Advanced Ranged Weapons
Armaments have turned the tide in wars and conflicts. Their invention during the Great War allowed the rebel kingdoms to take down the Grimslarian Empire. This was all thanks to the Tsumeta Empire (formerly known as the Tsumeta Kingdom) and their late entry into the war. At first, they gave resources to front-line kingdoms and secretly developed new technology to change the war's outcome.
A major component why arms can have an advantage in combat is the automatic +1 to their base damage, along with having armor penetration. The increased base damage is reflected in the respected tables. For more information about armor penetration, see Combat: Armor Penetration in the game rules chapter.
Arms have three types Burst Blades, Short Arms, and Long Arms. Short Arms are single-handed weapons such as pistols and revolver. Long Arms are two handed weapons such as blunderbuss, rifles, muskets, tech bows. All arms are single fire. Regardless of which type of arm you use, your Gun skill represents your accuracy. Unless using the melee component of a Burst Blade or a Tech Bow, this does not apply. Tech Bows are considered archery, therefore, they use the Archery skill instead.
Burst Blades are a type of arm that falls under two other categories based on the length of the arm they were combined with (short or long).
Arms use different amounts of bursts from their power sources based on their type. Some Long Arms require more bursts for a single shot, while other Short Arms require only a single burst per shot and vice versa. Read the arm’s description before purchasing and using them, as some have unique properties.
The initial purchase of any arm includes one Power Source of the same manufacturer.
Arms go Boom!
Arms are far from silent when fired. Even though they use steam canisters as power sources, that doesn’t mean they are silent. The sudden and intense release of energy results in an audible boom. Shooting an arm while hidden gives away your position to anyone within 60 feet, except those who can’t physically see you. If they can’t clearly see your location, they at least have a general idea.
A way around this is to invest into archaic ranged weapons, such as archery weapons, as they are silent when fired.
Burst Blades
The burst blade is a patented design made solely by Tsumeta Steam. Anything that doesn’t have the Tsumeta Steam logo on it and claims to be a Burst Blade is a knockoff. The burst blade concept combines the sharp cutting edge of the sword with the intimidating power of an arm (most of the time).
When referring to the Burst Blade table, the damage column indicates the melee damage first, followed by the arms’ damage. The standard requirements for both types of weapons are required to wield Burst Blades.
Long Arm Burst Blade
Most burst blades are Short Arms but there are a few that have been made using Long Arm technology. The major difference between a Long Arm burst blade and a Short Arm model is the skill used when wielding them as melee weapons. Long Arm burst blades use the Two-Handed skill for melee.
Short Arm Burst Blade
A Burst Blade Short Arm is a combination of a sword and a Short Arm. They are unique to have either a pistol or revolver with a shorter blade.
When using the Burst Blade as a melee weapon, either your one handed or off-hand skills are used for accuracy. Fire the arm part of the Burst Blade still uses your Gun skill as your accuracy.
Models of Burst Blades
Pulverizer (2 Bursts)
Although not a bladed weapon, the Pulverizer is still developed by Tsumeta Steam and, therefore, has been categorized as a Burst Blade. It is the combination of a two-handed war hammer and rifle. The rifle’s chamber can hold four Long Bullets and uses two bursts per bullet when fired. This weapon uses a medium steam canister as its power source.
S.C.M. (2/1 Burst)
The Steam Claymore Musket is a customized claymore built with a musket in the blade. This is a combo weapon that can be used as a musket or a claymore. The musket holds a single Long Bullet and uses two bursts to fire. However, if using a Tsumeta Steam power source, the musket only requires one burst to fire. This weapon uses a medium steam canister as its power source.
S.D.R. (1 Burst)
The Steam Dagger Revolver is a Burst Blade that holds two Short Bullets in a cylinder that uses one burst to fire per bullet. This weapon can be used as a dagger or a revolver interchangeably. This weapon uses a medium steam canister as its power source.
S.L.S.R. (1 Burst)
The Steam Long Sword Revolver is a Burst Blade that holds three Short Bullets in a cylinder that uses one burst to fire per bullet. These weapons can be used as a long sword or a revolver interchangeably. This weapon uses a small steam canister for its power source.
S.S.S.R (1 Burst)
The Steam Short Sword Revolver is a Burst Blade that holds four Short Bullets in a cylinder that uses one burst to fire per bullet. These weapons can be used as a short sword or revolver interchangeably. This weapon uses a small steam canister for its power source.
