One of the biggest problems with weapon deployment for infantry in the 24th Century was logistics-deploying massive amount of infantry weapons for the United Army. There was no practial way-with the early hyperdrives and engines-that an army could be properly supported with ammo, food, and stockpiles across interstellar distances. LogCom (Logistics Command) searched, and found an easy solution to one of the biggest problems.
Chemical-propellant firearms had topped off in the mid-22nd Century with electro-thermal propellants, with the newest innovations merely introducing a level of compactness and reliability to the design. When the first hyperdrives were deployed, the discovery that the atmosphere of some planets would either neturalize or spontaniously set off the chemical
propellants of most guns was a disaster. Hermetically-sealing a firearm seemed to be a practical solution, but sheer reliability and the cost of shipping ammo presented an insoluable dilemma. Laser weapons were impractical as well-the focusing mechanisms and power storage ability for a practical, man-portable laser weapon was beyond the reach of what existed at the time. However, a technology did exist that gave the UA soldier a good weapon.
Electro-magnetic linear accelerators (railguns) were very practical weapons-the technologies needed to contain star-hot plasma in a fusion reactor easily gave the conductors needed for a man-portable weapon. From a logistics standpoint, it was perfect-ammo was simple (solid beads or darts, with a small supply of specalized ammo), power for the weapons could be provided at the company level, reducing logistics, and the ammo didn't chemically respond to anything. Grenades could be built that would be fired by railguns, allowing the round itself to be chemically sealed. And, the costs of arming the troops was fairly cheap-superconductive magnetics were a cheap and reliable technology, as well as the capacitors needed.
However, during the early days of the Xenovore War, railguns tended to do one of two things-either "underkill" a target (requiring more shots), or generated such an overkill that there wasn't time to get the gun onto target and shoot another Xenovore. By 2320, most Marine units had swapped
out "on the left" (black market) their bead weapons for powerguns, and the United Army officially approved powerguns for combat troops by 2330. The poor performance of railguns and the myths it spawned (most of them false) continued through to the Imperial era when the early generation of grav guns were deployed.
A note-weapons under 15mm were called "bead guns" (due to the "bead" nature of the ammo) and anything larger were called "dart guns" (the round resembled a long spike or dart). Note that all weapons are bought with their "standard" load-out of magazines (i.e charges).
3mm Bead Pistol
The smallest weapon (except for special operations weapons), the 3mm Bead Pistol shared ammo and magazines with the 3mm PDW and the 3mm SMG. The weapon was commonly issued to MPs, officers, and Intelligence officers that needed a small firearm. The weapon was commonly called "the EFRed gun" due to the small, blocky nature of it (it resembed an Emergency Field Ration).
Game Stats:2D6 PD RKA, 2 clips of 12 charges (-0), OAF (-1), Real Weapon (-1/4), Limited Range (-1/4). Active Points: 30, Real Cost: 12
3mm PDW
The Personal Defense Weapon, or PDW, was built to give tank and fighter crews, "second line" units (like artillery and medical units), and such a small, compact, but fast-firing weapon that could keep them alive. It shares magazines with the 3mm Bead Pistol, however it takes two Bead Pistol magazines to fill up a PDW's magazine (an internal loader is initially loaded by inserting the magazines. PDWs were popular with troops in Oberon powered armor, as it was
a compact weapon that could be easily strapped anywhere.
Game Stats:2D6+1 PD RKA, 4 clips of 16 charges (+1/4), Autofire (3 bursts) +1/4, OAF (-1), Real Weapon (-1/4), Limited Range (-1/4). Active Points: 52, Real Cost: 21
3mm SMG
The SMG was built for Special Operations units, sharing the same magazine as the 3mm Bead Pistol. Besides a burst-fire capability, it could be set so that the rounds were sub-sonic, doing less damage but preventing any form of detection. Like the 3mm PDW, it has an internal magazine to feed the ammo
into it.
