[RPG] How to load a crossbow

dnd-5eranged-attackweapons

I know how you load a crossbow IRL but in the game you need a free hand to load them, and crossbows are two handed weapons (except the hand crossbow, but even that is sort of a two handed weapon because you need a free hand to load it so you sort of need to treat it like one).

So if you’re using two hands to hold it, then how do you load it?

Best Answer

You don't actually need a free hand to load a light or heavy crossbow.

You only need a free hand to load a one-handed weapon, not a two-handed weapon. This is clarified in newer printings of the Player's Handbook.

Both light and heavy crossbows have the Ammunition, Loading and Two-Handed properties:

  • Two-handed means the weapon "requires two hands when you attack with it". This is an errata of the original, which said "requires two hands to use."
  • Ammunition means you need ammunition, and drawing the ammunition is an automatic part of the attack. "You need a free hand to load a one-handed weapon", but the crossbow is two-handed. That line was added in an errata.
  • Loading means you can't fire multiple times per action.

You need a free hand to load a hand crossbow, as that's a one-handed weapon.