The Particulars of Crossbows

As for strength crossbows, I tend to think of crossbows as strength bows for the weak. Assume that a light crossbow can be used by anyone with a strength of 8 or greater by hand. A heavy crossbow would be the equivalent of a strength bow for an 18 strength, so anyone with an 18 strength can draw one by hand. To make heavier and heavier bows, just increase the size of the die by 1 for each addition point of damage that can be done.

For example, the base crossbow damage is 1d6+1/1d8+1. A heavy crossbow is 1d8+1/1d10+1, because it is made for an 18 strength (which will give a +2 damage bonus). A really big crossbow, one that can be drawn by hand only if you have an 18/00 (+6 to damage) would do 1d12+1/1d14+1.... a truly frightening weapno, that would only be able to be drawn by the strongest of warriors with the use of a crank.

Range is increased as well. In short range, the base range of a light crossbow is increased by twice the damage modifer... so the 18/00 crossbow would have a short range of 24. For medium range, this is doubled, and it is trebled for long range... Which leaves us with our ueber-crossbow doing 1d12+1/1d14+1, with a range of 24/48/72. Based on the prices for heavy crossbows and strength bows in the PH, it would also cost you 150-250gp for the bow alone, with quarrels costing around 5sp each... expensive, but a great idea if you like scaring people.

Using these, rules, incidentally, and crossbow with a strength rating equal or less than that of the character can be used as a light crossbow, with the same ROF. Anything above their own strength (even a 6 strength character trying to use a light crossbow) would have the ROF of a heavy crossbow. I would suggest, if you do use these rules, making all light and heavy crossbow the same proficiency. Cho-ko-nu, hand crossbows, and pellet bows are different enough I would make them each their own proficiency, still, however.

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