D&D 4E Gunpowder in 4E?

[JoeGKushner]

If it's in the DMG and the DM can add it in with little trouble, I'd love to see it in the core.

Hell, Forgotten Realms had guns despite the technology of Gond never really evolving and there's always Spelljammer, Mighty Fortress and other campaigns where it wasn't "OMG! Gunz! Runz!"

 

[TwinBahamut]

What's silly is a dwarf with a loud gun in a rock tunnel. Cave-in suckers!!!

Your mistake is in assuming that dwarven rock tunnels are average rock tunnels, or one of those sub-standard kobold dirt tunnels. Dwarven rock tunnels don't cave in. Ever.

More seriously, I actually just started thinking about dwarves for the Points of Light setting I am homebrewing up in anticipation of 4E. I gave them guns and blast furnaces, and they are going to worship both Moridin and Bane. They are going to be a lot of fun.

 

[HeinorNY]

Gunpowder?
Yes
Why?
It's cool!

 

[WarlockLord]

Yes! Now, my gangsta gnome BBEGs can shoot their guns sideways, and not xbows.

 

[Cbas_10]

I have no problem with this subject being in the game (core, later book, or whatever). I think (and would handle in my game as such) that the powder would be much more common in forms and uses outside of muskets/firearms. Cannons, maybe. Fireworks, sure! Explosives, occasionally. After all, it is not exactly an advanced, technological substance at heart.

Guns, however, are a different story. People have already noted thier inaccuracy and unreliable nature. Also, keep in mind that interchangable parts were not used until the 18th century (maybe 19th?). So, anytime a gun needs to be repaired....off to an expert for major work! Typically, this would mean that each time it misfired (or even fired correctly!) there was a chance that it needed repairs. To say nothing at all of falling. Finally, unless the DM allows the use of 19th century smokeless powders, the guns would require extensive and regular cleanings (far more than typical D&D weapons' maintenance) or the residue from the gunpowder would literally corrode the insides of the barrels of the gun.

Gunpowder/blackpowder (blackpowder would be most appropriate for this era) poses its own problems. Manufacture of it was dangerous, storage and transportation was risky, and large quantities had to be used to make it effective. Oh...and nearly half of the mass of the powder is wasted in any explosion of it, resulting in an inefficient blast accompanied by a LOT (did I stress the word LOT enough?) of thick, black smoke. Only if the DM wanted to allow 14th century technology would users benefit from advances that allowed the luxury of granulated blackpowder, slightly reducing the risk of spontaneous combustion via static electricity, and faster/easier/safer manipulation of the powder into what it was actually going to be used for.

So....all in all....I would like to see it in the PHB as an alchemical item for use as diversions, flash-bang distractions, and hints of use in more advanced forms. Certainly would not be a common substance, and absolutely nothing you'd want to carry if you expected trouble with red dragons or fireballs. In game terms, I'd judge that its extremely dangerous nature would cause a BAD explosion on a critical failure of whatever skill is used. (Then again....if beholders have to blast multiple times with a Flshe to Stone ray for you to finally become petrified....it sounds as if dire concequences are not "in theme" with D&D4E)

 

[Kaffis]

I'd like to see optional flintlocks or some such that might be slightly more damaging than, but with similar limitations to, crossbows (restrictive reload timing).

I'd like to see a core, but removable, powder cannon mechanic for naval combat and perhaps optional army artillery.

 

[VirgilCaine]

I wouldn't mind having gunpowder as part of Core. I love running around in Darklands with plate armor, hammers, and iron or brass handguns--as well as saint's prayers (St. Boniface FTW) and medieval alchemical items--Breath of Death, Arabian Fire, Essence of Grace, Eater Water...

...it could be cool.

Incorporating runeslugs from Bloodshadows would also be cool.

 

[Cadfan]

I want explosive powders, albeit primitive ones.

1) I like nonmagical explosives for sabotage work.

2) I want tinker gnomes who design insane machinery of doom, and we need explosives for that.

 

[Mirtek]

2. I personally think it would give good reason to the reason why castles and other fortifications not protected by magic can withstand attack from larger, more powerful enemies

It would give even less reason why castles and other fortifications not protected by magic would exist, as they can withstand canons even less than magic.

 

[quindia]

Something with such a specific flavor shouldn't be in the core rules. This is something that fits into a very small number of D&D games, and should be somewhere else.

Like Dragonborn...