Drillcaster Crossbow (3.5e Equipment)

A very strange crossbow which looks more like a firearm than a crossbow. Where the "bow" part of the crossbow should be is instead a wide barrel which forms a bulge at the end. The weapon is very bulky because of it, and it requires two hands (with the second hand stabilizing the enlarged end of the weapon with one of the side handles). Inside this bulge is an array of three crossbows situated in an asterisk pattern, making it the crossbow equivalent to the Hexabow. That is not the most unusual part of its construction however. In addition to extra punching power from additional strings, there is a ripcord built into the front handle.

As a move action the drillcaster crossbow may be charged, rotating the inside of the barrel and the bolt accordingly at high speeds. The barrel stays in rotation for a number of rounds equal to one's Strength modifier (minimum 1). When rotating its base range increment is doubled, precision ranged are doubled (typically to 60 ft), and it ignores a number of points of armor bonus, shield bonus, and natural armor (added together) equal to your Strength modifier.

If your strength score is at least 21, the critical multiplier of charged shots is x3. If it is 31, it is x4, increasing by one for each +10 strength.

In addition as a standard action a charged drillcaster crossbow may be fired in a line out to its first range increment, making a single attack roll against all the targets in a line.

Charged shots from a drillcaster crossbow are treated as a siege weapon. The drillcaster crossbow may be reloaded as a move action. Unlike the light and heavy crossbows, it cannot be fired in only one hand.

The drillcaster crossbow is always masterwork, the price above reflects this.