Sniper Rifles (Snipers in general)

[dvvega]

Thanks for all the help guys. I'm actually planning to run d20 modern and you've opened my eyes to the world of sniping.

Taky: although it made me smile at the thought of a "cheerleader" for the sniper, I would personally disallow said bonus simply based on the whole silent/shadow/sniper scenario. But thanks for the goofy smile.

 

[takyris]

Yeah, I know, it sounded ridiculous, but technically it was legal by the bare rules.

Like you said, I wouldn't allow a cheerleader, but I MIGHT allow, say, a lieutenant for this crack commando unit -- a charismatic/soldier that isn't as good a shot as the others, but has a knack for getting folks to work together -- and for getting them to survive.

Maybe as the sniper is getting ready to move into the position, the lieutenant just puts his hand on his shoulder and whispers, "No problem, man. You can do this." And coming from another one of the guys, it would be some empty gesture, but somehow, knowing it came from the lieutenant, there's something greater behind it (Like, er, the lieutenant making that Cha10 check to do the inspiration). The sniper realizes that he can do it, that the lieutenant believes in him. And he shoots a little better.

Campy? Definitely. Kind of a "Saving Private Ryan" moment. Tom Hanks does a decent job as either a Smart/Charismatic/Soldier or a Dedicated/Charismatic/Soldier -- can't tell which. But it might be worth allowing, if only because the Charismatic guy gets a lousy attack bonus and only defensive combat skills, so he ought to get to have some fun.

But yeah, like you said, if someone went all D&D Bard on me and started humming the Battle Hymn of the Republic to make that sniper more effective, I'd start throwing eight-siders.

-Tacky

 

[Moonsword]

Something else that should be mentioned is that the range increments aren't at all accurate for anything other than pistols and shotguns. The M-16, for example, has an effective range measured in thousands of feet, not 800.

Also, that's probably the platoon seargeant that's been dogging his butt for six months that reassures the soldier in a real situation, not the butter bar Lt.

 

[takyris]

Moonsword: EXCELLENT point on the Sgt. vs. Lt. Thanks.

If nothing else, the Tough/Charismatic Sergeant puts the fear of god into that sniper, 'cause he knows that he's got hundreds and hundreds and HUNDREDS of pushups if he misses.

-Tacky

 

[Mistwell]

Something else that should be mentioned is that the range increments aren't at all accurate for anything other than pistols and shotguns. The M-16, for example, has an effective range measured in thousands of feet, not 800.

Also, that's probably the platoon seargeant that's been dogging his butt for six months that reassures the soldier in a real situation, not the butter bar Lt.

Umm okay let's analyze it.

80 ft. range increment = 800 feet normal.
Far shot feet makes it 1200 feet.
A scope with Far Shot makes it 1600 feet.

You really think it is reasonable that you be able to hit a target over a third of a mile away with an M-16? Not me. That seems about right.

However, if it is really bugging you, here is what Charles Ryan said on the subject of even higher powered scopes:

The standard scope in the d20 Modern Roleplaying Game represents a typical 4x to 7x scope. There are more powerful scopes out there, but they should probably carry more severe penalties for use (such as requiring two or more attack actions to acquire the target, requiring a Concentration check to use, and/or the user being effectively blind to anything except the target).

[Note that the range increment for a standard scope is 1.5x standard, even though the scope is 4x to 7x. There's a lot that goes into range increments other than the quality of the sighting device. Higher-powered scopes might multiply the range
increment by 2 or even 2.5--but probably not more than that.]

So if you have a 2.5 scope, with Far Shot, you get 2400 feet I believe. That's almost half a mile. You really think you could accurately hit something almost a half a mile away with an M-16?

 

[Morgenstern]

You might find converting some of the ranged combat feats from Spycraft to d20 Modern takes care of some of your desire to do a little more snipe-y stuff. There is also a Sniper prestige class in the Shadowforce Archer world book that should convert over pretty easily (would need a reputation bonus column added to it).

As to scopes, here's how we handled that over in Spycraft~

From the Modern Arms Guide, page 111

Telescopic Sights: Telescopic sights may only be attached to a firearm’s rail mount. They allow the agent to ignore the range penalties for one or more range increments, so long as he’s aiming the weapon (having taken the aim action):

Telescopic Sight Effects
Magnification ~ Range Increments Ignored
1.5x to 3.9x ~ 2nd Range Increment
4x to 8x ~ 2nd and 4th Range Increments
9x to 15x ~ 3rd, 5th, & 7th Range Increments
16x and up ~ 4th, 6th, 8th, & 10th Range Increments

Higher power scopes are virtually useless at close range, so the higher-magnification scopes ignore fewer low range increments.
Variable power scopes require a half action to change magnifications and must be re-aimed after each adjustment.
When attached to handguns, telescopic sights inflict a –2 penalty upon the weapon’s concealment DC (see page 22). Scoped handguns also require a special holster (only available in duty, hip, shoulder, tactical, briefcase, and purse models, and costing an additional +1 BP). Telescopic sights have no effect on the
Concealment DCs of rifles, shotguns, or SMGs.
Telescopic sights are available separately for handguns, rifles, shotguns, submachineguns, and tactical weapons. Fixed and variable power models are available for all weapons.

Hope this helps,

 

[ajanders]

The sniper

Actually reads to me like the Gunslinger advanced class, methinks.
The Bullseye and sharpshooting special abilities are a big key to sniping in my book.
I suspect you might want a mixture of both, but how you mix the both of those is beyond me...
aja

 

[Dismas]

According to Poly #155 Urban Arcana will have a sniper prestige class (page 32).

Also I assume that players that are happy to use One shot One kill capabilities are perfectly happy for it to be used on them?

 

[snak]

Actually irl Snipers tend to operate in scout/sniper teams. One does the shooting while the other assists spotting targets, range finding, calculating windage and providing perimeter security. So the assist other action would be both legal in game terms and in keeping with reality.

More info on sniping than any civilian should know can be found at www.snipersparadise.com


Taky: although it made me smile at the thought of a "cheerleader" for the sniper, I would personally disallow said bonus simply based on the whole silent/shadow/sniper scenario. But thanks for the goofy smile. [/B][/QUOTE]

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Something else that should be mentioned is that the range increments aren't at all accurate for anything other than pistols and shotguns.

Range increments in d20m aren't about how far the bullet will fly, but how far it will go and still hit what you wanted. Sure every M16 can put that bullet half a mile away, but not everyone is very good hitting at that distance (without a scope, I'd be happy if I hit a barn!)

According to Poly #155 Urban Arcana will have a sniper prestige class (page 32).

Nice. Probably the toy for Gunslingers.

Also I assume that players that are happy to use One shot One kill capabilities are perfectly happy for it to be used on them?

Hee hee. Most don't even think about that: They want ever nastier stuff, until the GM dares to use it, too! (From the List of Last Words: "THEY use crit charts, too?"