Game Stats: 45 pt. Multipower, 4 clips of 16 charges (+1/4), OAF (-1), Real Weapons (-1/4), Slots are:
1-2D6+1 RKA, Autofire (3 shots), Limited Range
2-2D6 RKA, Autofire (3 shots), Limited Range, Invisible To Sound Group
Active Points: 56, Real Cost: 22
5mm Assault Carbine
The standard infantry rifle, the 5mm Assault Carbine was built as a handy, easy-to-use weapon that was light, accurate, and fast-hitting. Besides a dual magazine system (allowing for the use of either solid beads or specalist rounds, treat as a multipower), it was reliable, easy to clean and maintain.
The only real problem was that the 5mm beads used were not really effective against Xenovores unless AP ammo was loaded-and 5mm AP ammo was only issued to some units that were expecting "armored" units. For the United Army, the
5mm Assault Carbine was the choice weapon.
Game Stats:3D6 PD RKA, 4 clips of 16 charges (+1/4), OAF (-1), Autofire (3 shots) +1/4, Real Weapon (-1/4). Active Points: 67, Real Cost: 33
Loaded with AP rounds, the weapon changes-
Game Stats:2D6 AP PD RKA, 4 clips of 16 charges (+1/4), OAF (-1), Autofire (3 shots) +1/4, Real Weapon (-1/4). Active Points: 70, Real Cost: 35
5mm Assault Rifle
A heavy rifle, the 5mm Assault Rifle was built to use 5mm beads, but the longer accelerator made it much more formidable. Like the 5mm Assault Carbine, it has a dual magazine system and commonly feeds AP ammo. Skinsuited
Marines prefered this weapon over the 5mm Assault Carbine.
Game Stats:3D6+1 PD RKA, 4 clips of 16 charges (+1/4), Autofire (3 shots) +1/4, OAF (-1), Real Weapon (-1/4). Active Points: 75, Real Cost: 37
10mm Bead Cannon
Firing the 10mm bead round, the Bead Cannon was designed to fill the role of a heavy machine gun, man-jacked perimiter defense system, and anti-missile system while in manjack mode. The weight of this weapon restricted it to a squad automatic weapon for the United Army. Troopers in
Oberon Powered Armor tended to carry it as their main weapon-both feed the ammo from a back-mounted drum.
Game Stats: 100 pt Mutipower, all slots are 250 charges, Conditional (Min 18 STR to use in anything but manjack mode), OAF, Real Weapon, Slots are:
1-3D6+1 PD AP RKA, 5 shot Autofire,
2-3D6+1 PD AP RKA, 5 shot Autofire, Independent (Manjack Mode)
3-Missile Deflection (Bullets and Shrapnel), +25 to roll against deflection, Independent (Manjack Anti-Missile Mode)
Real Cost: 81 pts
10mm Bead Sniper Rifle
Used by field snipers, the weapon is slightly lighter than the bead cannon, but makes up for it in pure armor punching power. Integral to the weapon is a combination telescopic/thermal vision/night vision scanner for engagement of targets at extremely long ranges. The weapon uses a "floating" barrel for long-ranged shots and it's slow rate of fire is deliberate, to encourage accurate shots.
Game Stats: 3D6+1 AP RKA, No Range Penalty, 4 clips of 8 Charges, OAF, Real Weapon, Active Points: 100 pts, Real Cost: 44
Targeting Sight: 20 pt Multipower, OAF, Real "Weapon", slots are-
1-+13 PER to offset range modifier for sight group (targeting scope)
2-Infrared Perception, +15 PER to offset range modifier
3-Nightvision, +15 to offset range modifier
20mm Grenade Launcher
A belt-fed weapon, the 20mm Grenade Launcher can fire off a "belt" of rounds at a target-even over intervening obstacles. While the concept was well-regarded, it wasn't practical vs. most Xenovores due to their protection.
However, the 20mm vehcile-mounted version was a bit better regarded, because of it's rate of fire.
Game Stats: 2D6+1 AP RKA, +1 STUN Multiplier, Indirect (same origin, away), 4 clips of 8 charges, OAF, Real Weapon, Active Points: 87 pts, Real Cost: 43 pts.
10mm Bead Cannon (Vehicle)
Mounted on just about every vehicle, the 10mm Bead Cannon functioned as a heavy machine gun and anti-missile defense system in zonal area defense. The ammo drum mounted in the vehicle could be broken down into four 250 "shot" charges for carriage by infantry.
