Topic: 5th Edition Empire Questions

[azrael88]

Gonna try some really old stuff and play a game using 4th/5th Empire armybook.

So is the question regarding empire repeating guns used by outriders. In 5th edition handguns shoot every other turn, so a common tactics is to field handgunners in two ranks, each rank firing every turn. Is a repeater handgun also slow to reload? I mean - shoot up to six times a turn then reload, no shooting?

[GamesPoet]

I'm guessing the 4th/5th edition Empire army book doesn't cover this?  Since I started with 6th edition, I don't own a copy.  Unfortunate if the army book doesn't, and my guess is give them the ability to shoot each turn, but not six shots.  In essence, they wouldn't need to reload like their brothers on foot.  But I am just guessing, and suspect someone else will know for sure.

[azrael88]

Repeating gun rule in 4/5th armybook says you shoot at the enemy, if hit is scored you can shoot again at the same target or other within 2" of first target, then if second hit is scored you can shoot third time, and again up to six shots per turn. There's no information on reloading for the following turn. Shooting and reloading is cleary described in 5th ed rulebook, that's why handgunners favored formation is two ranks. First rank shoots, then reloads next turn. Second rank shoots in second turn and reloads in third and so on.

[GamesPoet]

Ah, well with those rules, suspect the if with six shots the guy hits 3 tines than that 4th shot must be a malfunction.  So probably a turn to load, to fix and reload, while they are galloping away of course.  But that's just a guess.

[commandant]

I'd advise having a chat with the person you play against and doing whatever makes the most sense to you.

[Rodman49]

Rules for the Repeater Handgun are discussed on Page 19 of the 4th/5th edition Empire Armybook.  Rules for handguns are discussed on page 58 of the 5e rulebook.  Below is a quick summary of each weapon but the long and short of it is: Repeater Handguns do not suffer the handgun penalties of not being able to move and shoot nor do they suffer the every other turn reload of the handgun.  Do note however that they have shorter range than standard handguns.

Repeater Handgun - Range 20", Strength 4

• If first shot hits, fire again at a same target or target within 2" . . . continue until miss or 6 shots are fired
• A roll of 1 is always a miss
• Armor Piercing

Handgun - Range 24", Strength 4

• Fire every other turn
• No moving and Firing
• Volley fire (second rank moves up and can shoot)
• Armor Piercing