Description. Arbalest is a rigid, mechanically precise laser rifle built around a hardened kinetic emitter rather than an energy dispersal lens. Its design is stark and utilitarian, with reinforced rails and a long stabilizing barrel meant to channel overwhelming force into a single, unstoppable point. When fired, it releases a hyper-dense bolt that strikes like a battering ram rather than a beam of light. The weapon hums with restrained pressure, as if constantly braced against recoil that never quite manifests.
Kinetic Lance. Arbalest fires a condensed, armor-piercing projectile of magical force. You gain a +3 bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. On a hit, the target takes 3d8 piercing damage. This damage counts as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity.
Siegebreaker. Arbalest is engineered for destruction of defenses. Arbalest deals double damage to: Objects, Structures, Barriers, magical shields, and force effects (such as wall of force, arcane ward, or similar effects, at the DM’s discretion).
Shield Shatter. When Arbalest hits a creature benefiting from a magical shield or barrier (such as shield, mage armor, shield of faith, or similar effects): The target takes an additional 2d8 damage if it beats their AC. One such active shield effect of the DM’s choice on the target immediately ends. A creature can only be affected by Shield Shatter once per turn.
Reload. After firing 5 shots, Arbalest must be reloaded as a bonus action, recharging its kinetic emitter and stabilizers.
Lore Arbalest was not created to kill soldiers—it was created to end battles. Designed as a solution to fortifications, arcane bulwarks, and reinforced war constructs, the rifle embodies the philosophy that any defense can be overcome with sufficient force applied at the correct point. Those who wield it often say the weapon doesn’t break shields—it convinces them they were never real to begin with.
It’s up to you to decide whether a character has proficiency with a firearm. Characters in most D&D worlds wouldn’t have such proficiency. During their downtime, characters can use the training rules in the Player’s Handbook to acquire proficiency, assuming that they have enough ammunition to keep the weapons working while mastering their use.
This weapon has the following mastery property. To use this property, you must have a feature that lets you use it.
Slow. If you hit a creature with this weapon and deal damage to it, you can reduce its Speed by 10 feet until the start of your next turn. If the creature is hit more than once by weapons that have this property, the Speed reduction doesn’t exceed 10 feet.
Notes: Bonus: Magic, Damage: Additional, Replace Damage Type: Piercing, Damage, Combat, Range, Two-Handed, Ammunition (Firearms), Reload, Slow
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