1974... Crossbows
Initial Thoughts
After my post on initiative and the combat sequence, I've realized that I wanted to do something with crossbows. My sequence proposes that a loaded crossbow will usually resolve first in a standard combat round. I've used similar rules to this in the past, enabling "instantaneous" firing. The rule has worked great.
I think the D&D community at large thinks crossbows are underwhelming. In most old school systems, they are clearly inferior to their alternatives due to reload times. While the instantaneous firing rule is a nice addition, it doesn't feel like enough to make crossbows something to be excited about. In traditional initiative systems, most folks would then opt to ditch the crossbow on the ground after that initial shot. Usually reloading it takes forever and it is just better to swap weapons.
Further Thoughts
I am not a DM that is looking to simulate real life through D&D. However, I'm also not someone who is going crazy with rule of cool or whatever. Thinking about crossbows led me to watching some videos on their history. They definitely seem underwhelming in real life too. Slow and tough to reload being the big contributors to their lackluster nature (at least compared to how I dream of people using a bow). The big benefit seems to be you did not need to be trained in using it and that you can fire from a horizontal position (lying down).
Resolution
With some additional mechanics, I think you can make crossbows pretty cool with the combat sequence I'll be using:
Players can reload their crossbow in lieu of moving. This requires they have a strength greater than 10 and a lever or crank type mechanism. That lever/crank costs 100+ gold in a city. Someone with 15+ strength can reload without the mechanism.
Crossbow Lackeys
- These are hirelings who are willing to enter the dungeon. Their only purpose is reloading your crossbow. For this to work properly, a player must have two crossbows.
Unrestricted Crossbow??
- To capture the crossbows advantage of 'less training necessary,' I feel as though a magic user should be able to use a crossbow. Of course, a Cleric would not if you utilize the blunt weapon rule (which I am... for now). I am not 100% sure on this one yet and will not be implementing it. But it just makes sense.
Allowing a player to reload their crossbow in lieu of moving opens up the possibility for a player with a crossbow always going first in the sequence. Really giving a purpose to this weapon. It also means they can still move in the same turn they fire, skip their move in the next turn and fire later in that same round. I just like the tactical feel of this.
This leads me to think about spells and spell disruption. Should a crossbow be able to interrupt casting? Should a spell be able to be interrupted in the first place? I kind of like the idea of that being possible, but I'm not sure.