Few 2.0 rules questions

[Alatar]

It seems that Autofire Basics' Two-Shot Burst trick can be used with any weapon in single-shot mode. Does this mean I can Two-Shot Burst with a bolt-action rifle? It doesn't seem to have any listed restrictions other than it must be used in single-shot or burst mode. Considering all of the semi-auto rifles in the book suck or are ugly/old, I figure I'll just two-shot burst with a bolt-action despite reality.

I can't seem to find anywhere that says you can't use both of your half actions to make standard attacks. Usually the book mentions major points where 2.0 differs from d20 (such as attacks of opportunity and concealment) but didn't mention anything about this. Am I just missing it or can you take both half actions as attacks?

Do the calibers on possession picks count as mission calibers for the purpose of trading picks for upgrades and abilities that increase mission caliber for certain types of items (such as the Soldier's Big Stick ability)? If not, can you even get upgrades as possessions without selecting a lower caliber+upgrade?

[Crafty_Pat]

It seems that Autofire Basics' Two-Shot Burst trick can be used with any weapon in single-shot mode. Does this mean I can Two-Shot Burst with a bolt-action rifle? It doesn't seem to have any listed restrictions other than it must be used in single-shot or burst mode. Considering all of the semi-auto rifles in the book suck or are ugly/old, I figure I'll just two-shot burst with a bolt-action despite reality.

Yes, you can two-shot burst with a bolt-action rifle. It's not something that just anyone can do, but our understanding of it from some relative experts is that it's remotely possible.

Out of curiosity, what semi-automatic rifles would you like to see in the book and/or why do you feel the ones that are there suck (noting that arguments of one gun class' inherent superiority over another, no matter how factual, are prone to fall on deaf ears, as it would make for an imbalanced game )?

I can't seem to find anywhere that says you can't use both of your half actions to make standard attacks. Usually the book mentions major points where 2.0 differs from d20 (such as attacks of opportunity and concealment) but didn't mention anything about this. Am I just missing it or can you take both half actions as attacks?

You can.

Do the calibers on possession picks count as mission calibers for the purpose of trading picks for upgrades and abilities that increase mission caliber for certain types of items (such as the Soldier's Big Stick ability)? If not, can you even get upgrades as possessions without selecting a lower caliber+upgrade?

Yes on upgrades, but no on the abilities, as I believe that most of those specifically refer to mission gear.

[Alatar]

Ah sorry, I was mostly joking about the semi-autos sucking as far as their mechanics go. I would just like to see one with the same stats as the M1 Garand (with modified ammo and weight as necessary for the gun) but not as old. When choosing my gun, I'm mostly concerned with how cool it looks/how bulky it is more than how it works in the system. :-p The AMP DSR-1 bolt-action looks awesome, performs well, is only 39" long (which is a big deal when sneaking around in ventilation shafts), and has generally great stats. I'll likely just stick with it since I can Two-Shot Burst with it.

I'm not sure if it's strange for a really quick person to be able to take 8 shots and a reload with a bolt-action in a round (2 Two-shot bursts for the half actions plus two finals from Hail of Fire also modified by the Two-shot burst trick using Quick Draw to Reload before the final attacks) since your initiative is dropping throughout. Either way it sounds like it fits the cinematic style.

As for guns I'd like to see in the book...brand new AS50 would be an amazing caliber 5 pick or the XM107 for another nice 50cal option. I hadn't seen this at the time of posting but several others look like they're going to be covered in This is My Gun (great idea on the $1.50 pdfs btw. Already bought the other two Bag Full of Guns supplements online. Any idea on release date for This is My Gun?).

[foproy]

you are comparing a bullpup rifle to an old army rifle? further more the whoel setup of what you are wanting to cary weighs in at about 3.5 pounds more than the m1. do not take as being upset, i am merely pointing that out.

[Alatar]

you are comparing a bullpup rifle to an old army rifle? further more the whoel setup of what you are wanting to cary weighs in at about 3.5 pounds more than the m1. do not take as being upset, i am merely pointing that out.

