NOTE:<\/b><\/p>\n
As common as modern firearms are, they are still not commonly brandished in civilized company.\u00a0 Firearms are not utilized on a daily basis, except by soldiers, law enforcement officers or criminals. Even in law enforcement, guns are used mostly as a last resort. Although it is not unusual, and is even acceptable for a gentleman to be armed, it is always discreetly! Openly wearing or carrying weapons as a matter of routine will at the least get you barred from polite company and is very likely to result in a police inquiry.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Gun Powder and <\/b>F<\/b>irearms<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Although traditional black powder cartridges are still manufactured and sold,\u00a0 can still be widely found world wide, the development of ‘smokeless’ powder in its various formulations is rapidly rendering black powder obsolete.\u00a0 However, unless stated otherwise, Black Powder ammunition is the ‘standard’ ammunition reflected in the game stats for price, damage etc.<\/span><\/p>\n Many of the older and cheaper guns are unable to safely and reliably handle the higher pressures resulting from the new propellants, though quality weapons are largely unaffected. Older guns firing smokeless have a 1 in 6 chance of exploding anytime a natural 1 is rolled on the d20.<\/span><\/p>\n Poudre B is the first marketed and most widely distributed (in Europe) smokeless powder, other available versions are Ballistite<\/span>, developed by Alfred Nobel, and <\/span>Cordite. Though there were differences in these formulations, from a game perspective <\/span>all smokeless powders are the same and all black powders are the same. <\/span>Smokeless powder<\/span> has only been marketed to the public for a little less then a year.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Smokeless Powder ammunition is more expensive (+50%) then traditional black powder and has more ‘punch’ +1 damage for any bullet fired with Smokeless.\u00a0 It also leaves minimal smoke, is less likely to give away a location, does not obscure vision with multiple shots and reduces the wear on a gun by causing less corrosion and fouling. <\/span><\/p>\n Black Powder ammunition is the ‘standard’ ammunition reflected in the game stats for price, damage etc.<\/span><\/p>\n Gun Fights<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Gun fights are deadly! <\/b><\/p>\n In a single combat round a character can fire many shots (depending on the weapon) even emptying a revolver. Firing rapidly will decrease accuracy, but the individual shots are still effective and potentially lethal.<\/span><\/p>\n When dealing with gunfire, the combat round is split into two parts. A character makes half of his attacks, rounded down, starting at the point his\/her initiative roll allows with the second half of the shots being fired at the end of the round.<\/span><\/p>\n NOTE:<\/strong> The range and damage of a bullet is a function of the gun’s caliber and cartridge or load.\u00a0 NOT of the type of gun.\u00a0 The type of gun DOES effect accuracy, rate of fire, number of shots (before reloading) and the reliability of the weapon.<\/p>\n In the game there are four basic classes of firearms. <\/span><\/p>\n Muzzle Loading Weapons<\/b><\/p>\n Though rare now, and mostly decorative, these weapons still exist and still function. Examples include muskets, fowlers, blunderbuss and dueling pistols.<\/span><\/p>\n Breech Loading Weapons<\/b><\/p>\n These include some types of rifles, carbines, shotguns and pistols. Examples: Martini-Henry Rifle, Sharps Carbine, single and double barrel shotguns and Derringer style pistols.<\/span><\/p>\n Repeating Weapons<\/b><\/p>\n These are rifles, carbines and shotguns that have a magazine that holds multiple rounds and through the Repeated Action of the weapon’s mechanism can be fired successively in one round. Examples: Winchester Lever Action carbine, Lee Enfield Bolt Action rifle, Lever action Shotguns and Pump Action Rifles and Shotguns.<\/span><\/p>\n Revolvers<\/b><\/p>\n Revolver handguns hold four, five or six rounds depending on the weapon, size and caliber. There are numerous examples. At this time in history Revolvers are State of The Art for firearms.<\/span><\/p>\n Drawing the Firearm<\/b><\/p>\n Commonly individuals carry a firearm in their pocket, a holster, in a container, or on a sling unless they feel that combat is imminent. The weight of a firearm in one’s arms is tiring over long periods (hours) and the sight of a character wielding a firearm “at the ready” is often taken as an unfriendly, even hostile, act by others. This leads to the need to draw out one’s gun upon the start of combat. If the firearm is already at the ready, then proceed with shooting.