So I suddenly had a thought about a device that could be strapped to a character's thigh that could hold a set number of crossbow bolts (let's say 5). When a crossbow is shoved into the device, it is cocked and loaded with a bolt automatically.
This would normally still be a move action to load the crossbow unless the character has the quick draw feat. With the quick draw feat, loading the crossbow with this device becomes a free action since all the character has to do is shove the crossbow into the holster and pull it out really quick. It also only requires one hand.
The loading holster can be refilled as a full-round action.
It can only hold 5 bolts so you only have to take a full-round action every 5 shots. Or you just start taking a move action to load it as normal with two hands afterward.
I suppose you could also make a version that holds more bolts.
Also you could have 5-bolt cartridges that can be loaded into the quick-load holster as a move action.
Why not just use a repeating crossbow for pretty much the same effect?
If it's a way to get around the two-hand restriction for cocking/loading a crossbow (i.e., to allow a crossbow to be used with a shield), then you may be better off ditching the crossbow for an Alkenstar pistol with multiple barrels (historically fairly common before the invention of the cap and ball revolver) or just using a wand of magic missile/acid arrow/scorching ray with Use Magic Device or with a level in a spellcasting class that has that spell on it's spell list.
Why not just use a repeating crossbow for pretty much the same effect?
If it's a way to get around the two-hand restriction for cocking/loading a crossbow (i.e., to allow a crossbow to be used with a shield)...
You answered your question. Still need two hands to cock the repeating crossbow. This gets round that with a fairly simple mechanic.
Or take the Crossbow Mastery feat and be done with the whole crossbow reload problem.
The point was to get around the taking of a feat since crossbows are feat intensive for the return they give.
I've shot crossbows. This is...a crazier idea than the repeating crossbow. To arm a crossbow, you put the stirrup down on it, put your foot in the stirrup and either lever back the string with the strength of your upper arms and back, or you use a winch. It took me about 2 seconds with a lever-bow, and about 4 with a winch-bow.
In the real world, contrary to popular myth, crossbows largely supplanted bows in every place other than England as weapons of war.
They were much easier to train rabble to use, and while they had a lower rate of fire, they packed a LOT more energy into the bolt going down range. (The difference can be described as "How much more weight can you pull with two hands than with one?")
They were generally more accurate, they could be fired while prone and from 'full cover', and with steel wire 'strings', they could actually be kept cocked for a few minutes at a time. They could also be used in the rain, which, prior to nylon stings, bows couldn't be.
They lacked the bow's regular rate of fire. (After cocking the bow, it's another second to put the bolt in the groove and raise the bow to a firing position...)
Trying to make realistic crossbow rules for d20/Pathfinder is probably a bad idea.
Making crossbows not suck, on the other hand, can draw inspiration.
Bows do damage broadly comparable to a javelin (shortbow) and spear (longbow). This is mechanically accurate in terms of human physiology (The composite bows are problematic, but most things dealing with STR bonuses are).
Realistic archers shooting bows at the level of proficiency of Pathfinder characters should be throwing about 2-3 arrows per 6 seconds. Since we're actually playing Legolas-level uber-archers, this will probably need adjustment.
Realistic crossbowmen using a 'pull and lever' bow should be doing about one bolt every 5 seconds or so - and they'll have a hard time moving. So the basic 'cock the crossbow' mechanism for a light crossbow isn't that bad.
Realistic crossbowmen using a 'stirrup and winch' bow should be doing about one bolt every 8-9 seconds or so. Again, the time for a single shot isn't bad - full round action to load, and you can take a move action and shoot it.
What I'd change for crossbows is the basic damage:
Hand crossbow: 1d4/1d6/2d4
Light crossbow: 2d4/2d6/3d6 damage, move action to reload.
Heavy crossbow: 2d6/2d8/3d8 damage, full round action to reload.
I would get rid of the Rapid Reload feat, and just make it part of Rapid Shot: Rapid Shot allows a crossbow user using an appropriate sized crossbow to shift the arming time for a crossbow by one step - swift action becomes a free action, move action becomes a swift action, and full round action becomes a reload action.
Crossbow Mastery is bought for a specific type of crossbow, and gives the current benefit specified. It specifically *does not* require that you be using an appropriately sized bow Crossbow Mastery requires Rapid Shot and Point Blank Shot to get, and should also require a BAB of +4.
It is possible to fire a Hand or Light crossbow one handed. It is not possible to fire a heavy crossbow one handed.
It is possible to fire a Light or Heavy crossbow from a braced or prone position. Doing so gives +2 to hit. You may not reload a crossbow while prone, but can do so from a braced position.
You may fire a light crossbow that is sized for a being one sized larger than yourself - it cannot be done one handed, and suffers the usual penalties for using an outsized weapon. For a light crossbow used this way, the weapon's normal arming time is a full round action.
