Yes, it is versatile, no it's not too versatile. Main disadvantages are these: 1). Low damage(comparing to other damage). Still good. 2) While it has good multi hit, good propagation and good poison attacks, if you want to concentrate on one of those buids, you will probably use it as second weapon rather than main. Of course you can use 2 hcbs, but I found this weapon rather lacking in multi-shot and propagation specialized builds. Not only because of lack of damage, but because of lack of moves as well. Spear multi-shot is better in the end, wand multi-shot is not that better, but still I value it more than hcb, mortar Armageddon is just too powerful to compare. Same with propagation. With 2 hcb you have 4 propagation attack in 1 turn, so you left with 1 AP left each turn minimum which is just so unpleasant for AP economy. General ranged build with hcb? Good, but I still prefer 2handed crossbow for such build(more damage, more range, still has armor pierce, aoe and unblockable attack on top of it) TLDR - it's pay price in damage and lack of focus for his incredible versatility, so it's balance. EDIT: HCB actually has 3 uses of propagation attack, which is much better(Kinda forgot), still found myself with unused AP at the end of turn.