An idea that I really like is a crossbow ranger and I haven't been able to think of if its ethical and if so how would the mechanics work. Need suggestions. When I'm done I might turn it into a homebrew subclass but we shall see.
Why wouldn't it be ethical? Using a pair of hand crossbows isn't that different from using a pair of throwing axes, for instance. All you need is to get Crossbow Expert feat as soon as you can.
If you're thinking about the Sharpshooter / Crossbow Expert aspect of spamming the -5/+10 damage part? Now that can get annoying for some DMs (but not all, should ask them), but you really need a lot of bonuses to your to-hit to really make it shine, or be during late game where you naturally have high Dex and Proficency bonus. And its not hard to pull off - you just need the two feats. Everything else is just pumping your Dex.
There's no real need for a custom subclass - just pick one that improves your damage without messing up your action economy.
Why wouldn't it be ethical? Using a pair of hand crossbows isn't that different from using a pair of throwing axes, for instance. All you need is to get Crossbow Expert feat as soon as you can.
If you're thinking about the Sharpshooter / Crossbow Expert aspect of spamming the -5/+10 damage part? Now that can get annoying for some DMs (but not all, should ask them), but you really need a lot of bonuses to your to-hit to really make it shine, or be during late game where you naturally have high Dex and Proficency bonus. And its not hard to pull off - you just need the two feats. Everything else is just pumping your Dex.
There's no real need for a custom subclass - just pick one that improves your damage without messing up your action economy.
Why wouldn't it be ethical? Using a pair of hand crossbows isn't that different from using a pair of throwing axes, for instance. All you need is to get Crossbow Expert feat as soon as you can.
If you're thinking about the Sharpshooter / Crossbow Expert aspect of spamming the -5/+10 damage part? Now that can get annoying for some DMs (but not all, should ask them), but you really need a lot of bonuses to your to-hit to really make it shine, or be during late game where you naturally have high Dex and Proficency bonus. And its not hard to pull off - you just need the two feats. Everything else is just pumping your Dex.
There's no real need for a custom subclass - just pick one that improves your damage without messing up your action economy.
Why two hand crossbows verse one? You cant load either if hands are full. Because crossbow expert allows you a second shot with one crossbow since it is a light weapon, you only need one for the extra shot. Am I missing something?
To be fair, when dealing damage with ranged weapons you can't choose non-leathal damage, so a character who follows a "minimum force necessary" philosophy might find it as a less ethical version. However this generally not a level of ethics assumed in a fantasy combat roleplay game.
PHB rangers however are one of the best options for harvesting poison which may be (or may not )outlawed in your setting.
In order to really answer your question more details may be required, such as setting, alignment, player perspective(are you from a country with heavy or light weapons laws), is there a language barrier we do not see, etc.
generally, I assume most tables of dnd to be kinda wildwest ethics. The first one to do something wrong/illegal is guilty and victims or enforcers may take steps they deem necessary for justice. This philosophy should be weapon independent.
There's nothing unethical about ranger using any crossbow over bows. Go with what you really want and do not care about what others could think.
i really like Gloom Stalker Ranger Sharpshooter Hand Crossbow Expert combo.
I can see an ethics issue, sorta. That combo, gloom stalker, crossbow expert, and sharp shooter is already the trifecta of power gaming min-maxing as far as rangers are concerned. It simply does more damage by heads and shoulders than any other martials in tier 1. I played a version myself where it was just a v.human with sharpshooter, and that alone caused me to overshadow the whole party as I just demolished encounters with dread ambusher. The issue would be exacerbated had I picked up crossbow expert.
Granted, if your group doesn't mind that they're regular folks and you're John Wick by comparison, by all means go ahead.
I don't think rangers would have such moral scruples generally. They have their goals: however they fulfill it is justified. That is why they are so commonly Neutral by the old alignment measures.
A ranger using a crossbow I don't feel is out of the reasonable. Now when it comes to hand crossbows, in our campaign it's only ever usually a drow thing when you see those. Not a popular or even common weapon on the surface.
I've got a great ranger miniature and he is holding a crossbow. William Tell, Swiss Ranger? ;)
I don't think rangers would have such moral scruples generally. They have their goals: however they fulfill it is justified. That is why they are so commonly Neutral by the old alignment measures.
In 1st and 2nd editions rangers had to be good and If I remember correctly in 1st rangers could use poison with permission from DM
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An idea that I really like is a crossbow ranger and I haven't been able to think of if its ethical and if so how would the mechanics work. Need suggestions. When I'm done I might turn it into a homebrew subclass but we shall see.
Why wouldn't it be ethical? Using a pair of hand crossbows isn't that different from using a pair of throwing axes, for instance. All you need is to get Crossbow Expert feat as soon as you can.
If you're thinking about the Sharpshooter / Crossbow Expert aspect of spamming the -5/+10 damage part? Now that can get annoying for some DMs (but not all, should ask them), but you really need a lot of bonuses to your to-hit to really make it shine, or be during late game where you naturally have high Dex and Proficency bonus. And its not hard to pull off - you just need the two feats. Everything else is just pumping your Dex.
There's no real need for a custom subclass - just pick one that improves your damage without messing up your action economy.
Why two hand crossbows verse one? You cant load either if hands are full. Because crossbow expert allows you a second shot with one crossbow since it is a light weapon, you only need one for the extra shot. Am I missing something?
To be fair, when dealing damage with ranged weapons you can't choose non-leathal damage, so a character who follows a "minimum force necessary" philosophy might find it as a less ethical version. However this generally not a level of ethics assumed in a fantasy combat roleplay game.
PHB rangers however are one of the best options for harvesting poison which may be (or may not )outlawed in your setting.
In order to really answer your question more details may be required, such as setting, alignment, player perspective(are you from a country with heavy or light weapons laws), is there a language barrier we do not see, etc.
generally, I assume most tables of dnd to be kinda wildwest ethics. The first one to do something wrong/illegal is guilty and victims or enforcers may take steps they deem necessary for justice. This philosophy should be weapon independent.
There's nothing unethical about ranger using any crossbow over bows. Go with what you really want and do not care about what others could think.
i really like Gloom Stalker Ranger Sharpshooter Hand Crossbow Expert combo.
I can see an ethics issue, sorta. That combo, gloom stalker, crossbow expert, and sharp shooter is already the trifecta of power gaming min-maxing as far as rangers are concerned. It simply does more damage by heads and shoulders than any other martials in tier 1. I played a version myself where it was just a v.human with sharpshooter, and that alone caused me to overshadow the whole party as I just demolished encounters with dread ambusher. The issue would be exacerbated had I picked up crossbow expert.
Granted, if your group doesn't mind that they're regular folks and you're John Wick by comparison, by all means go ahead.
Your concern seems more of balance, not ethics.
Semantics.
I don't think rangers would have such moral scruples generally. They have their goals: however they fulfill it is justified. That is why they are so commonly Neutral by the old alignment measures.
A ranger using a crossbow I don't feel is out of the reasonable. Now when it comes to hand crossbows, in our campaign it's only ever usually a drow thing when you see those. Not a popular or even common weapon on the surface.
I've got a great ranger miniature and he is holding a crossbow. William Tell, Swiss Ranger? ;)
Belegir, Wood Elf Ranger
In 1st and 2nd editions rangers had to be good and If I remember correctly in 1st rangers could use poison with permission from DM