You may fire a heavy crossbow that is for an entity that is larger than yourself, but it must be braced, or you must be prone, to do so. The +2 benefit for firing braced counters the -2 for firing an oversized weapon. The arming time of a heavy crossbow does not change; it's already paying a time-tax in the need for braced/prone.
You may attempt to re-arm any crossbow as a swift action, without the Rapid Shot feat, by making a DC 16 STR check for a light crossbow, or a DC 20 STR check for a heavy crossbow. This still provokes an attack of opportunity.
I would keep the repeating crossbows as they are, damage wise, but say they don't need an Exotic Weapon Proficiency. If you want to do projectile spam, use a bow. :)
I've shot crossbows. This is...a crazier idea than the repeating crossbow. To arm a crossbow, you put the stirrup down on it, put your foot in the stirrup and either lever back the string with the strength of your upper arms and back, or you use a winch. It took me about 2 seconds with a lever-bow, and about 4 with a winch-bow.
In the real world, contrary to popular myth, crossbows largely supplanted bows in every place other than England as weapons of war.
They were much easier to train rabble to use, and while they had a lower rate of fire, they packed a LOT more energy into the bolt going down range. (The difference can be described as "How much more weight can you pull with two hands than with one?")
They were generally more accurate, they could be fired while prone and from 'full cover', and with steel wire 'strings', they could actually be kept cocked for a few minutes at a time. They could also be used in the rain, which, prior to nylon stings, bows couldn't be.
They lacked the bow's regular rate of fire. (After cocking the bow, it's another second to put the bolt in the groove and raise the bow to a firing position...)
Trying to make realistic crossbow rules for d20/Pathfinder is probably a bad idea.
Making crossbows not suck, on the other hand, can draw inspiration.
Bows do damage broadly comparable to a javelin (shortbow) and spear (longbow). This is mechanically accurate in terms of human physiology (The composite bows are problematic, but most things dealing with STR bonuses are).
Realistic archers shooting bows at the level of proficiency of Pathfinder characters should be throwing about 2-3 arrows per 6 seconds. Since we're actually playing Legolas-level uber-archers, this will probably need adjustment.
Realistic crossbowmen using a 'pull and lever' bow should be doing about one bolt every 5 seconds or so - and they'll have a hard time moving. So the basic 'c@~~ the crossbow' mechanism for a light crossbow isn't that bad.
Realistic crossbowmen using a...
Wow. You put a lot of thought into that. Thanks for the post. Is this how you've houseruled crossbows or just something you've thought a lot about?
Just something I've thought about based on using crossbows (and bows) in the real world. It's always bothered me that the bow gets all the lovin' in Pathfinder and the heavy crossbow loses out to everything from halflings using slings to hand crossbows.
It is possible to fire a Light or Heavy crossbow from a braced or prone position. Doing so gives +2 to hit. You may not reload a crossbow while prone,
It's slightly awkward, but if you roll over onto your back, you can cock many crossbows without having to stand up or kneel. Roll back over, place a new bolt in the groove, and you're ready to go.
It is possible to fire a Light or Heavy crossbow from a braced or prone position. Doing so gives +2 to hit. You may not reload a crossbow while prone,It's slightly awkward, but if you roll over onto your back, you can c#&% many crossbows without having to stand up or kneel. Roll back over, place a new bolt in the groove, and you're ready to go.
I've never seen this done with a medieval or renaissance crossbow; most really rely on being able to put your foot in the stirrup and keep your leg straight to pull back on the string/turn the cocking winch.
This is just an attempt to make a character that can use pistols <hand x-bows> akimbo in a fantasy setting. It's not over-powered, but it is a bit ridiculous, right up there with the ninja in a dark ages european setting.
Regardless, if you were to assume that the free action reloadable hand crossbows are 20 lbs. draw or less, an unseen servant or two could reload them for you between shots... then you just need an at-will item of unseen servant <spell level 1 x caster level 1 x 2K gp = 2K gp> and you can shoot till you run out of bullets <quarrels>.
I've never seen this done with a medieval or renaissance crossbow; most really rely on being able to put your foot in the stirrup and keep your leg straight to pull back on the string/turn the cocking winch.It is possible to fire a Light or Heavy crossbow from a braced or prone position. Doing so gives +2 to hit. You may not reload a crossbow while prone,It's slightly awkward, but if you roll over onto your back, you can c#&% many crossbows without having to stand up or kneel. Roll back over, place a new bolt in the groove, and you're ready to go.
You have to point your toe to prevent the crossbow from sliding off your foot and lock your knee/tense your leg to keep it steady; since leg muscles are generally stronger than arm muscles, you should be able to keep the leg from moving. Depending on the the crank action on the winch (for the heavier draws), you may need to elevate the leg (resting it on your other ankle or the toe of your other foot, or possibly even higher) to clear the ground. It's not as easy as when standing/kneeling and you have to use your leg/arm muscles more. However, it allows you to better utilize cover by keeping a low profile/silhouette.