Want to Rise Crossbow damage

[Loki Eremes]

Hi there people

My problem is simple: D&D
i want to rise my hand crossbow damage, using feats, enhancements, whatever you know from 3.5 manuals, will do the trick.

i simply hate dealing 1d4 (medium)

im aware of "colission" enchant and "crossbow sniper" feat, but only know about those 2. Nothing else


Please help me with this.

[Gaiyamato]

What class(es) are you?

There are ways using prestige classes, Sneak Attack and a few odds and ends.

[Sinfire Titan]

IIRC, the Splitting Enhancement (Champions of Ruin) can be applied to a Crossbow.

Also, you can enchant your ammunition. Even a set of 50 lowly +1 Corrosive Bolts will boost your damage (and those bolts can be enchanted for a merely 8k for the full 50). Look into getting +1 Explosive Corrosive Psychokinetic Baatorian Greensteel bolts (Explosive is in CW, Corrosive and Psychokinetic are in the MIC, and Baatorian Greensteel is a metal found in Fiendish Codex 2).

I'm guessing you are either using a small Light Crossbow (possibly repeater) or a Hand Crossbow, due to your damage die size. Pick up Crossbow Sniper or it's Dragon equivalent (Dragon Compendium printed a feat that does the same exact thing, but is much easier to qualify for). Also, pick up Sneak Attack via Martial Stance (Assassin's Stance) rather than dropping levels into Rogue (unless you all ready are one).

[SilverClawShift]

I can't help you with mechanics from official sources, but I recomend talking to your DM about this.

It doesn't take a super-genius to see that 1d4 damage isn't going to cut it at higher levels, and it's completely reasonable for your Dm to start letting you make, buy, or find bolts that do more powerful damage. That has the potential to let him adjust how much damage you're doing to help keep you from falling behind (or climbing too far above) the rest of your party, and he can help tailor your weaponry towards upcoming battles (flaming silver bolts for werewolves, or bolts that fly in a straight line through multiple targets for hoardes of mindless undead, or the like).

I'm sure someone else will have more concrete mechanical aid for you shortly, though.

[LibraryOgre]

Hi there people

My problem is simple: D&D
i want to rise my hand crossbow damage, using feats, enhancements, whatever you know from 3.5 manuals, will do the trick.

i simply hate dealing 1d4 (medium)

im aware of "colission" enchant and "crossbow sniper" feat, but only know about those 2. Nothing else


Please help me with this.

Point blank shot is fun, It's a +1 to hit and damage in 30' range. You might also look into psionics... Psionic shot (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#psionicShot) will cost three feats, total (Point Blank shot you already want; Wild talent and Psionic Shot round out the cost), or a level of psychic warrior (giving you psionics and a feat).

[sofawall]

Also, pick up Sneak Attack via Martial Stance (Assassin's Stance) rather than dropping levels into Rogue (unless you all ready are one).

Why? Assassin's Stance takes two feats. I'd rather spend the 3 levels, myself.

[Loki Eremes]

its a hand crossbow - im proficient with it because of my race -
I dont want to much feats to increase its power, cause its more like an alternative weapon to me rather than my Dagger (primary weapon)

My character is lvl 8 right now, and he has Rogue and swashbuckler lvls
Nice DEX, STR, and INT stats.
I ll take the Assassin´s prestige class lvls next (a modified one)

so, i dont have too many "slots" for feats.

But i liked the idea of enchanting bolts.

[Gaiyamato]

Take one level of rogue, then 3 with scout. Take Swift ambusher and Daring Outlaw as feats and add all of your swashbuckler levels and scout levels to rogue to determine Sneak Attack damage, all of your Rogue levels (1) to Scout to determine Skirmish damage (no change) and all of your rogue levels to swashbuckler to determine grace and dodge bonus.

Given you already have both swashbuckler and rogue levels you should at least take Daring Outlaw and stack them for more Sneak attack damage.

....Hang on you advanced more than 3 levels of rogue and 2 of swashbuckler?? lol.

[Gaiyamato]

EDIT

WTF just happened there?
My edit posted a new post.. o_O

[Sinfire Titan]

Why? Assassin's Stance takes two feats. I'd rather spend the 3 levels, myself.

Mainly because 3 feats gets you 2d6+20 damage (Martial Study+Martial Stance+Craven). Its a considerable investment, but I can think of a few reasons to take the deal.


My character is lvl 8 right now, and he has Rogue and swashbuckler lvls
Nice DEX, STR, and INT stats.
I ll take the Assassin´s prestige class lvls next (a modified one)

so, i dont have too many "slots" for feats.

