[Joseph Paul]

Well I dont think that it is necessary to revise or even rethink a system just because one or two guns have probably odd damage values. All you have to do is assign the damage value to the weapon you think is correct.

Let me state this again: It is not just a problem that with one or two firearms being modeled poorly. The problem is that there is no basis, no system, no math for that modeling. That means that every new firearm’s stats are based on the subjective conjecture and anecdotes that the designer believes at the moment. With that as a design philosophy it will be hard to keep any continuity between future setings. Two different authors may very well give very different stats for the same weapon or give poorer stats for a weapon that should, and in the RW does, outperform others.

i hope not. The damage values of the BRP weapons are good as they are and perfectly integrated into the rest of the hit points system. No changes should be made in this. Changes are simply not necessary. I mean a gladius has 1d6+1 and a modern assault rifle 2d8 and thats it.

Why do those weapons have those values and not other values? Enpeze, would you please show how the damage values are “perfectly integrated into the rest of the hit points system”? Just because it fits the designers need to limit the power available to the players doesn’t mean that it is actually is integrated i.e. the values for damage flowing from the game’s design principles.

I like the melee damage values for instance. I have no idea if they were set by any sort of rigorous (in the math sense) modeling but I have noted the odd change here and there especially with javelins. They seemed to have started with 1D12, went to 1D10, and finally to 1d8 or so. Somebody in the process decided that javelin damage was wrong and changed it. My only concern is- what was the basis for that change? RW information that proved javelins were less effective or the desire to manipulate how combat takes place to create the mood that the designer wanted?

Ok, change this little elephant gun or whatever but let the rest be like it is.

Ah before I forget. Even I think that one old damage value is pure nonsense. Thats the kick damage of 1d6. But I know this has already been adressed in DBRP.

Yep. That has been brought up before too.

The compilation of the BRP rules was a stirling opportunity to deal with some of the things that proved to be persistent nags in the system. I am sure that Jason did deal with quite a number of them. I don't understand why the inconsistent treatment of firearms has been left unaddressed but perhaps that is something that can go into a companion book.

In an effort to make this relvant to the topic thread again I will note that shooting BRP characters with GURPS damage values doesn't make them any deader but it is satisfying to know that I can 'recon by fire' through a block wall!

Joseph Paul