First off I want to thank all of you guys who answerd my previous question so quickly. I have a bit of a problem, I am not very good with numbers so I have always found it hard deciding the modifiers people have on attacks etc. Now my main problem is range. I just seem to always find that my players are never in at a point where range means anything. I guess I need to change the distances of incounters but I just feel that things like pistols get a little to much range. Do you think this is a valid argument and the effective range of weapons in the game is a little much I mean more so with pistols as with rifles I can udnerstand it or am I just getting really mixed up?

I think maybe the issue is one of variety. In close-in confined scenes then flamers and pistols will be very powerful and flexible weapons. This happens alot in some of the pre-published missions since there are often complex and (hopefully exciting) maps for the dramatic scenes. Maybe your team's next mission takes them to investigate "strange happenings" way in the outback of a agri-world? If this sounds boring then you did NOT watch enough X-Files back in the 90's. Sure, those pistols are great inside the barn or maybe an abandoned farmhouse, but what about in the open fields? Toss in some "redneck mutants" who don't much appreciate unwanted visitors and have an unhealthy fascination with shooting stuff with rifles (or ambushing them with shovels or something like that).

In short, mix it up. On one mission a pair of pistols might be the ideal choice. Perhaps next time a Longlas is a better choice? If your players are selecting the exact same weapons for every mission then things are getting too predictable. "Signature kit" is one thing, but agents of the Inquisition should not feel that they are "above" picking up a fallen foe's weapon and putting it to temporary use if it furthers the mission.

Don't forget too that inside half range of the weapons, you get a bonus to hit. So close spaces are far more deadly to ranged combat than distanced fights. Our group has experienced some fights at the longer ranges and personally, I like the fights up close and personal. I want to kill muties in person, not at a distance.

Although, variety is the spice of life.

Close range combat should be your bread and butter inside buildings, but try and mix things up occasionally. A wide open courtyard here and there or a battle on a ship with long hallways every so often isn't too bad.

Hi there,

I think the ranges are okay. Never had a gun in my hands, but it worked quiet well with my group till know. Think about leading them "into the open" if you would like a "change of range". If you can post your actual adventures/mission, some of us will be glad to help you with some idea for where and how you could stage a firefight "not that close"