Quote:
Originally Posted by Icelander
There is not, no, but given the astronomical expense of smokepowder, it's generally worthwhile to have the artisan spend some extra time making sure that the explosion maximise the effect of the smokepowder and shrapnel.
Clay pots filled with shrapnel and smokepowder are in use, but the pot and fragmenting material generally cost $10+ (rather than the $1 or so of a simple clay vessel and scrap), given that the smokepowder cost is usually $350+.
Pretty much the same reason you don't generally serve sixty-year-old Armagnac in plastic glasses, even if that is much cheaper than crystalware.
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So, it's not a "firepower" question. What you really want is something that maximizes your powder to casualty rate.
IRL, the big advantage of gunpowder was "cheap way to deliver potentially lethal wounds" and "makes walls go away". Those are fairly cost prohibitive. So we're left with the other advantages it can offer. Lethality at range without respect to ST. Explosion and dispersal of damage. The ability to crack just about any nut with enough expense (aka Plan B).
Lethality at Range Without Respect to ST:
People not strong enough to use a bow in combat can use the musket. Is that better than the crossbow? Probably depends on your people and your enemy. However, giving your high value people a first shot or last shot via a pistol is a decent idea.
Explosion and Dispersal:
Mines/grenades. A few small cans rolled into enemy formations (assuming close formations) loaded with shot can cripple enemies. Buried mines are probably cost prohibitive, but could be effective in set ambushes. The can devices could also be air dropped. This is a disruption and casualty weapon. Could be very effective in healer power attrition.
Explosives are useful in creating ambushes. Bringing down the right building or wall can cut off escape, or provide one. Traps were noted above, but think about the ability to change the terrain. Demo is...well, no one in the campaign has a lot of training in it...so no guts no glory. I think your battlefield is urban, and suspect this is where the best use of the powder in terms of battlefield surprise and shaping can be.
Plan B:
Low level ranger Sandy and the family's dolphin companion could limpet quite a few ships. An underwater limpet is an expensive smokepowder weapon, but quite reasonable if you have a proper delivery mechanism.
Ulgor the Unstoppable, Giant Tyrant and Champion of the Bloody Fist Vanguard of the...BOOOOOM!!!! Sometimes you just don't have the time to deal with someone in a civilized manner. It's the sort of thing that can make a GM smile and cry at the same time, but anyone who's location you know with enough time, can be blown completely to smithereens.
A note on snipers:
Snipers would be great...if you have accurate smokepowder weapons. Given the cost of the powder, use the AP adamant bullets. If you don't, it's a bit of a toss up. There are amazing counter sniper abilities in FRish settings. Of course, there's also a bizarre tech scale. Rifling may well be in use for another technology already, just waiting as an obvious adaptation.