I am looking into creating an archer and came across this question which is why it is here then the more generic rules thread.
Crossbow Expert PHB-2024, pg. 203
Ignore Loading. You ignore the Loading property of crossbows. You can load ammunition into a crossbow even if you lack a free hand.
Dual Wielding. When you make the extra attack of a weapon with the Light property, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the extra attack.
If I get this at level 4 (I won't but trying to understand), then I have one attack with one hand, and a second attack as a bonus action using my dex bonus with the other hand. When do I actually load so I can shoot in the next turn? Immediately after firing?
I assume there are 3 crossbows I can potentially duel wield. Heavy/light/hand. Based on the light property only one I can actually use is the one handed Hand crossbow, because the light crossbow does not have the "light" property, just it's name? The Heavy/light crossbow need two hands so cannot be dual wielded?
Assuming I get sharpshooter at Lvl4, now I can use my crossbows up to long range at no penalty. I get 2 attacks at Lvl5. Based on the crossbow feat that I get at level 6.
I can shoot one cross bow twice (I can load in between attacks?) and during my bonus action I shoot a 2nd crossbow (use my dex bonus for damage).
Something seems off, but I am not sure what I am missing.
If I get this at level 4 (I won't but trying to understand), then I have one attack with one hand, and a second attack as a bonus action using my dex bonus with the other hand. When do I actually load so I can shoot in the next turn? Immediately after firing?
5e D&D doesn't model loading ammunition into a weapon as a thing you have to actually say that you're doing, so it doesn't really matter. The Loading property just limits how often you can fire a weapon that has it. Crossbow Expert lets you ignore that property for crossbows, making it possible to shoot the same crossbow more than once per turn.
I assume there are 3 crossbows I can potentially duel wield. Heavy/light/hand. Based on the light property only one I can actually use is the one handed Hand crossbow, because the light crossbow does not have the "light" property, just it's name? The Heavy/light crossbow need two hands so cannot be dual wielded?
Correct. The only crossbow that can be dual wielded this way is the hand crossbow, because the others are two-handed and don't have the Light property.
Assuming I get sharpshooter at Lvl4, now I can use my crossbows up to long range at no penalty. I get 2 attacks at Lvl5. Based on the crossbow feat that I get at level 6.
I can shoot one cross bow twice (I can load in between attacks?) and during my bonus action I shoot a 2nd crossbow (use my dex bonus for damage).
Yes, if you have Extra Attack and Crossbow Expert, and you're holding two hand crossbows, you can make two attacks with one crossbow as part of the Attack action, and then a third attack with the other crossbow as a bonus action. Or, the two attacks in the Attack action can be one with each weapon. The only thing you can't do is make all three attacks with the same one. (If your two crossbows are identical, it doesn't really matter, but potentially you might end up acquiring a magical hand crossbow that has some special effect that distinguishes it from others.)
You add your Dexterity modifier to the damage of all of these attacks.
I would suggest you are better off taking crossbow expert at level 4, so when you hit 5, you can make use of your extra attack. Otherwise, you’re leaving a major class feature on the table for a level.
I would suggest you are better off taking crossbow expert at level 4, so when you hit 5, you can make use of your extra attack. Otherwise, you’re leaving a major class feature on the table for a level.
That is a great point, however, my thought to wait until level 6 is based on a few more reasons. Let me know if my thought/logic is sound when looking at the total points.
This is an archer type of fighter. So does not want to get into a melee combat. The hand crossbow has a 30 range (ignoring long range at the moment). At 30', the next round is melee combat. By getting sharpshooter, short range gets kicked out to to 120'. cover is bypassed so that increases the % chance of actually hitting. And successful hitting = more damage per turn. Without the sharpshooter feat, cover and long range greatly decrease my chances to hit.
If I wait until 6 level, the down side is leaving a class feature delayed for a level. The upside of waiting for two levels, shooting has a better chance of hitting, thus more damage, and I am not sure of the math, but the net is one shot having a better chance to hit vice 2 shots at a worse chance.
Waiting until 6th level also keeps the chance for actual melee fighting smaller and waiting on 2 feats gives me a +1 higher armor due to the +2 abilities. That can assist if I do get into a melee.
I see, and that’s really a reasonable take. Ignoring cover is really useful when shooting into melee. Ideally, you’re mobile enough that you can move to a better angle and shoot around your allies, but that’s not always an option. But, personally, I’d rather take the second shot. IMO, the point of the archery fighting style giving you that +2 to hit is to basically cancel out the -2 from 1/2 cover. So you should still be as reliable as the melee character you are shooting around.
I do have two questions, why a hand crossbow? Those are usually for rogues who can stack some sneak attack damage on. If you’re a fighter, why not pull out a heavy crossbow and get that bigger damage die and be able to be much further away so you don’t have to worry about enemies running up on you?
The other is, why worry about melee? You’re still a fighter. Studded leather and a high DEX will still give you a good AC, and you’ll still have some nice high hit points. If an enemy gets close, that why you have that rapier. You’ll still get your extra attack, and you’ll still have all the base fighter class and subclass powers. You’re not stuck in melee with them, they’re stuck in melee with you. (And with xbow expert, you don’t even need that rapier anymore, actually.)
Definitely, flavor and character concept are perfectly valid reasons for both of those choices, and I’d never try to say you’re having fun wrong. Just trying to think through the options.
Use a finesse weapon (why I suggested rapier) and low str doesn’t matter, as you’ll use your dex.
