Light vs heavy crossbows

[FullmetalWinry]

Is there any reason in the game to use light crossbows rather than heavy, other than the weight diference? I haven't seen any rapid reload feats or abilities, and that's the only reason I can think of why someone would use light crossbows.

I'm not asking about magical weapons you can find, like if there are any uber light crossbows, but at the base, i.e. if there were only non magical weapons, is there any reson someone would specialize with light instead of heavy crossbows?

[dwarfpcfan]

none, at least in this game. As none of the options that exist to deferienciate them are present in this game.

That said, in this game the best crossbows are light cross bows of the +x and elemental damage enchantment variety. Like the flaming light crossbow you can buy from oleg or the electric crossbow you find in the troll lair.

The only notable heavy crossbow you get in this game is the one the dwarf smith makes for you that can slow enemies on hit. Aside from that, even reaching chapter 4 the only magical heavy crossbows in the game are 2 crossbows of the +1 variety you find as random loot.

[valky]

Originally posted by dwarfpcfan:

The only notable heavy crossbow you get in this game is the one the dwarf smith makes for you that can slow enemies on hit. Aside from that, even reaching chapter 4 the only magical heavy crossbows in the game are 2 crossbows of the +1 variety you find as random loot.

If you don't send him crafting his armor but let him bring more stuff instead - his 2nd upgrade is working in my game (!) and you get a "light crossbow +3, Speed, d6 elec"

The heavy one ain't really that bad...cause the procc hits once in a while, if they fail their saving throw with 1

[dwarfpcfan]

Originally posted by valky:

If you don't send him crafting his armor but let him bring more stuff instead - his 2nd upgrade is working in my game (!) and you get a "light crossbow +3, Speed, d6 elec"

which proves my point, the game as a better light crossbows then heavy crossbows.

Mind you you find much better bows then any crossbows in the game.

[FullmetalWinry]

Originally posted by dwarfpcfan:

which proves my point, the game as a better light crossbows then heavy crossbows.

Mind you you find much better bows then any crossbows in the game.

Yeah I kinda figured that out already, with the bow the stag lord leaves behind. I was asking about crossbows for Tristian and Linzie. With your answers, I'll have Linzie specialize in light crossbows, and Tristian will not specialize in anything and just use whatever best (or second best) crossbow I have. I just want him to have a ranged weapon so he stops stupidly moving in melee with his scimitar and no armor.

[dwarfpcfan]

Originally posted by FullmetalWinry:

Yeah I kinda figured that out already, with the bow the stag lord leaves behind. I was asking about crossbows for Tristian and Linzie. With your answers, I'll have Linzie specialize in light crossbows, and Tristian will not specialize in anything and just use whatever best (or second best) crossbow I have. I just want him to have a ranged weapon so he stops stupidly moving in melee with his scimitar and no armor.

Don't waste a single feat on Linzi or tristian on crossbow feats. Focus on their spellcasting, that's where their strength lies.

Just buy the +1 flaming crossbow from Oleg and grab the +1 shock crossbow from the troll lair and give it to them, no other investment needed.

[Honyakusha]

In game heavy crossbow should (1d10 / 1d8) has more damage compared to light one (1d8/1d6)

(probably not implented) but normally heavy has -4 attack penalty while light has -2, heavy crossbow's reload takes 1 full turn, while light crossbow's take 1 move action, ranges are 120vs80ft.

[=[NK]= Col. Jack O'Neil]

Originally posted by Honyakusha:

but normally heavy has -4 attack penalty while light has -2

What??

[Madscientist]

Originally posted by Honyakusha:

In game heavy crossbow should (1d10 / 1d8) has more damage compared to light one (1d8/1d6)

(probably not implented) but normally heavy has -4 attack penalty while light has -2, heavy crossbow's reload takes 1 full turn, while light crossbow's take 1 move action, ranges are 120vs80ft.

The attack penalty is only if you dual wield them in PnP. If you have the dual wielding feats having a light weapon in the off hand gives a -2 penalty to all attacks and having a weapon that is not light in the off hand gives a -4 penalty. Light weapons are all light melee weapons plus light crossbow and light shield (if you have shield bash).
I have not tried to dual wield crossbows in the computer game so I do not know if it is possible at all. There are no penalties when you have only a single crossbow equipped.

In the PnP rules a heavy crossbow takes longer to reload than a light one. The computer game ignores this and every ranges weapon gives as many attacks per round as your BAB allows, plus haste, rapid shot and maybe a few other effects. So In the computer game the heavy crossbow is always better than the light one unless the light one has a good enchantment or the weight of the heavy one makes the char overloaded.