I think the Alliance isn't so much buying its munitions (like proton torpedoes) from legitimate suppliers as they are hijacking Imperial (or corporate) shipments. Sure, they have some limited manufacturing capabilities, but I doubt it's enough to keep up with demand. Shortages of pretty much everything is SOP for any guerilla force, so justifying why a ship doesn't have torpedoes for its launchers isn't much of a stretch.

And if you're comparing the Y-wing to contemporary fighter jets I think it's more like an F-111 or an A-6; a heavy, ungainly fighter-bomber that can put a lot of boom on a target but needs help to keep faster, more manoeuvrable opponents off their backs while they deliver the payload.

I think the Alliance isn't so much buying its munitions (like proton torpedoes) from legitimate suppliers as they are hijacking Imperial (or corporate) shipments. Sure, they have some limited manufacturing capabilities, but I doubt it's enough to keep up with demand. Shortages of pretty much everything is SOP for any guerilla force, so justifying why a ship doesn't have torpedoes for its launchers isn't much of a stretch.

And if you're comparing the Y-wing to contemporary fighter jets I think it's more like an F-111 or an A-6; a heavy, ungainly fighter-bomber that can put a lot of boom on a target but needs help to keep faster, more manoeuvrable opponents off their backs while they deliver the payload.

Maybe they cost too much for the cash strapped rebel alliance?

You're running a starfighter squadron without torps? A Y-Wing squadron without torps? Yikes.

I always looked at the Y-Wing like a Star Wars-y F-14; can engage targets from over the horizon with missiles, but fragile and ungainly as heck in close quarters.

It makes sense. Between the lack of manufacturing facilities and having to go after Imperial stocks, it's understandable for there to be shortages.

Factor in travel and planning schedules, as well as the very real possibility of having faulty and substandard munitions and it's not surprising that the Rebel Alliance can't equip all fighter with munitions.

Not to be too far off topic, I wonder what the economic situation of the Star Wars universe at times. It would be interesting bed time reading for the fans with insomnia.

A proton torpedo is a high-powered bomb, and the Empire would prefer that the only folks who can get a hold of those on a routine basis is themselves. It's akin to a civilian Hummer having the basic requirements to mount a SAW as part of the design, but the government making the purchase and mounting of said weapon by a civilian very much illegal.

No, It's more like being able to buy an F-18 but not the missiles that go on it. Even without the missiles, the F-18 would still be Restricted in today's world.

Also note that, by default, buying a weapon with Limited Ammo (including a vehicle mounting such a weapon) includes a full load for that weapon so your anecdotal example is not typical.

I don't think the F-18 is a good comparison either really. ANY fighter jet is going to be restricted in today's world, because normal citizens just don't own fighter jets. In the Star Wars world, normal citizens DO own space ships that may have weapons on them.

I agree the Hummer is a much better comparison. Since cars are a bit more accessible than jet airplanes?

Hummer with no weapons - Acceptable.

Hummer with a huge machine gun on top of it with dozens of rounds of ammo loaded into it? - Restricted.

Hummer with a huge machine gun on top of it but no ammo and no chance of ammo any time soon - Questionable?

Another thing to remember is that the AoR books have a far more military tilt, and assume the player is a member of the Alliance. That explains the "restricted" issue with the X-Wing, and the pricing and stats of the Dragoon: it's meant to be a convertible handgun for officers or senior NCOs, like the old Mauser broomhandle carbines were for the early 1900s German army.

The author who created the Dragoon for AoR has specifically stated that he was primarily influenced by the Colt Dragoon from the US Civil War — one of the best examples I’ve found is the model at http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/colt-3rd-model-dragoon-c9738/

However, he seems to have mixed that functionality with the feature that some of the Broomhandle Mausers and early versions of the M1911A1 had, whereby the stock could also be used as the holster.

None of that changes my overall view of the weapon. The encumbrance as listed is way too low for what this thing is supposed to be. But that’s really my only major beef with it.

This thread was part of the inspiration behind this article:

http://www.d20radio.com/main/?p=227

I only wish that the information had been organized in a Google Docs spreadsheet, because there are some more columns I’d like to add and some more pistols I’d like to add.

Your results would probably still come up the same, but for my own edification it would b useful for me to compare some other weapons to see if I still come to the same conclusions after closer comparison with your information.

