Heavy Crossbow 5e Guide

A black bear emerges from the darkness after witnessing some adventurers setting up a campfire. Luckily, an Elf Ranger notices and, without a hint of hesitation, pulls out a heavy crossbow. He shoots the creature, and at the second shot, it collapses. Indeed, it is a powerful weapon, though it is not for everybody.

While some beginners would think that using a heavy crossbow is one of the most common actions that every character in D&D would do, it is far from the truth. Heavy crossbows may be a staple and iconic weapon that different classes use, but only a select few are truly proficient with it, and rightfully so.

Heavy crossbows are martial weapons, which means that the common people do not know how to use them. However, if someone had training like being part of the military, the heavy crossbow is the right fit when trying to look for ways to shoot your enemies from afar. This heavy crossbow 5e guide will give you the essential information on what a heavy crossbow can do.

Bottom Line Up Front: What is a heavy crossbow in D&D 5e?

A heavy crossbow in D&D 5e is one of the biggest crossbows with an attack range of 100/400 ft. after every ammunition, as indicated on page 149 in the Player’s Handbook.

With regular ammunition, the heavy crossbow has different advantages and disadvantages when it comes to striking up attacks on monsters, other races, or even other battles in D&D. The heavy crossbow weighs around 18 lb., which is regular enough for an average-sized creature.

As the name indicates, they are heavier than your usual crossbows; you can see them in movies and games set in the medieval period. You can also see them in dystopian films where technology has not progressed, like in the Hunger Games. If you have played PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (like I do), you would recognize this weapon.

How to use the heavy crossbow in D&D 5e

I wrote a guide all about the light crossbow in D&D 5e, and I would recommend reading this guide. Both crossbows have the same procedure for making an attack, but if you cannot read the other guide right now, below is a quick summary:

1. Choose a target within 400 ft. of you.
2. You have a disadvantage on your attack roll if any of the following situations are present:
   • Your target is 100 ft. or farther away from you.
   • Your target is within five ft. of you.
   • You are a small creature.
3. Roll a d20 for your attack roll (two d20s if you are at a disadvantage; pick the lower result between the two).
4. Calculate your final attack roll (your d20 result + your proficiency bonus + your Dexterity modifier). If you do not have proficiency with the weapon, you do not add your proficiency bonus.
5. If there are other modifiers that can alter the attack roll (e.g., through spells or class features), factor them in.

After doing this procedure, the next step would be to determine if your attack hit your enemy. If it did, you then calculate the heavy crossbow’s damage. So, read the next section to commit the follow-up.

How does the heavy crossbow work in D&D 5e?

If you do not have an attack roll yet for using the heavy crossbow, I advise you to read the previous section. If you do, then I implore you to follow the steps below to determine the success of your attack and the potential damage.

1. If your final attack roll is equal to or higher than your target’s Armor Class (or AC), your attack hits; otherwise, your attack misses.
2. If your attack hits, roll a d10.
3. Calculate your attack’s damage (your d10 result + your Dexterity modifier).
4. If there are other modifiers that can alter the damage roll (e.g., through spells or class features), factor them in.

If you are looking for a more straightforward way of explaining this procedure, you can look at my other guide. If you are still confused, don’t worry because I will be demonstrating the heavy crossbow usage in Arthur’s Lab.

Example scenario for using the heavy crossbow in D&D 5e

Welcome back to Arthur’s Lab, where arrows land on bandits for the sake of science. This time, we’re testing out the heavy crossbow and invited some friends of Marshal the Half-elf Wizard to participate: Bucky the Gnome Fighter and an Elf Ranger with the alias “Mr. Operator.”

We also have a bandit we “persuaded” to get involved in science. Below are some crucial details about the participants for today’s demonstration:

I will divide this demonstration into circumstances that can cover many crucial considerations about the weapon, like its range, disadvantages, etc.

Using the heavy crossbow without proficiency

Marshal gets the first turn in shooting the bandit. He picks it up and aims at his target, who is 15 ft. away from him. He does not get a disadvantage on the attack roll, so he rolls a d20 and gets a 15. Normally, you calculate the final attack roll as such:

• Attack Roll = d20 + proficiency bonus + Dexterity modifier

But since Marshal is not proficient with the weapon, he cannot add his proficiency bonus in calculating the final attack roll. So, the calculation is as such:

• Attack Roll = d20 + Dexterity modifier
• Attack Roll = 15 – 1
• Attack Roll = 14

Since 14 is lower than the bandit’s AC of 15, Marshal’s attack misses.

