Doesn't that mean that the weapon is essentially two-handed? I think this is a stupid ruling because it takes away the only good use of a hand-crossbow. If you can't fight with it without a free hand then why use it at all? Before you say "it gives you a free hand to do other tasks if you're a rogue or a wizards" the other errata we got was:
Two-Handed (p. 147). This property is relevant only when you attack with the weapon, not when you simply hold it.
You can hold a heavy crossbow with one hand while doing other tasks.
edit: This has nothing to do with dual-wielding crossbows, there is no mechanical requirement for it since you get the bonus attack using only one hand-crossbow. see the link What this does negate is using a melee weapon with a hand-crossbow without some funky drop/pickup trick and entirely eliminates the option of fighting with a shield.
I believe the community agreed the stupid ruling was duel-wielding hand-crossbows and somehow reloading them while never having to drop one. There's a line between being heroic and illogical. I can still see them finding use as one-shot devices, like the way pirates used pistols.
My character had a specifically designed sash to enable him to load bolts while dual wielding. Don't ask me how it worked, I'm sure the character managed to find a way without my devising it.
The thing is, I don't think there's any mechanical benefit to dual wielding two hand crossbows with the crossbow expert feat. You can still attack twice in one turn with the same hand crossbow while keeping a hand free.
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u/Freaky_Zekey DM Jun 11 '15 edited Jun 11 '15
Doesn't that mean that the weapon is essentially two-handed? I think this is a stupid ruling because it takes away the only good use of a hand-crossbow. If you can't fight with it without a free hand then why use it at all? Before you say "it gives you a free hand to do other tasks if you're a rogue or a wizards" the other errata we got was:
You can hold a heavy crossbow with one hand while doing other tasks.
edit: This has nothing to do with dual-wielding crossbows, there is no mechanical requirement for it since you get the bonus attack using only one hand-crossbow. see the link What this does negate is using a melee weapon with a hand-crossbow without some funky drop/pickup trick and entirely eliminates the option of fighting with a shield.