Double Hand Crossbow

[Halna LeGavilk]

The wording of the Double Hand Crossbow (from here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060420a)) confuses me, specifically this section: "A character can fire one of the two crossbows as an exotic weapon (hand crossbow) with a standard action, or both crossbows as an exotic weapon (hand crossbow) with a full round action (using multiple attacks gained from a high base attack bonus). A character with exotic weapon (double crossbow) training can fire both crossbows as a full-round action using their highest base attack bonus, but each attack takes a -2 penalty." (italics mine).

Does this mean that each part of the crossbow gets the full range of iterative attacks, or that you add an extra attack on top of the iterative attacks, or what?

[Bang!]

I think it means you have two options:
Use a full round attack, shooting with the first part of the crossbow as one of the attacks, using the second part of the crossbow as another.
Use a full round action to shoot from both parts of the crossbow at your full BA -2 without subsequent attacks (it says "as a full round action" rather than "as a part of a full attack").

[tombthedwarf]

Seems to me that you can use them to make a "full attack" with a -2 penalty for each shot so long as you only chuck two bolts with the contraption. That seems to be the gist of it.

[Halna LeGavilk]

Huh... that makes it, um, kind of useless if you have rapid reload.... dang, dude.

[Khyell Hyre]

To me you can use the Double Hand Crossbow as a normal Hand Crossbow when firing only one of those 2 bolts and when you fire both it could only be done if you have a BAB like +6/+1 with the hand crossbow proficiency.

With the Double Hand Crossbow proficiency, instead, can fire both bolts with a -2 on the attack roll with the highest BAB as full action. ( Or make every attack shoots twice if you have the means to reload it fast as the Quick Loading from MIC )

[FMArthur]

The whole weapon is made useless by Rapid Reload, that's the gist of it. It's just not worth it because of its clearly delineated action requirements. If you were hoping for a weapon that gave you the Splitting property without the +3 weapon cost, this is most certainly not it.

[Khyell Hyre]

Not useless as it still work as a Hand Crossbow as stated here:
A hand double crossbow functions like a regular crossbow of the same type, but is constructed with a second crossbow above the foregrip. Individually loading each hand crossbow takes a move action that provokes an attack of opportunity. It takes a full-round action to load both hand crossbows.

With Rapid Reload or Hand Crossbow Focus, you can shot using it as a regular Hand Crossbow OR as a Double Crossbow taking move actions to reload, but the Quick Load reload both "ends" of the crossbow as free action.

[FMArthur]

Not useless as it still work as a Hand Crossbow as stated here:
A hand double crossbow functions like a regular crossbow of the same type, but is constructed with a second crossbow above the foregrip. Individually loading each hand crossbow takes a move action that provokes an attack of opportunity. It takes a full-round action to load both hand crossbows.

With Rapid Reload or Hand Crossbow Focus, you can shot using it as a regular Hand Crossbow OR as a Double Crossbow taking move actions to reload, but the Quick Load reload both "ends" of the crossbow as free action.

So what? You can fire twice with one crossbow anyway. If you use the double crossbow as part of a full attack, it just fires off your normal iteratives, like you would with one crossbow with Rapid Reload. If you use its special full-round action - which is not a full attack - to fire both at a -2 penalty, you don't gain iteratives. The feat is better spent on TWF, which gives the same early routine but then allows you iteratives later.

The double crossbow is a trap, because its appearance and very existence provides the false impression that you get extra attacks out of it. It gives no more benefit than having two crossbows loaded, which is not an issue at all for a character with Rapid Reload or Hand Crossbow Focus.