Dual-Mode Gauss Rifle

[Daryk]

The fluff for the Silver Bullet Gauss says the FedCom gave up trying to get a Gauss Rifle to shoot both slugs and cluster rounds and settled for specialized versions firing one or the other.  I figure somebody would eventually figure it out, but at a cost in tonnage, heat, and critical space to represent the weapon having to internally reconfigure itself to one mode or the other.  So here's my stab at it:

Code: [Select]

Weapon                   Type      Heat     Damage     Minimum   Short Medium  Long   Ammo   Tons   Criticals
Dual-Mode Gauss Rifle  DB,C,F,X     2       15/15C        2       1-7  10-15   18-22    8     17        8
Notes: Firing mode must be selected in the End Phase of the turn prior to firing.  The entire tonnage of the weapon counts toward Targeting Computer weight but doesn't get the benefit when firing cluster.  When it takes a critical hit, the weapon explodes for 20 points of damage.

I figure an LGR would get the same treatment (+1 Heat, +2 tons, +1 crit) for similar Dual-Mode performance.

[garhkal]

I like that idea..

[Daryk]

Thanks!  It just seemed like something someone would pick back up eventually...

[Dave Talley]

Or to make it retrofit easier, make it a 2 ton add on to the rifle that does the job, now previous weapons charts aren't affected

[Daryk]

The fluff for the Silver Bullet leads me to believe they tried that, and it didn't work.

[cray]

I argued for silver bullet ammo to be made a standard GR option in the original Tactical Operations. If you can fire a giant nickel-iron water melon, you can fire a cannister round.

So, I'd be totally fine with a dual-mode GR just being a bit more expensive with no need for more heat, tonnage, or crits.

[Daryk]

I think they told you no because that would open up regular ACs to being able to fire canister too (which I'm also totally fine with...).  LB-Xs having increased range, and reduced tonnage and heat are more than enough bonus, I think.

[kindalas]

I use the idea that at some point in the 3150s someone figures how to make a Gauss Rifle compatible cluster round.

After that the Silverbullet model just gets refitted out to standard Gauss Rifles.

[Daryk]

That's also an approach I like!