Heatseeker houserules, need input (Dredd)

[Annatar Giftbringer]

Greetings,
I've been thinking about heatseekers in Dredd, and I've got a few ideas, but I need some help tweaking them. 

My idea is that they can be locked on to a specific target, costing one significant action. When locked on, they will auto-hit. However, roll for hit-effect, because the bullet can be avoided by dodging, and the firer's effect modifies the number needed to avoid the bullet. The bullet will hit even if the to-hit roll is lower than 8, but it will be easier to dodge. 

Now, this is where I need some input:

1) should firing a locked-on heatseeker be a minor or major action? Normally it would be a major, of course, but since it's a guided round all you need to do is squeeze the trigger and walk away, no aiming or focus needed. 

In essence, firing with a minor action would let you keep the same rate of fire, but delayed for one turn. 

2) aiming bonus, should it apply? I'm thinking no, since it doesn't really matter with a guided projectile. As long as you aim in the target's general direction, the heatseeker does the rest. However, gunhandling and dex-bonuses should apply. 

3) dodging. I'm thinking dex or dex + athletics, but should it be considered a normal roll (8+) or should it be difficult enough to dodge to warrant a 10+? a successful dodge would mean that the bullet misses completely, not just the usual -1 modifier. 

Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts on the matter! 

 

[AndrewW]

Now, this is where I need some input:

1) should firing a locked-on heatseeker be a minor or major action? Normally it would be a major, of course, but since it's a guided round all you need to do is squeeze the trigger and walk away, no aiming or focus needed. 

In essence, firing with a minor action would let you keep the same rate of fire, but delayed for one turn. 

If it's locked onto a single heat source, could need time to lock on, wouldn't be a simple fire and that's it, you would still need to designate the target.

2) aiming bonus, should it apply? I'm thinking no, since it doesn't really matter with a guided projectile. As long as you aim in the target's general direction, the heatseeker does the rest. However, gunhandling and dex-bonuses should apply. 

Could us an aiming bonus to establish a lock. Gunhandling could apply to the firing, don't see dex really applying though since the missile does it's own manuevering.

3) dodging. I'm thinking dex or dex + athletics, but should it be considered a normal roll (8+) or should it be difficult enough to dodge to warrant a 10+? a successful dodge would mean that the bullet misses completely, not just the usual -1 modifier.  

If one goes with two rolls, use the effect from the target aquisition roll to achieve the lock as a modifier to dodge.

Thinking an action to achieve a lock, then the actual firing (probably minor for the firing).

 

[Annatar Giftbringer]

Hmm, this sounded like a better idea when I first posted it... Perhaps auto-success is a bit too good for the lock-on? Should range and cover affect the difficulty of locking on? I was thinking that the bullet itself doesn't care about such things, but surely acquiring the target in the first place might get affected...? 

Perhaps it's better to scrap my entire idea, and replace it with something simpler, like... 

Heatseekers fire like ordinary bullets. They do not benefit from aiming, but on the other hand do not suffer negative modifiers for cover, range or target speed either.  Alternatively they may be fired without having acquired a target, in which case they behave like in the rulebook. 

Or should they benefit from aiming? On the one hand, I wanna say yes, aiming gives the targeting computer more time to acquire a better lock-on, but on the other hand, it might make a lawgiver pistol with heatseekers too good a sniper weapon? Granted, there's still a limited range on pistols, and the heatseeker bullet deals less damage than other ammo types, but still... 

Or I could ignore this entire post, and try to tweak my earlier attempt until it feels more right

On a semi-related note, I assume
A blind-fired heatseeker wouldn't benefit from the firer's gun combat skill, right? 

 

[Annatar Giftbringer]

No one Else? I'd be very interrested in hearing how other GMs deal with heatseekers...