[DF] I can haz gunpowderz?

[Anders]

How would things change if you introduced gunpowder into the DF world? Which of the professions would be likely to use gunpowder weapons? What are the consequences of using a lot of gunpowder underground - IIRC, they gave off quite a lot of smoke?

[mlangsdorf]

I'm toying with letting Scholars and Alchemists use gunpowder weapons, though I don't know how helpful that would be. Flintlock weapons really aren't that much different than or superior to crossbows in the context of most DF weapons. Caplock revolvers would be a different story.

[Harald387]

Originally Posted by mlangsdorf

I'm toying with letting Scholars and Alchemists use gunpowder weapons, though I don't know how helpful that would be. Flintlock weapons really aren't that much different than or superior to crossbows in the context of most DF weapons. Caplock revolvers would be a different story.

There's not a lot of reason for a DF character to use a flintlock pistol when he could be using an accurized tricked-out repeating crossbow, but TL 3-4 muskets do some pretty terrifying damage - even if they are basically single-shot devices in the context of most DF skirmishes. The real problem at that point is the terrible Acc and the high weight; it's a lot to carry around for one shot per fight that may very easily miss (Note that I'm using Basic Set stats at a glance, here).

Guns don't become really deadly personal-combat weapons until TL 5 or so. Until then, they're fantastic for massed volleys and decent backup weapons, but not really suitable as a DF character's primary offense.

Of course, isn't that pretty much how they were used historically anyway?

[Harald387]

Originally Posted by Asta Kask

How would things change if you introduced gunpowder into the DF world? Which of the professions would be likely to use gunpowder weapons? What are the consequences of using a lot of gunpowder underground - IIRC, they gave off quite a lot of smoke?

They give off a lot of smoke compared to a modern firearm, but the smoke from a single person firing a pistol (or even a musket) once every 30 seconds or so probably isn't going to be enough to obscure even a single square.

[Captain-Captain]

Originally Posted by Harald387

They give off a lot of smoke compared to a modern firearm, but the smoke from a single person firing a pistol (or even a musket) once every 30 seconds or so probably isn't going to be enough to obscure even a single square.

We had a guy with a gun in one of the PBP games. He really hosed his character getting a weapon which took too long to use and didn't destroy what it hit when it did hit.

From that experience, guns aren't that important to the story unless you bring in lots of them or allow repeating varieties. At DF tech levels you can't justify much better gunnes than the ones historically seen in the 12th century. And those come with so many inherent restrictions on them they aren't all that playable.

An enemy wizard knows Ignite Fire and Throw Spell and kknows how gunpower operates. Your powder horn ignites from his thrown ignite fire. You go boom. Even if you don't die, you'r precious powder supply is gone and you are effectively out of the gunslinging business.

Water Jet does seriously affect you buddy.

[Captain-Captain]

The advantage of Ignite Fire and Thrown Spell here is you do not have to HIT a target. The point of casting the spell, for range purposes starts where the thrown spell hits. If you hit a couple of yards away, you're a couple of points penalized on the Ignite Fire spell. If skill 16 a -3 range is 13-. No resistance issues here if the powder holder is flammable, just pay the proper Fatigue to be able to ignite it..

Fire proof horn? Yawn. Ok -5 to target the spell on the powder inside the horn because I can't see the powder itself through the horn. For that maybe hitting the horn with the THrow Spell becomes important. The energy cost to ignite gunpowder shouldn't be an issue at skilll 15+.

[pyratejohn]

The workaround is, of course, to make the black powder magical black powder. Magical black powder is impervious to magically created fires. While I haven't looked through GURPS books to find the rule for doing it, this is GURPS, so I'm sure there is a way.

[Captain-Captain]

Originally Posted by pyratejohn

The workaround is, of course, to make the black powder magical black powder. Magical black powder is impervious to magically created fires. While I haven't looked through GURPS books to find the rule for doing it, this is GURPS, so I'm sure there is a way.

New spell. Existing anti-incindiary magic works on FIRES in general and it is something llike essential fire that might ignore a protection (ie Devitalized Air won't affect Essential Flame). You'd have to invent something that would stop magic but not mundane ignition.

I'd suggest for cost considerations an alchemical concoction that you pour into the powder and dry in the manufacturing process. A spell has a duration probloem and enchantment could put the cost of a shot higher than the ball could reach.

[Ed the Coastie]

Swashbuckler + a brace of caplock revolvers = a truly awesome character

[Anders]

Originally Posted by Captain-Captain

New spell. Existing anti-incindiary magic works on FIRES in general and it is something llike essential fire that might ignore a protection (ie Devitalized Air won't affect Essential Flame). You'd have to invent something that would stop magic but not mundane ignition.

How about a horn devitalizing its interior continuously?