But i liked the idea of enchanting bolts.

Assassin's a bit of a bad trap...

In that case, take the Craven feat (Champions of Ruin again) and Daring Outlaw (if you don't all ready have it, Complete Scoundrel). Load up on +1 Explosive Corrosive Psychokinetic Baatorian Greensteel bolts, like I mentioned earlier. Use the Greater Magic Weapon spell to improve their +1 to a +5 (or just dot hat to the bow, either one works). Sneak Attack included, your attacks deal 1d4+1 (enhancement on the bow, I'm assuming a +1 here)+Sneak Attack (assuming Daring Outlaw and Craven, 4d6+8)+2d4 (Explosive)+1d6 (acid)+1d4 (Force)+1 (Baatorian Greensteel), for an average of 35.5 each shot, with a Reflex save to halve the Explosive damage.

[Mando Knight]

Take one level of Fighter, perhaps? Your skills suffer, but you gain a bonus feat (possibly Point Blank Shot), and you gain proficiency in heavier crossbows. You won't be able to dual-wield (that would incur penalties anyway, IIRC), but you'll get a 1d10 damage die. And +1 BAB. And the bonus for adding a Good Fortitude save.

[Loki Eremes]

Its and ASSASSIN prestige, but not the original one. Ive changed lot of things, but it mainly focuses on dagger stuff.

I was thinking of taking a Fighter lvl, for the extra feat, thanks for that recomendation. but i wont use it in a proficiency feat.

[Mando Knight]

I was thinking of taking a Fighter lvl, for the extra feat, thanks for that recomendation. but i wont use it in a proficiency feat.

Taking one level of Fighter gives you all of the weapon and armor proficiencies of a Fighter. You don't need to spend the feat.

[Loki Eremes]

Taking one level of Fighter gives you all of the weapon and armor proficiencies of a Fighter. You don't need to spend the feat.

Hehehe, sry, i missed that info.

[ShneekeyTheLost]

The key here is finding better ways of applying sneak attack damage when using your hand crossbow.

Although to be honest, dipping one level of Warlock from Complete Arcane will be a much better idea than sticking with your crossbow. Here's why:

1) At 1st level, Warlocks get an at-will spell-like ability called Eldritch Blast. It does 1d6 damage (already more than your crossbow) but more importantly, it is a touch attack, which ignores armor. As it does untyped magic damage, it ignores DR, although creatures with Spell Resistance get a chance to negate. You can pick up a neck-slot item from Magic Item Compendium which can increase this to 2d6 or 3d6. This does more damage, and is easier to hit with, than your hand crossbow. Plus it can never be disarmed or broken.

2) You also get an Invocation. You can pick up Darkness as a spell-like ability at will, which you can then use to hide in, as it grants you concealment. Since you are then hidden, you get to apply sneak attack because your opponents cannot see you and are flat-footed (unless they have Uncanny Dodge from somewhere). If you already HAVE Darkness as a spell-like ability (like, say, you're a Drow), then grab Devil's Sight, which allows you to see through magical darkness, including any darkness which any other drow might start throwing about to screw with your aiming.

[The Glyphstone]

The Crossbow Sniper feat lets you apply 1/2 your Dex mod as damage when within 30ft. of the target.

[ericgrau]

A bigger weapon doesn't deal that much more damage. I'd focus more on bonus damage like sneak attack, death attack, poison, etc. And also deal with your mid BAB and poor AC with circumstantial bonuses: +2 from flanking, +2 from being invisible or sneaking up on an opponent (and you're harder to hit), denying the target dex bonus to AC, +1 from high ground, tripping an opponent, getting an ally to pin an opponent, etc.

[Darrin]

its a hand crossbow - im proficient with it because of my race -
I dont want to much feats to increase its power, cause its more like an alternative weapon to me rather than my Dagger (primary weapon)


Start with the Archery Handbook:

http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=642.0

Consider picking up some Strongarm Bracers (MIC p. 139, 6000 GP). This allows you to wield weapons one size category larger, so your hand crossbow and dagger would go up to 1d6 damage. If you're worried about getting caught with the wrong sized weapons, the Sizing property (MIC p. 43) can be added to any weapon for only +5000 GP, which allows you to change the size as a swift action. But that's a lot of money to spend on what works out to be +1 average damage on all your attacks.

You'll get more bang for your buck by buying a Lesser Crystal of Energy Assault (MIC p. 64, 3000 GP). Of the four energy types available, Acid is probably the best choice. Unfortunately, they don't stack with other sources of energy damage. If you do have another source of energy damage, then switch to a Lesser Crystal of Phoenix Ash Threat. Just a bit less damage, and maybe a little more bookkeeping, but it will stack with other energy types, and it's a bit cheaper (2000 GP).

