What Is a Good d20 Gun Book?

[bezurkur]

There certainly aren't a shortage of gun books for d20. Searching on the web, I've come across Ultramodern Firearms by Green Ronin, Modern Arms Guide by AEG, and Weapons Locker by WotC. I'm only looking to buy one, however. Which would you reccomend?

 

[JPL]

There certainly aren't a shortage of gun books for d20. Searching on the web, I've come across Ultramodern Firearms by Green Ronin, Modern Arms Guide by AEG, and Weapons Locker by WotC. I'm only looking to buy one, however. Which would you reccomend?

Welcome.

There have been some prior discussions on this topic. Many of them heated.

I'm pretty happy with Weapons Locker, despite some very sloppy proofreading.

Ultramodern Firearms appears similar to WL in quality and content.

The "Big Bang" series is the clear winner for thoroughness.

The AEG book is Spycraft, right? I guess that's the way to go if you play Spycraft.

 

[bezurkur]

Thanks for the welcome.

Yes, the Modern Arms Guide is a sourcebook for AEG's Spycraft game. The Ultramodern Firearms book is what is currently in stock at my FLGS and why put up with sloppy editing? So guess I'll be going with Green Ronin's book. Thanks again.

 

[JPL]

Looks like a good solid choice for general usage, as is Weapons Locker.

 

[Bran Blackbyrd]

Some people would probably stick me in the category of "WoTC fanboy", but I haven't heard very good things about D20 Weapons Locker.
I canceled my preorder for it after reading some bad reviews; I figured it would be safer to get the book in my hands before I make a decision to buy it.

I should've canceled my order for the Player's Guide to Faerun while I was at it. :\

I haven't seen Big Bang, but the author seems quite knowledgeable. Ultramodern Firearms is ok, but it doesn't have much aside along the lines of heavy artillery.

 

[alaric]

The problem I have with Weapons Locker (and I think Ultramodern Firearms is the same way), is that it's based on D20 modern, so what you get is a whole book full of guns that are nearly indistiguishable stats wise. Hmm...do i want the H&K MP5 at 2d6 2x20 or do I want a Desert Eagle .50 at 2d6 2x20..... While this might be realistic, it's also boring, and basically leads to an any old gun will do philosophy, why do I care if they are all the same anyway. That's one of the things I like spycrafts weapons rules, it may be less well balanced, or a little more confusing, but it's alot more fun to play with. You ask a spycraft player what his weapon of choice is you usally get back a specific answer ("AR-15", "MP5KS", "Glock 30"), you know what my d20 modern character has....a handgun and a shotgun. Anyway, ranting aside, I'd avoid all three and go buy a real world weapons book like Jane's Gun Recognition Guide, that has good picture (because the way a gun looks is about as important as how it stats in an RPG), and a decent selection of civilian and military weapons to choose from. Most of the system have fairly simple conversion rules, and you get a system agnostic solution.

 

[Bill Scott]

There certainly aren't a shortage of gun books for d20. Searching on the web, I've come across Ultramodern Firearms by Green Ronin, Modern Arms Guide by AEG, and Weapons Locker by WotC. I'm only looking to buy one, however. Which would you reccomend?

I have UltraModern Firearms, and the MAG for Spycraft, and I am very pleased both of them. I would like to see Green Ronin come out with a equipment book as a companion piece for UltraModern Firearms

 

[Breakdaddy]

I would go with Ultramodern Firearms. The primary reason being that every gun is illustrated (with a tad better illustration than WL) and given a nice description.
My other reason which is not much less important is the attention to detail given
in the tables the book contains. The table that focuses on which forces in which countries use which firearm is a nice touch that Ive referenced numerous times in my Blood & Guts D20 Modern campaign.

 

[slingbld]

I would go with Ultramodern Firearms. The primary reason being that every gun is illustrated (with a tad better illustration than WL) and given a nice description.
My other reason which is not much less important is the attention to detail given
in the tables the book contains. The table that focuses on which forces in which countries use which firearm is a nice touch that Ive referenced numerous times in my Blood & Guts D20 Modern campaign.

I'd hafta agree here. Ultra modern Firearms is the book to go with.
Although I am waiting to see the print version of Big Bang and hold my final verdict untill I can review it

Slingbld~