[3.5] Hand Crossbowman?

[aphoticConniver]

I'm looking to essentially emulate the abilities of the Demon Hunter from Diablo III, using a weapon enhancement to provide endless ammo without the need to reload for dual-wielding handcrossbows, and I'd like to do it all with a pirate flavor. The character level is 5.

Any suggestions?

[Flickerdart]

Hand Crossbow Focus (Drow of the Underdark) is practically a given. Also, make sure to mount Crossbow Sights (A&EG) on them, and make them Double Crossbows (RotD web enhancement). You can use both Rapid Shot and Two-Weapon Fighting with these babies.

[Diovid]

Play a Targeteer? The Targeteer is a Fighter variant from dragon magazine 310, it gets free proficiency with two exotic ranged weapons and the option for some special ranged abilities.

An exotic weapon master dip gives you the option of ranged attacks in melee range.

Feats such as Dead Eye (Dragon Magazine #304) and some feats from PHB 2 might be worth while.

[Allanimal]

Make them quick loading crossbows, a +1 enhancement from the MIC.
A quick loading crossbow has an extradimensional space that holds 100 bolts. Reloading a hand crossbow becomes a free action, allowing full attacks.

[Gandariel]

You need a LOT of feats.

point blank shot, rapid shot, precise shot, TWF, Hand Crossbow Focus, crossbow sniper.
start with Feat Rogue for the free proficiency with hand crossbow.

assuming 2 flaws, in 2 levels you get 2(flaws)+1(natural)+2(class) = 5 feats, six if you're human or strongheart halfling.

plus you have trapfinding, skills, and evasion.

after those two levels you begin to realize you need a form of damage.
so take a level of sneak attack fighter.

from now on, it's your choice.
more sneak attack fighter, a barbarian dip for whirling frenzy, a swordsage dip (or feats) to get Assassin's stance, maybe Ninja, Assassin levels are pretty good too.

don't forget to take Craven and the rest of the twf chain

[Psyren]

Warforged Scout with dual Armbow components. They self-reload and you can put one on each arm.

[Crasical]

Warforged Scout with dual Armbow components. They self-reload and you can put one on each arm.

And cost 20k gold each, so....

[gorfnab]

Lightning Maces (feat) + Blood in the Water (stance) + Hand Crossbow Focus (feat) + Aptitude (weapon enhancement) = :smallbiggrin:

[StreamOfTheSky]

Glove of the Master Strategist from Ghostwalk is something like 3500 gp per glove. It's basically a glove of storing (free action to store or unstore) plus true strike/day. But the latter really isn't even that important. Main thing is, 2 of them for less than what a single 3.5 glove of storing costs, because the price jumped stupidly high from 3.0, and the ghostwalk item is legal (it had a 3.5 update and the glove went untouched).

They will allow you to have a free hand to reload your crossbows between shots.

Only less expensive option I know of would be a party caster giving you Girralon's Blessing for extra arms.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Lightning Maces (feat) + Blood in the Water (stance) + Hand Crossbow Focus (feat) + Aptitude (weapon enhancement) = :smallbiggrin:

Just be careful of psions with Death Urge :smalltongue:
Does anyone have a link to that ToS match by any chance?

[Flickerdart]

You may also find Versatile Combatant useful. The primary benefit doesn't do anything for you, but the secondary (not provoking when attacking with hand crossbows) will come in handy, especially since their poor range means you're always a charge away from a nasty bruiser swinging a sword in your face.

[Daftendirekt]

especially since their poor range means you're always a charge away from a nasty bruiser swinging a sword in your face.

Not if you slap on the gnome crossbow sights. That puts your range at 90'. (Well, 60' if you want to sneak attack and have Crossbow Sniper)