Long Arms
Long Arms require two hands to wield but provide larger range than Short Arms. They come in different models based on the company that engineered them.
Long Arms have a penalty for being used in close quarter combat. See Equipment Requirements in catalog one for more information.
Types of Long Arms
Blunderbuss
These weapons are a cannon in your hands. It is a special type of Long Arm that has a large open cone shape barrel. They can shoot out almost any handful of small debris, like stones, nails, etc. in a cone area of effect. If using random bits of debris instead of a cartridge, the damage and accuracy suffer -2. These are the only Long Arms that do not have a penalty to accuracy when used in close quarter combat. Blunderbuss can hold a single cartridge (or equivalent sized bits of debris).
When firing a blunderbuss your accuracy is the difficulty rating targets, within the area of effect, must beat using their reaction instinct to avoid damage. Firing slugs uses normal accuracy versus defense. This is the only Long Arm that does not have armor penetration unless firing slugs.
If using bullets with the blunderbuss, six bullets can be loaded for a single shot. The damage does not stack per bullet, but is only applied once. So, using grade one bullets would still result in +1d4 added damage and not +1d4 per bullet.
Musket
A musket is a Long Arm that is loaded one bullet at a time. They must be reloaded after every shot. Muskets have a range as to how many bursts per shot they use because of the different models they come in. This is because they are the original Long Arm before the rifle was invented. As technology advanced to styles of muskets evolved to be more powerful or have extended range which required more power.
Rifle
A rifle is a Long Arm that holds multiple bullets and can be fired multiple times before needing to be reloaded. It is the long-range version of the Short Arm revolver.
Tech Bows
A tech bow is a bow or crossbow that has been modified to include a power source. The extra power provided by the power source gives the weapons higher damage and range than their standard counterparts. They reload the same as standard bows and crossbows.
Long Arm Models
Dragon Shot (2 Bursts)
This blunderbuss is made by Tsumeta Steam, so you know it will hold up in a fight. It uses two bursts to fire projectiles (cartridge) in a ten-foot cone area of effect. It uses a medium steam canister as its power source.
Blunder (3 Bursts)
This blunderbuss has two firing options, slug or cartridge. When using anything other than a slug as ammunition, it fires in a ten-foot cone area of effect. However, when a slug is used, it fires at a single target. Regardless of the ammunition, it requires two bursts to fire.
Dead Eye (3/5 Bursts)
This musket is made by Hotton Industries. It is known for having the farthest range of any arm. The Dead Eye comes with a spy glass scope, which has the increased range already included in the indicated range. It fires a single Long Bullet per bullet at the cost of five bursts when using the scope. Without the scope the range is decreased by two-hundred feet but only uses three bursts per bullet. This weapon uses a medium steam canister as its power source.
HWA-SMR (2 Bursts)
Hammer & Wrench Armory’s Steam Machine Revolver is a rifle that holds six Long Bullets. Each shot uses two bursts from its medium steam canister.
Pulse (2 Bursts)
The pulse rifle, made by Tsumeta Steam, can fire six Long Bullets before needing to be reloaded at the cost of two bursts per pullet. Because of the design of the arm, its burst capacity is increased by +2. This weapon uses a medium steam canister as its power source.
HWA Shocker (3 Bursts)
This musket uses a dual trigger system for increased damage. Because of the dual trigger and maximum range, it requires three bursts to fire per bullet. This weapon uses a medium steam canister as its power source.
Steam Barrel (2 Bursts)
The Steam Barrel is the original design for muskets. The only company still manufacturing them is Tinker’s Constructs. They are the basic of the basic for arms, as they are the barrel attached to a trigger that is connected to the power source. They use two bursts per shot and have a -1 to the power sources burst capacity.
Steam Bolt (1 Burst)
This type of tech bow is an advanced version of a crossbow. The power source allows it increased damage and range. Without the power source, the weapon is a standard crossbow. It uses one burst per shot and a small steam canister as its power source.
Steam Bow (1 Burst)
This type of tech bow is an advanced version of the recurve bow. The power source allows it increased damage and range. Without the power source the weapon is a standard recurve bow. It uses one burst per shot and a small steam canister as its power source.
Striker Mk. 1 (2 Bursts)
Made by Hotton Industries the Striker mark one is their basic rifle. They use two burst per shot and hold five Long Bullets with a medium steam canister as its power source.
