D&D 5E (2014) Let's Talk About Guns in 5E

[Remathilis]

When it comes to preferences, or verisimillitude if you will, it's best not to look too closely at the logic. It's like asking why someone prefers chocolate to strawberry ice cream. I am in full agreement with you in regards to D&D's devotion to medieval accuracy. Plate armor was worn in the same battles with cannons and soldiers wielding matchlocks. But the introduction of firearms in D&D kind of takes me out of the fantasy. I can live with it when it's silly little additions like the Greyhawk god who was a cowboy with two six-shooters or Expedition to Barrier Peaks, but overall I just prefer my D&D style fantasy to be a gun free zone. (That might have been the least American sentence I've ever typed.)

That said, as far as rules are concerned, there shouldn't be able problem dropping firearms in the game. They won't be especially disruptive. Just pattern them off of crossbows and bows and you're good to go.

The Renaissance firearms in the 5e DMG/5.5 PHB work great in my experience for most fun using characters. No special rules, damage is good but not insane, they fill a certain fantasy niche that might not be appropriate for everywhere, but fits a lot better than you would think. Just a sample of the gun using characters I've seen:

• A drow elf swashbuckler rogue who was part of Jaraxle's crew in Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
• A giff first mate on a Spelljammer vessel
• A stranded half aquatic elf pirate bard who had Jack Sparrow "one shot" left for his rival.
• A Dr Frankenstein mad scientist artificer from Lamordia who used it as his personal protection
• A gunslinger archeologist exploring the Wild West of Droaam in Eberron.

To me, they were no more disruptive than a character playing a samurai or a warforged. Not appropriate for every setting, but nothing inherently wrong about them as an option.