Heavy Weapons and Autofire

[Kusuf ibn Zaid]

On page 148 on the d20 Modern Core Rulebook, during the discussion of autofire it states, "If you do not have the Advanced Firearms Proficiency Feat, you take a -4 penalty on the attack roll." Under the description of the Advanced Firearms Proficiency feat, it clearly states that the feat only applies to the use of personal firearms.

What about heavy weapons, such as the M2HB? Do you receive the -4 to attack rolls for using autofire?

- Kusuf

 

[Ranger REG]

If you do not have both Exotic Firearms Proficiency (heavy machinegun) and Advanced Firearms Proficiency feats, then using M2HB with an autofire option would be at a -8 penalty (-4 for nonproficiency and -4 for lack of Advanced Firearms Proficiency feat).

If you don't have EFP (HMG) but do have AFP, then using M2HB with autofire option would be at a -4 penalty (due to nonproficiency).

In case you haven't noticed, Advanced Firearms Proficiency is a prerequisite for Exotic Firearms Proficiency feat.

 

[Kusuf ibn Zaid]

If you do not have both Exotic Firearms Proficiency (heavy machinegun) and Advanced Firearms Proficiency feats, then using M2HB with an autofire option would be at a -8 penalty (-4 for nonproficiency and -4 for lack of Advanced Firearms Proficiency feat).

If you don't have EFP (HMG) but do have AFP, then using M2HB with autofire option would be at a -4 penalty (due to nonproficiency).

In case you haven't noticed, Advanced Firearms Proficiency is a prerequisite for Exotic Firearms Proficiency feat.

If AFP applies to heavy weapons, why does the feat description state, "You can fire any personal firearm on autofire without penalty..."? Are you suggesting that the word "personal" is misleadingly superfluous? (I agree that your interpretation makes the most sense, but it is completely unclear to me what the actual rule is.)

- Kusuf

 

[Ranger REG]

Come to think of it, the wording is ambiguous. I have to prefer my rules interpretation, because to limit the AFP feat benefit to just personal firearms literally, then you will always be penalizing HMG's autofire use despite the gunner having acquired EFP (HMG) feat (who would already have the prerequisite AFP feat, anyway).

 

[ledded]

Come to think of it, the wording is ambiguous. I have to prefer my rules interpretation, because to limit the AFP feat benefit to just personal firearms literally, then you will always be penalizing HMG's autofire use despite the gunner having acquired EFP (HMG) feat (who would already have the prerequisite AFP feat, anyway).

Yeah, that wording is misleading. We personally go with your interpretation; if you have AFP, then you dont take a -4 with a HMG.

And if someone doesnt buy that, you need to see Saving Private Ryan again if you want to see if a thompson SMG is more effective than a tripod mounted MG42