<\/span><\/p>\n If a pistol is carried in a holster (that is accessible), drawing the pistol is a Move Action.<\/span><\/p>\n If a pistol is carried in a pocket, purse or some relatively loose arrangement where the shooter must fumble for the weapon, drawing the pistol is a Standard Action.<\/span><\/p>\n If the shooter has previously put her hand on the pistol (but kept the pistol in the purse, pocket, etc.), then drawing the pistol is a Move Action. The Quick Draw Skill changes the move action into a Free Action. <\/span><\/p>\n A scattergun may be carried in an oversized holster, in which case drawing the scattergun is a move action (or free action if the shooter has the Quick Draw skill). If the scattergun is hanging on a lanyard (such as behind one’s back, under a coat), then drawing the scattergun is a standard action, or a move action with the Quick Draw <\/span>Skill.<\/span><\/p>\n Carbines, rifles or shotguns may be carried in sheaths attached to a horse, wagon, or a <\/span>backpack. If the shooter is within 5′ movement of the sheath, drawing the carbine, rifle, or shotgun is a move action. The same is true if the long arm is carried on a sling on the shooter’s back. The Quick Draw Skill does not help with drawing\u00a0 long arms.<\/span><\/p>\n Long arms (or handguns) being held in one’s arms are considered to be “at the ready,” and may be moved into firing position as a free action.<\/span><\/p>\n Carbines or shotguns that hang on a lanyard (such as behind a shooter’s back, under a coat) take a standard action to draw. The Quick Draw Skill does not improve this action.<\/span><\/p>\n Retrieval of any firearm that is inside of a gun case, bedroll, or other container of transport is considered a full-round action. The Quick Draw Skill does not improve this action.<\/span><\/p>\n Quick Draw<\/b><\/p>\n A character that knows the Quick Draw Skill may attempt it at the start of the combat. The intent to use it must be stated at the beginning of the round before action starts.<\/span><\/p>\n The Quick Draw Skill depends upon the pistol being in a fixed location, which is provided by the holster, or the pistol is already in the shooter’s hand. IF THE CHARACTER’S SKILL ROLL SUCCEEDS The Quick Draw Skill improves the standard action drawing of a hidden pistol to a Free Move action.<\/span><\/p>\n Shooting<\/b><\/p>\n Though shooting a gun is an attack, Strength Bonuses to Hit or Damage DO NOT APPLY. However, Dexterity Bonuses to hit, if any, DO APPLY.<\/p>\n Aimed Fire<\/b><\/p>\n This involves taking ones time to wait and aim and attempt the perfect shot. The shooter, regardless of weapon type, only shoots ONCE per Combat round. But the shot is at +4 to hit.\u00a0 Aimed Shots are the ONLY kind of shot that allows a Called Shot.\u00a0 For example, stating that you are ‘Aiming for his head…’ Note: A double barrel weapon may do aimed fire but unless BOTH barrels are discharged at once, for essentially one attack (though a hit yields double damage) the second barrel is NOT an Aimed Shot due to recoil and smoke.\u00a0 The second barrel will be a Snap Shot. Aiming like this precludes moving. The shooter cannot walk, move, ride, etc to achieve the +4 bonus. This includes being in a carriage or on a moving train. The only exception is if the conveyance is very large and relatively stable, like the deck of a ship (NOT a boat.) Moving, or being moved, still allows the shot but the +4 is lost. <\/span><\/p>\n After taking an aimed shot the shooter may reload the weapon, or work the action on a repeater, to be ready to shoot at the start of the next Combat round as normal.<\/span><\/p>\n Snap Shot<\/b><\/p>\n This is a ‘normal’ shoulder and shoot or point and shoot. The shooter gains no pluses to hit but is able to employ multiple shots per Combat round as his weapon permits. <\/span><\/p>\n During Snap Shooting the character may move one half his normal movement<\/b> BEFORE or<\/b> AFTER firing the weapon with no penalty. Additionally, the character may be on a horse, riding in a carriage, train, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n A Muzzle Loading Weapon may be loaded and fired ONCE in a Standard round (30 seconds.) If the weapon is unloaded at the start of the round it can be loaded and able to shoot at the end of the Standard round. If the weapon starts the Combat round loaded it may be fired as initiative dictates but will not be reloaded until the same segment of the NEXT Standard round.<\/span><\/p>\n A Breech Loading Weapon may be fired and loaded TWICE in a Combat round. Once at the beginning of the round, per initiative and once in the second half of the Combat round.