I've been feeling some grief lately over crossbows. What are we to do with the bow and arrow's sub-par high tech cousin?! I have a proposed "fix" that will attempt to redeem the crossbow without simply making it as powerful as traditional bows. The solution? Make them different!
Fix number one: I was extremely disappointed when I learned that attaching a bayonet makes a crossbow useless for shooting. This makes little sense to me, but if it is what it is, how about a feat to fix this?
feat 1: Attaching a bayonet now does nothing to disrupt shooting. Furthermore, a character taking this feat has learned to use crossbows and their bayonets as a functional whole. From here on in, any weapon focus, improved critical, etc. feats now effect attack rolls with both the bayonet and crossbow component.
Another feat could help solidify this style of fighting:
feat 2: You have learned to charge frantically into combat with your crossbow firing off a shot before your bayonet finds it's mark. Benefit: When charging an opponent with a crossbow mounted bayonet, you have the option of firing one shot with your crossbow as a free action at your second highest base attack bonus. This shot must be fired within 15 feet of the target of your charge.
Prerequisites: Proficiency with a crossbow and bayonet, Point Blank Shot, Feat 2, BaB +6
I think a feat chain like this will make crossbows great weapons in their own right while still lacking the overall ranged damage a longbow archer can offer. This model of crossbow fighting is not only fun, but represents something mind numbingly cool: A desperate, terrifying charge not possible with other weapons.
I hope it isn't just a bunch of magic items.
I'm pretty sure that is what Ultimate Equipment is intended to be.