I have created a Duergar Ranger for a new campaign. He uses a Heavy Crossbow and is a Ranged Ranger build. I have been looking to see if there are any Magical Crossbows for later use but the only thing I have found is a Heavy Crossbow +2. Does anyone know of any others?
There isn't really much for magical crossbows in core D&D, outside the basic +X bows. I know there's a Vestige heavy crossbow in the unofficial Tal'Dorei book, but regular D&D mostly skips crossbows. Your DM will likely have to homebrew one if one of your objectives is looting a swag-ass crossbow.
There are vicious and warning crossbows. Other than that, there are other books that have special bows like the Dragonwing from Fizbans. Honestly the best bet is to have your DM homebrew you one like Yurei1453 suggested.
The best 'homebrew' for a Gloom Stalker using a crossbow, if it doesn't have the Crossbow Expert feat, is a standalone version of the Repeating Weapon artificers can make. You can't fire more than one shot with your Attack using the heavy crossbow no matter how many your class features give you; turning that hindrance off is the most important part of almost every crossbow character insofar as damage goes.
There are vicious and warning crossbows. Other than that, there are other books that have special bows like the Dragonwing from Fizbans. Honestly the best bet is to have your DM homebrew you one like Yurei1453 suggested.
The Dragon Wing Bow can only be a shortbow or longbow, not any of the crossbows.
Maybe I'm missing something but the description says "any bow" and it comes up on the DDB magic item tool when you filter by heavy crossbow. There's nothing I see that's restricting it to shortbow or longbow.
Maybe I'm missing something but the description says "any bow" and it comes up on the DDB magic item tool when you filter by heavy crossbow. There's nothing I see that's restricting it to shortbow or longbow.
It says “any bow,” it doesn’t say “any bow or crossbow.” And DDB makes all kinds of mistakes, you can’t rely on DDB to a year to RAW 100% of the time because their system just can’t do it sometimes.
That link is to an awesome thread full of amazing homebrew with awesome art and they have a few crossbows. If that doesn't work, look up Items & Monster Art in the Arts and Crafts section.
Maybe I'm missing something but the description says "any bow" and it comes up on the DDB magic item tool when you filter by heavy crossbow. There's nothing I see that's restricting it to shortbow or longbow.
It says “any bow,” it doesn’t say “any bow or crossbow.” And DDB makes all kinds of mistakes, you can’t rely on DDB to a year to RAW 100% of the time because their system just can’t do it sometimes.
If you are going the Homebrew route you may want to consider creating some magic ammunition. This can be something simple like a +1 Bolt to something more flavorful like a "Thunderbolt of the Tempest" that does an additional 1d6 Thunder damage and knocks the target prone on a hit. You can control availability and adjust power for level with ammunition just you would for scrolls or potions.
Well I'm not trying to hijack this to argue about the term "all bows" so even if you're in the camp of "it's not RAW" and you're looking to homebrew something anyway, consider the dragonwing as a template or an item that is ready to add to your inventory courtesy of DDB if you own FToD.
Maybe I'm missing something but the description says "any bow" and it comes up on the DDB magic item tool when you filter by heavy crossbow. There's nothing I see that's restricting it to shortbow or longbow.
It says “any bow,” it doesn’t say “any bow or crossbow.” And DDB makes all kinds of mistakes, you can’t rely on DDB to a year to RAW 100% of the time because their system just can’t do it sometimes.
One of the problems here is that rules lawyers, including too often actual 5e developers, toss language and common sense out the window for whatever they feel is play balance, which is too often arbitrary, with no clear logic behind it.
I'm with you on that, and I say that as a rules lawyer. It's not difficult to have rules that are consistent, realistic (within the setting of the game), fun, & fair. I also believe each of those things feeds the others (i.e. a game with consistent, realistic & fair rules is a significant part in having a fun game). You just need to be smart about it & design a rule system for the sake of having a good rule system.
Also, umm, something something crossbows to stay on topic. 5E is lacking in special ranged weapons in general. Ephixis is the only Legendary / Artifact bow (cross or otherwise). The Oathbow is the only Very Rare non-generic bow. Clearly there are no elves on the 5E design team.
