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Modern Weapons

I always felt like TTRPGs especially 5e had potential for more modern style of combat, and so over the years I’ve been experimenting with different implementations of firearms into my games. After years of trial and error I’ve finally felt confident about making my own system, and so here I present it to you.

It is meant for running all kinds of games – from simple early weapons with revolvers and single shot rifles to futuristic laser and ion weapons, this should have you covered.

Rules – Ammunition

As all people making a gun supplement for TTRPGs should know – not the gun itself does damage, but the ammunition it wields, and so that is why I’ll introduce this part first – so those who did not have this knowledge beforehand can grasp it before we venture into guns proper.

In my version of this system, that you should be able to just pick up and use in your game I have 6 ammunition types split into two groups:

Rules – Properties

Many systems before me and probably many after like to over-bloat the weapons with different properties, so I wanted to try something else with as few as I could, while making the system engaging. These are:

• [Light] Reload (XX) - the weapon can hold a maximum of XX ammunition and after that it needs to be reloaded using a [bonus] action.
• Covering Fire - as an action the weapon can be used to suppress the enemies in a 15 foot cube, centered up to its range. Each target within the cube must make a DC 8 + attack mod Dexterity Saving Throw or take the half the attack damage and become sluggish. This ability consumes all the available ammunition (at least half the maximum).
• Marksman - when prone attacks with this weapon are made with a +3 bonus.
• Quick - after you take an attack action you may also use your bonus action to make and additional one.

Example Weapons

Here you can see the example weapons I’ve made to use in my modern day setting. They are more generic, but this is something I will touch upon in the next chapter:

• Semi-Automatic Pistol - Light Reload (7), 30/60, Martial Firearm, 1d10 piercing damage (light ammunition).
• Semi-Automatic Rifle – Reload (10), 100/200, Martial Firearm, 2d8 piercing damage (medium ammunition).
• Room-sweeper (Semi-Automatic Shotgun) – Reload (8), Martial Firearm, 2d12 piercing (shell).
• Ion Pistol – Reload (11), Martial Energy Weapon, 2d10 force damage (Energy Core).

Spice of Life – Variety

When adding a lot of such weapons, as we may feel compelled to do, they can all start feeling samey. Here I propose two solutions I’ve been using in my games for some time:

First one is manufacturers, where a weapon from each may have a different qualities – some may have different ammo and magazine sizes, some may offer attachments providing additional bonuses like +1 to attack and damage rolls (replacing magic items for firearms). You may have a cheap knockoff maker, but they will pay in quality. Here you can also use something, that is more optional and have weapon have a number of modification slots equal to its rarity – 1 for common, 2 for uncommon, etc., which may help you spice it up a little more with mods like: integrated scope for +1 to attacks.

The second one is ammunition types, like fire shells dealing 1d12 piercing and 1d12 fire or always elusive electric light ammo, dealing 1d10 piercing + 1d6 lightning damage, allowing your players to properly prepare, taking silver, blessed ammo to their fight against undead.

Ending Words

I hope that you see the sense in this system and will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it. Always remember – it takes only a pen to make a thing yours, when it comes to TTRPGs so if you don’t like some of my suggestions, then feel free to change things and maybe contact me, so I can also change my stance on something, as this is how this system was made.