D&D 4E Firearms for the 4E Game (Contributions Welcome)

[TerraDave]

FYI: drawing a weapon is a minor action. Not sure if that also includes sheathing/holstering.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Tomorrow (Wednesday) promises us a preview on the weapons for 4E. It might be a little too much to ask for, but maybe we'll find some ideas on handling firearms in 4E.

 

[CleverNickName]

Tomorrow (Wednesday) promises us a preview on the weapons for 4E. It might be a little too much to ask for, but maybe we'll find some ideas on handling firearms in 4E.

I saw that. I'm ready and willing to take a chainsaw to these rules that I've improvised, pending new information.

Personally, I am hoping for some info on two-weapon fighting. Most agree that it was conceptually interesting in 3.x, but the rules for it were handled poorly. Here's hoping that 4E perfects it.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

Is there any evidence of any other kind of weapon having a "per encounter" sort of ability? I use firearms in my game, and I'll be looking to houserule in some things once I see (in more complete form) how the weapons work... My 3.5 rules are based on the Iron Kingdoms rules.

 

[CleverNickName]

Is there any evidence of any other kind of weapon having a "per encounter" sort of ability? I use firearms in my game, and I'll be looking to houserule in some things once I see (in more complete form) how the weapons work... My 3.5 rules are based on the Iron Kingdoms rules.

Some magic weapons have per-encounter abilities, I think. These firearms would work the same way, except they have a 'martial' power source (or 'alchemy', or 'technology', or something) instead.

I'd like to see your house rules for firearms, if you have them handy.

 

[Sir Brennen]

I'd like to see your house rules for firearms, if you have them handy.

Here's a link to the rules they're based on: Iron Kingdom's Firearms

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

Here's a link to the rules they're based on: Iron Kingdom's Firearms

Exactly; my only changes to the rules are to get rid of the skill check to load a gun, and to simplify the gunpowder creation - using Craft :Alchemy and getting rid of the specific feat needed for it.

 

[wombatzoner]

On revolvers: I've also used cap and ball revolvers, which aside from being no fun to clean (personal note, obviously not related to gameplay). Are good for 6 quick shots, but the reload for a cap and ball revolver is also a bit on the long side.

Wouldn't you normally have only five cylinders loaded if the revolver was going to be carried rather than used immediately?

 

[CleverNickName]

So I'm having trouble classifying firearms. I thought I would do a poll, to get a feel for how people were leaning on them, but I didn't want multiple "firearm" threads. So I'll just ask...do you think firearms should be Simple, Military, or Superior?

"Simple" makes sense from a historic standpoint...the main reason why firearms replaced bows and crossbows was that they could be mastered without special training.

"Military" makes sense from the story's point of view: firearms are elite weapons, used only by a limited number of people and not the general public (like present-day assault rifles.)

"Superior" makes sense from a metagame perspecitve: since firearms are obviously superior to most Medieval-period weapons, they should require a feat to help balance their power.

Which would you prefer? I'm leaning toward "simple."

 

[Unlogic]

I would put pistols, shotguns, etc as Simple, and muskets, rifles, etc as Military.

Or perhaps let all of them be simple, with slightly faster reloads on certain weapons if you have Military ranged proficiency?

I personally like the idea of, say, a double barrel shotgun requiring a minor action to load each shot, with a greater level of proficiency (or a rapid reload feat) allowing you to load 2 shots at once...

Especially since you can trade down your move action to a minor to load both and then fire it with both. Mmmm, zombiebane buckshot...