A thought about firearms

   So I had a thought about firearms in colonial times. They are the predominant ranged weapon of the day. But why? Then think about that in well, D&D terms. The bow is faster shooting and does just about as much damage. So again why firearms? Well I've come up with some rules/ideas about why. Without making firearms super death machines. First is range. Accurate range on a firearm is greater than a bow. Armor penetration. So in game terms (at least in my New World setting) firearms ignore a certain amount of DR. Pistols ignore 3 DR while rifles ignore 4. Blunderbuss/Dragon ignore 2 DR.

Some Creatures for the New World

Wiindigoog

AC 10

HD 4+1

DR +3

Attacks Claw 1d8+4

Skills Physical +4

Move 9

XP 120

Bakaak

AC 13

HD 2

DR 0

Attacks Club 1d6

Skills Physical +2

Subterfuge +2

Move 10

Special Flight

XP 60

New World Money

The most common currency is the pound. Which is divided into 20 shillings. Each shilling into 12 pence.

Exchange	Pence	Shilling	Pound
Pence	1	12	120
Shilling	12	1	12
Pound	120	1/12	1

Red Cent

Shoddy blend of gold with other junk metals. Typically has a reddish hue to it. When found by an honest merchant, they typically dip it in red dye or paint. To denote its false value.

One Red Cent is equal in value to a Pence.

Burnished Silver Dollar

Shoddy blend of silver with other junk metals.

One Burnished Silver Dollar is equal in value to a Shilling

Paper Money

Paper money is printed by some banks, lending institutions, and trading posts. Which back the notes value in gold. Notes are issued in many different denominations. Paper money is typically printed on Rag/Cotton paper. Due to its durability. Trade post notes, commonly known as coupons. Tend to be plain paper marked with an embossed wax seal to identify authenticity.

Shell Money/Wampum

Wampum is used by certain native tribes for barter. This wampum is beads created from clam shells. White Wampum is equal to a pence, while black/purple is equal to a shilling.

New World Armor

Armor

Armor	Damage Resistance	DEX  Bonus Modifier	Cost (Pound)
Military Coat	+1	0	10
Leather Jack	+2	0	12
Buff Coat	+3	-1	15
Breastplate	+5	-2	50
Cuirassier	+6	-3	100
Helmet	+1	0	10

New World Firearms

Firearms

Weapon	Damage	Rate of Fire	Capacity	Range (Feet)	Weight (lbs.)	Cost (Pound)
Pistol, Small	1d6	1/2	1	10	2	3
Pistol, Belt	1d8	1/2	1	20	4	12
Pistol, Horse	1d10	1/2	1	40	5	16
Pistol, Dragon*	1d12	1	1	10	6	17
Carbine	1d10	1/3	1	60	7	22
Musket	2d6	1/3	1	80	15	16
Blunderbuss*	1d12	1	1	30	8	15

* The spread of shot is 5ft either side of the point aimed at. Therefore, one shot can attack several targets. However, at beyond the first 30ft, targets get to make a save (adding mod for Dex) for half damage

Note: There is a +2 “to hit” bonus for missile weapons utilized at short range (x1), a +1 “to hit” bonus at medium, range (x2), and no bonus or penalty for long range (x3) attacks

New World Missile Weapons

Missile Weapons

Weapon	Damage	Rate of Fire*	Range (Feet) Increment	Weight (lbs.)	Cost (Pound)
Hatchet/ Tomahawk	1d6	1	10	5	1
Crossbow	1d8	1/2	60	7	5
Bow	1d6	1	50	5	4
Knife	1d4	1	10	1	1
Spear	1d6	1	20	10	1

* Rate of Fire is the number of projectiles than can be fired per combat round

Note: There is a +0 “to-hit” bonus for missile weapons utilized at short range (x1), a -1

“to-hit” penalty at medium range (x2), and a -2 penalty for long range (x3) attacks

New World Melee Weapons

Melee Weapons

Weapon	Damage	Weight (lbs.)	Cost (Pound)
Axe, Wood Cutting*	1d8	8	2
Hatchet/Tomahawk**/****	1d6	6	1
Sabre	1d8	5	10-60
Club/Sap	1d6	6	-
Fists***	1d3	-	-
Spear**	1d6	8	1
Long Arm with Bayonet	1d6	-	-
Halberd*	1d10	10	5
Knife**/****	1d4	1	1
Pen or Peasant Knife	1d2	.2	.5 (6 Shilling)
Quarterstaff*	1d8	7	2

* Two-handed Weapon

** Can be used as either a melee or missile weapon

*** Temporary Damage

**** Light Weapon