<\/span><\/p>\n NOTE: BOTH barrels of a double barreled weapon may be reloaded twice. Thus a Double Barrel shotgun may be fired up to FOUR times in one Combat round.<\/span><\/p>\n A Repeating Weapon may fire FOUR times per Combat round. Twice at the beginning of the Combat round, per initiative and twice in the second half of the Combat round.<\/span><\/p>\n A Revolver may be fired up to SIX times (or full load) in a Combat round. Three at the beginning of the round, per initiative and three in the second half of the Combat round.<\/span><\/p>\n Rapid<\/b> Fire<\/b><\/p>\n In a tight situation a character may blast away in the direction of an enemy and move his\/her full movement<\/b> BEFORE or<\/b> AFTER firing the weapon. Aiming is only in the most general sense, -4 to hit with each round.<\/span><\/p>\n Breech loading, or Muzzle loading, weapon may only be fired once under these circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n A Repeating weapon may be fired four times.<\/span><\/p>\n A Revolver may be fully discharged while in Rapid Fire.<\/span><\/p>\n Panic Fire<\/b><\/p>\n If the character is in full flight, running, sprinting, towards, away from or past a target he\/she may opt to fire blindly at the target. Such shots are made WHILE moving and each are at -8 to hit.<\/span><\/p>\n A Breech loading, or Muzzle loading, weapon may only be fired once under these circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n A Repeating weapon may be fired four times.<\/span><\/p>\n A Revolver will ALWAYS be fully discharged while in Panic Fire.<\/span><\/p>\n Covering Fire<\/b><\/p>\n A character may aim at an area, or an individual, (or a small group of individuals) with the intention of ‘Covering’ the target. This means that a specific event or circumstances will cause the character to shoot.<\/span><\/p>\n Examples: “If he so much as moves a finger I blast him!” Or, “If anyone appears in the window, I shoot.”<\/span><\/p>\n The Covering character forgoes all other actions in a Combat round except as follows.<\/span><\/p>\n If the event occurs at the beginning<\/b> of the Combat round (Someone looks in the window) essentially initiating the combat, the character may IMMEDIATELY fire 1 shot. This shot occurs BEFORE any initiative rolls are made and occurs before the character’s normal initiative. The shot has no bonus or penalty to hit.<\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n IF the Covering Character is using a Muzzle loading or Breach Loading weapon the character MAY NOT shoot again that Combat round, but MAY reload over the next Standard round.<\/span><\/p>\n IF the Covering Character is using a Repeating Weapon, he or she may fire one more time in the second half of the Combat round. The second shot must be at the original target.<\/span><\/p>\n IF the Covering Character is using a Revolver, he or she may fire two more times during the Combat round. Once at the character’s initiative point and the second time in the last half of the Combat round. The subsequent shots must be at the original target.<\/span><\/p>\n If the event occurs during<\/b> the round, the character may IMMEDIATELY fire 1 shot. This shot interrupts the Initiative cycle and occurs before the actions of the next Segment. In the event that it becomes necessary to determine at what point in the Segment the Covering shot occurred, the shooter gains an automatic +1 to his\/her reaction adjustment (in addition to any DX bonus they may have) for the d10 roll.<\/span><\/p>\n A character that is Covering must stop if attacked or otherwise forced to break off concentration and observation.<\/span><\/p>\n Point Blank<\/b><\/p>\n A Point Blank shot occurs when the gun is discharged at a range of one foot or LESS from the target. For example, pressing the muzzle to the targets body. A normal To Hit roll is made to check for a misfire, but the actual Roll to Hit is +8 to hit AND Damage is automatically considered Critical in that it is applied DIRECTLY to the Target\u2019s Health (CN) NOT to the target’s Hit Points. (There is no dodge or twist to avoid some portion of the damage in a Point Blank shot. An actual roll of a Natural 20 is treated as Double Damage.<\/span><\/p>\n Circumstantial Modifiers<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Cover means hiding behind a solid, protective, object.\u00a0 For example, a brick wall.\u00a0 Concealment means hiding, but not protected. For example, a shrubbery! <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fast Draw Gun Fight <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n The classic show down. Two gunfighters facing each other on a dusty street\u2026 Who is the Quick and who is the Dead? The shots are Snap Shots, draw and fire, no Aimed Shots.