Thanks!

I only wish that the information had been organized in a Google Docs spreadsheet, because there are some more columns I’d like to add and some more pistols I’d like to add.

Your results would probably still come up the same, but for my own edification it would b useful for me to compare some other weapons to see if I still come to the same conclusions after closer comparison with your information.

Thanks!

Something like this?

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CHMCdmPTtWsOjqICzcPXvJc0Vw2HMk3kaWYACQCz774/edit?usp=sharing

It's not perfect, but does have some formulas for calculating the damage for the "shooting range" results. I'm sure it can be improved upon if someone is interested. And certainly adding additional weapons to it would be simple.

I wouldn't mind having a comparison of the various rifles can also be useful.

I wouldn't mind having a comparison of the various rifles can also be useful.

This article has been fairly popular, so it's quite possible you'll see other weapon types in the future.

This thread was part of the inspiration behind this article:

http://www.d20radio.com/main/?p=227

From the Developer Answered Questions thread.

H-7 and the Superior Quality

Question asked by 2P51 (Paraphrased):

Does the status for the superior quality of the H-7 include the +1 damage and automatic advantage already in the write up?

Answered by Sam Stewart:

"The +1 damage is included in the stats, but the automatic Advantage is not.

Yeah, Superior built into the weapon from the start was definitely confusing, but as Jamwes mentioned, it was verified by one of the designers. (Which may have made it even more confusing since half of its benefits are baked in and half aren't...)

Yeah, Superior built into the weapon from the start was definitely confusing, but as Jamwes mentioned, it was verified by one of the designers. (Which may have made it even more confusing since half of its benefits are baked in and half aren't...)

Yeah, the weapon design rules are kind of weird. I don't mind encumbrance going up if someone was to take a blaster rifle and add a scope, lasersight/flashlight, under barrel weapon, and maybe a modification or three to the internals (barrel, power supply, stocks, etc.). And that's on top of going for the Superior quality.

On the Topic of Restricted i have mentioned before that what is and is not Restricted varies around our world, country to country, even state to state (Fireworks?). Guns are heavily restricted here in Australia, partially semi-auto and auto guns, elsewhere in the world its a lot less restrictive, and if i was in a Criminal organisation or a particular Military then what i can get or am given will vary too. Therefore its my opinion that not just the the Rarity of an item is affected by location and situation but the Restricted nature of it is as well e.g.:

An X-Wing to a Rebel Ace onboard a Rebel Capital ship will be unrestricted (and a bit of quick talking should get those torpedoes unrestricted too)

An X-Wing to a Rebel Spy working in the bowls of Coruscant will most certainly find that X-Wings are Restricted... even a single piece of one would be!

I think a GM could justify almost anything being restricted, given the correct location/environment/politics, so the rating is given merely as a guideline for those most likely to have the equipment or looking to purchase that particular item. Most won't be looking for a Dragoon, but the Officer that wants one will probably have no trouble picking it up form the Barracks, as will the mounted scout (who needs to travel light, have a rifle when possible, but needs a pistol while mounted to keep a hand free for holding the reins). Flechette Launchers are always going to be hard to find and heavily policed... as are Lightsabers to an EotE or AoR PC.

Essentially I'm saying its a story element, a hook for the GM to use. Some ignore Encumbrance, some mess with the initiative system, some want to make X-Wings and Dragoons Restricted, thats fine if your group is having fun and it makes sense to the Players at YOUR table.

This thread was part of the inspiration behind this article:

http://www.d20radio.com/main/?p=227

Wowza. I'm helping, YAAAAAY! I'm helping you! *in best Sealab Bizzaro voice*

I wouldn't mind having a comparison of the various rifles can also be useful.

This can tide you over until the article comes out.

I'll save you time the "heavy repeating rifle" still the best man portable giant gun available.

**** thing is even has crit 2 if for some reason you don't want to use autofire.

I wouldn't mind having a comparison of the various rifles can also be useful.

This can tide you over until the article comes out.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is something that can help me both as a player and as a GM.

I'll save you time the "heavy repeating rifle" still the best man portable giant gun available.

