Statistics
Cost 65 gp Weight 12 lbs.
Damage 1d10 (small), 1d12 (medium), 3d6 (large); Critical 19-20/x2; Ranged 120 ft.; Type piercing; Special recoil, see text
Category ranged; Proficiency martial
Weapon Groups crossbows
Ammunition bolts
Description
The gastraphetes, sometimes called a “belly bow,” is an oversized crossbow reloaded by pressing one end against the ground, the other against one’s abdomen, and locking the string in place through ratchet action. Reloading takes a full-round action, uses two hands, and requires that the wielder be standing. You take no penalty for firing a gastraphetes while prone. A Large or larger creature can use a gastraphetes one size smaller than itself without any support, but takes the normal penalty for firing an inappropriately sized weapon.
