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In another thread here on the boards, we were discussing variant models for blaster pistols. I said that it would be better not to go where RCR did and have dozens of models of pistols that carry only tiny variations in their statistics that you could never remember without pulling out the book.

I suggested instead, if you want to include some significantly different blasters that really tweak the usual sporting blaster / blaster / heavy blaster classifications, that a good way would be having some equipment available on the market with pre-installed factory-standard S&V Upgrades or Tech Specialist upgrades. They cost a little more, and may break some of the rules normally associated with upgrades. Note that this equipment does not come with an upgrade slot unless an entry specifically says that it does.

Edit: To clarify my thinking a bit, I should explain that I don't object at all to variant blaster models, but I feel the D20 Star Wars RCR "Arms & Equipment Guide" was far too fiddly, with +/- 1 to 3 damage, DR, range incriment, or stun DC being common adjustments. I think the differences need to be significant -- if you're carrying around a blaster that is claimed to have second-rate damage but a strong stun effect, that should be a major factor in your tactical decision-making, not just a couple points plus or minus (in this case, the Bothan template is perfect). The fact that we have systems that do exactly that already in place in the game (between Tech Spec, Upgrades from S&V, and Templates from KotOR) means it's very easy to plug in those effects to get some unique gear.

Here are some ideas I came up with. Many are based on equipment from the A&E guide, though only loosely -- I didn't really look at their stats, just read the text description of "what is this gun good at, what is it bad at, and what was the maker's intent in producing it?" And then I tried to reflect that in the upgrades, stripping, and so on that I applied.


Czerka Deadshot 88
Technical description: Blaster Pistol + Pulse Charger
Cost: 2750 credits

Czerka Corporation created the Deadshot 88 to provide the power of a heavy blaster pistol with the accuracy and smaller form factor of a traditional blaster pistol. While the pulse charger can produce a powerful bolt with long-range characteristics comparable to a normal blaster, there is also an unfortunate energy spillover effect that affects the weapon's accuracy at all ranges. Most planetary governments have ruled that the Deadshot 88's high energy output puts it into the same legal category as a heavy blaster pistol, which generally restricts its sale to only military personnel.


Merr Sonn Model S3 Custom
Technical description: Sporting Blaster Pistol + Silverplate + Spring Loaded + Targeting Scope
Cost: 3500 credits

The S3 Custom is an artistically designed silverplated sporting blaster with an integrated targeting scope. It is meant more as a fashion statement than as a weapon, though it is as effective on the target range as any other sporting pistol. The included mag-grapple mount, in addition to facilitating a fast draw, allows the weapon to be on full display even when not in use; one would not want to hide away such a beautiful weapon in a holster!

Notes: Why yes, silverplate is absurdly expensive. I'd probably use a weapon like this as a treasure reward. I also decided that it made no sense for silverplate to cost an upgrade slot, so in this case it doesn't. The thing has two upgrades but only spends one slot for it. The mag-grapple mount is kind of a reference to the SW:TOR MMO, where the smuggler has no holsters; his guns just sort of cling to his hips and he holsters them by just putting the gun next to his thigh and letting go. Anyway I like the idea of using a magnetic holder to explain faster quickdraws rather than a spring-loaded gun (which always makes me imagine the pistol popping up like a slice of toast).


Merr-Sonn IR-5 "Intimidator"
Technical description: Blaster Pistol + Strip Stun + Rapid Recycler + Retractable Stock
Cost: 900 credits

A major departure from Merr-Sonn's usual product aesthetic, the Intimidator is bulky, angular pistol, nearly as large as a heavy blaster pistol. They sacrificed the weapon's stun setting and overall look for the sole purpose of providing an autofire option in a pistol form factor. The retractable stock can be used to improve long-range accuracy and helps stabilize the lightweight weapon when using its autofire mode, which can otherwise cause a great deal of recoil and affect the weapon's accuracy.

Special: When fired in auto mode with the stock retracted, the Intimidator takes an additional -2 penalty on its attack roll.


After some thought, I decided there might be a better way to model this sort of thing. Here's another version of the same weapon:
Merr-Sonn IR-5 "Intimidator"
Technical description: Blaster Pistol + Strip Range + Rapid Recycler + Retractable Stock
Cost: 900 credits

Notes: In this version there's no special penalty to autofire; instead the weapon just has an annoyingly short accurate range when the stock is retracted. Stripping the range means it uses Thrown weapon ranges, so its point blank only extends to 6 squares. Extending the stock brings it back up to normal Pistol range (it uses Rifle range, which the stripping reduces to Pistol) . I'm not sure how to justify having a short single-shot range when in pistol mode.


