Statistics
Cost 100 gp Weight 20 lbs.
Damage 1d10 (small), 2d6 (medium), 3d6 (large); Critical 19-20/x3; Range 200 ft.; Type piercing; Special deadly, might (19), recoil, see text
Category ranged; Proficiency advanced
Weapon Groups crossbows
Ammunition greatbolts
Description
The arbalest, or portable ballista, is the largest crossbow make known using a hand mechanism to pull back the metal string it uses, often either a winding mechanism or a pull lever to give grip when pulling back the srtring. It can be used for precision long range shots but requires both strength and good aim to use. Reloading takes a full-round action, and uses two hands, either to wind the mechanism or to pull back the lever given the tensile strength of the string. A Large or larger creature can use an arbalest one size smaller than itself without any support, but takes the normal penalty for firing an inappropriately sized weapon.