Though those are more points in favor xbe over sharpshooter. You can duel wield sooner (getting an attack and BA attack at level 4, then 2 attacks and a BA attack at 5), and if you find yourself in melee, you can continue using your hand crossbows without penalty.
Holding off on xbe, you are just using a single hand crossbow until level 6 when you can start to ignore the loading property. Either way, you might want to start with the heavy xbow until you do get xbe, otherwise, you’re just kind of nerfing your damage and getting nothing in return.
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I am looking into creating an archer and came across this question which is why it is here then the more generic rules thread.
If I get this at level 4 (I won't but trying to understand), then I have one attack with one hand, and a second attack as a bonus action using my dex bonus with the other hand. When do I actually load so I can shoot in the next turn? Immediately after firing?
I assume there are 3 crossbows I can potentially duel wield. Heavy/light/hand. Based on the light property only one I can actually use is the one handed Hand crossbow, because the light crossbow does not have the "light" property, just it's name? The Heavy/light crossbow need two hands so cannot be dual wielded?
Assuming I get sharpshooter at Lvl4, now I can use my crossbows up to long range at no penalty. I get 2 attacks at Lvl5. Based on the crossbow feat that I get at level 6.
I can shoot one cross bow twice (I can load in between attacks?) and during my bonus action I shoot a 2nd crossbow (use my dex bonus for damage).
Something seems off, but I am not sure what I am missing.
5e D&D doesn't model loading ammunition into a weapon as a thing you have to actually say that you're doing, so it doesn't really matter. The Loading property just limits how often you can fire a weapon that has it. Crossbow Expert lets you ignore that property for crossbows, making it possible to shoot the same crossbow more than once per turn.
Correct. The only crossbow that can be dual wielded this way is the hand crossbow, because the others are two-handed and don't have the Light property.
Yes, if you have Extra Attack and Crossbow Expert, and you're holding two hand crossbows, you can make two attacks with one crossbow as part of the Attack action, and then a third attack with the other crossbow as a bonus action. Or, the two attacks in the Attack action can be one with each weapon. The only thing you can't do is make all three attacks with the same one. (If your two crossbows are identical, it doesn't really matter, but potentially you might end up acquiring a magical hand crossbow that has some special effect that distinguishes it from others.)
You add your Dexterity modifier to the damage of all of these attacks.
You're not missing anything.
pronouns: he/she/they
I would suggest you are better off taking crossbow expert at level 4, so when you hit 5, you can make use of your extra attack. Otherwise, you’re leaving a major class feature on the table for a level.
That is a great point, however, my thought to wait until level 6 is based on a few more reasons. Let me know if my thought/logic is sound when looking at the total points.
This is an archer type of fighter. So does not want to get into a melee combat. The hand crossbow has a 30 range (ignoring long range at the moment). At 30', the next round is melee combat. By getting sharpshooter, short range gets kicked out to to 120'. cover is bypassed so that increases the % chance of actually hitting. And successful hitting = more damage per turn. Without the sharpshooter feat, cover and long range greatly decrease my chances to hit.
If I wait until 6 level, the down side is leaving a class feature delayed for a level. The upside of waiting for two levels, shooting has a better chance of hitting, thus more damage, and I am not sure of the math, but the net is one shot having a better chance to hit vice 2 shots at a worse chance.
Waiting until 6th level also keeps the chance for actual melee fighting smaller and waiting on 2 feats gives me a +1 higher armor due to the +2 abilities. That can assist if I do get into a melee.
I see, and that’s really a reasonable take. Ignoring cover is really useful when shooting into melee. Ideally, you’re mobile enough that you can move to a better angle and shoot around your allies, but that’s not always an option. But, personally, I’d rather take the second shot. IMO, the point of the archery fighting style giving you that +2 to hit is to basically cancel out the -2 from 1/2 cover. So you should still be as reliable as the melee character you are shooting around.
I do have two questions, why a hand crossbow? Those are usually for rogues who can stack some sneak attack damage on. If you’re a fighter, why not pull out a heavy crossbow and get that bigger damage die and be able to be much further away so you don’t have to worry about enemies running up on you?
The other is, why worry about melee? You’re still a fighter. Studded leather and a high DEX will still give you a good AC, and you’ll still have some nice high hit points. If an enemy gets close, that why you have that rapier. You’ll still get your extra attack, and you’ll still have all the base fighter class and subclass powers. You’re not stuck in melee with them, they’re stuck in melee with you. (And with xbow expert, you don’t even need that rapier anymore, actually.)
Definitely, flavor and character concept are perfectly valid reasons for both of those choices, and I’d never try to say you’re having fun wrong. Just trying to think through the options.
Hand crossbow per the discussion above is the only weapon for dual wielding.
Not wanting to melee as the lack of a shield for ac and lack of strength bonus.
Ahh, dual wielding. Forgot that part.
Use a finesse weapon (why I suggested rapier) and low str doesn’t matter, as you’ll use your dex.
Though those are more points in favor xbe over sharpshooter. You can duel wield sooner (getting an attack and BA attack at level 4, then 2 attacks and a BA attack at 5), and if you find yourself in melee, you can continue using your hand crossbows without penalty.
Holding off on xbe, you are just using a single hand crossbow until level 6 when you can start to ignore the loading property.
Either way, you might want to start with the heavy xbow until you do get xbe, otherwise, you’re just kind of nerfing your damage and getting nothing in return.