BlasTech T-5 "Thunderer"
Technical description: Blaster Carbine + Miniaturized
Cost: 1500 credits
Licensing: Military

BlasTech approached the same solution as the Intimidator from the opposite direction and came up with something very similar. The Thunderer is effectively a very small blaster carbine, with a foldable stock and foregrip that allows it to be handled either like a pistol or like a more traditional carbine. Many starsystems consider the highly compact firepower to be excessive for a pistol and put military-level restrictions on its sale.

Notes: I put the military restriction on here because carbines are already ridiculously competitive with heavy blaster pistols -- a carbine with a folded stock is the same as an HBP with an an autofire mode, the only difference being one kilogram of mass. Miniaturizing a carbine to the size of a blaster pistol makes the thing a little unbalanced vs the HBP, so to level things a little I stuck a higher licensing level on it.


SoroSuub Security S-5 Blaster
Technical description: Ascension Gun (G@W) + Strip Damage (3d6) + Dual Gear with Darter (see notes)
Cost: 900 credits

The Security S-5 is a combination weapon that merges the abilities of a number of weapons while excelling in no particular area. While it has a relatively low energy output for a heavy blaster, the integrated dart launcher allows it, when loaded with knockout agents, to bring nonlethal force to bear much further away than than the usual 6-square stun range. The grappling gun gives the user additional mobility options. The combination of functionality makes the Security S-5 a good choice for organizations that may encounter a variety of situations, which makes it popular for elite forces working in generally peaceful locales.

Special: The Security S-5 has one available upgrade slot. A recognition system is a very common upgrade.

Notes: It is a swift action to switch between blaster and darter mode. The Darter (GoI p65) is a Simple weapon that can fire only out to Short range and carries a clip of six darts. A dart deals 1 damage on a hit; if the target takes damage from that (in other words, it has no applicable SR or DR), then the dart delivers its payload. The usual payload is a simple knockout chemical that immediately deals 3d8 stun damage to the target, but generally any injury toxin can be loaded into a dart, or the chemical delivery dart can be replaced by other types of ammunition, such as a surveillence tagger or firestarter. A clip of six standard knockout darts costs 30 credits; for other payloads the dart's cost is subsumed by the cost of the toxin dose or other device, and provides a single round.

Notes part 2: Apparently the S-5 was statted out in one of the KOTOR web enhancements. I did not know that! Oh, well, this is still a nice example of building a fairly complex weapon with Dual Gear.



More to come; feel free to add your own! Minor rule-breaking is totally acceptable. I generally add about a 10% surcharge on these items, for the benefit of not having to do the work yourself.

These are some rewrites of the specialized guns in CWCG, which tend to be either so close to average as to be pointless, or in the case of the Deathhammer, so good that it overshadows the standard equivalent (cheaper, longer-ranged, and less restricted than a heavy blaster pistol? Why would you go for the inferior model?).


BlasTech DH-23 "Outback"
Technical description: Blaster Pistol + Environmental Sealing
Cost: 900 credits

The Outback was designed for the sole purpose of being virtually impossible to break. Its tight body construction, non-reactive coatings, and high efficiency heat radiator shroud ensure that even extended exposure to the harshest conditions will not degrade the weapon's ability to operate. Soak it in water, roll it in mud, or store it in a caustic atmosphere -- it will still shoot.


BlasTech DT-12
Technical description: Blaster Pistol + Increase Size (medium) + special (see below)
Cost: 700 credits

The BlasTech DT-12 was designed with a larger, sturdier frame to accomodate creatures with very non-humanoid hands. It features a greatly enlarged trigger guard and a longer grip than a standard blaster. While it is more bulky, the extra size and reinforcement makes the weapon easier to work on.

Special: The DT-12 has two available upgrade slots, and grants a +2 circumstance bonus on mechanics checks to upgrade or repair the pistol.


Merr-Sonn Model 434 "DeathHammer"
Technical description: Blaster Pistol + Improved Damage (Tech Specialist) + Durasteel Case (see special)
Cost: 2750 credits

The Model 434 "DeathHammer" is named for its great stopping power, nearly on par with a much larger weapon, while retaining accuracy at all ranges. However, the complex component adjustments necessary to achieve such a power output make it nearly impossible to make significant internal modifications to the weapon without damaging it. The famous durasteel exterior casing provides increased resistance to damage.

Special: Upgrade: Durasteel Case gives the weapon +2 DR. It has no remaining upgrade slots and cannot be modified with Tech Specialist.


BlastTech 500 "ESPO" Riot Gun
Technical description: Blaster Carbine
Cost: 1000 credits

The BlasTech 500 is known as the "ESPO" due to its wide use by the Corporate Sector Security Police (or "Espos"). It features a more compact barrel design than a standard carbine and lacks the retractable stock (though adding one is a common upgrade). While its accuracy is somewhat lacking, the ESPO Riot Gun is designed to operate best in autofire mode. It takes a -2 to attack rolls when fired in single-shot mode, but it can be braced as if it were an autofire-only weapon.