Game Stats: 100 pt Multipower, all slots are 1000 charges, OAF Bulky, Real Weapon, Slots are:
1-3D6+1 AP RKA, 5 Shot Autofire
2-Missile Deflection (Bullets and Shrapnel), +40 to roll against deflection)
Real Cost: 80 pts
20mm Dart Cannon (Vehicle)
An autocannon used by light armored vehicles, the 20mm Dart Cannon traded a lowered rate of fire for more damage and gyroscopic stabilization. The standard ammo load was either armor-piercing rounds, high-explosive rounds for anti-infantry duty, or specalist anti-missile "fletchettes" for taking out incoming fire. Many planetary defenses mounted the 20mm cannon in a remote turret.
Game Stats: 150 pt Multipower, all slots are 500 charges, OAF Bulky,Real Weapon, Slots are:
1-4D6 AP RKA, 3 Shot Autofire, No Range Modifier
2-3D6 AP RKA, 3 Shot Autofire, Explosive
3-Missile Deflection (Bullets and Shrapnel), +50 to roll against deflection)
Real Cost: 123 pts
20mm Grenade Launcher (Vehicle)
Firing the same 20mm grenades as the man-portable grenade launcher, the 20mm automatic grenade launcher was mounted on vehicles. The "Thump Gun", as it was called, could put out a spectacular amount of 20mm grenades on target, which was useful versus targets like Xenovore attack beasts, but not very useful against Xenovores themselves. The "Thump Gun" was mounted on a pintel mount on many vehicles, and it's mounting made it very popular.
Game Stats: 2D6+1 AP RKA, +1 STUN Multiplier, Autofire (3 shots), Indirect (same origin, away), 250 charges, OAF Bukly, Real Weapon, Active Points: 166 pts, Real Cost: 66 pts.
30mm Dart Cannon (Vehicle)
The heavy autocannon was built for defensive bunkers, heavy vehicle systems, and similar. The 30mm darts are heavy and built to take out targets, incluidng light armor.
Game Stats: 200 pt Multipower, all slots are 500 charges, OAF Bulky, Real Weapon, Slots are:
1-5D6+1 AP RKA, 3 Shot Autofire
2-4D6 AP RKA, 3 Shot Autofire, Explosive
3-Missile Deflection (Bullets and Shrapnel), +50 to roll against deflection)
Real Cost: 123 pts
50mm Dart Cannon (Vehicle)
The "big gun" of light UA tanks, the 50mm Dart Cannon fires a clip of 3 50mm rounds at distant targets. It was sometimes used as a defensive turret on starships-very commonly on "armed merchant" conversions.
Game Stats: 8D6 AP RKA, 250 Charges, OAF Bulky, No Range Penalty, Active Points: 360, Real Cost: 144 pts
90mm Dart Cannon (Vehicle)
The largest cannon used by the UA, the 90mm "Big Boomer" could punch holes in targets kilometers away, and was sometimes even able to do damage to Xenovore ships. Like the 50mm Dart Cannon, it was used in "armed merchant" conversions as a primary weapon, backing up missiles.
Game Stats: 10D6+1 AP RKA, 250 Charges, OAF Bulky, 2xKnockback, No Range Penalty, Active Points: 581, Real Cost: 232 pts
To understand this quote (in context), you have to understand the character I was playing at the time. Ghost Sniper, she's the professional's professional, gal you send you send out when you need someone killed and done right. Calm, polite, and deadly. Scares the hell out of Scorpia. That sort of gal.
During a game, the team was going through New York to find a kidnapped girl, and somehow we wound up in this really nasty bar that DEMON, VIPER, and everybody else that's a bad mook considers their watering hole. Due to events that would require you to drink at least HALF a pint-bottle of Jack Daniels to believe, Ghost Sniper had finally made it back to her team, just before the bar fight was going to start.
Note, she had been rolling AWFUL rolls the whole game.
Walks into the bar, with this terible scowl on my face, and I say, "I'm just going to let a burst off into the ceiling. Just to get everybody's attention."
GM:"Okay-do you want to roll to hit or do damage, or I can just give it to you."
ME:"With the way my luck has been today, I'd probably blow off my own foot. Just getting their attention."
