|
I'm considering playing a Ranger for the first time in an upcoming game and I had a question I was hoping someone could help me with. I'm planning on making a crossbow the primary weapon of my Ranger. When I get the Rapid Shot feat at 2nd level, do I need the Rapid Reload feat to utilize it with a crossbow? Or does the Rapid Shot feat apply to any ranged weapon normally?
Thanks.
|
Reloading a Light Crossbow requires a move action. In order to use Rapid Shot, you will need Rapid Reload which turns it into a free action (the same as a bow). Using a Heavy Crossbow with Rapid Reload isn't possible until you get the Crossbow Mastery feat as it's full round reload will only be reduced to a move action with rapid reload.
By my best guess, you would still need Rapid Reload. RR specifies "If you have selected this feat for hand crossbow or light crossbow, you may fire that weapon as many times in a full-attack action as you could attack if you were using a bow." Since RS requires a full-attack action to use, and without RR you have to spend a move action to reload your crossbow (thus negating any ability to make a full-attack action with it) you'll need RR if you want to use RS with a crossbow.
Or, if you're in a 3.5 game or your DM allows 3.5 content in his Pathfinder game, you could get the reloading property on the crossbow from Magic Item Compendium. You won't be able to start with it, as it's a +1 equivalent enhancement and you'll need a +1 crossbow before you can add other enhancements (making it a +2 equivalent weapon at the very least) but if you don't want to spend the feat it's probably what you should most be looking into.
Hope that helps :)
EDIT: Ninja'd
Thanks! Looks like I'm taking the Rapid Reload feat at 1st level. :)
Just don't forget precise shot. It's more important to not shoot your companions in the arse than it is to shoot often.....