Light Crossbow vs Hand Crossbow

[N N 959]

Can someone explain what the point of the Hand Crossbow is other than fluff?

I'm trying understand why the HxBow is an Exotic Weapon from a fairness perspective? It does 1d4 and has a 30' range. Who would choose this weapon over a Light crossbow and why?

[alchemicGenius]

I can't really think of a reason of why a hand crossbow would be an exotic weapon. Speaking from experience, they are pretty easy to learn how to use and load. Even from a fluff perspective, the only really benefit is that it's easier to conceal a hand crossbow, but even that isn't that big a boon given the restrictions.

[Starglim]

They count as light weapons if two-weapon fighting with one in each hand (and presumably, but not explicitly, if TWF with, say, a one-handed melee weapon and hand crossbow).

[N N 959]

Starglim wrote:

They count as light weapons if two-weapon fighting with one in each hand (and presumably, but not explicitly, if TWF with, say, a one-handed melee weapon and hand crossbow).

But you still need two hands to load both. And I don't think Rapid Reload changes that requirement. So you'd fire the HxBow once and then you couldn't reload it if you were TWF. While I agree that is something over a light xbow, doesn't seem like much.

[StreamOfTheSky]

There isn't much of a reason, really. In D&D 3E, they recognized this and made the feat Hand Crossbow Focus, which is basically Rapid Reload and Weapon Focus in one feat. Which is nice since crossbow is probably the most feat-heavy weapon in the game.

Also note that Rogues, Drow, and some others get hand crossbow proficiency. Almost everyone also gets light crossbow prof, but there are ways to use it w/o needing to spend a feat on exotic weapon prof.

[Mojorat]

The hand crossbow should be easier to conceal, which of course fits into the whole rogue drow thing.. but it appears to have no text implying its any more concealable than any other crossbow.

which is wierd, as its kind of the point of the hand crossbow.

Edit because i found something wierd.

"Concealing Firearms: Like light weapons and hand crossbows, one-handed firearms are easy to conceal on your person. Some smaller firearms (like the coat pistol) can grant bonuses to conceal a weapon on your person."

From the PRD... but i couldnt find anything saying hand crossbows were easier to conceal :P

[Starglim]

Mojorat wrote:

"Concealing Firearms: Like light weapons and hand crossbows, one-handed firearms are easy to conceal on your person. Some smaller firearms (like the coat pistol) can grant bonuses to conceal a weapon on your person."

Sleight of Hand wrote:

You can hide a small object (including a light weapon or an easily concealed ranged weapon, such as a dart, sling, or hand crossbow) on your body.

A hand crossbow is the only type of crossbow you can conceal on your person. It's interesting, though, that these references maintain a distinction between light weapons and small ranged weapons.

[N N 959]

Well, that at least gives me some basis for why a person would use a HxBow. I am playing a couple of investigators and trying to understand why someone would pay another 65gp for a weapon which does less damage and doesn't shoot as far.

So the real advantage is being able to hide it.

[RJGrady]

You can hide it, and you can more easily double fire it against flat-footed opponents. The scenarios where this is applicable spring instantly to my mind.

[N N 959]

RJGrady wrote:

You can hide it, and you can more easily double fire it against flat-footed opponents. The scenarios where this is applicable spring instantly to my mind.

How is it any more easy to double fire than a Light Crossbow? Oh wait, you mean it's easier to TWF with HxB for one round.

[HectorVivis]

TWF-tree, quick draw and multiple hand crossbows come to my mind. you can in one round deliver some sweet damages at 30ft without any ranged-specific feats with a rogue (still need to hit, I know). Even more interesting on a kasatha.

Clearly, it's a rogue weapon. Conceal + easier TWF is the key here when you have proficiency.

[Ciaran Barnes]

Firing a light crossbow one handed gets you a -2 to attack.