![]() ![]() But with bows, the smaller one still needs two hands. ![]() Like obviously with melee weapons, the big ones need two hands, and that is the downside to their higher power. If you want to make the difference more marked, or more simulationist, add a strength requirement for its use.įor a variety of reasons, leaning too much toward the simulationist mind set gets in the way of the game.This is true. I mean, I don't need something huge, but I would just like to see something that gives people a reason to carry around a shortbow, which is the much more realistic weapon for someone to travel around with (longbows are massive and unwieldy). It is literally better in every way, except that it is heavy, but unless you are small, that means nothing, since both still need two hands. Its not broken or anything, obviously, but in reality, the longbow has some distinct disadvantages vs the shortbow that are not represented mechanically. I have a much bigger issue with the longbow, to be honest. Without Sharpshooter, an extra attack with a hand crossbow is not nearly as attractive, having only a small damage advantage over using a heavy crossbow by mid game, in exchange for using up your bonus action, and therefore eschewing a lot of versatility. Now, to be fair, that is mostly because my group finds a few feats to be broken and doesn't allow them, and one of those feats is Sharpshooter. Depending on how you play, these concessions may impact your character’s durability, versatility, or perhaps even your ultimate damage output.I'm not a fan of Hand Crossbows, but I don't have too much of a problem with them mechanically. If you’re investing your Artificer into crossbow optimization, you’re making concessions elsewhere. Spent to level Dexterity past 14 despite Medium Armor proficiency.2 feats (Crossbow Expert, Sharpshooter).This brings us to our next question… What are you investing? Adding the Enhanced Weapon Item Infusion and Arcane Weapon spell to two attacks can push the crossbows into the lead: Otherwise, the crossbows have no chance of keeping up:Īs it turns out, the crossbow damage can actually outscale the cantrip damage if you focus your character build around it. The Crossbow Expert feat is an absolute must to ignore the loading property so you can make two attacks per round. This is somewhat offset by Artillerists who can add their spellcasting modifier (Intelligence) to their cantrips with their level 6 Wand Prototype.Ĭrossbows are sneaky good, if you’re willing to make the investment. Of course, crossbows are going to be stronger up front because you also get to add your damage modifier (Dexterity) to the result. While Arcane Armament permits you two attacks, the loading property of the crossbows means you only get one attack. Compare this with the Heavy Crossbow (1d10) or Hand Crossbow (1d6). That’s because the damage increases from 1d10 to 4d10. Which is stronger from a pure damage perspective? What’s stronger?Īt first blush, cantrips scale much better. The Artificer gets access to two different ranged options: cantrips and crossbows.
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