Armor DX penalty and "point and shoot" weapons

[occam's spork]

Apologies if I missed this or if it has been covered ad nauseam. I am going to be starting up my TFT game eventually, and I've been re-familiarizing myself with the system (the legacy addition). I actually cut my teeth on the original TFT back in the 80's, so I can't wait.

But I'm having some questions pop up in my head about the system conceits. One such question is in regards to the DX penalty from armor with weapons that frankly don't require much in the way of free movement to use effectively. I'm talking about crossbows and firearms.

Has anyone reduced or done away with the DX penalty from armor when it comes to weapons like that?

[hcobb]

Just buy Missile Weapons, brace and aim your crossbow and you'll hardly notice the plate armor.

[phiwum]

Originally Posted by hcobb

Just buy Missile Weapons, brace and aim your crossbow and you'll hardly notice the plate armor.

That's not particularly helpful.

Occam, you have a point that armor wouldn't have the same effect on crossbows or guns as other weapons (or at least I assume). But I try to keep the game reasonably simple and personally don't fuss about things like that.

I only fuss about really important things, like how many blood hawks can fit into a hex.

If you do change the effects of armor on crossbows and guns, you may find a glut of crossbows and guns in your games. It will kinda change the balance.

[occam's spork]

Originally Posted by phiwum

Occam, you have a point that armor wouldn't have the same effect on crossbows or guns as other weapons (or at least I assume). But I try to keep the game reasonably simple and personally don't fuss about things like that.

I only fuss about really important things, like how many blood hawks can fit into a hex.

If you do change the effects of armor on crossbows and guns, you may find a glut of crossbows and guns in your games. It will kinda change the balance.

I had wondered about that, but the slow ready period of such weapons might counter that, no? Then again, it does give a plate armored character an advantage for their first attack; they get to shoot, then drop the gun/crossbow and advance, gaining the armor bonus while they blast away. Kind of like the alien troopers in Krull.

And I agree, it's the obvious fiduciary responsibility of the GM to know how many blood hawks fit in a hex.

[phiwum]

Originally Posted by occam's spork

I had wondered about that, but the slow ready period of such weapons might counter that, no? Then again, it does give a plate armored character an advantage for their first attack; they get to shoot, then drop the gun/crossbow and advance, gaining the armor bonus while they blast away. Kind of like the alien troopers in Krull.

And I agree, it's the obvious fiduciary responsibility of the GM to know how many blood hawks fit in a hex.

The answer is two, but seven if pureed.

[tomc]

Originally Posted by phiwum

The answer is two, but seven if pureed.

African or European blood hawks?