From:	GMPax@***.com GMPax@***.com
Subject:	Viper Errata
Date:	Mon, 8 Mar 1999 16:26:30 EST

In a message dated 3/8/99 1:23:23 PM Eastern Standard Time, renouf@*****
int.com writes:

> No. The Viper is *not* a heavy pistol. It is a light pistol that
> uses heavy pistol ranges. Read the description (sorry, can't give you a
> page number - I'm at work), and you'll see what I mean. As such, its
> damage works out as: Light Pistol = 6L + flechette = 6M + burst = 9S.
> Hence, a final damage code of 9S(f) assuming burst-fire.
> Having a high-concealability, high-ammo-capacity weapon that does
> 12D in a single hit was not FASA's original intent. Unfortunately,
> munchkins the world over have taken to it with astonishing speed and
> refusal to believe otherwise.
>
> Marc

A few points: I resent being referred to as a "munchkin" ... the point is,
anything with Impact armor of 3 or more stops the gun cold; that's a mere
Securetech Armored Jacked (5/3).

Next, the description you gave above would make the Viper the _ONLY_ firearm
with both SA and BF fire modes to list the BF mode damage, and NOT the SA
mode. That sort of discrepancy leads me to think the erratta is based on an
"er, we should rethink this" not an "oops we goofed" ... especially
since the
Viper is (a) core rules, and (b) has had the same damage code since at _least_
second edition.

Sean
GM Pax