Another crossbow thread

[tehchronotrigger]

After looking at all the posts here, I have a chance to try out the home brew crossbow rules on my own hq game which we just started. Here is my list with why I am going to choose this. I come to this from a tactics video game background.

• The crossbow may be fired over the Dwarf, goblins, and low furniture with attack -1 due to decrease target size.
This seems so common sense to me. I subtract ad instead of adding dd because a monster doesn't suddenly get better at dodging arrows. The target is harder to hit.
• The Dwarf does not use a crossbow based on principle.
Would Gimley use a bow? LoS from low ground would be confusing to figure out and the call is made by Zargon(dm) , so better to say it is impractical for a short hero to use a ranged weapon. Let them buy as many daggers as they want. I am also playing with the idea of a hatchet that can be picked up after it is thrown. The figure has one. We'll see.
• A hero with a crossbow must purchase a quiver before each subsequent quest after the first in which it was used. Quiver of crossbow bolts: 50 gold.
Something about this makes sense and lets the gamers not worry about shots fired. We will justify this soon...
• The last weapon a hero attacked with is the weapon a hero is currently holding.
If you have played fire emblem, then this is a no brainer. Deciding what weapon to fight with is just a difficult as deciding what weapon to defend with. No worrying about an action to change weapons. Almost there... Stay on target!
• A hero wielding a crossbow has -1 defend die.
This is why not counting bolts is fine. To me, it feels like another common sense. No other weapon is a detriment to fending off attacks. It is the hero's choice to use the weapon, even if he is caught with a disadvantage. Zargon's forces are not dumb and would attack a hero they can hit easier and one may have several items for defense, so it adds to the idea that the heroes are safe....

I almost added the whole break weapon thing, but that is why I took out crit. fails from attack and repairing weapons. So much to keep track of. Maybe ill add some rust cards later. These guidelines seem simple and intuitive.

[Goblin-King]

Actually in my head, a dwarf is much more likely to pick up a crossbow than an elf.
Elves appreciate the simplicity and elegance of a bow while dwarfs prefer the technical advanced mechanics of a crossbow.

[tehchronotrigger]

I can agree with that. I suppose I was referring to all bow weapons in general. Did you have any advice or feedback on my rule set?

[cynthialee]

Why would a hero with a Crossbow be at a defensive disadvantage? You can block with it and do a butt stroke to the head with the shoulder stock...

[slev]

Why would a hero with a Crossbow be at a defensive disadvantage? You can block with it and do a butt stroke to the head with the shoulder stock...

Maybe if said Crossbow is also their life-partner and they will resultantly do everything possible to protect it?

Although HQ is likley not the best game to represent this sort of thing...

[cynthialee]

Why would a hero with a Crossbow be at a defensive disadvantage? You can block with it and do a butt stroke to the head with the shoulder stock...

Maybe if said Crossbow is also their life-partner and they will resultantly do everything possible to protect it?

Although HQ is likley not the best game to represent this sort of thing...

I would rather have my crossbow break because it was stopping a mace from impacting my skull, than have the mace to the skull...

[knightkrawler]

Why would a hero with a Crossbow be at a defensive disadvantage? You can block with it and do a butt stroke to the head with the shoulder stock...

Maybe if said Crossbow is also their life-partner and they will resultantly do everything possible to protect it?

Although HQ is likley not the best game to represent this sort of thing...

Yeah, HQ moves between the numbers 0 and 6 for regular attack and defend dice among humanoids.
Not between 0 and 100 like MERP.

[Goblin-King]

I think the -1 defense makes sense as a game mechanic.
It's a powerful ranged weapon, thus there is an equal disadvantage.
Sure in real life you could defend with it, but then you should also spend a turn reloading because you have to reload in real life.
HQ is a game and it's allowed to have rules in place simply for the sake of gameplay and balance.

[tehchronotrigger]

I never did justify some things. Here you go.

Buying quivers: I am not placing a range limit, just a LoS limit on this 3ad weapon. I think the upkeep is fair and play testing will tell in time.
Defense -1: Maybe you don't care about your weapon more than your life, but I was thinking in this way. Compared to the other weapons a hero can wield in this game, the crossbow is not as effective at shielding blows. What is more protective, a sword or a crossbow? There can be justification either way, but I like it. The total defense comes from adding up defense from the hero(1), armor(1/item), and held mêlée weapon(1). I rationalize that from the starting defense on the character cards.

[Anderas]

What about being able to defend with Crossbow defense dices, but if you do so, it is broken afterwards?