If you can afford it, pair up the Lesser Crystal of Phoenix Ash Threat with Bracers of Lightning (MIC p. 206, 11000 GP). As a swift action, this adds the shock property to all your melee or ranged attacks for 1 round.

Quiver of Energy (MIC p. 172, 15000 GP) can add another type of energy damage to 20 bolts on top of that.

As far as ammunition, see if you can get ahold of or craft some Razorfeather Bolts (MMV p. 169). Difficult to price, but a DC 30 craft check can make a batch of 50. These nonmagical arrows are considered masterwork, keen, and adamantine.

A batch of Serrenwood arrows (BoED p. 38) also come in very handy if you happen to run into incorporeal foes.



My character is lvl 8 right now, and he has Rogue and swashbuckler lvls
Nice DEX, STR, and INT stats.


Hmmm... would adding a hand crossbow blade (Complete Scoundrel p. 109) allow the hand crossbow to get Insightful Strike damage on ranged attacks? By a strict reading of RAW it might... the text of Insightful Strike doesn't explicitly say melee anywhere, although it's heavily implied.

As far as feats go... Craven (Champions of Ruin) goes well with Crossbow Sniper. Dead Eye might also be nice... and I don't mean the crappy Deadeye Shot in PHBII, I mean the feat in Dragon Compenium that adds your Dex bonus on ranged damage to targets within 30'. It requires PB Shot and Weapon Focus, however... but you can combine it with Hand Crossbow Focus (Drow of the Underdark p. 50), which combines Rapid Reload with Weapon Focus: Hand Crossbow into one single feat. Also, Dead Eye and Hand Crossbow Focus are both considered fighter bonus feats, so you can use the Heroics spell/wand/etc. to pick them up temporarily.



I ll take the Assassin´s prestige class lvls next (a modified one)


Meh... not a great PrC (depends on how it's been modified). But if you go that route, pick up Bracers of Murder ASAP (Drow of the Underdark p. 98). +2 attack/damage on flat-footed targets, +2 to the save DC of your death attack, and you get to reroll 1's on your sneak attack dice, all for only 8000 GP. If you haven't been maxing out UMD, then consider Arcane Disciple to pick up the Slime domain, which will give you grease as a 1st level assassin's spell (and yes, there is a Drow deity that grants the Slime domain... Geheia-whassisname or something.)

[Eldariel]

The Crossbow Sniper feat lets you apply 1/2 your Dex mod as damage when within 30ft. of the target.

Actually, the Dex-to-damage isn't limited by range. Furthermore, this feat increases your Sneak Attack/Precision Damage range to 60'. So goes great along with Rogue-levels to truly pump up the Hand Crossbow damage.

But yeah, Crossbow Sniper [Player's Handbook II] is the best reason to play a Crossbow specialist in the first place. Also, if you have Swashbuckler and Rogue, I hope you've combined them with Daring Outlaw [Complete Scoundrel]?

You'd have a nice Sneak Attack with that, which is definitely one of the best ways to pump Crossbow-damage, especially with Crossbow Sniper (just focus on ways to activate it; there's Invisibility/Hiding, and if you have Sleight of Hand + Quick Draw, you can use that for Sneak Attacks - then there are some related Skill Tricks in Complete Scoundrel and so on). Oh, and get Craven [Champions of Ruin].

[Bayar]

Take a level of artificier, apply Bane (race you are going to fight) to your crossbow for free (1 min to imbue or 1 round if you burn an action point).

+2D6 damage for selected race.

[Loki Eremes]

yup, ive already have Darring Outlaw,
at 8th lvl, thats 4d6 of sneak attack damage

At first, i tough about "razing strike" (from complete adventurer i think)
cause i will get spells later from the Modfied Assa Prc but when i read "melee"...

Craven is an excelent feat for dealing a whole lot of damge on a sneak attack,
thanks for recommending it.
Crystals for enchanting the crossbow, nice too.
Also thx for the bracers of assassination, more damage, more flanking.

keep sending me ideas! :belkar:

[bosssmiley]

@OP: You do realise the Hand Crossbow was really only intended as a poison-delivery system, right? Drow poisoned hand crossbow are a D&D meme for a reason... :smallconfused:

Quickest and cheapest way to increase crossbow damage. Instead of faffing about with feats, enhancements and suchlike, just get a bigger crossbow.

