Adding one more attack to crossbow for 2 attacks on 1.flurry

[Klompoen]

I am wondering if this is possible at all, and of course if it would be too overpowered.

Compared to the 6 attacks from a bow and PrCs that boost bow damage the crossbow seems to me as really underpowered at epic levels. (Though very powerful at low-mid levels) That extra attack on the first flurry could even it out and allow for more crossbow builds at Epic levels.

Yes, I know crossbow sniper feats adds extreme damage to the crossbows. And would possibly be too OP for a character to get this at lvl 11+ with the normal third attack and rapid shot (+rapid reload). But perhaps we could add the fourth attack as an "improved rapid reload" Epic feat?

Crossbow builds are already feat starved compared to bow builds needing 3 additional feats, but would at least let it have a chance to still deal damage comparable with the bow builds at epic levels.

[dzidek1983]

IIRC the nr of attacks is hardcoded for the item.... we could do a feat that would add another attack maybe on the base of haste bonus...

[Sun Wukong]

Rapid Reload gives one additional attack, rapid shot a third, and haste a fourth. Thus you can already get 2 attacks in the first flurry.

For example the Epic feat Blinding Speed requires 25 dexterity and on this server comes with 4 uses/day with each lasting for 10 rounds, and of course, instantly activated.

Another way to get Haste is to just play a Fighter 4/Bard 26. Those fighter feats help get all the necessary crossbow feats in more timely fashion.

Then you can find gloves and bracers of blinding speed that let you have daily uses of haste. You can stock up on these items. Or perhaps you'd just rather purchase a Wand of Haste - even though it can be dispelled.

[Calodan]

Crossbows are pretty powerful here with crossbow sniper feat......Like uber. Seriously.

[Sun Wukong]

Crossbows are pretty powerful here with crossbow sniper feat......Like uber. Seriously.

Depends on the build, but yeah, you could go for a Fighter 30 on a +2 Dexterity race and get 36 dexterity, which becomes 40 with that +4 item bought from Doron Amar.

Thus, you would get 22 damage a bolt from your dexterity and Master Crossbow Sniper, +4 from EB crossbow, +6 Epic Weapon Specialization, and +2 Ranged Weapon Mastery, for a total of 34 + 1d10.

So... On a hasted manyshot round that is (79~)*3 + 39.5~ damage, which would sum up to a potential 276,5~ points of damage.

Oh, and your AB is: 30 (BAB) + 15 (Dexterity) + 4 (Enchantment Bonus) + 4 (Epic Weapon Focus) + 2 (Ranged Weapon Mastery) +1 (Haste) - 8 (Manyshot) = 48... How did those crossbow attacks go again? 48, 43, 48, 48?


Eh, feeling bit tired, so not sure if that math is right.

[dzidek1983]

You forgot bonuses from elemental archer. Most builds take the class.

[Klompoen]

Didn't think of pumping dex that much with fighter feats in the epics to be honest, probably because I was thinking of a completely different build with a lot less fighter levels.

Damage will probably top most bow builds pumping dex like this in the epics
At least when using the arbalest crossbow which adds a total of +8 with high enough strength, or adding some enchanted bolts.
Elemental archer on top as well might give some more damage.

I must admit some of the issue I have is the dependance on the haste to get 2 attacks in the first flurry, thus a feat which gives this would make it more playable for me. Waiting for the rest of the attacks that round, compared to bow-archers firing like machine guns, takes a little of the fun away as it seems so slow.
I actually wouldn't mind if the extra attack didn't stack with the one from haste.

But if others are fine with as is, this feat probably wouldn't add much compared to the work involved. I might just roll up a bow-archer instead, personal annoyance fixed