You draw a heavy crossbow back by turning a small winch. Loading a heavy crossbow is a full-round action that provokes attacks of opportunity.
Normally, operating a heavy crossbow requires two hands. However, you can shoot, but not load, a heavy crossbow with one hand at a -4 penalty on attack rolls. You can shoot a heavy crossbow with each hand, but you take a penalty on attack rolls as if attacking with two one-handed weapons (see Table: Two-Weapon Fighting Penalties). This penalty is cumulative with the penalty for one-handed firing.
| Range | Damage | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Cost | Damage | Critical | Increment | Type | Special | |
| Crossbow, Heavy | 8 lb. | 50 gp | 1d10 | 19—20/×2 | 120 ft. | Piercing |
Source: Player’s Handbook (Page 115)