Simple question: What’s the general level of firearms in the game (or your game)? Flintlocks, I would assume, however I can see some crazy-ass clockwork revolvers, too. I’m curious because the interplay of guns and fictional positioning has been on my mind.
Simple question: What’s the general level of firearms in the game (or your game)?
Simple question: What’s the general level of firearms in the game (or your game)?
In our game, there are only one-shot flintlock pistols and rifles. I like this because it allows sword play to still be practical endeavor, and swashbuckling is always awesome.
However, our Slide just completed a long-term project to fund a mechanist’s development of six-shot revolvers, the first of their kind. This is definitely going to change the balance of things once their cohorts start hitting the streets armed with the things.
The same mechanist mentioned that he had developed an alchemic formula for electro-plasmic rounds before he was kicked out of the Imperial Academy. Unfortunately, he can’t remember it because of all the spirit essence he’s ingested as a recreational/inspiration drug. However, the notes should still be in the Imperial Academy Library of Duskwall…
Freaking awesome stuff! I’m stealing that, so you know.
I’m wondering how I want to handle reloading in combat. Maybe it’ll increase the position? Lower the effect? I don’t want to be too much of a stickler about it (if at all), but reloading a flintlock while a Red Sash is trying to stab you is probably pretty difficult.
Scrimshaw flechettes, dipped in dung for extra infection
Our crew hasn’t had a chance to field-test their new revolvers, but it does present some new mechanic and narrative interactions. For example, you can handle running out of bullets as a Devils Bargain or a Consequence, as applicable.
As you mention, Ben Liepis, reloading while being attacked (up close or at a distance) can definitely put a damper on your day (Desperate position). But that’s why our Slide wanted these revolvers in the first place; better fictional positioning against those using flintlocks!
Well given that the later half of the Victorian era overlaps the American civil war and wild west days in my games I generally play as shot and powder weapons are ubiquitous, cartridge guns are around but new, expensive, and finicky, and a gun that actually holds multiple rounds is something only the most elite of the imperial army have. Electroplasm and clockwork mechanics have lead to some impressive crew based and vehicle mounted weapons, semi silent powderless guns, and what is effectively a lightening powered railgun that’s prone to exploding itself.
The game describes the average gun as a single shot, breech loading hand gun. That’s not really a common type of of weapon at any time in the real world. I imagine a cartridge based wheellock/flintlock, but breech loading rather than ball and shot muzzle loader. That would mean they would take time to reload, but be quicker than a muzzle loader.
I also expect that very rare alchemical percussion cap revolvers exist.
Blades in the Dark! The game with everything awesome!
With custom firearms – I would want to make sure downtime actions were used to make more ammunition…
Breech loading handgns were real! But they’re weird, no doubt about it. :)
You guys are on the right track with Duskwall guns.
Man the Reality Ensues is going to be so epic!
We mostly keep to regular old flintlocks so melee is still vital, powder can get wet with devil’s bargains, and so on. We even zoomed into the action in a sharpshooter duel between the Hound with her flintlock rifle and an enemy with a musket – what mattered wasn’t the accuracy but who could reload faster with Finesse, since rifling made reloading slower. I guess I like the variety of fictional positioning you can get a little better than if we had multiple-shot weapons.
So far my game has mostly featured flintlocks, although we’ve mentioned that fancy artificers might produce fancy revolves, but they’re expensive and custom work.
Also, the Imperial Marines uses some sort of electroplasmic lightning cannons as a squad support weapon. (The PCs had one for a while after a daring heist on an Imperial Navy base, but they recently ditched it in an attempt to hide the evidence of their heist. The authorities are looking VERY hard for whoever stole those guns.)