Maybe crossbows can be cheap and readily available source of debuffs?
Something like bleeding+MP+AP reduction (with right bolt of course).
Like supersteel bolts with serrated\jagged tips, that have armour piercing effect, descreasind damage resistance, or treshhold?
Also, can we have a quest way to get some unique materials in very limited quantity?
Or devices, or weapon, or chemicals.
For me - it's much, much more attractive and interesting way to obtain something.
It's post-apocalipsis, after all.
Lots of places that were centers of power, abandoned military bases, scientific facilities.
For materials it could be like some kind of automated furnace for smelting (powder metallurgy or something like this), so you should first fix it, then power it, calibrate, find raw materials.
Just an example.