Alchemical Rifle [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alchemical Rifle [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Nuntius128
05-18-05, 04:21 PM This is an idea I had very recently, and I thought I'd run it by everyone to see if they like it.

Alchemical Rifle
Exotic Ranged Weapon
Damage: 1d2, Varies
Weight: 7 lbs
Range increment: 30 feet
Cost: 150 gp

Description: The Alchemical Rifle is a variation on the crossbow used by Gnome alchemists to put to use poisons and other various creations. The Alchemical Rifle may be loaded with one vial, and fired, much like a crossbow or similar firearm. However, due to the kickback of the rifle, it cannot be fired in one hand.
When fired, a lever is pulled on the back end, similarly to a bow, to avoid the destruction of the vial inside the Alchemical Rifle.
the damage dealt is based on the alchemical substance used. Upon impact of a target, the vial shatters, releasing the contained substance, such as Alchemist's Fire. The impact of the vial deals the initial 1d2 damage, as well as any damage included by the substance, such as the 1d6 Fire damage from the Alchemist's Fire.
Jaid
05-18-05, 05:05 PM nifty idea... i like it =D

as far as balance, i haven't a clue... seems fine to me, but you never know =P

i think you should make a version that you can mount under a crossbow :D

and a mortar version :D
Niveus Lynx
05-18-05, 05:16 PM You can't forgot the Alchemical Grenade Launcher!

And alchemical surface-to-air missiles!
WindOwl
05-18-05, 05:56 PM There's already the Gnome calculus in the Arms and Equipment guide. 50-foot range increment sling that chucks flasks.
Macgyver
05-18-05, 06:08 PM And this is more complicated by far, clearly reflecting it's gnomish origin.
WindOwl
05-18-05, 06:18 PM I'm just saying the range increment should be increased to maybe 100 feet...
Nuntius128
05-18-05, 06:18 PM And this is more complicated by far, clearly reflecting it's gnomish origin.

They love their little knick-knacks. :D Thanks for the replies! I thought a 30 foot range would keep it on the good side, and it'd make an interesting Rogue weapon, too, with the poison useage.

I also thought I'd add on the 1d2 damage, for virtue of the little vial. Not as much damage as you can get from a Sling, so I don't think I overdid that.
Macgyver
05-18-05, 06:22 PM No problem. What I read from your description though, it sounds more like a crossbow type device than a conventional rifle. Is this really a misnomer, or is there actually a rifled barrel involved?

If the latter is involved, the range could be a lot farther.

Also assuming the latter, what exactly propels the vial?
Nuntius128
05-18-05, 06:28 PM It has a barrel, and actually functions much more closely to a Rifle, I just said crossbow for the sake of easy referencing, as guns aren't in the PHB, and everyone has a PHB. :D

What fires the vial isn't an explosion as in a gun, its a spring-loaded device. Pull the lever back, and the spring snaps back into place, launching the vial in the direction of your choice.
WindOwl
05-18-05, 06:32 PM Oh. In that case, 30-foot range is just fine. :D
kuhTHOOloo
05-18-05, 06:37 PM Wouldn't the spring kinda break the vial? Or are the vials made specifically for this, strengthened in the back where the spring hits it, and weak in the front to break easily on impact?
WindOwl
05-18-05, 06:49 PM I think that would be the idea...
kuhTHOOloo
05-18-05, 08:18 PM I meant wouldn't the spring break the vial before the vial could be shot? As in broken while still inside the rifle.
Macgyver
05-18-05, 08:28 PM The could be some section of matter between the spring and the vial, for the force to transfer through.

It seems like a powerful spring would have to be used.

What would the price be on one of these?
Nuntius128
05-18-05, 08:37 PM Wouldn't the spring kinda break the vial? Or are the vials made specifically for this, strengthened in the back where the spring hits it, and weak in the front to break easily on impact?

Actually, the spring is built so as to not break the vial, while still giving enough firepower to break the bottle. The spring acts similarly to the string of a bow, it supports the vial when drawn back, and launches the vial out the barrel.
Niveus Lynx
05-18-05, 11:53 PM Actually, the spring is built so as to not break the vial, while still giving enough firepower to break the bottle. The spring acts similarly to the string of a bow, it supports the vial when drawn back, and launches the vial out the barrel.

It would be easier if the spring was set against the vial, so it doesn't come up and hit it when it launches.