**** thing is even has crit 2 if for some reason you don't want to use autofire.

It's certainly nasty, but a few drawbacks:

• It uses Gunnery as its skill (as opposed to Ranged(Heavy))
• Encumbrance of 9
• Costs 6000 credits AND is restricted
• And the big one: Cumbersome 5 quality. Which means if your Brawn is not 5 (or higher), you're automatically upgrading the difficulty a number of times equal to 5 minus your Brawn.

I'll save you time the "heavy repeating rifle" still the best man portable giant gun available.

**** thing is even has crit 2 if for some reason you don't want to use autofire.

It's certainly nasty, but a few drawbacks:

• It uses Gunnery as its skill (as opposed to Ranged(Heavy))
• Encumbrance of 9
• Costs 6000 credits AND is restricted
• And the big one: Cumbersome 5 quality. Which means if your Brawn is not 5 (or higher), you're automatically upgrading the difficulty a number of times equal to 5 minus your Brawn.

Not to mention it specifically states in the description that i comes with a tripod, that 3 ACTIONS are REQUIRED to set it up, usually by a team of 3 personal, and lastly if your not an Imperial soldier and are caught with it they will put you in an Imperial Prison for YEARS.

Yes it will kill fast, so will the vehicle mounted weapons, but you can't take them into negotiations, or to your local bar, it is a weapon for use in military engagements and defensive positions.

I'll save you time the "heavy repeating rifle" still the best man portable giant gun available.

**** thing is even has crit 2 if for some reason you don't want to use autofire.

It's certainly nasty, but a few drawbacks:

• It uses Gunnery as its skill (as opposed to Ranged(Heavy))
• Encumbrance of 9
• Costs 6000 credits AND is restricted
• And the big one: Cumbersome 5 quality. Which means if your Brawn is not 5 (or higher), you're automatically upgrading the difficulty a number of times equal to 5 minus your Brawn.

I'd argue the fact it uses gunnery is a bonus not a drawback, the fewer skills you need to buy the better and the fact you use the same skill vehicle weapons is a plus.

Encumbrance is a pain but it is THE big gun, you could probably mitigate it with gear.

Cumbersome is actually less of an issue than encumbrance as you can bring it down to 3 with a weapon harness.

Not to mention it specifically states in the description that i comes with a tripod, that 3 ACTIONS are REQUIRED to set it up, usually by a team of 3 personal, and lastly if your not an Imperial soldier and are caught with it they will put you in an Imperial Prison for YEARS.

Don't use the tripod. The HoB says it can be used without it although non Heavy characters will likely struggle.

Please this is EoE pretty much everything you do will put you in jail for years. And yes its restricted but not banned i can think of several reasons why you would be allowed to own one (bounty hunting, mercenaries, etc). Mind for each one of those i can think of dozens of reasons it probably never see light of day.

The question was "what is the best rifle?" I'm still gonna say Heavy Repeating Blaster

The best ranged heavy unrestricted rifle? Heavy Blaster

The lack of power creep on ranged heavy still makes it one most powerful man portable weapons. Fully modded with Augmented Spin Barrel it out performs the Sidewinder, potentially having 13 base damage accurate 1 and pierce 1 to go with its autofire while still have two hard points left.

Honourable mention Bowcaster its mod options arn't quite as good as the Heavy Blaster and it lacks the extra HPs

For stun damage ACP Repeater (if bought stun only purchasable at char gen) for autofire or raw damage the LBR-9 (expensive) or HBt-4 Hunting Blaster (if bought stun only purchasable at char gen)

You not going to use any of them in polite society but honestly i shouldn't have to say that

Fair call plan B and i do agree that there are some very powerful weapons (yours is a good list of them) I'm just trying to highlight that a weapon is not just its stat block.

Posted this in the main forum too, but for those who browse this forum more than the main one, rifle comparison:

http://www.d20radio.com/main/?p=474

Good job with the article.

As for the OP mentioning the Dragoon, given it's description and the fact that it's basically hybrid blaster pistol/carbine (Enc 1 and Enc 3) our entire gaming group decided the Enc 1 was too low and have HR'd to be Enc 2. Split the difference. Now this puts her in the comparative range of heavy blasters but pricier, but also more damaging and with the ability to use either Light or Heavy skill.

YMMV, everyone at the table unanimously agreed, that made a lot more sense.