Striker Mk. 2 (2 Bursts)
The Striker Mark Two is the improved younger sibling of the mark one. It has slightly longer range, better steam optimization, higher durability, and is lighter. It uses two burst per shot and uses a medium steam canister as its power source with an increased capacity of +2.
Short Arms
Short Arms require only one hand to wield but have a shorter range than Long Arms. They also come in different models based on the company who engineered them.
Unlike Long Arms, Short Arms are used at medium to close range and therefore, do not have any penalties when used in close quarter combat. Short Arms can be dual wield but require the Ambidextrous Mastery.
Pistol
Pistols were the first Short Arms to be invented after the musket. A pistol is a Short Arm that is loaded one bullet at a time. They must be reloaded after every shot.
Revolver
A revolver is a Short Arm that holds multiple bullets at a time. They can be fired multiple times before having to reload.
Models of Short Arms
Cylinder Barrel (1 Burst)
This basic revolver is made by Tinker’s Constructs. It holds four Short Bullets and uses one burst per shot from its small steam canister.
HWA-M1 (1 Burst)
The Model One is the first pistol made by Hammer & Wrench Armory. It fires a single Short Bullet using one burst from its small steam canister.
HWA-M2 (1 Burst)
The Model Two is made by Hammer & Wrench Armory. It is their base line model revolver and is named the HWA-M2 after it being their second model of short arm, the first being the HWA-M1 pistol. This revolver holds five Short Bullets which uses one burst per shot of its small steam canister.
Shock Canon (3 Burst)
Tsumeta Steam’s Shock Canon is a high-powered pistol that uses dual triggers to fire a single Short Bullet using three bursts. It uses a small steam canister as its power source.
Short Barrel (1 Burst)
The Short Barrel is the first of its kind. It is the very first model of pistols ever made. It comprises a small steam canister attached to the barrel through a trigger. Using one burst, a single short bullet is discharged. Being the first ever model of pistols, it was not designed with optimization in mind. Therefore, its power sources capacity is -1 and uses a small steam canister.
Steamlock (3 Bursts)
The Steamlock is not your average pistol. It uses Long Bullets with its dual trigger and uses three bursts per shot of its medium steam canister. The force behind this pistol is so powerful it requires a might of six to shoot without penalties. Firing this gun without meeting the requirement causes the wielder to be knocked prone. Critical strikes add a base damage die of fire damage on top of the standard critical strike rules.
Type-1 (1 Burst)
The Type-1 holds four Short Bullets and uses one burst per shot. This arm is optimized to use Tsumeta Steam power sources, which gives it +2 bursts. All other brand power sources provide a +1 capacity. It uses a small steam canister as its power source.
Wheellock (1 Burst)
This high-end steam revolver is made by Hotton Industries. It uses a small steam canister and holds four Short Bullets. The Wheellock has optimized the steam canister’s bursts, increasing the capacity by +1.
Ammunition
Except for tech bows, arms use bullets or cartridges as their ammunition. Bullets vary depending on the type of arm used. Long Arms use Long Bullets while Short Arms use Short Bullets. The type of Long Arm called Blunderbuss uses cartridges.
Types of Ammunition
Cartridges
These are cloth casings designed to tear open when shot out of a blunderbuss. The contents inside the casing shoot out in the area of effect based on the blunderbuss.
Long Bullets
These elongated bullets are one and a half inches long and fit musket and rifle Long Arms. They do not fit into Short Arms.
Short Bullets
These half inch bullets are used in Short Arms. They do not fit into Long Arms.
Special Ammunition
There are some special bullets that can be adapted to the other ammunition. This ammunition can be bullets or cartridges unless otherwise specified.
Harpoon Spear Head
A replacement head and chain for the Harpoon Spear.
Rubber Bullets
These bullets cause one blunt damage but can have spells etched into them. When the target is struck, the spells, effects activate. The bullet is destroyed when the spell activates. The touch spell’s effect is applied before the damage from the bullet is applied. You must have the knowledge to etch energetics into objects to use these bullets properly.
Slug (Blunderbuss Only)
A two-inch ball of metal used in Blunderbuss Long Arms to direct their cone area of effect to a single target. The damage a blunderbuss would normally do in a cone is done to one target. This ammunition requires the blunderbuss to have a slug shot modification.
Sniper Shot (Muskets Only)
This bullet is a special Long Bullet. It is two inches long and is engineered to increase the range of a musket by fifty feet. The damage is increased by one base damage die of the Long Arm used.
