Chapter X: Equipment

Equipment is of paramount concern to anyone operating in the line of fire, as it often can be the difference between life and death. Whether it be a tool to fix a particular problem, armor designed for undercover work, or just a big gun, having the right equipment on hand can boost anyone's confidence. This chapter details all of the items and merchandise that are most useful when facing the threats of a modern world.

Medium Armor

Most medium armor is not terribly heavy, but nonetheless provides a significant amount of protection - at the expense of some agility.

Heavy Armor

For the best protection money can buy, go with heavy armor - putting a thick, solid barrier between you and the bullets is certainly an effective means of defense.

Shields

While they have fallen out of popularity somewhat in modern times - due to the popularity of two-handed firearms and the need for a free hand - shields do still have their uses in certain situations.

Optional Rule:
Damage Reduction

You may allow armor to reduce the damage of incoming attacks in your game. If you do so, consult the following table for how much each armor reduces certain damage types:

Weapons

Weapon Properties

Many weapons have special properties related to their use, as shown in the Weapons table.

Ammunition. You can use a weapon that has the ammunition property to make a ranged attack only if you have ammunition to fire from the weapon. Each time you attack with the weapon, you expend one piece of ammunition. The ammunition of a firearm is destroyed upon use. Other ammunition, such as arrows and crossbow bolts may be recovered. At the end of the battle, you can recover half of your recoverable ammunition by taking a minute searching the battlefield.

If you use a weapon that has the ammunition property to make a melee attack, you treat the weapon as an improvised weapon.

Archaic. See "Historic Weapons".

A-Fire. Short for "automatic fire", this weapon continually fires as long as the trigger is held. When you make an attack with this weapon on your turn, you instead make two attacks with disadvantage. These attacks always have disadvantage, regardless of circumstance, and the targets of both attacks must be within 5 feet of one another (both attacks can be made against the same target). These attacks use double the normal amount of ammunition.

Braced. A weapon that has the braced property is designed to be fired only when braced on a bipod, or a hard, stationary surface, such as a low wall. Bracing the weapon requires an action or a bonus action (the character’s choice). If the character moves after bracing the weapon, or drops the weapon, the weapon is no longer considered to be braced. While a weapon with this property is not braced, attack rolls with it are made at disadvantage unless the character's Strength score is equal to or higher than the number in parentheses.

Burst Fire. A weapon that has the burst fire property can make a normal single-target attack, or it can spray a 10-foot-cube area within range that you can see with shots. Each creature in the area must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take the weapon's normal damage. The DC equals 8 + your Dexterity modifier + your proficiency bonus if proficient. This action uses ten pieces of ammunition.

Creatures and objects which are larger than the targeted area automatically fail this saving throw.

Covert. You have advantage on Dexterity (Sleight on Hands) checks to conceal this weapon.

Mounted. The recoil of this weapon is far too large to be reasonably wielded without support, and should only be used when properly steadied. A weapon that has the mounted property is designed to be fired only when mounted on a tripod, vehicle, or other sturdy base.

Mounting or unmounting the weapon requires an action. While it is mounted, it cannot be moved. Wielding a weapon with this property that is not mounted imposes disadvantage on attack rolls and anyone attacking with this weapon when it is not mounted must make a DC 20 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone, unless the character's Strength score is equal to or higher than the number in parentheses. Additionally, creatures wielding this weapon while it is not mounted move at half speed.

Reload. You can fire a limited number of shots with this weapon before you need to reload. How the weapon is reloaded depends on the type of magazine it uses to store ammunition. Reloading firearms come in three basic types: box, internal, and linked.

Box: A box magazine is any type of magazine that can be removed and reloaded separately from the weapon.

Internal: Some weapons keep their ammunition in an internal space, which must be loaded by hand. This is the case with most shotguns, as well as some rifles. This category includes the cylinder of a revolver.

Linked: Some machine guns use linked ammunition. The bullets are chained together with small metal clips, forming a belt. Typically, a belt holds 50 bullets; any number of belts can be clipped together. In military units, as the gunner fires, an assistant clips new ammunition belts together, keeping the weapon fed.

Reloading a firearm that you are proficient with using a filled box magazine or speed loader, or linking two belts of ammunition together is an action or a bonus action. Refilling a box magazine or a speed loader, reloading a weapon with an internal magazine, loading a belt of linked ammunition, or reloading a weapon that you aren't proficient with is an action.

S-Fire. Short for "selective fire", this weapon can alternate between automatic and non-automatic shooting. When you make an attack with this weapon on your turn, you can choose to make two attacks with disadvantage instead. These attacks always have disadvantage, regardless of circumstance, and the targets of both attacks must be within 5 feet of one another (both attacks can be made against the same target). These attacks use double the normal amount of ammunition.