If it stays the same, a critical miss or fumble could result in the vial breaking, releasing whatever substance contained.
Nuntius128
05-19-05, 01:59 AM Actually, I like the idea of the of the critical fumble breaking the vial. It feels very 2nd edition to me...
lantanGNOME
05-30-05, 12:25 PM There is a grenade version in dragon #321
just to let you know

and i think it realy would apeal to my gnomich artevicer :D
Nuntius128
05-30-05, 01:39 PM There is a grenade version in dragon #321
just to let you know

and i think it realy would apeal to my gnomich artevicer :D

Yeah, I actually have that issue. I hadn't even quite thought to look at it, to be honest. But, Gnome Artificers were actually who I was aiming for to use this weapon. All those ranks in Craft will make it pretty useful.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Nuntius128 05-18-05, 04:21 PM	This is an idea I had very recently, and I thought I'd run it by everyone to see if they like it. Alchemical Rifle Exotic Ranged Weapon Damage: 1d2, Varies Weight: 7 lbs Range increment: 30 feet Cost: 150 gp Description: The Alchemical Rifle is a variation on the crossbow used by Gnome alchemists to put to use poisons and other various creations. The Alchemical Rifle may be loaded with one vial, and fired, much like a crossbow or similar firearm. However, due to the kickback of the rifle, it cannot be fired in one hand. When fired, a lever is pulled on the back end, similarly to a bow, to avoid the destruction of the vial inside the Alchemical Rifle. the damage dealt is based on the alchemical substance used. Upon impact of a target, the vial shatters, releasing the contained substance, such as Alchemist's Fire. The impact of the vial deals the initial 1d2 damage, as well as any damage included by the substance, such as the 1d6 Fire damage from the Alchemist's Fire.
Jaid 05-18-05, 05:05 PM	nifty idea... i like it =D as far as balance, i haven't a clue... seems fine to me, but you never know =P i think you should make a version that you can mount under a crossbow :D and a mortar version :D
Niveus Lynx 05-18-05, 05:16 PM	You can't forgot the Alchemical Grenade Launcher! And alchemical surface-to-air missiles!
WindOwl 05-18-05, 05:56 PM	There's already the Gnome calculus in the Arms and Equipment guide. 50-foot range increment sling that chucks flasks.
Macgyver 05-18-05, 06:08 PM	And this is more complicated by far, clearly reflecting it's gnomish origin.
WindOwl 05-18-05, 06:18 PM	I'm just saying the range increment should be increased to maybe 100 feet...
Nuntius128 05-18-05, 06:18 PM	And this is more complicated by far, clearly reflecting it's gnomish origin. They love their little knick-knacks. :D Thanks for the replies! I thought a 30 foot range would keep it on the good side, and it'd make an interesting Rogue weapon, too, with the poison useage. I also thought I'd add on the 1d2 damage, for virtue of the little vial. Not as much damage as you can get from a Sling, so I don't think I overdid that.
Macgyver 05-18-05, 06:22 PM	No problem. What I read from your description though, it sounds more like a crossbow type device than a conventional rifle. Is this really a misnomer, or is there actually a rifled barrel involved? If the latter is involved, the range could be a lot farther. Also assuming the latter, what exactly propels the vial?
Nuntius128 05-18-05, 06:28 PM	It has a barrel, and actually functions much more closely to a Rifle, I just said crossbow for the sake of easy referencing, as guns aren't in the PHB, and everyone has a PHB. :D What fires the vial isn't an explosion as in a gun, its a spring-loaded device. Pull the lever back, and the spring snaps back into place, launching the vial in the direction of your choice.
WindOwl 05-18-05, 06:32 PM	Oh. In that case, 30-foot range is just fine. :D
kuhTHOOloo 05-18-05, 06:37 PM	Wouldn't the spring kinda break the vial? Or are the vials made specifically for this, strengthened in the back where the spring hits it, and weak in the front to break easily on impact?
WindOwl 05-18-05, 06:49 PM	I think that would be the idea...
kuhTHOOloo 05-18-05, 08:18 PM	I meant wouldn't the spring break the vial before the vial could be shot? As in broken while still inside the rifle.
Macgyver 05-18-05, 08:28 PM	The could be some section of matter between the spring and the vial, for the force to transfer through. It seems like a powerful spring would have to be used. What would the price be on one of these?
Nuntius128 05-18-05, 08:37 PM	Wouldn't the spring kinda break the vial? Or are the vials made specifically for this, strengthened in the back where the spring hits it, and weak in the front to break easily on impact? Actually, the spring is built so as to not break the vial, while still giving enough firepower to break the bottle. The spring acts similarly to the string of a bow, it supports the vial when drawn back, and launches the vial out the barrel.
Niveus Lynx 05-18-05, 11:53 PM	Actually, the spring is built so as to not break the vial, while still giving enough firepower to break the bottle. The spring acts similarly to the string of a bow, it supports the vial when drawn back, and launches the vial out the barrel. It would be easier if the spring was set against the vial, so it doesn't come up and hit it when it launches. If it stays the same, a critical miss or fumble could result in the vial breaking, releasing whatever substance contained.
Nuntius128 05-19-05, 01:59 AM	Actually, I like the idea of the of the critical fumble breaking the vial. It feels very 2nd edition to me...
lantanGNOME 05-30-05, 12:25 PM	There is a grenade version in dragon #321 just to let you know and i think it realy would apeal to my gnomich artevicer :D
Nuntius128 05-30-05, 01:39 PM	There is a grenade version in dragon #321 just to let you know and i think it realy would apeal to my gnomich artevicer :D Yeah, I actually have that issue. I hadn't even quite thought to look at it, to be honest. But, Gnome Artificers were actually who I was aiming for to use this weapon. All those ranks in Craft will make it pretty useful.