Disadvantage due to size

We will have Bucky shoot the bandit using the heavy crossbow. The bandit is within 100 ft. of him, and he is proficient with the weapon. However, Bucky is a Gnome, and Gnomes are small creatures. Since small creatures gain a disadvantage when making attack rolls with the heavy crossbow, Bucky rolls two d20s and gets 16 and 5.

Sixteen would have hit, but Bucky is at a disadvantage; thus, his attack roll is five. We then calculate the final attack roll as such:

• Attack Roll = d20 + proficiency bonus + Dexterity modifier
• Attack Roll = 5 + 2 + 2
• Attack Roll = 9

Since nine is lower than the bandit’s AC of 15, Bucky’s attack misses.

Disadvantage due to far distance

It is Mr. Operator’s turn on the heavy crossbow, and he is an expert on it. However, the bandit is now 110 ft. away from him, which is far past the weapon’s normal range. Despite Mr. Operator’s proficiency with the weapon, he still gets a disadvantage on his attack roll due to how far away the bandit is. Thus, he rolls two d20s and gets 14 and 8.

Much like Bucky, Mr. Operator must pick the lower number (i.e., the eight). We then calculate the final attack roll as such:

• Attack Roll = d20 + proficiency bonus + Dexterity modifier
• Attack Roll = 8 + 2 + 4
• Attack Roll = 14

Since 14 is lower than the bandit’s AC of 15, Mr. Operator’s attack misses.

Disadvantage due to close distance

We “instructed” the bandit to move closer to Mr. Operator so that he could make the shot. However, this time, the bandit is five ft. close to him. As per the rule of ranged attacks, Mr. Operator gets a disadvantage; he rolls two d20s and gets 12 and 6. We consider the six for the calculation of the final attack roll as follows:

• Attack Roll = d20 + proficiency bonus + Dexterity modifier
• Attack Roll = 6 + 2 + 4
• Attack Roll = 12

Since 12 is lower than the bandit’s AC of 15, Mr. Operator’s attack misses (again).

The right conditions to use a heavy crossbow

After a severe “talking,” the bandit is now 15 ft. away from Mr. Operator. The bandit is within 100 ft. of him, so he does not gain a disadvantage. The bandit is not five ft. near him, so he does not gain a disadvantage. Mr. Operator is an Elf, and Elves are Medium-sized creatures, so he does not gain a disadvantage.

We have matched the right conditions to use a heavy crossbow, and Mr. Operator knows it. He fires his weapon; after a d20 roll, his attack roll is 9. We then calculate the final attack rolls as such:

• Attack Roll = d20 + proficiency bonus + Dexterity modifier
• Attack Roll = 9 + 2 + 4
• Attack Roll = 15

Since 15 is equal to the bandit’s AC of 15, Mr. Operator’s attack finally hits. We then calculate the damage. We roll a d10 for Mr. Operator’s ranged attack using the heavy crossbow and get an eight. The final damage roll is as such:

• Damage Roll = d10 + Dexterity modifier
• Attack Roll = 8 + 4
• Attack Roll = 12

We then reduce the bandit’s HP by 12.

The Properties of a Heavy Crossbow in D&D 5e

Range

Players can use the heavy crossbow to shoot far enemies; it has an attack range of 100/400 ft. 100 is the heavy crossbow’s normal range, while the second number, 400, shows the weapon’s maximum range.

If you hit a target within 100 ft. from you, you make a normal ranged attack. However, if your target is beyond 100 ft. from you, you have a disadvantage in your attack roll. Finally, you cannot shoot a target more than 400 ft. away from you.

Are you using the standard square grids for battle maps where each tile is five ft.? Well, to help you visualize how far 100 ft. and 400 ft. are, the former reaches 20 tiles from you, while the latter reaches 80 tiles from you; it is incredibly far.

If you want more information about the “Ranged” property, I have written more information about it in this guide about light crossbows in D&D 5e.

Heavy

The weight of the heavy crossbow makes it difficult for small creatures to attack. It weighs 18 lbs., and if a small creature tries to use this weapon, they get a disadvantage on their attack rolls, which means that they roll two d20s instead of only one. Then, they pick the lower number between the two.

While small creatures can still use them, I would strongly advise you not to do it; willingly putting yourself at a disadvantage on the battlefield is too risky.