Spray. This weapon uses multiple pieces of ammunition for each attack. The number in parentheses specifies how many pieces of ammunition are used for each attack.

Spread. When attacking a target within this weapon's normal range, roll an additional damage die and add it to the weapon’s damage. When fired at long range, you may apply the attack roll to an additional creature within 5 feet of the target. Roll damage against the secondary target separately.

Silvered Weapons

You can have a weapon silvered by visiting an appropriate labourer. The cost of this a service is $90. Silvered ammunition is covered under "Special Ammunition" later in this chapter. Silvered weapons follow the same rules detailed in chapter 5 of the Player's Handbook.

Special Weapons

Weapons with special rules are described here.

Cannon. A classical weapon that has been used for well over 500 years, this simplistic artillery weapon packs quite a punch. A creature hit with a cannon must make a Strength saving throw (DC 15) or be knocked prone.

Chainsaw. Military and police units use powered saws to cut through fences and open doors rapidly. They are sometimes pressed into service as weapons, often by people who watch too many movies. A chainsaw must be running to be used as a weapon, otherwise it simply counts as an improvised weapon. Starting a chainsaw is an action. If you roll a natural 1 on an attack roll with a chainsaw, it stalls.

BB Gun. These toys come in a variety of styles, and a particular BB Gun may have any one of the following properties: A-Fire, Spread, Light, and Two-Handed. Their ammunition capacity also varies, and may be as high as 50.

Flamethrower. A flamethrower consists of a pressurized tank containing fuel, connected to a tube with a nozzle. When you attack with a flamethrower, it shoots a 5-foot-wide, 30-foot-long line of flame.

Any creature caught in this area must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 3d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one. The DC equals 8 + your Dexterity modifier + your proficiency bonus if proficient.

Any creature or flammable object that takes damage from a flamethrower catches on fire, taking 1d6 points of fire damage at the start of each of their turns. A creature can end this damage by using its action to make a DC 10 Dexterity check to extinguish the flames.

A single gasoline tank provides a flamethrower with enough fuel for 10 shots before it must be reloaded.

Judge Carbine. This revolving carbine has a long cylinder that allows it to load either d6 Shotgun shells or d10 Revolver cartridges. When loaded with shells it gains the Spread property and its range is reduced to 30/90.

Judge Revolver. This high-caliber revolver has a long cylinder that allows it to load either d6 Shotgun shells or d10 Revolver cartridges. When loaded with shells it gains the Spread weapon property and its range is reduced to 20/60.

Punt Gun. This extremely oversized shotgun was historically intended for hunting large numbers of birds simultaneously. When you attack with this weapon, you target a 90-foot cone. Each creature in the area must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC 20) or take the weapon's damage.

Stun Baton. A stun gun has 5 charges. When you hit a creature with a stun gun, you can choose to expend one charge. When you do so, the target must make a Constitution saving throw (DC 10) or be stunned until the end of its next turn.

The stun baton can be recharged to 5 charges using a battery.

Stun Gun. A stun gun has 5 charges. To attack with a stun gun, you must expend one charge. A creature hit with a stun gun must make a Constitution saving throw (DC 10) or be stunned until the end of its next turn.

The stun gun can be recharged to 5 charges using a battery.

Ammunition

The weight and cost of bullets is determined by the damage die of the weapon it is used for. Shotgun shells are a little heavier; use the weight value for bullets with the next up damage die. Listed costs are for 50 rounds. If a weapon has the Versatile property, use the higher damage die to determine which bullets to use for it.

Firecracker

More of a toy than a serious tool, these weak explosives are often used at cultural celebrations, or occasionally for pranks. When it is activated, any creature within the explosive's area must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 1d4 thunder damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

A character can bind multiple firecrackers together so that they explode sequentially. When they do so, activate the explosive on the same initiative count it was first activated on subsequent rounds, for a number of rounds equal to the amount of firecrackers added.

Flashbang

A flashbang is a non-lethal explosive device used to temporarily disorient an enemy's senses. It is designed to produce a blinding flash of light and an intensely loud "bang" without causing permanent injury. When activated, each creature within 20 feet of the point must make a Dexterity saving throw or be blinded and deafened until the end of their next turn.

Fragmentation

These explosives are designed to disperse small lethal fragments. When activated, each creature within 20 feet of the explosive must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 5d6 piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Incendiary

These explosives create a large fireball when they explode. When activated, each creature within 10 feet of the explosive must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 4d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Plastic Explosive

Plastic explosive is a soft and hand-moldable solid form of explosive material. Plastic explosives are especially suited for explosive demolition of obstacles and fortifications by engineers, combat engineers and criminals. When activated, each creature within 10 feet of the explosive must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 4d6 bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. It deals double damage against objects and structures.