All I'm saying is that the M1 looks old. In a setting full of high tech gadgetry, I like the look of modern rifles, similarity of function notwithstanding. That being said, the stats of the M1 are great. I'd just like some newer semi-auto rifles so it doesn't seem so strange to fire 8 times in a round.

[foproy]

what about the dragonuv or the psg1 granted the dragonuv isnt the that modernt looking, but the psg1 is a great looking rifle. also the msg-90, is a good candidate, and all those rifles are in the book.

[Alatar]

The PSG-1 and the MSG-90 look fine. The PSG-1 is higher caliber and thus is somewhat problematic as I then can't get it fully upgraded unless I get a 10 Possessions or spend all my mission gear picks.

The MSG-90 isn't too bad vs the DSR-1 mechanically.
For the trade-off of:
-0.5damage
1 error range (essentially 1 less Reworked Action upgrade to get to 0 error)
50' range increment
-1 upgrade (offset by having to take ported barrel on the DSR-1)
1.1lbs
7" overall length

You get:
-6 recoil (offset by ergonomic stock which I'd be taking on the MSG-90 anyway)
15 rounds in the magazine (quick draw makes this generally irrelevant but that's not high on everyone's list)
DEP (though this just lets you get to 0 error range with the extra Reworked Action)
2 Initiative per shot (this is the major benefit of the MSG-90)

I would rather have a semi-auto so it would make more sense when I shoot 8 times (not even requiring a reload) but the bolt-action looks cooler IMO, is lighter, shorter, has better stats, and does exactly the same thing mechanically. While it doesn't seem too realistic, I'll likely do it anyway since it's an abstract system. 

[foproy]

if you are looking at a sniper rifle, you probably arent hoping for a second shot, you need to do the job in one.

[OverNinja]

Why don't you take the NORINCO KBU-88?
It's 5.8mm round will make everyone think its the Chinese and confuse the hell out of them.

It's cheap, under $2,000.
Damage is mediocre at 4-19 (vs .308s 6-18 or .300 WinMags 5-20).
Recoil is high (+4 vs. MSG and -2 vs. DSR).
Range is same as MSG-90.
+1 error range to DSR (semi-auto = more moving parts) and no initiative penalties.
You'll get scope (x4) and bipod in a bullpup rifle, it's 3.7 lbs. lighter, 70mm shorter (920 mm overall).
And best of all you can have 30 rounds in a magazine.
Bad news is only the Chinese use the 5.8mm round, although it is their main round (like 5.56mm to US and NATO).


It isn't too shabby looking either 

[Crafty_Pat]

When choosing my gun, I'm mostly concerned with how cool it looks/how bulky it is more than how it works in the system. :-p

Wow. Uh, Scott? Alex? Mark the calendar. I'm official flabbergasted.

I've heard rumors that people like you existed, Al, but seeing one of you in the e-flesh. It's... chilling. 

I'm not sure if it's strange for a really quick person to be able to take 8 shots and a reload with a bolt-action in a round (2 Two-shot bursts for the half actions plus two finals from Hail of Fire also modified by the Two-shot burst trick using Quick Draw to Reload before the final attacks) since your initiative is dropping throughout. Either way it sounds like it fits the cinematic style.

It is a cinematic game - and you are devoting two feats and a couple actions to that. It's not a trivial amount of training or attention.

As for guns I'd like to see in the book...brand new AS50 would be an amazing caliber 5 pick or the XM107 for another nice 50cal option. I hadn't seen this at the time of posting but several others look like they're going to be covered in This is My Gun (great idea on the $1.50 pdfs btw. Already bought the other two Bag Full of Guns supplements online. Any idea on release date for This is My Gun?).

It's one of Alex's projects. It's on the radar, but I haven't seen early material yet. A bit yet.

Good feedback on the weapons (and the PDFs). Thanks!

[Crafty_Alex]

As for guns I'd like to see in the book...brand new AS50 would be an amazing caliber 5 pick or the XM107 for another nice 50cal option. I hadn't seen this at the time of posting but several others look like they're going to be covered in This is My Gun (great idea on the $1.50 pdfs btw. Already bought the other two Bag Full of Guns supplements online. Any idea on release date for This is My Gun?).

