From:	Undocumented Feature <JHURLEY1@******.BITNET>
Subject:	Re: Light Pistols..... - Reply
Date:	Wed, 20 Apr 1994 23:36:01 -0400

>
>> Why oh smegging Why do FASA insist in bringing out new Light
>> pistols in thier source books. Every time I pick up a new
>> equipment list is has a new poncy, "Lets flatten light ammo
>> against body armour.." little gun in it. it wouldn't be so bad
>> if you could get the same gun in different calibers i.e hold-out
>> (. 22) light (9mm) and heavy (.357 .45) but they don,t. I mean
>> Players never use them except if you tell them they are going to
>> a place so tight that they will not let anything else in.
>
>Right on! Lights are real nice to arm the cannon fodder with, but what
>runner worth his gear is goingto use them? 6L damage is pretty pathetic,
>face it, especially if the first higher thing is 9M, and giving better
>ranges too. Ah well, maybe its like they say in the Neo-A Guide to Real
>Life in the weapons chapter...
>
>By the way, I have been thinking of re-introducing variable Staging
>figures again, but still using the SR2 rules of Power Levels (Resistance
>Target Number = SR2 Power Level - Armor). This would make an assault
>rifle become 8M3, or a hold-out pistol 4L1, and also giving explosive
>ammo +2 Staging instead of +1 Power. Any thoughts?
>
>
Useless? I beg to differ. Caution: actual game situation follows.

Quicksilver, an NPC of mine (Player grade, he has a karma pool and combat pool.
He only gets team karma) is armed with a Hammerli610S, customized and modified
for Smartgun II (Interfaced to goggles). The situation is a kidnapping, so he
is loading Gel rounds. Takes a shot at an enemy Ork in 5/3 armor. First
simple action, he aims. Next, he fires in SA with a called shot.
Numbers: Skill 4 + 1 Enhanced articulation + 1 customization + 4 combat pool
for a total of 10 dice versus a target number of 4 + 2 called shot with SG2
(assumption: FoF has a misprint for called shot modifier, as base called shot
modifier in black book is 4) to negate armor (Special effect of called shot) -1
aiming action -1 smartgoggles=4 (If you wish, the called shot could have bumped
the damage code to M, and I will illustrate that as well). Ork has 9 body dice
+2 threat pool = 11 dice to resist 4L(Gel is -2Pow) damage. (2M for second case
)
Quicksilver rolls relatively well, getting 7 successes ( 9 successes aftter 1
karma reroll) (admittedly, fairly good, but Quicksilver has a small amount of
dice to roll. Skill 4 is only trained, after all. Imagine a marksman w/ 5 or 6
firearms, and able to double that from combat pool. That's not unheard of)
The ork rolls relatively average and scores 4 successes versus 6, and 7
versus 2. Versus 4L, the Ork has aquired a Serious (9-4=5 for two levels of
staging) Stun wound, and drops out of the fight. Against 2M the Ork has still
aquired (SP?) a Serious (9-7-2 for one level of staging) wound, and again drops
out of the fight. Imagine, instead, if Quicksilver were loading explosive or
EX Explosive?

Please note, he did this with ONE round. Armor can be defeated.

The point is, however, that, no weapon is worthless. Sure, having a 10M Ruger
Warhawk is nice, but there are tiems when all you have is the 6L holdout that
you've been saving for a warm day in hell. Say you are without your big gun
because of security, lack of ammo, or other problems. A light pistol still
makes an acceptable backup gun, or even a primary gun for a mage or decker.
Furthermore, your GM should realize that this event can happen, and play his
NPCs accordingly. And, players should realize that that gangbanger with the
walther might be able to take him down.
Especially since the 5/3 armor is (shouldn't be, anyway) walkaround gear. Cops
are going to hassle you in good parts of town, you won't get into any of the
good bars, like the one Johnson's in; it's noticable. (See NAGRL for details)
Just for commentary, most of my players jander around in 3/? (depends on
bodmods and specific clothing). They don't depend on armor to save them, they
depend on combat pool, and not being seen in the first place, and if they are,
getting their action before the enemy. (Not necessarily more actions, just the
first ones). Most firefights last 2-3 combat turns.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
While on the subject of armor, anyone notice the low grade military armor in
FoF is within the price budget of most security firms. For less that twice the
price, they get better that twice the effectiveness of armor. Hardened
10(12)/7(10)! at 25K list! htis should drive availability and Index of other
heavy armor down soon.


JHURLEY1@****.STEVENS-TECH.EDU
GCS d -p+ c++(+++) l(++) u(+) e+ m+(*) s/- !n h+(++) f+ !g w+++ t+ r+(++) y?

Life is complex, you know - part real, part imaginary.