[Submission] Crossbow

Ankha wrote:

(the Wooden Stake is burned if this strike is dodged).

That should rather be: burn the stake after strike resolution if it is not on the opposing minion. There is no reason for the stake strike to be strength-based either, it should be a fixed 2R.

Apart from that, I am afraid you aimed too big: too expensive, and ranged aggravated + permanent maneuver is too strong. I would rather have:
-a pool cost of 2.
-no maneuver.
-use only once per combat.

Note that the optional "strike with wooden stake" does not provide maneuver, by design I suppose.

I find it a bit strange that a crossbow is as dangerous as a .44 magnum.

I am not sure the additional setup is worth it compared to a flamethrower.

Do you have an idea of what game need it would fill ? I see it mainly as a send to torpor weapon for obfuscate deck, which seem very narrow and already fulfilled, but maybe you had another idea in mind.

Ohlmann wrote:

Note that the optional "strike with wooden stake" does not provide maneuver, by design I suppose.

I find it a bit strange that a crossbow is as dangerous as a .44 magnum.

Actually, modern crossbows are far scarier, and easily pierce kevlar vests that magnum cannot.

Pendargon wrote:

Actually, modern crossbows are far scarier, and easily pierce kevlar vests that magnum cannot.

Yes, as far as I know, they may pierce kevlar (depending on what type of vest I suppose, since .44 magnum also pierce a lot of kevlar vest), but that don't mean they are scarier, because of firerate concern, and the fact that an arrow wound in a modern hospital is significantly less deadly than a bullet wound.

It may change with arrow crafted for military (or anti-vampire !) use, but then you may have range, penetration and/or precision problem arising. And as far as the RPG go, in V20, crossbow do a bit less damage per hit than .44 magnum, still don't do lethal damage, and take 5 actions to reload. In other word, it suck big time except for stacking.

That being said, I think it's bad to let real world consideration in the way of flavor, and having low-powered weapon (in the mind of reader) like a crossbow doing the same as an high-powered one feel pretty strange.

Of course, it's a bit off-topic, since .44 magnum does absurd damage compared to what lore and the RPG say (partly because of the aforementioned rule of cool, partly to be able to add firearm that serve a purpose). It's reasonable, while strange, to let the regular strike at 2R, but I am not sure who exactly will play this instead of a cheaper .44 magnum or a more reliable flamethrower.

There is already a Spike-Thrower .

The real reason we want a crossbow is because of Daryl Dixon .

I think it would be more appropriate for:

Crossbow

2
1R damage. If this weapon deals more than one damage in a strike, the opposing vampire is tapped and cannot act or react until the end of the current turn.

It would require the use of lucky blow or target:vitals to "stake" a vampire. And the effect of staking in this case is different than Stake-thrower or Wooden Stake.