CT Only: Dual weapons

[whartung]

While the character may be shooting two pistols, shooting two separate targets is a completely different problem than shooting a single target with two guns. So, I would keep that in mind when working with the player and his character.

 

[McPerth]

While the character may be shooting two pistols, shooting two separate targets is a completely different problem than shooting a single target with two guns. So, I would keep that in mind when working with the player and his character.

Good point too. That will deserve another DM (I'd say -2 to -4).

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

While the character may be shooting two pistols, shooting two separate targets is a completely different problem than shooting a single target with two guns. So, I would keep that in mind when working with the player and his character.

That makes sense. Two targets, two skill checks.

 

[kilemall]

reiNow try doing it on horseback, saber in one hand pistol in the other with the reins in your teeth, Chasseurs style like Kearny-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Kearny

 

[atpollard]

Now try doing it on horseback, saber in one hand pistol in the other with the bit in your teeth, Chasseurs style like Kearny-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Kearny

Roll 11+ with no modifiers ... but if you do hit anything, people will stop fighting to applaud! :rofl:

 

[infojunky]

I have been thinking about this in terms of Snapshot.

As such it would -2 and cost 12 action point as a Aimed attack, and -4 and 6 action points as a Snapshot.

 

[Timerover51]

I don't think there are any one-handed full auto weapons. Those that exist in the real world (machine pistols) can either be fired single shot with one hand or short bursts with two hands. I would assign an additional non-proficiency penalty [-4] on top of everything else to reflect wildly spraying an area with two out of control SMGs fired one-handed instead of two-handed.

If I remember correctly, that will exactly negate the +4 auto fire bonus. So same chance to hit the target, just LOTS more collateral damage as he shoots up the room and any bystanders.

The old broom handle Mauser came in a fully automatic version. You knew where the first shot was going, after that, look out.

As for an automatic reduction for using two guns, I would question that. I would look at revolver or pistol skill first, and with a sufficiently high pistol skill, avoid any automatic reduction. To be honest, most people are far more dangerous to themselves with a pistol than to other people.

 

[Axe]

Boy, you guys are brutal when it comes to skills.

I'd use -1/-2, one target.
-1/-3 or -4 different targets

I have to shoot off-hand every other month and run through the qualification course quarterly. Shooting off-handed is not that difficult (with a little practice). Shooting (unsupported) and reloading with only the off-hand is a part of the timed qualification.

I shoot well with both eyes, but, when shooting off-hand, I bring the pistol over to use the eye normally used, anyway. The pistol is canted about 45 degrees from the bottom of the magazine well to the rear sight.

Shooting two pistols at one target is not difficult and seems to work out (more often than not). Shooting at two different targets gets a little crazy.

Remember, each "-1" is a huge percentage when throwing two bones. The "unskilled" levy suggested seems pretty stiff.

By the way, shoot with both eyes open, it helps pick up the next target and/or danger.

Just for kicks, I practice with revolvers, from time to time. Very slightly more difficult to sustain shooting while being on target when they don't have a single action. I find the movement of the trigger finger forward causes a bit of movement to take into consideration.

 

[Timerover51]

Thinking of shooting from the back of an animal, in Seven Pillars of Wisdom T. E. Lawrence was participating in a charge on a Turkish unit prior to taking the port of Aqaba on the Gulf of Aqaba when he shot his camel in the back of the head with his own revolver. Obviously, this was not intentional, but it should be considered. The Bedouin charged on horseback, shooting rifles, but it is hard to say how much they actually hit. It would appear that many of the Turkish dead were killed by swords, not bullets.

 

[Brandon C]

I've fired pistols with either hand (one handed, unsupported) and had minor loss of accuracy with my off hand. OTOH, firing a rifle with my off hand caused all kinds of aiming difficulties and accuracy was poor.

So, -1 for using a pistol in the off-hand and -3 for a longarm might be reasonable. I don't think I'd penalize firing two pistols at the same target further. If firing at two targets, I'd add a penalty equal to the distance between the two targets in 1.5m squares. So, two targets 6m apart would each be an additional -4 to hit.

 

[infojunky]

I have been thinking about this in terms of Snapshot.

As such it would -2 and cost 12 action point as a Aimed attack, and -4 and 6 action points as a Snapshot.

Thinking about this again -1 for aimed attack, and -3 for Snapshot...

 

[jaz0nj4ckal]

Thank you everyone for all the ideas. I believe I have enough items and suggestions to give my game the campy space/cowboy like feel.

 

[Ulsyus]

I have a player who wants to have like a cowboy type character from a low tech planet, which is not a big deal. However, the main issue is - they want to dual wield pistols.

10 cents worth: Anyone can hold and fire two pistols. Simultaneity of shot and number of targets is the issue so many worthy posters have identified...

I've never done it, but I would keep it simple and just assign a -2 to hit with each weapon when using two pistols ... a simple step harder in difficulty (8+ becomes 10+).

But aiming two at the same time would be a problem, seeing as it wouldn't be possible to sight both at the same time from the one eye. I've got to confess though, I've never tried aiming two at once at the same target and tried sighting out of each eye. I don't reckon it'd be that easy.

It all comes down to reloads, is all. How easy/quick can pistols be reloaded with one hand? The same goes for milk-drinkers. They typically have a pistol in one hand, and a jug of milk in the other. How easy/quick can they reload?

Are they reloading with a magazine/power pack in the weapon, using a speedloader in a cylinder, or replacing a battery on a belt clip? Any way it's done, one hand is needed for the sidearm and one for reloading, unless someone's got another idea.

While the character may be shooting two pistols, shooting two separate targets is a completely different problem than shooting a single target with two guns. So, I would keep that in mind when working with the player and his character.

That'd be two separate actions, which is more than just trying to do something twice in the same manner but rapidly.

Firing with two weapons could be a pretty difficult thing to do, but high levels of skill can mitigate for it. Firing two-handed is better, as it offers a more stable platform for the weapon and allows for reloads or, at extreme close quarters (ECQ shooting!!) one hand free to manipulate the opposition if they try to become a difficult target.

My recommendation is to keep the mechanics simple so an encounter with extreme prejudice happens quickly and the players are left with a sense of the high tempo those things have.