You can combine units of plastic explosive so they explode at the same time. Each additional pound of plastic explosive increases the damage by 2d6 (to a maximum of 14d6) and the burst radius by 5 feet (to a maximum of 30 feet). Additionally, when planting plastic explosive, you can choose to change the burst area to a cone-shaped explosion (you must determine the area affected by the explosive when you plant it).

Pulse

These high-tech explosives crackle with electrical energy. When activated, each creature within 10 feet of the explosive must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 4d6 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Smoke

Smoke explosives are used as ground-to-ground or ground-to-air signaling devices, target or landing zone marking devices, and to create a smoke-screen for concealment. When buying a smoke explosive you can also select the color of the smoke. When activated, it emits a cloud of smoke that creates a heavily obscured area in a 20-foot radius. It disperses after 1 minute, though a wind of moderate or greater speed (at least 10 miles per hour) disperses it.

Tear Gas

Military and police forces use these weapons to disperse crowds and smoke out hostage takers. When activated, this explosive emits a cloud of tear gas that creates a lightly obscured area in a 20-foot radius. It disperses after 1 minute, though a wind of moderate or greater speed (at least 10 miles per hour) disperses it. When the cloud appears, any creature inside its area is subjected to tear gas poison. A creature is also subjected to tear gas poison when it enters the cloud for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there.

Thermite

Thermite does not technically explode. Instead, it creates intense heat meant to burn or melt through objects. Military forces use thermite to quickly destroy key pieces of equipment.

White Phosphorous

White phosphorus devices use an explosive charge to distribute burning phosphorus across the burst radius. When activated, this explosive emits a cloud of smoke that creates a heavily obscured area in a 20-foot radius. It disperses after 1 minute, though a wind of moderate or greater speed (at least 10 miles per hour) disperses it.

When the cloud appears, any creature inside its area must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 2d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature must also make this saving throw when it enters the cloud's area for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there.

Explosive Weapons

A range of weapons are able to make use of explosives as their ammunition. Weapons with the Explosive property can be loaded with explosive ammunition. A handheld launcher or grenade launcher is loaded with grenades, while a rocket launcher is loaded with rockets. On a successful hit, the effects of the explosive are activated at the target's location. Inert ammunition for these weapons can be purchased, but they are usually only used for training or testing purposes.

Detonators

When an explosive is planted, you can link a detonator to it as part of that action. Detonators are used to activate planted explosives.

Modifications and Accessories

Weapon Modifications

Reduced Caliber

The weapon's damage die is reduced one step (d12>d10>d8>d6>d4). If the weapon has the Braced. property, it loses it. If the weapon has the Mounted. property, it loses it and gains the Braced. property.

Restrictions. Weapon uses bullets as ammunition. Weapon's damage die must not be a d4.

Weighted

When you hit a creature with the weapon, that creature gains disadvantage on ability checks and saving throws to avoid being moved or knocked prone until the start of their next turn.

Restrictions. Melee weapons only

Accessories

Accessories function similarly to modifications, in that they provide some modification to the except they can be applied quickly and without a skill check. Applying a modification to an item is an action.

Special Ammunition

Specialised ammunition can be bought which alters the behaviour of the weapon it is used for. When buying special ammunition, you purchase the ammunition as normal but apply a multiplier to the cost of the ammunition.

Slugs

Designed for use with shotguns, these bullets can only be used with weapons that have the Spread property. While a weapon is using this type of ammo, treat it as if it doesn't have the Spread property and double its normal and long ranges.

Armor Piercing. See standard armor piercing bullets.

Breaching. Breaching shotgun shells are designed to destroy door deadbolts, locks, and hinges without risking lives, creatures have resistance to damage from attacks using rubber ammunition. Additionally, successful attacks using breaching slugs deal double damage to objects.

Lead. These slugs confer no additional benefit, and are used to increase the effective range of a weapon with the Spread property.

XREP. Essentially a miniature stun gun, creatures have resistance to bludgeoning damage from attacks using XREP ammunition. Additionally, successful attacks using XREP ammunition deal an additional 1d4 lightning damage. A creature hit with an XREP slug must make a Constitution saving throw (DC 15) or be incapacitated. At the end of each of its turns, the target can make another Constitution saving throw. On a success, the effect ends on the target.

Credits

Document and contents by Dylan Richards (Reddit: u/Altavus , Tumblr: decision-paralysis, Blogger: Decision Paralysis)