Difference between revisions of "Hand Crossbows"

Revision as of 12:03, 12 November 2010

The pistol crossbow is a class-specific item that can only be used by the Demon Hunter.

Unlike other crossbows, the pistol crossbow is a double item. The item graphic shows two small crossbows together; there are no single pistol crossbows, so it's not possible to use one with a shield or melee weapon. Pistol crossbows have the fastest firing rate of any ranged weapon in the game, but they do less damage than other bows or crossbows to compensate.

Dual Wield Only?

Just pretend he's a Demon Hunter.

At Blizzcon 2010, pistol xbows could only be dual wielded. The bows came in a pair, and looked something like you see in the paperdoll mock-up to the right. A Demon Hunter could only equip both at once, or neither; it was not possible to equip just one pistol xbow with a one-handed a weapon or a shield.

This was thought to be a balance issue; the pistol xbow was the fastest firing ranged weapon in the game, but as a trade off they had to be used two at a time, trading defense for offense.

This will probably not be the case in the final game though, as Bashiok explained while answering some forum questions in November 2010.

Demon Hunter Cinematic

The Demon Hunter makes extensive use of dual pistol crossbows in her introductory cinematic, devastating a horde of demons with the weapons.

Demon Hunter using both xbows at once with multishot, in her cinematic.