I have created a Duergar Ranger for a new campaign. He uses a Heavy Crossbow and is a Ranged Ranger build. I have been looking to see if there are any Magical Crossbows for later use but the only thing I have found is a Heavy Crossbow +2. Does anyone know of any others?
There isn't really much for magical crossbows in core D&D, outside the basic +X bows. I know there's a Vestige heavy crossbow in the unofficial Tal'Dorei book, but regular D&D mostly skips crossbows. Your DM will likely have to homebrew one if one of your objectives is looting a swag-ass crossbow.
Please do not contact or message me.
There are vicious and warning crossbows. Other than that, there are other books that have special bows like the Dragonwing from Fizbans. Honestly the best bet is to have your DM homebrew you one like Yurei1453 suggested.
I figured it would have to be a Homebrew. I was just looking for ways to aid my Archer Build. Which is to include the Gloom Stalker Sub Class.
The best 'homebrew' for a Gloom Stalker using a crossbow, if it doesn't have the Crossbow Expert feat, is a standalone version of the Repeating Weapon artificers can make. You can't fire more than one shot with your Attack using the heavy crossbow no matter how many your class features give you; turning that hindrance off is the most important part of almost every crossbow character insofar as damage goes.
Please do not contact or message me.
A weapon of warning is never a bad thing. And there are also +1 and +3 crossbows too, not just +2.
I planned on taking the Crossbow Expert and Sharpshooter feats. I also planned on multiclassing into Fighter to get the Action Surge to Boost damage.
The Dragon Wing Bow can only be a shortbow or longbow, not any of the crossbows.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
If you’re going homebrew, perhaps a crossbow with the feature of a sword of wounding.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
I appreciate all of the suggestions. I believe I will probably just have to concentrate on attaining magical ammunition.
Maybe I'm missing something but the description says "any bow" and it comes up on the DDB magic item tool when you filter by heavy crossbow. There's nothing I see that's restricting it to shortbow or longbow.
It says “any bow,” it doesn’t say “any bow or crossbow.” And DDB makes all kinds of mistakes, you can’t rely on DDB to a year to RAW 100% of the time because their system just can’t do it sometimes.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
lol. Don't get me started I still miss 2nd edition.
I created a homebrew repeating light crossbow for one of my old PCS/NPCs. It’s published here you could use it as a model for a heavy crossbow.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/search?search-thread-id=77829&search-forum-id=&forum-scope=f&display-type=0&search=crossbow&search-type=0&by-author=&begin-date=&begin-time=&end-date=&end-time=&min-posts=&min-views=&display-type=0&submit=y
That link is to an awesome thread full of amazing homebrew with awesome art and they have a few crossbows. If that doesn't work, look up Items & Monster Art in the Arts and Crafts section.
From https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crossbow, Crossbow: a weapon for shooting quarrels and stones that consists chiefly of a short bow mounted crosswise near the end of a stock.
Emphasii mine. A crossbow is a type of bow.
TL;DR: A cross what?
If you are going the Homebrew route you may want to consider creating some magic ammunition. This can be something simple like a +1 Bolt to something more flavorful like a "Thunderbolt of the Tempest" that does an additional 1d6 Thunder damage and knocks the target prone on a hit. You can control availability and adjust power for level with ammunition just you would for scrolls or potions.
Well I'm not trying to hijack this to argue about the term "all bows" so even if you're in the camp of "it's not RAW" and you're looking to homebrew something anyway, consider the dragonwing as a template or an item that is ready to add to your inventory courtesy of DDB if you own FToD.
I'm with you on that, and I say that as a rules lawyer. It's not difficult to have rules that are consistent, realistic (within the setting of the game), fun, & fair. I also believe each of those things feeds the others (i.e. a game with consistent, realistic & fair rules is a significant part in having a fun game). You just need to be smart about it & design a rule system for the sake of having a good rule system.
Also, umm, something something crossbows to stay on topic. 5E is lacking in special ranged weapons in general. Ephixis is the only Legendary / Artifact bow (cross or otherwise). The Oathbow is the only Very Rare non-generic bow. Clearly there are no elves on the 5E design team.
The link you posted said it could be any bow, including crossbows. It gave examples.