Mystara of the Five Spheres RPG - Weapons Mastery - Martial Ranged - Heavy Crossbow Page

Mystara Pages Page Content GM Section Updates

This is the section of my website dedicated to the Mystara setting weapons.

Weapons Mastery - These are rules for improving how a character interacts with weapons and attacks over the course of their careers.

Mystara of the Five Spheres - Weapons Mastery - Crossbow - Heavy

Overview Weapon Mastery Weapon Abilities Weapon Options

Mystara of the Five Spheres - Crossbow - Heavy


Mystara of the Five Spheres - Weapons Mastery Weapon Mastery Overview


Mystara of the Five Spheres - Weapons Mastery Weapon Abilities


Mystara of the Five Spheres - Weapons Mastery Weapon Options


Games Master Section of Mystara of the Five Spheres

Overview References Notes

Mystara of the Five Spheres - GM Section

Mystara of the Five Spheres - References

References still to come

Mystara of the Five Spheres - Notes

A crossbow is a ranged weapon using an elastic launching device similar to a bow; it consists of a bow-like assembly called a prod, mounted horizontally on a main frame called a tiller, which is hand-held in a similar fashion to the stock of a long gun. Crossbows shoot arrow-like projectiles called bolts or quarrels. A person who shoots crossbow is called a crossbowman or an arbalist (after the arbalest, a European crossbow variant used during the 12th century).

  • 5E Stats Ranged Martial Weapon, Cost 50 gp and a weight of 18 lb
  • Weapon Options (Available to learn) - Distracting Shot, Patient Shot, Pinning Hit, Staggering Shot.

Weapons Mastery Rank Details

    (Non-Proficient) Heavy Crossbow
  • Heavy Crossbow Attack +Dex to hit target, Ammunition Range (-/400 ft)
  • Basic Hit - Half-Damage
  • Weapon Abilities – Ammunition, Heavy, Loading, Range, Two-Handed
    (Proficient) Heavy Crossbow
  • Heavy Crossbow Attack +Prof +Dex to hit target, Ammunition Range (100/420 ft)
  • Basic Hit - Standard Damage (1d10+Mod Piercing)
  • Weapon Abilities – Ammunition, Heavy, Loading, Range, Two-Handed
    (Skilled) Heavy Crossbow
  • Heavy Crossbow Attack +Prof +Dex to hit target, Ammunition Range (110/440 ft)
  • Basic Hit - Standard Damage +1 Dice
  • Crit Hit - Delay (if within first range bracket, or not disadvantage)
  • Weapon Abilities – Ammunition, Defensive, Delay, Heavy, Range, Two-Handed
    (Expert) Heavy Crossbow
  • Heavy Crossbow Attack +Prof +Prof +Dex to hit target, Ammunition Range (180/660 ft)
  • Basic Hit - Standard Damage +2 Dice
  • Crit Hit - Delay (if within first range bracket, or not disadvantage)
  • Weapon Abilities – Ammunition, Defensive, Delay, Heavy, Range, Two-Handed
  • Weapon Options – Distracting Shot, Patient Shot, Pinning Hit, Staggering Shot
    (Master) Heavy Crossbow
  • Heavy Crossbow Attack +Prof +Prof +Dex to hit target, Ammunition Range (190/680 ft)
  • Basic Hit - Standard Damage +3 Dice
  • Crit Hit - Delay (if within first range bracket, or not disadvantage)
  • Weapon Abilities – Ammunition, Defensive, Delay, Heavy, Range, Two-Handed
  • Weapon Options – Distracting Shot, Patient Shot, Pinning Hit, Staggering Shot
    (Grand Master) Heavy Crossbow
  • Heavy Crossbow Attack +Prof +Prof +Dex to hit target, Ammunition Range (200/700 ft)
  • Basic Hit - Standard Damage +4 Dice
  • Crit Hit - Delay (if within first range bracket, or not disadvantage)
  • Weapon Abilities – Ammunition, Defensive, Delay, Heavy, Range, Two-Handed
  • Weapon Options – Distracting Shot, Patient Shot, Pinning Hit, Staggering Shot
    (Beyond Grand Master) Heavy Crossbow
  • Heavy Crossbow Attack Ammunition Range (+10 ft/+20 ft)
  • Basic Hit - Add an extra dice of damage

Weapons Mastery Design Details

I have managed to even out most of the damage, but also increased it in this case as it is working better with my magical weapon enhancement changes.

Weapons Mastery Version 1.0

Heavy Crossbow Attack: (Non-Proficient) + to hit, Ammunition range (-/600ft), one target, Heavy, Two-Handed
Hit: 1d6+mod piercing damage.

Heavy Crossbow Attack: (Proficient) + to hit, Ammunition range (160/620ft), one target, Heavy, Two-Handed
Hit: base damage (2d6 piercing).

Heavy Crossbow Attack: (Skilled) + to hit, Ammunition range (170+Delay/640ft), one target, Heavy, Two-Handed
Hit: base damage (3d6 piercing).
(B) AC Defence (+1/1) – You gain an armour class bonus, for a set number of attacks each round.
Crit within 170: Delay (Base DC) Con save or opponent you have struck this round is stunned until start of their turn, or a critical fail until their next turn.

Heavy Crossbow Attack: (Expert) + to hit, Ammunition range (180+Delay/660ft), one target, Heavy, Two-Handed
Hit: base damage (2d8 piercing).
(B) AC Defence (+1/2) – You gain an armour class bonus, for a set number of attacks each round.
Crit within 180: Delay (Base DC) Con save or opponent you have struck this round is stunned until start of their turn, or a critical fail until their next turn.

Heavy Crossbow Attack: (Master) + to hit, Ammunition range (190+Delay/680ft), one target, Heavy, Two-Handed
Hit: base damage (2d10 piercing).
(B) AC Defence (+1/3) – You gain an armour class bonus, for a set number of attacks each round.
Crit within 190: Delay (Base DC) Con save or opponent you have struck this round is stunned until start of their turn, or a critical fail until their next turn.

Heavy Crossbow Attack: (Grand Master) + to hit, Ammunition range (200+Delay/700ft), one target, Heavy, Two-Handed
Hit: base damage (2d12 piercing).
(B) AC Defence (+1/4) – You gain an armour class bonus, for a set number of attacks each round.
Crit within 200: Delay (Base DC) Con save or opponent you have struck this round is stunned until start of their turn, or a critical fail until their next turn.

Content Updates

  • 2023-08-31 - Updated to the improved layout with dynamic linking.
  • 2023-04-08 - Page created on Site.
  • 2022-05-05 – Converted over to version 2.0 of my weapon mastery rules.
  • 2021-08-25 – Update to layout and menu.
  • 2020-09-28 - Published on WordPress.