Thanks for the response, Dajur.
Dajur wrote:
The action economy on the first example is a bit suspect, but it sounds like it was pretty fun, so whatever.
In the second example (maybe first as well), your guy did WAY too much damage. For example, a keg of black powder is equivalent to 100 doses of black powder and only does 5d6 points of damage to everyone within 20 feet of the explosion with a DC 15 reflex save for half. In order to do damage in the triple digits, you would have to have 6 kegs of black powder to do an average of 105 points of damage. Also, it is very stupid carrying around kegs of black powder as well, because of this line in the description:
Quote:
Exposure to fire, electricity, or a misfire explosion causes black powder to explode—a single keg that explodes in this manner deals 5d6 points of fire damage to anyone within a 20-foot burst (DC 15 Reflex half ). Storing black powder in a powder horn protects the powder from explosion.
Basically, any misfires or exposure to fire or electricity makes them explode. Also, the powder horn protects against misfires, fire and electricity, so it wouldn't explode. Carrying kegs of black powder is extremely dumb for low level gunslingers who may not be able to protect against misfires. Plus, a good tactic for any enemy would be to target the PC with the powder kegs on his person with fire or electricity to make them explode and injure him and his team.
But, sounds like you guys had fun. So unless the other players were annoyed that the gunslinger basically one shotted the BBEG, it sounds like you played it well. If they were annoyed, I doubt the gunslinger will be coming back.
> The action economy on the first example is a bit suspect, but it sounds like it was pretty fun, so whatever.
Yes, when it happened it did cross my mind that it would probably take a couple of actions to a) dunk the ammo belt into the worm's mouth, then b) ignite the belt. But, I decided to allow it, because, as you say, it was cool, and the enemy was not an important one.
However, in retrospect, I think I would play it differently, as doing it this way sets a precedent, like: 'you can do this again in the future, just as easily'.
> For example, a keg of black powder is equivalent to 100 doses of black powder and only does 5d6 points of damage to everyone within 20 feet of the explosion with a DC 15 reflex save for half
I believe the calculations were done using one dragon's breath cartridge shot causing 2d6 damage, and multiplying the damage based on the number of cartridges. I take it this was an incorrect way of calculating the damage? Do you have an official source for the damage calculation for a keg of black powder?
> Storing black powder in a powder horn protects the powder from explosion.
I see. So that means the powder horns should not have exploded, is that correct? I think they were taken into account when calculating the damage.
> Plus, a good tactic for any enemy would be to target the PC with the powder kegs on his person with fire or electricity to make them explode and injure him and his team.
This actually happened (enemy alchemist landed a bomb), but in retrospect I was perhaps too lenient with the way I handled it. Never mind.
Ok so let's get this straight:
1) The powder horns would not explode in any case as they are protected from explosions, but can the Gunslinger ignite them manually using Burning Hands or a similar spell? Otherwise, he would have to manually open each one, which would take up a full action for each horn, I suppose.
2) The actual cartridges: can these be ignited with Burning Hands or a similar spell 'en masse', causing a chain reaction?
3) When calculating the damage of such a chain reaction, the damage should not be calculated by looking at the damage per cartridge then multiplying, but rather using a keg of black powder as a base for calculations?
Thanks again.