Ammunition

To make a ranged attack using the heavy crossbow, you need to have ammunition to fire with. Each attack you have with the heavy crossbow consumes a crossbow bolt, so you better prepare with a lot of them if you want to keep the rain of piercing damage to your enemies.

If you are worried that loading the weapon with a bolt takes up your move, don’t be because part of the ranged attack is drawing the ammunition from any container, such as a quiver or a case. You can recover half of your spent bolts at the end of every battle by spending a minute on the battlefield searching for them.

Crossbow bolts cost one GP each, so you need to have a decent sum of money if you need to stock up on supplies. If you are a DM, you should also let your players find crossbow bolts in loot so that they do not have to worry about ammunition. You can look up more information about this property by reading my guide about light crossbows (the link is in the “Range” section).

Loading

Remember when I said that part of the ranged attack is drawing the ammunition from a container? Well, prepare for some bad news: you can only fire one bolt using the heavy crossbow as an action, bonus action, or reaction, no matter how many attacks you have.

If, for example, you have three possible actions through class features, you can expend one action to shoot a bolt from your heavy crossbow. However, you cannot make that move again for the rest of your actions. This phenomenon is due to the time it takes to load up a heavy crossbow.

Two-Handed

Using the heavy crossbow requires both your hands; therefore, you cannot hold another weapon or item while attacking with it. However, this restriction only applies to moments when you attack using it, not when you are simply holding it. Are you still confused? My guide about light crossbows has a more detailed description of this property.

Which classes can use the heavy crossbow 5e in D&D?

Anyone can use the heavy crossbow to make ranged attacks; the question is: who is proficient in using it? Being proficient in using the heavy crossbow means that you can add your proficiency bonus to your attack roll and damage roll.

Even though it may seem like a small boost, this simple addition can change the course of a battle.

Below is a list of classes that are proficient in using the heavy crossbow.

• Barbarian (Player’s Handbook, page 46)
• Fighter (Player’s Handbook, page 70)
• Paladin (Player’s Handbook, page 82)
• Ranger (Player’s Handbook, page 89)

Heavy crossbows are ranged martial weapons, so it would make sense that classes well-versed in physical combat are proficient in using them.

Which classes can start with the heavy crossbow in D&D 5e?

While the classes mentioned in the previous section are proficient with the heavy crossbow, not all of them can start with one. Listed below are the classes that can have a heavy crossbow based on their starting equipment.

• Paladin (a martial weapon and a shield; or two martial weapons)
• Fighter (a martial weapon and a shield; or two martial weapons)

Paladins and Fighters can start with a martial weapon, and since heavy crossbows are ranged martial weapons, they can pick the heavy crossbow for this option.

Barbarians can only pick martial melee weapons, while Rangers can only have a longbow as a starting ranged weapon.

Check out the following guide to learn more about the Longbow in DnD 5e.

Are heavy crossbows magical in D&D 5e?

The heavy crossbow is typically not magical in D&D 5e; weapon smiths can make them, merchants sell a lot of them, and militaries have supplies of them. However, a magical heavy crossbow is possible, and I have listed them below.

Note that the “A” column indicates whether or not the item needs attunement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: Is the heavy crossbow good in D&D 5e?

I would consider the heavy crossbow as a good weapon in D&D 5e; 1d10 piercing damage is a lot for a ranged weapon. For reference, it is the second most potent ranged weapon among everyday items. The first, which is the Oversized Longbow, has restrictions that limit the number of players who can use it (it needs a Strength of 18 or higher).

If you are building a character who relies on the heavy crossbow, I would advise you to get the Crossbow Expert feat. You can primarily benefit from this feat because it allows you to ignore the loading property; thus, you can shoot multiple bolts in one turn if you have various actions. You also do not get a disadvantage when your target is five feet near you!

As for classes, I would recommend the Fighter class due to their Archery class feature; they gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls when you attack with ranged weapons such as the heavy crossbow. Overall, I think your party should bring a heavy crossbow with you. Although it would be better if the attacker is proficient with one, anyone can still use it.

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Arthur Monteclar

The one thing Arthur Monteclar is passionate is about Dungeons & Dragons. He’s played a DND master for various groups of people for three years. Plus, he’s worked online and on tabletop games too. He’s well-versed in a variety of gameplay options and topics for DND and as a DM, no matter what DND-related subject you’re struggling with, Arthur’s got an answer for you.

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