question is, if you are holding a one handed weapon, how do you load said hand crossbow for the next round?  Do we just assume via "magic" the crossbow is reloaded, do we assume that even though both hands are full, you can reload it on your off turn?  Or, do we assume that due to the hand situation, you need to stow the one handed weapon, under arm, leaning against you on floor, and load the crossbow?   The feat does not say anything about reloading the crossbow, it only says "you can use a bonus action to attack with a loaded hand crossbow you are holding."   Thanks!
#2 durntaur Feb 15, 2015 14:49:30	This will be the sixth time we have created a thread about Hand Crossbow + Crossbow Expert and we have become exceedingly efficient at it.   Dual-wielding... Dual Hand Crossbow... Another... ...in AL Reloading
#3 Kalani Feb 15, 2015 15:34:13	Reloading a hand crossbow requires a free hand.    Hand Crossbow (reloading) RSIxdior @RSIxidor
#4 Kalani Feb 15, 2015 15:41:20	While I do not wish to reopen that horribad debate regarding Crossbow Expert + Handcrossbows (which raged across multiple threads, each several hundred posts long) - since the debate concluded, Jeremy has issued the following responses which should hopefully prevent a repeat of that disaster.   Crossbow Expert Bonus Action   Matt Petruzzelli @mpetruzz
#5 mellored Feb 15, 2015 16:04:07	you can load as part of the attack, so it's effectivly always loaded (if you have ammunition). as for the 1-handed reload... ask your DM.
#6 OoftaMeg Feb 15, 2015 17:03:54	Ultimately ask your DM.  I attempted to give both sides of the argument in a thread over here:  http://community.wizards.com/forum/rules-questions/threads/4163911
(Reply to #5) Coredump00	mellored wrote:
#8 Kalani Feb 15, 2015 17:25:26	As I quoted above - Jeremy crawford has clarified the issue as follows (and I paraphrase):   Reloading a hand crossbow requires a free hand. You can make the attack and bonus attack with the same hand crossbow. The "loaded" crossbow line is flavor text, and meaningless. This is how the rules were intendeded. Your DM however, may feel differently (esp. given the ambiguity involved in this specific case). As such, ask your DM how they rule on this issue prior to taking the feat.    I would recommend showing your DM the above developer clarifications.  It might help inform their decision.
#9 Eggnogfool Feb 15, 2015 20:17:37	Kalani wrote:
#10 Kalani Feb 15, 2015 20:42:19	It makes u ignore the "loading" property, removing the restriction preventing u from making more than 1 attack/round.  Essentially u treat crossbows the same as short/longbows.
#11 JohnLynch Feb 15, 2015 20:52:33	Kalani wrote:
#12 bonethug0108 Feb 15, 2015 20:59:53	Ignoring the loading property (which was a limit on how many times you could shoot one in a round) is NOT the same as ignoring the actual loading of the crossbow. They still need to be loaded and the most official answer we have at the moment (and common sense) says you need a free hand to do so(remember combat rounds are 6 seconds with a lot of fighting going on, not all the time in the world to try to load unpressured). It seems the feat was designed to allow one bonus attack with a hand crossbow after the enemy has closed ranks and/or a way to shoot one hand crossbow twice in a round so you can have a form of ranged TWF.
#13 bonethug0108 Feb 15, 2015 21:05:03	But i'll echo the ask your DM sentiment.