[snoopy13a]

@OP: You do realise the Hand Crossbow was really only intended as a poison-delivery system, right? Drow poisoned hand crossbow are a D&D meme for a reason... :smallconfused:

Quickest and cheapest way to increase crossbow damage. Instead of faffing about with feats, enhancements and suchlike, just get a bigger crossbow.

The hand crossbow can also be concealed on one's body via sleight of hand. This could have benefits in a city campaign where certain building, or even the city itself, may ban weapons. Additionally, it can be fired with one hand with no penalty (light crossbows get a -2 penalty). However, light crossbows do 2 points of damage more on average (1d8 vs. 1d4)

That's a question, would it be better for a rogue with TWF to sneak attack with two hand crossbows at a -2/-2 modifier or a light crossbow at a -4/-4?

The heavy crossbow suffers from its reload being a full-round action that rapid reload changes into a move action (rapid reload turns light and hand crossbow reload into free actions). The move action aspect restricts it to only one shot per round no matter what.

Suppose a level 8 human rogue with a Dex of 17 has two weapon fighting, rapid reload, point blank shot, and rapid shot. He is planning to take down a corrupt noble (say level 8 fighter) and through contacts has arranged a sit-down meeting. Upon arriving at the noble's house, he is searched but has concealed his two hand crossbows via sleight of hand. Halfway through the meeting he excuses himself to go to the bathroom*. He draws and loads his hand crossbows and after emerging catches the noble flatfooted.

*Godfather inspiration :smallbiggrin:

He gets four attacks:

1st attack: Main-hand hand crossbow at +6 (+3 Dex, +6 BAB, +1 Point Blank shot, -2 two weapon, -2 rapid shot)

2nd attack: Off-hand hand crossbow using TWF: at +6

Free action: drop off-hand crossbow

Free action: reload main-hand crossbow

3rd attack: Main-hand cross using rapid shot at +8 (+3 Dex, +6 BAB, +1 Point Blank Shot, -2 rapid shot)

Free action: reload main-hand crossbow

4th attack: Main-hand crossbow using second BAB shot at +3 (+3 Dex, +1 BAB, +1 Point Blank Shot, -2 rapid shot)

Each hit will do 1d4+1 + 4d6 damage for a best case scenario of 4d4+4 + 16d6 damage. That isn't too bad, is it?

You could do the same attack with two light crossbows only with the first two attacks at +4 instead of +6. You cannot do this with a heavy crossbow due to its limitation of one attack per turn.

You can fire a heavy crossbow in each hand but:

1) You take a -4 penalty
2) It counts as a one handed weapon

It would be -8/-8 with the two weapon feat (-10/-14 without it). Compare that to the -2/-2 of the hand crossbow and the -4/-4 of the light crossbow.

[Eldariel]

The hand crossbow can also be concealed on one's body via sleight of hand. This could have benefits in a city campaign where certain building, or even the city itself, may ban weapons. Additionally, it can be fired with one hand with no penalty (light crossbows get a -2 penalty). However, light crossbows do 2 points of damage more on average (1d8 vs. 1d4)

The bigger advantage is that given Quick Draw, you can do this to get Sneak Attacks. Also, TWFing depends entirely on the target. However, with Rogue's BAB, it's by and large better to use Hand Crossbows due to the lower penalties.

[Loki Eremes]

The bigger advantage is that given Quick Draw, you can do this to get Sneak Attacks. Also, TWFing depends entirely on the target. However, with Rogue's BAB, it's by and large better to use Hand Crossbows due to the lower penalties.

But...dont you need Flick of the Wrist to make Sneak Attacks?
or are telling me to quick draw outside combat to caught the target flat footed?

[Eldariel]

But...dont you need Flick of the Wrist to make Sneak Attacks?
or are telling me to quick draw outside combat to caught the target flat footed?

There are skilltricks for it in Complete Scoundrel, and then there's this in Rules Compendium:
"If you palm a dagger during a fight, you can surprise your opponent when the dagger suddenly appears in your hand. For this technique to work, you must have a dagger sheathed on your person, must have the Quick Draw feat, and must be holding nothing in your off hand. You must fight the same foe for at least 2 consecutive rounds to make your opponent used to the idea that you have nothing in your off hand. At the beginning of your turn during the third round, use Quick Draw to draw the sheathed dagger as a free action with your off hand. Then make a Sleight of Hand check opposed by your opponent’s Spot check. If you win, your foe is considered fl at-footed for the next single attack you make with the dagger now in your off hand. Regardless of your success, the same foe won’t fall for the same trick from you twice during the same encounter."

Now, it talks of Daggers, but easy enough to extrapolate.