Issues with one-handed crossbows (+ some calculations)

[LeL4igle]

Hello everyone. First of all, please excuse my English, as it is not my native language.
I would like to know if anyone knows if it is in Larian's plans to patch:

• The absence of penalties from the Sharpshooter feat when using a light crossbow in off-hand.
  
• The dexterity bonus applied (without the corresponding feat) when using a light crossbow with off-hand.
  
• The ability to shoot more than twice per turn with two light crossbows.

I assumed that they would address these issues, considering how they disrupt the gameplay. However, I found posts from several months ago, which seems to indicate that Larian is aware of these issues and may not intend to fix them.

I did some calculations to quantify the problem, and it's simply outrageous. I had been playing as a Rogue-Sniper, aiming to specialize in long ranged combat, but when you look at the data, it's just absurd.

For a my build [Rogue LV4 / Fighter LV1 / 18 DEX / Archery / Sharshooter / Archer's gloves + Favorable Beginnings for first attack] here are the values for 2 hand crossbows versus 1 heavy crossbow.

2 hand crossbows

• Main attack : 1d6 + 4 + 10 [dmg] | 6 [attack roll bonus]
  
• First off-hand attack : 1d6 + 4 + 10 [dmg] | 11 [attack roll bonus]
  
• Second off-hand attack : 1d6 + 4 + 10 [dmg] | 11 [attack roll bonus]
  
• Sneak attack : 2d6 [dmg] | 6 [attack roll bonus]

Average DMG without Sneak attack : 51
Average DMG with 1 Sneak attack and 1 off-hand attack : 40
Average DMG with 1 Sneak attack and 2 off-hand attack (unlikely, as it requires being already hidden at the start of the turn) : 57

1 heavy crossbow

• Main attack : 1d10 + 4 + 10 [dmg] | 6 [attack roll bonus]
  
• Sneak attack : 2d6 [dmg] | 6 [attack roll bonus]

Average DMG without Sneak attack : 19
Average DMG with Sneak attack : 25

Conclusion
Given the situation, using anything other than a spam of three crossbow attacks seems pointless. The stealthy Rogue build is uninteresting...

I literally rolled over the goblin camp with just one character and without taking any damage.

I'm thinking of going back to the stealthy heavy crossbow build to have more fun. However, being a beginner in D&D and Baldur's Gate, I'd like to know: is the dual crossbow build really that broken, or is my heavy crossbow stealth build just weak? Which build should I favor if I want to play the game with appropriate balance?

[Altogolik]

More one-handed crossbows need to be added to the game, there are too few of them! And I would like a legendary variant.
One-handed crossbows are strong at the beginning and in the middle of the game, but at the end of the game a simple two-handed sword is much better.

[LeL4igle]

But how a weapon can become much better than dual wield 2 one-handed crossbows regarding the maths above ?

[yuzhonglu]

To optimize it, you don't even use your main action to shoot a crossbow. Instead, you use a sword. Swing twice, THEN use offhand crossbow.

[guppy]

Originally posted by Altogolik:

More one-handed crossbows need to be added to the game, there are too few of them! And I would like a legendary variant.
One-handed crossbows are strong at the beginning and in the middle of the game, but at the end of the game a simple two-handed sword is much better.

There is one?
Though to be fair it's just a +1 one with a free cast of scorcing ray the rarity of bg3's items are *way* off some early 'greens' are better almost any other item in game. ( gloves of the growling underdog for instance )

[FoxFox]

Yeah, one-handed crossbows feel OP

[Altogolik]

There is only one pink +2 one-handed crossbow and one blue +1 crossbow in the game. That's it, the rest of the instances are ordinary.
There are no new weapons in Act 3!

[Moffin Bovin]

they really do need to remove the free dex bonus on the off hand. its pretty stupid.

Theres quite a few balance problems in the game rn.

[Altogolik]

Developers, add at least a copy of this pink crossbow! We can kill the enemy from which it falls 2 times in different acts, but it falls only the first time. Unfair, because the owner of the crossbow got himself a new one.

[Baldurs_Gate_2]

Titanstring bow let's you take your dex and str modifier as damage. It's easy to get hill giant potions in chapter 1, either from ethel in 3 stacks or at lvl 4+ from the merchant in the underdark colony.

[LeL4igle]

In my opinion, le dev should remove the free dex bonus (totaly injustified), apply the Sharpshooter penalties on the off-hand and maybe limit the number of attack to two in a turn.

[ScythianUA]

this qeustion is more for WotC than larian tbh

[Snake_In_The_Eye]

Originally posted by LeL4igle:

But how a weapon can become much better than dual wield 2 one-handed crossbows regarding the maths above ?

great weapon master can be better since you can use bonus action to have an extra attack.

or berserkers can bonus action throw and action throw. That translate in 3 base attacks with rage on top, that do all kinds of different damages. Weapon damage+fall damage+ bludgening damage.

[Incantus]

Originally posted by Baldurs_Gate_2:

Titanstring bow let's you take your dex and str modifier as damage. It's easy to get hill giant potions in chapter 1, either from ethel in 3 stacks or at lvl 4+ from the merchant in the underdark colony.

Titanstring Bow is really fun, but it gets outshined, like all other ranged weapons, by the bow in act 3 that gives you 2x your dex to attack bonuses.

That said, Titanstring Bow with a Fighter Archer that has 23 Strength and 22 dexterity isnt that shabby. Been able to reach some insane damage numbers on attacks tbh.

[Altogolik]

Originally posted by Incantus:

Originally posted by Baldurs_Gate_2:

Titanstring bow let's you take your dex and str modifier as damage. It's easy to get hill giant potions in chapter 1, either from ethel in 3 stacks or at lvl 4+ from the merchant in the underdark colony.

Titanstring Bow is really fun, but it gets outshined, like all other ranged weapons, by the bow in act 3 that gives you 2x your dex to attack bonuses.

That said, Titanstring Bow with a Fighter Archer that has 23 Strength and 22 dexterity isnt that shabby. Been able to reach some insane damage numbers on attacks tbh.

How you take 22dex ?