Scatter Gun

[havercake lad]

Are there any rules for hitting multiple targets with shotguns in the current Traveller system ? Couldn,t find any in core ruleset . though my old first edition set has mechanics for this.
Also are there any particular rules for baton rounds and also solid shot fired from shotguns ?

 

[charliebananas]

Yeah I wondered this aswell as the scattergun seems a bit pointless next to the lawgiver.

Edit: I'm considering allow my players to roll 3d6 to hit at close range and discard the lowest die, rather than hitting multiple targets they just get a better chance to hit.

 

[havercake lad]

Was considering variable damage at different ranges for shot myself in similar method to Chaosium system.
Old rule system allowed up to four man sized targets to be hit if they were in a close group.
Re solid slugs , assume these would do less than 4D6 damage , which is the damage from a gauss rifle round some 8 tec levels higher.
Re Baton Rounds ~ Maybe half damage ( 2D6 ) is inflicted on a single target.

 

[dreamingbadger]

There are some rules for solid ball ammunition for shotguns and for stunbags and baton rounds in central supply catalouge. The approach is similiar but they go with a d3 per d6 rather than a straight halve.

Shotgun rules don't allow you to hit multiple targets, but, they do make it hard to dodge (as per page 99 MGT), also note that armour is doubled against "shot"/pellet attacks.

 

[Rex]

Yeah I wondered this aswell as the scattergun seems a bit pointless next to the lawgiver.

Edit: I'm considering allow my players to roll 3d6 to hit at close range and discard the lowest die, rather than hitting multiple targets they just get a better chance to hit.

Heh. Isn't ANY other weapon, pointless in comparison to the Lawgiver ?

~Rex

 

[havercake lad]

Yeah I wondered this aswell as the scattergun seems a bit pointless next to the lawgiver.

Edit: I'm considering allow my players to roll 3d6 to hit at close range and discard the lowest die, rather than hitting multiple targets they just get a better chance to hit.

Heh. Isn't ANY other weapon, pointless in comparison to the Lawgiver ?

~Rex

Agree.. but one of my players picked up shotgun 0. Plus theres the Perps to consider.

 

[Rex]

Believe it or not in a long term fire fight, a scattergun is very handy. That Dodge modifier, and really be a pain in the butt sometimes to get around. Toss in the various special ammo, the intimidation factor, a scattergun is a good friend to have.

I've got a few other ideas for it I want to try in game play first, so give me a day or so and I'll have a much better report for you.

~Rex

 

[Rex]

So, revisiting this thing a bit. We have a Scatter Gun, using the basic shot gun rules.

Easy enough, no Dodge bonus, which is a good thing for the Scatter Gun user.

Scatter Gun also has an option for LOTS of Stum Gas rounds, so there is a nice thing to, since your Judge is normally only packing a couple of these for his Lawgiver II.

The Plasteel Baton Rounds, now that's an interesting one, since they give no damage for these little things. SO, digging through the Prog's, I'm assigning these things, a 5d6 damage, Shotgun range chart. Also giving them Armor Piercing on top of that because all they really are is a pumped up Sabot round, so for those that need a visualization, Think the opening gunfight in the Movie Alien nation.

In addition. I give the Plasteels a Door Opening ability, ala Real World shotguns. Such a tactic is easily researched via the internet, so no need to bore folks there.

I've also added the fact that the Scatter Gun using the normal Shot Rounds, will eat up Soft Cover, much like shotguns really do, while the Plasteel Baton rounds will basically Ignore soft cover completely.

NOW, the Scatter Gun in the hands of a Judge, is the big scary weapon that it should be.

~Rex