One Handed Crossbow / Slinger?

I tried to look for information on one handed crossbows but only found forums about dual wielding hand crossbows.

I was recently thinking of an idea for a build using something similar to the Slinger from Monster Hunter Worlds (Where basically you can throw status effect projectiles at enemies from a distance with it). However I don't think that I could really use a Hand Crossbow with this for multiple reasons (Namely that as much as it has the advantage of being a Light weapon meaning that it can easily be used any time, it has a range increment of 30 feet. Granted anyone going for a sword and shield is probably going to be within 30 feet but more generally the hand crossbow is just generally seen as bad unless centering a whole build around it.) Are there any other crossbows that can be held in one hand or ways to hold other crossbows in one hand? and if not what kind of homebrew would you need to do to make it happen?

Although to kinda undermine my own point, I will admit that maybe I put more emphasis on penalties than I should, because I keep thinking that the -2 of holding a light crossbow, or that range increment penalty for the hand crossbow might mean the difference between killing the Lich before he can murder another party member and totally whiffing and letting a party member die. (This fact of imagining nightmare scenarios is also why I often end up being cursed with an 'optimize or die' mindset that still hasn't died totally)

Tube Arrow Shooter, Wrist Launcher, and Heavy Wrist Launcher seem to fit the bill and pretty much leave the hand free.

You can always dual wield crossbows. Hand Crossbows are considered Light weapons for the purpose of TWF, same for Light Crossbows but you get an additional -2 penalty to hit with each one. Heavy Crossbows count instead as one-handed weapons and get an additional -4 penalty to hit when dual-shooting.

The problem with all of them is, however, reloading. You need a free hand to reaload, which you don't have on a normal humanoid with both arms occupied by the crossbows.

These alchemical arrows also seem to be sort of what you are looking for as well and can be applied to bolts as well: Bleeding, Dye, Pheromone, Slowburn, Spintercloud, and my favorite Tangleshot.

1: for the Grey Warden I already knew about the whole dual wielding crossbows thing. I was asking a different question entirely.

2: Good to know that there are all of these special shots. Granted they're probably incredibly expensive and so I'd need to use my own alchemy but hey, a monster hunter just has to do that sometimes.

3: Fluff wise I can say that the heavy wrist launcher is basically literally the exact thing I was looking for, though I'm still nervous about the fact that it still only has a 30 foot range increment (Although... assuming I can wear it on my arm whilst still holding another weapon that disadvantage is more palatable

Put Distance on it. Most combat takes place within 120'... Does a -2 (or -6) really matter that much when you use tangleshot vs touch AC?

The problem with all of them is, however, reloading. You need a free hand to reaload, which you don't have on a normal humanoid with both arms occupied by the crossbows.

A traditional solution for this (dual wielding crossbows or pistols) is to take two levels in the Juggler bard, which lets you "hold" three items while counting as having a hand free.

However "I am juggling these crossbows to reload them" is a very specific flavor.

Put Distance on it. Most combat takes place within 120'... Does a -2 (or -6) really matter that much when you use tangleshot vs touch AC?

Touche on the tangleshot bit.. And I guess that's really the answer to the question, use riders and status ailments (Just like the actual slinger!) rather than trying to be a damage dealer.

Also more a 3rd party question admittedly but with Tangleshot, could I use Spheres of Might alchemy to make an Improved Tangleshot in the same way I can make an Improved Tanglefoot Bag?

Also.. not to turn this to a spheres conversation because I know I'm a little over obsessed with it, but for some fun on it (since my favorite thing basically about spheres of might is that you can make or recreate anything you want)

Oh, also, Tanglefoot shots still reduce your range increment by half, meaning that 120 feet would be a -16 approximately

Edit: the pathfinder Google Site (which I used on my other computer because the SRD is blocked on that one) is inaccurate, tangleshot arrows only take a -1 to attacks. cool.

Although what are Dye arrows actually for?

Someone breaks into your warehouse at night, you get off one shot before they run away. You search the next day for who you've caught "red handed" since the dye can't be washed off for 72 hours.

The old version of Tangleshot Arrows had the reduced range.

Gray Warden wrote:

The problem with all of them is, however, reloading. You need a free hand to reaload, which you don't have on a normal humanoid with both arms occupied by the crossbows.

A traditional solution for this (dual wielding crossbows or pistols) is to take two levels in the Juggler bard, which lets you "hold" three items while counting as having a hand free.

However "I am juggling these crossbows to reload them" is a very specific flavor.

Or two levels of (grenadier) alchemist to gain either the Tentacle or Vestigial Arm discovery, although the aesthetics are a bit of a hurdle for some. Of course, at that point you might as well take another two levels of alchemist to pick up Explosive Missile, too.

I appreciate everyone coming in, but I mention again that I have no intention of dual wielding crossbows. I was talking about the idea of using a crossbow as a secondary ranged weapon whilst also holding it in only one hand.

If it is essentially a backup weapon, the range increment is less of an issue. The Distance enchantment helps if it becomes an actual problem.

The heavy wrist launcher is probably your best bet, especially if you're using your hands for other weapons.

Or a Buckler Gun, but that probably isn't what you are looking for.