Weapons

Not all characters can freely use all kinds of weapons. Your type determines which ones you are experienced with and can freely use, meaning that you don't have a penalty when using that kind of weapon. If you attack using a weapon you can't freely use, your attack roll is hindered.

Obviously, warrior types like the Barbarian, Paladin, and Soldier can use all kinds of weapons, and other types like the Mage and Diplomat have a more limited selection.

There are three categories of weapons in the game.

Light weapons inflict 2 damage. Attacks with them are eased because they are fast and easy to use. Light weapons are punches, kicks, knives, handaxes, darts, very small handguns, and so on. Weapons that are particularly small are light weapons.

Medium weapons inflict 4 damage. Medium weapons include broadswords, battleaxes, maces, crossbows, spears, typical handguns, light rifles, sawed-off shotguns, and so on. Most weapons are medium weapons. Anything that could comfortably be used in one hand (even if it's often used in two hands, such as a quarterstaff or spear) is a medium weapon.

Heavy weapons inflict 6 damage. You must use two hands to attack with them. Heavy weapons include greatswords, greataxes, polearms, heavy crossbows, rifles, regular shotguns, assault rifles, and so on. Anything that must be used in two hands is a heavy weapon.

Because the weapon categories are generalized, if you want to use a specific weapon that's not listed in the book, you can use the game stats for a similar weapon. For example, if you want your character to wield a katana, you can choose a broadsword from the equipment table and call it a katana. If you'd prefer a two-handed nodachi, choose a greatsword and call it a nodachi.

In general, light weapons are moderately priced items, medium weapons are expensive, and heavy weapons are very expensive. Ammunition for a ranged weapon is inexpensive.

The rest of this chapter is divided into sections based on genre, and those sections give more specific details on what weapons are available in that genre.

Keep in mind that in many genres, it's not acceptable to run around carrying dangerous weapons. Your sword might not draw much attention in a fantasy game, or your oversized handgun in a sci-fi game, but carrying either of those weapons in a real-world game set on modern-day Earth is a different story.

Weapon Ranges

You can use a melee weapon to attack a foe that's adjacent to you (next to you) or within reach (immediate range).

Some melee weapons are also meant to be thrown, such as knives and axes. You can throw this kind of weapon up to short range.

A ranged weapon specifies what its maximum range is; most ranged weapons can attack out to short range or long range. If your target is just at the limit of the weapon's range, that's called extreme range, and your attack against them is hindered.

Explosive Weapons

Bombs, grenades, missiles, and other explosives operate differently than weapons like swords and handguns - they can affect multiple targets in an area (usually an immediate area). When you attack with these kinds of weapons, make separate attack rolls for each creature in the area (although the GM may simplify this by having you make one attack roll, which they'll compare to the difficulty of each target in the area). Success means the target takes the normal damage for the explosive weapon; failure typically means the target still takes a smaller amount of damage, usually 1 point.

You can throw a grenade or similar explosive a short distance. Otherwise, you need another weapon or device (such as a grenade launcher or rocket launcher) to shoot them at the target area.

You can use Effort for damage with explosive weapons, but each level of Effort adds only 2 damage (instead of the normal 3).