Custom stuff and knock-offs

[Dog_O_War]

Okay, I have a question; how many of you actually use custom weaponry, "cheap" or damaged guns/armour, and knock-offs?

To give you an example of each;
Custom: an MDC sledgehammer with a gyroscopic counter-weight, pointed end, and "gunshot" or rocket end for an extremely well-balanced devistatingly quick melee weapon (props to Battle Angel for the rocket-boosted attack).

Damaged/used: guns of the "cheap" quality. MD is dice -X for damage, range might be reduced, energy pig, or penalty to hit. Armour is reduced in MDC, or mobility penalties apply.

Knock-offs: instead of buying a Bandit Bigbore, your gun-totting noob has a Blandit Bligblore knock-off; this "blad-boy" is as likely to knock the firer off his feat as it is his target. This sort of stuff; while it might have such a "quirk" (as above) despite being brand new, these types of weapons are the bootleg version of the real thing. Reduce price and some other factor of the item as appropriate.


Does anyone use anything akin to this?

[Natasha]

We have started with used and second gear before in some AtB and TMNT games.

[bigbobsr6000]

In my post-apopalytic games I use those kind off stuff. Some in Rifts.

[sasha]

Bob you and Natasha are sounding a lot a like.

I've even done games when they start with the clothes on their back and have to go from there, in PF, TMNT, and Rifts.

[CyCo]

In the various CP2020 games I've played, we modded out weapons, depended on the game, sometimes it was just minor mods, in others, we went over the top. It just depended on what sort of game was being run.

In a one-on-one CP2020 game, the character (a Prowler), modded his pistol, spending over $30,000 of mods on it. Wasn't too happy when I took it away. lol

In the Rifts games we ran, some games we just ran them stock, in others, we tended to kitbash our weapons.

If you want a list of goodies to mod your weapons, follow this link to my old CP2020 site. Sure, it's for CP2020, but you could covert it over fairly easily.

8]

[sasha]

That said, I'm not likely to start adventurers with only the clothes on their back.

I'm not either but it can be fun.

[Natasha]

That said, I'm not likely to start adventurers with only the clothes on their back.

I'm not either but it can be fun.

I agree.

[bigbobsr6000]

I've give players X number GP/Credits starting out and state: "Here is your alloted funds, you are naked and have nothing." Then they all go on a shopping spree. I rarely limit what they can buy as long as it is in the setting we are in.

[Natasha]

You've just inherited a million bucks what are you going to do?

Wander the land get into adventures and ****.

[bigbobsr6000]

"I'm going to Disney World!"

[bigbobsr6000]

Guess I should buy some pants at least, first.

[Natasha]

Guess I should buy some pants at least, first.

I don't know................

[Aramanthus]

LOL Very good Bob! You are learning! I'll hide along with the million! Try and find me!

[bigbobsr6000]

So, we get to play, "Where's Aramanthus" instead of Waldo?

[Shorty Lickens]

I use custom items rarely, unless the PC's ask for something specific, and that usually involved role-playing and having somebody make the item for them.

I use knock-off and cheap quality items all the time. It makes sense such items would exist in a post-apocalypse wilderness.
For weapons I normally take one die off the damage, but it generally sells for half price.
For armor I do the same thing except I take off 10-20% of the MDC OR, if its environmental sometimes I remove a standard feature (and I dont tell the PC unless he specifically says he inspects its features before buying).

For gadgets and tools I do the same thing. I remove one of the features and dont tell them unless they inspect it, or try to use it.
As an example, a knock-off of a portable RADAR or radio might have half-range or randomly go out every couple of minutes.
A vehicle may not have a fully-functional Reverse, putting the characters in a real pickle if they drive up against something. Imagine having to put your Big Boss in neutral and climbing out in the middle of a battle to push it away from a boulder.

Standard procedure applies: The price is reduced by half and may serve as a warning sign to observant players.

[Dog_O_War]

Wow, I figured people would use knock-offs more often. Seems like the perfect loot limitor for players - but I suppose if yer always fighting the CS or monsters, there just wouldn't be a whole lot of room for knock-offs.

Thanks for your replies.