hey guys this is something ive just started doing for my home game, trying to make the crossbow a valid weapon for a fighter. i hope im not the only one that was not too wow'd by the crossbowman archetype in the APG.
ill be the first to admit, i love the crossbow as a weapon. and when i think of it the first thing that comes to mind is doing one big devastating attack a round, this can kind of be emulated with the vital strike feat but your still not doing anywhere near the damage of a bow using ranged fighter. thus i came up with this little addendum for deadshot
"Deadshot (Ex)
At 3rd level, when a crossbowman makes a single attack with a crossbow he may add his dex modifier on the damage roll. this raises to 2x dex mod at 6th, 3x dex mod at 11th, 4x dex mod at 16th, and finally 5x dex mod at 20th.
This ability replaces Armor Training 1."
the way i see this working is in conjunction with vital strike, now it might seem very powerful but the way i figure the archer is gaining +2 attacks one for rapid shot and one for manyshot, on top of this using a composite longbow to add str mod, and gaining the benefits of weapon training, weapon spec and such on each attack.
as ive said before though, i am not the greatest at seeing what would and wouldnt imbalance things, so i just want to run it by those who are more knowledgeable then me and gain there insight on whether it needs to be toned back, dropped completely or is fine for a very specific fighting style. (maybe going to 1.5x dex mod at 6th, 2x dex mod at 11th, 2.5x dex mod at 16th, and 4x dex mod at 20th?)
anywho id love to hear some insight on this little experiment of mine, thanks in advance!
(P.S. im aware i would als need to change greater deadshot at 11th but im not sure what i could put in its place yet)
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No, I would not add that ability at 3rd level, though I do think that adding a penetration capability to the crossbow at. Range 30 feet or less, allowing a Heavy crossbow to roll to hit against touch AC only at point blank only is reasonable. This should be for Heavy crossbows only -- not normal crossbows.
A mighty crossbow that adds strength damage based upon the strength of the pull is already provided for by the rules. To do more than deadly aim is now impinging on the musket too much, IMO.
A mighty crossbow that adds strength damage based upon the strength of the pull is already provided for by the rules. To do more than deadly aim is now impinging on the musket too much, IMO.
hmm i was unaware you could apply mighty to crossbows, i was under the impression it was only valid for composite long and shortbows. thanks for the input!
I don't think Mighty Crossbows exist in the game...
My gut reaction is that this is not a good solution. However, it is only on a single shot...I'd have to think on it.
Another possible solution is make Deadly Aim like power attack for crossbow users. Let them take -1 for +3, instead of -1 / +2. They'd still be weaker than longbows, but not by as much.
I don't think Mighty Crossbows exist in the game...
My gut reaction is that this is not a good solution. However, it is only on a single shot...I'd have to think on it.
Another possible solution is make Deadly Aim like power attack for crossbow users. Let them take -1 for +3, instead of -1 / +2. They'd still be weaker than longbows, but not by as much.
i really like the deadly aim idea, that could definitely work. my main logic behind my solution was to try and make a one shot attack each round a viable strategy, and hopefully be the equal of a bunch of smaller hits from a bow, of course the bow should do more damage due to the risk of maybe not hitting a few of your attacks while the one big attack will almost always hit.
if after you mull it over and have any advice id love to hear it. ill admit im probably biased with my love affair with the crossbow XD appreciate the reply
If you ask me, there could be a "war crossbow" for martial weapon users, it might be just like a light cross bow, with the opportunity to make it "mighty", it costs a lot and it needs ONE talent to be used effectively (to reload it as a free action. The talent could be a custom "war crossbow mastery" for example).
So you have a bow, with 19-20 x2 crit instead of x3, slightly better than a bow for the crit but with a shorter range, that needs an extra talent to be effectively used.
This is how I house ruled the crossbows in my campaigns and it works fair enough.