QUOTE (hahnsoo @ Jan 19 2010, 01:16 PM)
The Ares Alpha has an underbarrel Grenade Launcher (it says so right in the description), and can't be converted into other weapons. Do you actually mean the HK XM30 package (which also has an underbarrel grenade launcher, in the description)? I think they mean the underbarrel Grenade Launcher can be converted into a Shotgun, while the base weapon can be converted into a carbine, Sniper Rifle, or LMG.
As far as full auto, yes it is deadly. But you are talking about hitting a single target with a 10 bullet narrow burst. They still get their normal dodge roll, which is no more easier/harder to dodge than a single shot. If you are using a wide burst to negate their dodge roll, you don't get the DV adjustment. Also, Autofire DV bonuses don't apply when hitting hardened armor (vehicles, spirits with immunity to normal weapons). Finally, the Panther XXL Cannon gets -5 AP on its normal hits, which is quite nice.
The real question is why does the PJSS Elephant Gun exist? A Sport Rifle, legal to carry with a permit, that can hit as hard as an Assault Cannon?
EDIT: The only reason I can see to make the HK XM30 into a Carbine is concealability. An Assault Rifle is a +6 Concealability, while a Carbine is +4 (as SMG). Not important to some folks, but there ya go. The fluff implies that you keep these modules in a suitcase or something similar, and you convert them in a non-combat situation. It really doesn't make a lot of sense to use the package, but you might have a character who is a gun nut who would have much glee over a gun that transforms into other guns. Most players who would play that kind of character, though, are also gun nuts and would rather have MORE guns over a gun that transforms into other guns.
Thank you, yes that was my bad, I should have checked I do get those two (Alpha and HK XM30) mixed up, dunno maybe I just like the name better?
Ok so it is as we assumed, full auto wise. It seems a bit much for full auto weapons. A single shot weapon does have the option to take up to a -4 penalty to hit to increase the DV bringing the modified damage more in line, if not a bit harder to hit with.
We are considering doing something along the lines of (for narrow bursts, leaving wide bursts as is): Full auto narrow bursts are treated as 3 short narrow bursts. This allows for more damage to be done in one action than just taking 2 short bursts.
Basically what we are trying to avoid is the fact that an average sprawl ganger(body 3) in an armor vest(AV 6) being afraid of the drone with the Ingram Smartgun X loaded with explosive ammo, than he is of the same drone mounting an Assualt cannon. Math being he has equal chance of dodging both, so with a basic hit he can either look at soaking a 16P with 8 dice (taking 13-14 levels of damage) or a 11P with 4 dice (maybe 10 levels of damage, could even survive a hit the lucky dog, but unlikely. Even with an armor jacket he wont be looking pretty, 16S on 10 dice should still drop him, even if not lethally. That assault cannon would also be looking at less damage with a much better chance of leaving the ganger standing (just) and able to return fire (inaccurately).
Still I guess thats our beef, and it's good that we cleared it up
