| From: | Avenger <Avenger@*******.DEMON.CO.UK> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Heavy pistol damage |
| Date: | Tue, 15 Jul 1997 02:55:38 +0100 |
<NAGELBH@******.ACS.MUOHIO.EDU> rambled on endlessly about Heavy pistol
damage
<snip>
>> Again, the problem is it requires the GM to know something about
>> firearms, preferably to have shot a little. If he knows all he knows
>> from movies, then you can rapid-fire a Desert Eagle in each hand without
>> apparent discomfort :)
>Yeah, some movies are too careless about things like this. Hell, most movies
>are too careless about this.
And of course there's the utter in ludicrous. Paired thunderbolts, fired
without penalty in each hand. Now you figure that out. Three heavy
rounds, fired simultaneously, - twice - producing sufficient recoil to
break the wrist of a relatively weak person. Some players just have no
idea at all. :)
Firearms are a difficult subject to those who's closest contact has been
a John Wayne movie, or for example those wonderful "Rambo" style movies
where infantry support weapons are fired from the hip or paired in two
hands. It's difficult to get across to someone how heavy a weapon is
for starters. The only solution is to purchase a replica weapon, and
allow the players to play with it, feel the weight and experience the
size. In some places this would not be possible, but it's a damn site
better than saying - "Hold this brick, now, toss it to the other hand
and point it at four places in the room, rapidly... " And hope the
player doesn't drop it on the glass coffee table, or smack another
player in the head with it. :)
The only other alternative, is to find out how heavy a weapon is in
kg/lbs, then find some household item of a similar weight. Players
quickly begin to realise how much the average handgun weighs, and when
you add in the weight of spare magazines, and other gear, all of a
sudden the player can't move any more, and they earn a greater respect
for the behaviour they exhibit when relating to their character. The
assault cannon and heavy machine guns, with mortar support start getting
left in the armoury, as they search for a good pistol. <g>
Movies are great for cinematic battle sequences, and John Woo's are the
best for over the top action, but tend to give across a sad impression
that it's an absolute doddle to hurl a heavy pistol around, and pop the
bad guy between the eyes, while diving through the air ignoring a hail
of incoming with the greatest of ease. A problem, that will not really
be overcome until game manufacturers start handing out real weapons with
their systems, and encouraging live fire sessions with the players...
<s>
The problem is inherent to all systems. Try and imagine how it would be
to wield a two handed sword, or a phaser pistol. It's just not possible
to imagine it, but the minute you hold something and try to swing it
about, a greater respect is earned. Replica weapons are available from
a great many retail outlets, and some of them are even good quality. A
few props can occassionally help to change the lazy attitude of players,
and GMs alike. :)
Got a player who totes an assault cannon around a lot. Fine, give that
player an upright vacuum cleaner to hold through the game session,
they'll learn pretty quick. <grin> GM arms all police units with man
portable lasers - no problem, buy a bergen and fill it with rocks, then
get him to run round the block - the laser will likely disappear. :)
(My opinion, although mine, is likely to upset someone, somewhere, all
the time) :)
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