Rapid Reload on a Repeater?

[Phoenix818]

Does Rapid Reload affect the rate a Repeating Crossbow readies for the next set of shots? I'm certain it's somewhere here on the forums but I haven't managed to locate it.

While most of my TWF characters are fine with the new changes, I have one rogue in particular that is not, and since he's a Mechanic anyway I'm swapping him to repeating crossbows... considering swapping TWF for Rapid Reload, but not sure it'll help.

[Dysmetria]

Does Rapid Reload affect the rate a Repeating Crossbow readies for the next set of shots?

While most of my TWF characters are fine with the new changes, I have one rogue in particular that is not, and since he's a Mechanic anyway I'm swapping him to repeating crossbows... considering swapping TWF for Rapid Reload, but not sure it'll help.It does speed up your shots, as does Rapid Shot, and they both stack.

[Talon_Moonshadow]

My old mechanic bought a +1 repeater yesterday. And went to see fred.

At the last minute, I canceled my switch, just so I could fire off a few shots without Rapid reload and see how fast it was.

Then I switched out a feat for rapid reload and fired off some shots.

Definately speeds up your rate of fire. :)

[BeachKlas]

Yes, rapid reload effects repeating crossbows.

I also want to recommend using Rapid Shot. It is actually 4% faster than Rapid Reload. But both feats should stack so you should really get them both. But my test suggests that you should get rapid shot first.

I tested each of the two feats separately, firing 100 bolts with each feat with my +2 Heavy repeating crossbow.

The results show that rapid shot is faster than rapid reload, but only by 4%.

Here's my test results:

Rapid Reload:
Fired 100 bolts in 01:29:91 = 1,11 bolts per second = 66,6 bolts per minute.

Rapid Shot:
Fired 100 bolts in 01:27:31 = 1,15 bolts per second = 69 bolts per minute.

Difference: rapid shot is 4% faster than rapid reload. (1.15/1.11=1,04)

Weapon and character stats:
+2 Heavy repeating crossbow.
Elf level 6. Fighter 1/Ranger 1/Rogue 4. BAB +5.
Load: Medium (inventory)

The both feats should stack but I haven't yet had the opportunity to try both feats at the same time.

[DavionFuxa]

While using a Repeating Crossbow is great on a Master Mechanic Rogue, there are several feats that can tie into improving your Repeater, and that means feats you can't dedicate to other important activities. It isn't like the Repeater will always be the suitable weapon, sometimes melee will be appropriate.

Here's 4 feats though that you should look over.

Rapid Reload - Great Feat, only requires you be proficient in Light Crossbows, so you can generally take it at any time. Total cost, 1 Feat; Available at anytime.

Rapid Shot - Better then Rapid Reload, but it does require you to take Point Blank Shot first, or to get 2 levels of Ranger. That means your spending at least 2 feats for this Feat. Total cost, 2 Feats; Available only after you take Point Blank Shot.

Point Blank Shot - Needed for Rapid Shot, gives a paltry +1 to ranged attacks when you are within 30 'game' feet of mobs. Note you also have to be fairly close for your Sneak Attacks to work but even then it is still only +1 to ranged attacks. Total cost, 1 Feat; Available at anytime.

Improved Critical : Ranged - x2 chance for Smiting, Banishing, and Burst. Available with +8 BAB, this feat puts the all the above feats to shame for when Repeaters really shine. Total Cost 1 Feat; Available at level 11 when you get your +8 BAB.

I already said it but I'll finish off by saying it again - consider what feats you will be taking away from should you opt for any of the above. It isn't like update made your melee capabilities any worse, and in some cases you will be more inclined to melee then anything else.

Actually, I might suggest you also keep your Two Weapon Fighting as well. In my opinion, TWF is perhaps one of the most important feats you can take on a Rogue since you inflict Sneak Attack damage on both weapons, and the negative attack penalties really hurt without the first TWF feat. But most likely, you'll have other feats that might be sacrificial so it would be wise to note what other feats besides Toughness you might have.

[donfilibuster]

Yeah it seems that the feats are needed, specially after seeing someone's toon using a repeater properly.
You don't get the pew pew pew pew right off the bat.

[FishPyramid]

It mightn't be exactly what you are after, but Bunks posted a graph of the shots per minute for both plain & repeating crossbows with different amounts of RS/RR over in this (http://forums.ddo.com/showpost.php?p=3176709&postcount=2) post(scroll down). It doesn't have exact numbers, but it looks like each of the two feats increase RoF by about 10/minute for repeaters.