This exotic weapon is common among rogues and others who favour stealth over power. You can draw a hand crossbow back by hand. Loading a hand crossbow is a move action that provokes attacks of opportunity.
A hand crossbow fires standard crossbow bolts, like those used by light and heavy crossbows.
You can shoot, but not load, a hand crossbow with one hand at no penalty. You can shoot a hand crossbow with each hand, but you take a penalty on attack rolls as if attacking with two light weapons (see Table: Two-Weapon Fighting Penalties).
| Range | Damage | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Cost | Damage | Critical | Increment | Type | Special | |
| Crossbow, Hand | 2 lb. | 100 gp | 1d4 | 19—20/×2 | 30 ft. | Piercing |
Source: Dragon Magazine #349 (Page 26)