Can Barbarians use Crossbows?

Barbarians can indeed use crossbows, as they have proficiency with all simple and martial weapons, and using a crossbow does not require casting or concentrating on a spell, which are the only things that raging specifically prevents them from doing. The main limitation for a Barbarian wanting to use a crossbow effectively is the need to multiclass into Fighter to access the Archery fighting style, as Barbarians don’t get this style on their own and require Strength to multiclass into Fighter.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Barbarian and Crossbow Questions

1. What weapons can Barbarians use?: A Barbarian character may select from taking a great axe or any martial melee weapon, which can include weapons like swords and maces. They can also choose from between two handaxes, which can be thrown, and any simple weapon – which can include a ranged weapon.
2. Can a Barbarian use a bow while raging?: Yes, Barbarians have proficiency with all simple and martial weapons, and using a bow does not require casting or concentrating on a spell.
3. Can fighters use crossbows?: Ignoring the “loading” property on crossbows enables rangers, fighters, and any other class with an extra attack to attack multiple times with a crossbow on a turn.
4. Who can use a heavy crossbow?: Out of all classes, only Battlesmith Artificers, War Clerics, and Beast Master Rangers can use a heavy crossbow to full effect.
5. How powerful is a 50 lb crossbow?: This crossbow features outstanding performance with pinpoint accuracy, with a draw weight of 50 lb and velocity of 150 Feet Per Second, making it pack quite a punch.

Crossbow Mechanics and History

6. Is a crossbow less powerful than a bow?: With crossbows, typically, the longer the power stroke, the faster the arrow will fly, but a bow has a much longer draw length than a crossbow, making a bow more efficient and powerful than the same poundage crossbow.
7. Do crossbows hit harder than bows?: Crossbows are 100% stronger than a compound bow, which is stronger than a traditional bow, with crossbows shooting bigger projectiles at a faster speed.
8. What is a soldier with a crossbow called?: An arbalist, also spelled arbelist, is one who shoots a crossbow.
9. Why are crossbows banned?: Crossbows were famously banned by the Pope for being inhumane, with Canon 29 of the 2nd Lateran Council not banning crossbows specifically but all use of missile weaponry on Christians.

Barbarian Class Mechanics

10. Can a Barbarian hit himself to keep rage?: The RAW answer is yes – they can maintain rage by attacking themselves and doing damage, but they have to inflict damage on themselves.
11. Do barbarians get advantage when raging?: While raging, Barbarians gain advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws, and when they make a melee weapon attack using Strength, they gain a +2 bonus to the damage roll.
12. Can a Barbarian end rage?: A Barbarian’s rage ends early if they are knocked unconscious, or if their turn ends and they’ve neither attacked nor taken damage since their last turn.

Race and Weapon Choices for Barbarians

13. What race is best for Barbarian?: Wood Elf and Half Wood Elf are the best choices for Barbarian due to the extra 5 feet of movement and Fey ancestry, with Half-Orc being a close second because of racials like relentless endurance and Savage attacks.
14. Why do Barbarians use axes?: Barbarians use axes because Germanic soldiers were known to wield heavy battle-axes capable of smashing through shield, armor, and helmet in a single blow.
15. What weapon is best for a Barbarian?: Most Barbarian builds have some sort of axe or similar weapon equipped, but halberds and other two-handed weapons can also be ideal as long as the Barbarian has the skills for them, with the Greataxe yielding the best damage output for a Barbarian.