GM:"Sure, not a problem. Nice little burst, makes everybody pay attention."
ME: (Deep Breath) "I AM NOT HAVING A GOOD DAY! I HAVE BEEN SHOT AT! I HAVE HAD THREE CARS AND TWO MOTORCYCLES SHOT OUT FROM UNDER ME! I HAVE HAD A DRAG QUEEN TRY TO SEE JUST HOW GOOD I WAS IN BED, AND SOMEBODY BLEW UP MY LAST PAIR OF CLEAN PANTIES! NOW, ARE ALL OF YOU GOING TO BE NICE AND TELL US WHAT WE WANT TO KNOW, OR AM I GOING TO HAVE TO HURT SOMEONE?"
GM: "One of the mooks, wearing a VIPER uniform stands up and says, 'I don't think you've got the guts...'"
ME: "I shoot him. Machine-rifle mode. Roll?"
GM (A Bit Shocked): "Sure, roll."
Natural 3. House rules were that a natural 3 meant you did full damage on an attack. On a 2D6 AP RKA, 5 shot autofire, with a character that has Accurate Autofire.
GM (Looks at His Map): "Well, all that's left of him is his boots. Most of his upper legs, too. And, the bar now has a nice back door. Right into the car dealership. Across the street. Everybody's look at you and wondering what's going on."
ME (Deep Breath): "Now! Does anybody else wanna give me trouble?"
The UNITY team is discussing how they might infiltrate an alien battleship. The team's shapeshifting Russian hero has a suggestion.
Vilkacis: You could fit me inside a small hollow missile and fire me at the enemy ship. The missile would penetrate the hull, allowing me access!
Me: So the missile would be a Depleted Ukrainian round?
To understand this quote (in context), you have to understand the character I was playing at the time. Ghost Sniper, she's the professional's professional, gal you send you send out when you need someone killed and done right. Calm, polite, and deadly. Scares the hell out of Scorpia. That sort of gal.
During a game, the team was going through New York to find a kidnapped girl, and somehow we wound up in this really nasty bar that DEMON, VIPER, and everybody else that's a bad mook considers their watering hole. Due to events that would require you to drink at least HALF a pint-bottle of Jack Daniels to believe, Ghost Sniper had finally made it back to her team, just before the bar fight was going to start.
Note, she had been rolling AWFUL rolls the whole game.
Walks into the bar, with this terible scowl on my face, and I say, "I'm just going to let a burst off into the ceiling. Just to get everybody's attention."
GM:"Okay-do you want to roll to hit or do damage, or I can just give it to you."
ME:"With the way my luck has been today, I'd probably blow off my own foot. Just getting their attention."
GM:"Sure, not a problem. Nice little burst, makes everybody pay attention."
ME: (Deep Breath) "I AM NOT HAVING A GOOD DAY! I HAVE BEEN SHOT AT! I HAVE HAD THREE CARS AND TWO MOTORCYCLES SHOT OUT FROM UNDER ME! I HAVE HAD A DRAG QUEEN TRY TO SEE JUST HOW GOOD I WAS IN BED, AND SOMEBODY BLEW UP MY LAST PAIR OF CLEAN PANTIES! NOW, ARE ALL OF YOU GOING TO BE NICE AND TELL US WHAT WE WANT TO KNOW, OR AM I GOING TO HAVE TO HURT SOMEONE?"
GM: "One of the mooks, wearing a VIPER uniform stands up and says, 'I don't think you've got the guts...'"
ME: "I shoot him. Machine-rifle mode. Roll?"
GM (A Bit Shocked): "Sure, roll."
Natural 3. House rules were that a natural 3 meant you did full damage on an attack. On a 2D6 AP RKA, 5 shot autofire, with a character that has Accurate Autofire.
GM (Looks at His Map): "Well, all that's left of him is his boots. Most of his upper legs, too. And, the bar now has a nice back door. Right into the car dealership. Across the street. Everybody's look at you and wondering what's going on."
ME (Deep Breath): "Now! Does anybody else wanna give me trouble?"
zakueins got a reaction from DentArthurDent in [JAW] Bead And Dart Guns
zakueins got a reaction from Era Scarecrow in Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
zakueins got a reaction from Doug McCrae in Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
