Crossbow - Prone or Kneeling Fire

[larsdangly]

A +1 bonus is always an effective way to get a player to let go of an argument.

[JLV]

Originally Posted by warhorse11h

Might I suggest a compromise. +2 DX for bracing with a support under the crossbow and +1 for bracing against a vertical surface, using the crossbow or the firer's body in contact the bracing surface.

Well, that's what I suggested up above, for precisely this reason, so you certainly have MY support! ;-)

[hcobb]

What's the IQ roll to find a branch at the right height for bracing?

Does it depend on having the Woodsman talent?

Must resist urge to put "Got Woodsman?" in my sig.

[FireHorse]

Meanwhile, as the prissy crossbowman runs around desperately searching for a tree with some branches at just the right height, rejecting muddy spots and places with too many leaves, the grizzled longbow archer watches from a distance — shaking his head in disgust — and he quietly nocks an arrow, draws the string back, and takes aim…

[RVA_Grandpa]

I wonder how many people remember my original question?

Is a standing crossbowman leaning against a tree or a column considered braced?

How about kneeling over a barrel or large rock that is being used for cover?

After reading all the replies I believe I have my answers.

• Standing or leaning against a tree or column may offer some added stability to the crossbowman and a GM may house rule a +1 DX or not.
  
• To get a +2 DX bonus while standing there needs to be a supporting object under the crossbow.
  
• Kneeling or sitting with some object (perhaps the cranquin) supporting the crossbow from underneath gets a +2 DX bonus.

I had no idea when I started this thread that there could be so many opinions about this. I'm glad I didn't ask a hard question.

[ColBosch]

Originally Posted by RVA_Grandpa

I had no idea when I started this thread that there could be so many opinions about this. I'm glad I didn't ask a hard question.

Hey, at least you got a consensus. I know of rules questions for some games that have been debated for at least the past two decades.

[FireHorse]

RVA_Grandpa, you forgot the additional Implied Answers, that…

• Two crossbowmen looking for DX bonuses in the bushes are worth one actually shooting.
• Leaning against a tree and resting the crossbow on something might be worth +3 DX, and is surely worth another few pages of debate.
• Nobody has addressed laser sights, scopes, or the obvious need for new Talents like "Marksmanship" and "Ballistics"

[ColBosch]

Originally Posted by FireHorse

RVA_Grandpa, you forgot the additional Implied Answers, that…

• Two crossbowmen looking for DX bonuses in the bushes are worth one actually shooting.
• Leaning against a tree and resting the crossbow on something might be worth +3 DX, and is surely worth another few pages of debate.
• Nobody has addressed laser sights, scopes, or the obvious need for new Talents like "Marksmanship" and "Ballistics"

*initiates HTH combat against FireHorse*

[FireHorse]

Originally Posted by ColBosch

*initiates HTH combat against FireHorse*

*face-down, bloodied and pounded nearly flat as ColBosch stomps away, calls out in a choking gasp…"

—and what if the Tree is sentient…?

[RVA_Grandpa]

Now this is the kind of well thought out intellectual discussion I want to see.

Thanks you guys!