<\/p>\n The Dexterity of the gunfighter, plus the number of Skill Points invested in Quick Draw Skill, minus the adjustment weapon type or barrel length (if any) is the Gunfighter\u2019s Adjusted Fast Draw.\u00a0 Other modifiers like Unfamiliar Weapon, using the off hand are subtracted. If the Adjusted Fast Draw of one, or both, exceeds 20, then the score(s) are adjusted DOWN by however many points are needed for the highest score to reach 19. The other fighter\u2019s skill is reduced by the same amount, leaving the relative levels the same. Example: Gunfighter A has an Adjusted Fast Draw of 23 (DX=18+3 Skill points +2 for his pistol) Fighter B has an Adjusted Fast Draw of 18 (DX=15+1 Skill point +2 for his pistol) a five point difference. To make it possible to resolve the contest on a D20, Fighter A\u2019s Adjusted Score must be reduced to 19, a reduction of 4 points. Fighter B\u2019s Adjusted Score is then reduced by 4 points, leaving him with a score of 14, which is still 5 points below A\u2019s score. If one succeeds and the other doesn\u2019t, then he or she Rolls to Hit first, possibly killing the opponent before they can squeeze off a shot.<\/p>\n If they both succeed then the one who beat the score by the most wins.<\/p>\n If they Tie, the character with the most Skill Points invested in the Quick Draw Skill wins. (All that practice pays off.)<\/p>\n If they tie AND they both have the same number of points in Quick Draw, then they each roll a D10 to see in which tenth of a second they each got their shots off. However, EVEN IF the Winner\u2019s bullet Kills the other gunfighter, that individual still gets their shot off, possibly resulting in both dying!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Adjustment to Fast Draw<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
\n Target\u2019s Status<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n To Hit Modifier<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Stationary, immobile Ex: Target at shooting range<\/span><\/td>\n +2<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Stationary but mobile Ex: Seated target<\/span><\/td>\n +1 <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Walking slowly<\/span><\/td>\n 0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Walking briskly<\/span><\/td>\n -1<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Running<\/span><\/td>\n -4<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Sprinting<\/span><\/td>\n -6<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Evading\/Unpredictable Ex: Pitching deck<\/span><\/td>\n -8 <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Good Light (Sunny day, Full Moon)<\/span><\/td>\n 0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Blinding Light (sun in eyes) <\/span><\/td>\n -4 to -8<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Poor Light (three quarter to half moon, twilight, fire light, street lights)<\/span><\/td>\n -1 to -4<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Bad Light (star light, quarter moon or less) <\/span><\/td>\n -3 to -6<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Light Fog\/Mist, light rain or snow <\/span><\/td>\n -1 to -3<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Fog, rain, snow <\/span><\/td>\n -4 to -6<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Torrential rain, blizzard, dust\/sand storm, \u2018Pea Soup\u2019 <\/span><\/td>\n -10 to impossible!<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 25% hidden by Cover<\/span><\/td>\n -2<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 50% hidden by Cover<\/span><\/td>\n -4<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 75% hidden by Cover<\/span><\/td>\n -7<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 90% hidden by Cover<\/span><\/td>\n -10<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 25% hidden by Concealment<\/span><\/td>\n -1<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 50% hidden by Concealment<\/span><\/td>\n -2<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 75% hidden by Concealment<\/span><\/td>\n -3<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 90% hidden by Concealment<\/span><\/td>\n -4<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n In Crowd<\/span><\/td>\n -2 to -8<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\nA Fast Draw confrontation is resolved thus.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nThe same calculation is made for the opposing gunfighter. Then a D20 is rolled for each. They MUST roll their Adjusted Fast Draw or LESS on the D20.<\/p>\n
\nBy going to 19 rather then 20, it leaves open the possibility that Fighter A might fumble his weapon.<\/p>\n