| 8 people marked this as FAQ candidate. |
Hello there,
While describing firearms ammo, Ultimate Combat states that alchemical cartridges lower the time to load the firearm in one step (full round to standard, standard to move, move to free).
While describing Advanced Firearms, Ultimate Combat states that all of them must use metal cartridges as ammunition, and that the action to reload an advanced firearm is a move action.
While describing metal cartridges, Ultimate Combat states that metal cartridges are a sturdier version of alchemical cartridges.
Based on that, my questions are:
1- Can advanced firearms use other alchemical cartridges? If yes, how much would they cost, and how would they work?
2- The listed time to reload an advanced firearm (move action) already takes in consideration that it is being loaded with a metal cartridge (i.e. it remains a move action when loaded with a metal cartridge)? Or, since it must be loaded with a metal cartridge it would take only a free action to load?
3- Can a metal cartridge be used to reload a non-advanced firearm? And if it can, would it lower the load time?
Thank you. Firearm rules fry my brain. >.<
1. By RAW, I do not believe so. The description of the other types of alchemical cartridges assume a 'soft' cartridge - basically just a sealed paper packet that you rip open and dump the contents into the gun's barrel. That said, things like dragon's breath cartridges (white phosphorous rounds) exist IRL, so I would probably allow them; I'd take the difference between the basic alchemical cartridge (12g) and the 'advanced' alchemical cartridge (dragon's breath, salt shot, etc.), then add that onto the base price of the metal cartridge.
2. I have always assumed that it takes it into account, since it is the only ammunition type that advanced firearms can use; if it doesn't take it into account, then what exactly are you loading the gun with alternatively? That said, I've FAQ'ed it before but didn't receive a response. I'll see if I can dig up that thread and link it.
3. This is the only one that has a sure answer. The description of an early firearm is that it is a muzzle-loaded weapon. An alchemical cartridge for an early firearm isn't 'loaded' into the weapon; it's a prepared packet of powder, shot, and other chemicals that is torn open and dumped down the barrel. Since you aren't 'loading' the cartridge, then you couldn't do it with a metal cartridge (unless you were strong enough to rip open metal, and if so, why do you need a gun?).
1. By RAW, I do not believe so. The description of the other types of alchemical cartridges assume a 'soft' cartridge - basically just a sealed paper packet that you rip open and dump the contents into the gun's barrel. That said, things like dragon's breath cartridges (white phosphorous rounds) exist IRL, so I would probably allow them; I'd take the difference between the basic alchemical cartridge (12g) and the 'advanced' alchemical cartridge (dragon's breath, salt shot, etc.), then add that onto the base price of the metal cartridge.
2. I have always assumed that it takes it into account, since it is the only ammunition type that advanced firearms can use; if it doesn't take it into account, then what exactly are you loading the gun with alternatively? That said, I've FAQ'ed it before but didn't receive a response. I'll see if I can dig up that thread and link it.
3. This is the only one that has a sure answer. The description of an early firearm is that it is a muzzle-loaded weapon. An alchemical cartridge for an early firearm isn't 'loaded' into the weapon; it's a prepared packet of powder, shot, and other chemicals that is torn open and dumped down the barrel. Since you aren't 'loading' the cartridge, then you couldn't do it with a metal cartridge (unless you were strong enough to rip open metal, and if so, why do you need a gun?).
Thank you for your answers Xaratherus. :) Anyone else has a take on it?
Well, you don't "regenerate" rounds in real life either. You can reload them, and I'm going to say that the cost savings from reloading rounds is included in Gunsmithing.
You know the secrets of repairing and restoring firearms.
Benefit: If you have access to a gunsmith's kit, you can create and restore firearms, craft bullets, and mix black powder for all types of firearms. You do not need to make a Craft check to create firearms and ammunition or to restore firearms.
Crafting Firearms: You can craft any early firearm for a cost in raw materials equal to half the price of the firearm. At your GM's discretion, you can craft advanced firearms for a cost in raw materials equal to half the price of the firearm. Crafting a firearm in this way takes 1 day of work for every 1,000 gp of the firearm's price (minimum 1 day).
Crafting Ammunition: You can craft bullets, pellets, and black powder for a cost in raw materials equal to 10% of the price. If you have at least 1 rank in Craft (alchemy), you can craft alchemical cartridges for a cost in raw materials equal to half the price of the cartridge. At your GM's discretion, you can craft metal cartridges for a cost in raw materials equal to half the cost of the cartridge. Crafting bullets, black powder, or cartridges takes 1 day of work for every 1,000 gp of ammunition (minimum 1 day).
Restoring a Broken Firearm: Each day, with an hour's worth of work, you can use this feat to repair a single firearm with the broken condition. You can take time during a rest period to restore a broken firearm with this feat.
Special: If you are a gunslinger, this feat grants the following additional benefit. You can use this feat to repair and restore your initial, battered weapon. It costs 300 gp and 1 day of work to upgrade it to a masterwork firearm of its type.
That would be my assumption as well, Claxon. The reduction of cost in creating a firearm or ammunition for it includes an understanding of how to recycle those materials.
As an aside, I would still love an answer from the designers on a number of questions regarding advanced firearms. :P
That would be my assumption as well, Claxon. The reduction of cost in creating a firearm or ammunition for it includes an understanding of how to recycle those materials.
As an aside, I would still love an answer from the designers on a number of questions regarding advanced firearms. :P
I would too, and I have banned them from games I run partly because I'm unhappy with the mechanics, partly because of style. If they can answer some questions about mechanics I may consider letting them in. Maybe.
Someday.
Okay, never.