Notes: This doesn't actually use the upgrade system, so it still has a slot as normal. It's just that the Riot Gun as presented in CWCG is pathetic and worthless, being worse than the standard carbine in every area where they aren't entirely identical. It costs more and does less. Adding the ability to brace, I think, brings it back into balance. (There's a feat that lets you brace all carbines, so if the player really likes the option, they can take that and use the more standard gun.)


SoroSuub Firelance Blaster Rifle
Technical description: Blaster Rifle + Bothan Template + special
Cost: 2000 credits

The Firelance blaster rifle's focusing ring is optimized to deliver a truly devastating blast of stun energy, but pays for that benefit by being rather inefficient when firing normally, which results in second-rate damage output, comparable to a standard blaster pistol. The rifle is mostly marketed to bounty hunters and law enforcement officials who desire the ability to bring their targets back alive. Users who must travel afoot also appreciate its lightweight construction.

Special: The Firelance weighs only 2.5 kg instead of the usual 4.5 kg. Since no upgrades have been applied here, it has an open upgrade slot.

Notes: In CWCG, the Firelance deals 3d8 normally and 4d6 stun. Mathematically that's a mere 1/2 point of damage difference -- 3d8 averages 13.5, 4d6 averages 14. The Bothan template provides a significantly better stun effect, at the cost of normal damage. The weight thing is a freebie.

Drearian Defense Conglomerate (DDO) Defender
Technical description: Sporting Blaster Pistol + Breakdown (see notes)
Cost: 750 credits

The DDO Defender features an extended barrel with adjustable grip, sights, and balance, designed to allow for a fully customizable shooting experience. In addition, inputting the correct code on a keypad on the side of the grip will allow the weapon to be broken down into two separate parts -- the barrel and firing mechanism, and the power pack and trigger group. While the weapon as a whole is a Diminutive item, the two components are each Fine, which makes them easier to conceal (a medium or smaller creature effectively gains a +5 bonus to conceal the disassembled weapon, per the Stealth rules). It is a full round action to break down or reassemble the blaster.

Notes: Breakdown sounds like Componentization, but the latter says each part is itself disguised as a mundane object and requires a difficult check to identify as a weapon component, which is not the intent here. The effect is similar to Cloaked (a -5 on checks to find it or a +5 on the stealth check are basically equivalent) except a cloaked item is ready to use while concealed, where this has to be reassembled first. I just kinda fudged the pricing accordingly.


Luxan Penetrator MB-450
Technical description: Sporting Blaster Pistol + Pulse Charger + Strip Stun Setting
Cost: 2500 credits
Licensing: Licensed

The Luxan Penetrator was designed as a hunting pistol. It uses a double-nested precision galven circuit to produce a hyperfocused bolt that delivers the penetrating power of a full blaster pistol while technically remaining in the sporting blaster category. The bolt is, however, much narrower than a normal one, which sometimes makes it more difficult to place the shot in a damaging spot, and the nested circuit is not capable of producing a meaningful stun blast.

Special: The Luxan Penetrator has one available upgrade slot.


Merr-Sonn Model 6 "Quick 6"
Technical description: Sporting Blaster Pistol + Bothan Template
Cost: 1300 credits

The Quick 6 is a popular target blaster with a modest power output but a very effective stun setting suitable for bringing down live game.

Special: The Quick 6 has one available upgrade slot.


SoroSuub X-45 Sniper Rifle
Technical description: Sporting Blaster Rifle + Breakdown + Echani Template + Improved Damage (Tech Specialist)
Cost: 4000 credits
Licensing: Restricted

While the X-45 is fragile, its impressive accuracy and highly effective beam can produce deadly results, but customization of the carefully adjusted internals is virtually impossible. The X-45 can be broken down, removing the barrel and focusinging rings for easier transport -- or concealment. While the weapon as a whole is a Tiny object, the two components are each Diminutive. It is a full round action to break down or reassemble the blaster.

Special: The X-45 has no remaining upgrade slots and cannot be modified with Tech Specialist.


Herloss HBt-4 Hunting Blaster
Technical description: Blaster Rifle + Strip Autofire
Cost: 1000 credits
Licensing: Licensed

The Herloss HBt-4 was designed as a sporting blaster rifle for hunting large, dangerous game on rim worlds far from civilization. Its increased power is balanced by a wider shot spread, but it was decided that a strong hit was more desirable than mid-range accuracy. The HBt-4 is extremely customizable, with plenty of internal space and overdesigned components that will take the stresses of many different types of upgrade.

Special: The HBt-4 has two available upgrade slots.

Notes: Stripping the autofire mode makes a blaster rifle essentially just a stronger but not Accurate sport blaster, so that's the easiest way to model a powered-up hunting rifle.