Hey Alatar! Welcome aboard

I'll be the author on This is My Gun (already about half written). I've got some great stuff lined up for it, some of it new enough it hasn't hit the collective consciousness yet I've found in doing research for TiMG that I could probably do an entire supplement JUST on new and experimental sniper rifle systems if I was so inclined...but ultimately they don't offer anything different from what's already out there (e.g. the M107 is virtually identical to the M82A1 Barrett). I hope the Bag Full of Guns line will offer new stuff that you can't already get out of the book. You'll be happy to see the M109 though - it's the bigger brother to the .50 cal sniper rifle, for sure 

[Morgenstern]

I'm not sure if it's strange for a really quick person to be able to take 8 shots and a reload with a bolt-action in a round (2 Two-shot bursts for the half actions plus two finals from Hail of Fire also modified by the Two-shot burst trick using Quick Draw to Reload before the final attacks) since your initiative is dropping throughout. Either way it sounds like it fits the cinematic style.

It is a cinematic game - and you are devoting two feats and a couple actions to that. It's not a trivial amount of training or attention.

For my understanding of dedicated marksmen, I wouldn't bat an eye at 6 shots in 6 seconds from a bolt-action weapon - nice shooting, but not in the slightest improbable. 8 genuinely targeted shots in 6 second would be showing off in a big way, but I can still imagine it easily enough - the phrase 'machine-like' is a very apt description of highly trained equipment opperators . The one we get from time to time is observations about skilled skeetshooters and pump-action weapons. Video clips and demonstrations of emptying the magazine at a multitude of moving targets before the first casing hits the ground are kinda breathtaking to watch, and special attention has been paid to such prowess in Practice Makes Perfect.

[Alatar]

Hey Alatar! Welcome aboard

I'll be the author on This is My Gun (already about half written). I've got some great stuff lined up for it, some of it new enough it hasn't hit the collective consciousness yet I've found in doing research for TiMG that I could probably do an entire supplement JUST on new and experimental sniper rifle systems if I was so inclined...but ultimately they don't offer anything different from what's already out there (e.g. the M107 is virtually identical to the M82A1 Barrett). I hope the Bag Full of Guns line will offer new stuff that you can't already get out of the book. You'll be happy to see the M109 though - it's the bigger brother to the .50 cal sniper rifle, for sure 

That sounds great. Some missions really do require a bigger round for taking people down in a single shot.

I really like the size on the NORINCO KBU-88 but the even lower damage makes the one-shot kills even harder. What I might have to do is just start carrying a big 50cal rifle disassembled in my vehicle for when I need it and a general purpose rifle like the KBU-88 to carry around. lol

[OverNinja]

You'll be happy to see the M109 though - it's the bigger brother to the .50 cal sniper rifle, for sure 

No kidding, I got mail from one of guys from my Ghost Recon group asking me to mod that one to the game  .

[TheAuldGrump]

As for guns I'd like to see in the book...brand new AS50 would be an amazing caliber 5 pick or the XM107 for another nice 50cal option. I hadn't seen this at the time of posting but several others look like they're going to be covered in This is My Gun (great idea on the $1.50 pdfs btw. Already bought the other two Bag Full of Guns supplements online. Any idea on release date for This is My Gun?).

Hey Alatar! Welcome aboard

I'll be the author on This is My Gun (already about half written). I've got some great stuff lined up for it, some of it new enough it hasn't hit the collective consciousness yet I've found in doing research for TiMG that I could probably do an entire supplement JUST on new and experimental sniper rifle systems if I was so inclined...but ultimately they don't offer anything different from what's already out there (e.g. the M107 is virtually identical to the M82A1 Barrett). I hope the Bag Full of Guns line will offer new stuff that you can't already get out of the book. You'll be happy to see the M109 though - it's the bigger brother to the .50 cal sniper rifle, for sure 

Would you believe that the book I most want to see in the line is a book of really old guns? Not the ancient things like fire pikes, but Gatling guns, Maxims, Nordenfelts, Mondragons, and punt guns (bloody huge shotguns commonly fired from a skiff - they are part of the reason why you don't see Passenger pigeons around any more ).

The Auld Grump