my Bard uses a longsword and to be clear, a rapier doesn't HAVE to use dex it can still hit with str if thats the higher stat
also weapon skills changed in release because Larian now gives them to you by race to make up for redoing the stats example a human now gets light armour so Gall can cast his spells in leather instead of that dress
imo 2 hand crossbows are better than a bow because you get two shots but yes it does use your bonus action as well