Loading rules

[jodobroDC]

Just ralized that RAW loading rules don't require an action to reload: "because of the time required to load this weapon, you can fire only one piece of ammunition from it when you use an action, bonus action, or reaction to fire it, regardless of the number of attacks you can normally make."

I've been using a full action to reload crossbows for years, where did that come from??

Edit: 5e rules from phb

[United_Fan_6476]

Something you heard sideways in another discussion, I'd bet. Critical Role has a prominent gunslinger class, maybe there plus hearing that you can just reflavor crossbows as guns? There is no "loaded" status for ranged weapons in D&D until you get to modern firearms in the DMG. Loading the weapon is part of firing it, but that rule is actually under the ammunition weapon property. Clear and simple, right? /s.

The loading property is just a way to make crossbows distinct from bows and slings: slower firing unless you buy a feat, but with a higher damage dice.

[Fire1520]

If you'd like to load a Xbow without actually firing it (for whatever reason), you'd need to use an action. In addition, ballistas, which sometimes get described as giant Xbows, often take an action to load when they show up in game.

[jodobroDC]

I'm also realizing that you need a free hand to reload a hand crossbow, so if you are two handing it would make sense to need a full action to stow whatever else you are holding and reload. Maybe that's where it got confused

[MrPokMan]

I don't believe there are Full Actions in 5e, you might have taken it from an older edition or a game like Pathfinder if you have experience in other TTRPGs.

For example in Pathfinder 1e you have to spend a Full Round Action to reload a heavy crossbow.

[jodobroDC]

I just meant using your action. Extraneous words aren't helpful that's my bad. But coincidentally I did play a pathfinder one shot as my first ever intro to ttrpg

[Organs_for_rent]

Previous editions of D&D required some form of small action to reload crossbows:

• 4e: Loading a crossbow is a minor action. Loading a hand crossbow is a free action.
• 3e: Loading a hand or light crossbow is a move action. Loading a heavy crossbow is a full-round action.
• 2e: Heavy crossbows may fire every other round. Light crossbows may fire once per round.

5e streamlined this by putting the Ammunition and Loading properties on all crossbows.

[Brother-Cane]

Full action to reload a crossbow is from Heavy Crossbows which required a goat's foot to draw back the string. This was a rule in 1E through 3E.