because there is little demand. Gunpowder itself is VERY expensive, and, even when available, does not always work. However, a gunpowder weapon can be devastating. There are tive main types of gunpowder weapon. The PETARD is a bomb, used in sieges. The BOMBARD is a large cannon, used by (or against) castles and walled towns. Both of these use much gunpowder and are not often seen; the Bombard will not be covered in this game. The ARQUEBUS and BLUNDERBUSS are personal weapons. The GRENADE is a small bomb. The ARQUEBUS is a large musket. It fires a single ball for over 400 meters. It is considered a missile weapon, doing 3D6+3 dice damage. It is very clumsy; it takes 4 turns to ready, and l2 turns to reload and ready after firing. However, anyone who has the GUNS talent can have a +4 DX ADD, because he/she will know how to properly use the stand, sights, etc. Anyone else has a -4. The BLUNDERBUSS is a crude shotgun. When discharged, it affects every figure within a wedge-shaped area, determined by the direction it was pointed. Any figure within 5 megahexes is affected by the blunderbuss if a straight line between the center of his hex and the blunderbuss hex passes through no obstacle or occupied hex. Figures affected by the blunderbuss must make a saving roll (4 dice vs. DX); if they miss, they take (l + 2) damage from a hail of rocks, rusty nails, broken bottles, and other junk. The user of the blunderbuss must make a saving roll (3 dice vs. DX) to avoid falling down from the recoil. (If he/she does not have the GUNS talent, -4 on ST for this roll!) Its effective range is only l0 hexes. A blunderbuss takes only 1 turn to ready, but 12 turns to reload after tiring. There is always the chance that a given charge of gunpowder will be bad. Before tiring any gunpowder weapon, roll 1 die. On a roll of 6 the gun does not fire. (lf you bought very cheap gunpowder, the GM may make it a roll of 4, 5, or 6!) On a roll of 18, a gunpowder weapon explodes. The explosion does damage like a grenade (see below), except that there is no significant concussion effect. |
