Originally Posted by mrfuji3
@Chukkensorc and @Cassiano, the property you're looking for is "Ammunition," of which the Hand Crossbow has (in addition to being "loading" and "light")
Originally Posted by Ammunition Property Definition
Each time you Attack with the weapon, you expend one piece of Ammunition. Drawing the Ammunition from [a quiver, etc] is part of the Attack (you need a free hand to load a one-handed weapon) [...]
Given that in 5e (not BG3) rules you only have 1 free item-interaction per turn, you can't actually dual wield Hand Crossbows. Picture an optimal starting situation, where both are pre-loaded
- Turn 1: You fire both crossbows with your action and BA. Then you stow one crossbow so that next turn you have a free hand to load with as part of the attack.
- Turn 2: You attack (loading and firing) with your equipped crossbow, then use your item interaction to draw the other one. However, it's not loaded and you don't have a free hand to load it, so you can't fire it with your BA.

You can, using the alternate turn stowing-and-drawing of your melee weapon, dual wield a hand crossbow and a melee weapon. The downside is that every other turn you wouldn't be able to make opportunity attacks because your melee weapon would be stored.

Of course, in BG3 you can freely equip and de-equip items, so dual wielding hand crossbows would theoretically work.

Not arguing against anything you said except for one thing.

Is my game just bugged?! In combat I cannot equip anything without it using my action. For example, if Astarion attacks he can’t change any equipment.

*Edit* I forgot one thing. 5E: If an artificer makes 1 repeating shot hand crossbow, and buys another from a separate artificer they could dual wield them with the crossbow expert feat. The infusion removes the ammunition component.

BG3: No idea if we will get Artificers, and no idea if they will sell infused items.

I know it’s a bit pedantic…..but ya know. “Ummm actually…..TECHNICALLY”

Last edited by Chukkensorc; 13/08/21 10:26 PM.