Re: Firearms and DD
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 1:15 am
Ah, I see now. I wasn't putting anything behind the reason for no armour in the 1800s. I wasn't specifically saying it was because of firearms. I was basing it on the historic fact that there simply was no armour used during that time in American history and it sounded like you were going for a pretty specific time period (though I agree, it probably had a great deal to do with firearms).
As far as dealing with the lack of armour, there are several options you could consider...
1. Increase dexterity bonuses (though I suppose this only works well if you have a good dexterity score).
2. Build "Unreliable" factors into firearm use or penalize them a bit. Give them a chance to jam or even explode in the user's face due to a bad barrel. Make gunpowder expensive. Make it expensive and rare. Give pistols harsh To Hit penalties at any range greater than 15'. Give rifles a smaller but similar overall penalty.
3. Give certain classes an inherit armour class (due to training, toughening techniques, etc.) fighters have an inherent AC of 5, clerics/shamans have an IAC of 6, thieves an IAC of 7, etc. factor that in with DEX bonuses and they could easily be survivable characters
4. Combination of any or all of the above.
Ummm... That's all I got right now.
As far as dealing with the lack of armour, there are several options you could consider...
1. Increase dexterity bonuses (though I suppose this only works well if you have a good dexterity score).
2. Build "Unreliable" factors into firearm use or penalize them a bit. Give them a chance to jam or even explode in the user's face due to a bad barrel. Make gunpowder expensive. Make it expensive and rare. Give pistols harsh To Hit penalties at any range greater than 15'. Give rifles a smaller but similar overall penalty.
3. Give certain classes an inherit armour class (due to training, toughening techniques, etc.) fighters have an inherent AC of 5, clerics/shamans have an IAC of 6, thieves an IAC of 7, etc. factor that in with DEX bonuses and they could easily be survivable characters
4. Combination of any or all of the above.
Ummm... That's all I got right now.