Ranged Weapons

Ranged Weapon Rules

While firearms dominate ranged combat in the modern day, there are still those who prefer more archaic weaponry. Bows, crossbows, javelins, and other weapons can still be found in hunting and sporting stores, and can prove deadly in the right hands.

Ranged Weapon Categories

Bola: This throwing weapon consists of weights tied to the end of long cords, which can be used to bludgeon foes or entangle their legs.

Boomerang: The boomerang is primarily a hunting tool, but it is not uncommon for these versatile thrown weapons to be carried into battle. A boomerang is made of wood and is flat, with a long haft, a pronounced forward curve, and a sharp backward bend at the head. If you miss with a boomerang, it arcs back around to you. You can attempt to catch it again by making a DC 15 Dodge check. If you fail this check, the boomerang falls to the ground somewhere in Close range.

Compound Bow: The most popular form of bow found in modern hunting supply stores. You apply your Strength to damage rolls made with a compound bow.

Crossbow: Modern crossbows are still used in hunting, and are popular with monster hunters for being quieter than firearms. Crossbows require two hands to use.

A light crossbow uses a built-in lever to ready itself for the next attack. Reloading a light crossbow takes 1 Action and provokes an attack of opportunity.

A heavy crossbow is rarely seen in the modern day, due to needing a winch to reload. Reloading a heavy crossbow takes 3 Actions and provokes an attack of opportunity.

Javelin: This light, flexible spear built for throwing can be used in melee, but since it's not designed for it, characters using it in this manner are always considered nonproficient and take a -4 penalty on their melee attack rolls.

Longbow: Still used by militaries into the 1600s, longbows have excellent range and piercing power. However, unlike modern compound bows, you do not add your strength modifier to damage rolls with a Longbow.

Pepper Spray: A chemical irritant that can temporarily blind a target, pepper spray comes in a single-shot container. To use it, make a Firearms check against the target. The target must make a DC 15 Endurance save throw or be blinded for 1d4 rounds.

Shuriken: A shuriken is a thrown, star-shaped projectile with four to eight razor-sharp points. A character may draw a shuriken as a free action.

Sling: Slings are simple weapons that have been used for millennia. It consists of a short length of rope with a pocket that holds a small projectile, such as a rock or a lead bullet.

Taser: A taser uses springs or compressed air to fire a pair of darts at a target. On impact, the darts release a powerful electrical current. On a successful hit, the darts deal 1d4 points of nonlethal electricity damage and the target must make a DC 15 Endurance save throw or be paralyzed for 1d6 rounds. Reloading a taser is a full-round action that provokes attacks of opportunity.