Projectile weapons

Right form the off I'm gonna try and impress the fact that I'm no firearms expert, I do know a basic knowledge of the progression and such, but things like that aren't really good for a guide such as this.

Okay basic rules for the use for projectile weapons: Make sure you chose weapons suitable to the part of history/Modern era/future, choosing to use an M16 in a thread set in the imperial age is just stupid.

Second rule, try and have a basic knowledge of how the weapon works, fire functions, how to reload that sort of thing otherwise your gonna have very little to work on when using your weapon other than just firing.

You should also have some knowledge of the practical uses of the weapon you chose, a 12 gauge might be kick ass but firing at anything with any sort of range and you'd do more damage throwing the weapon at them.

Next you should keep in mind the weight of the weapon, this should also include extra ammunition, so many times I've seen people that think they could jump around as if they're a feather when they're carrying a missile launcher or some other encumbering piece of weaponry. This is such a common mistake and something that ticks me off quite a bit.

Another thing to bear in mind. While running, your aim is impaired significantly, anyone who thinks they can run and fire a weapon accurately is seriously having a laugh. Please bear that in mind. While you may think it's cool to go on a rambo style rampage and run through hordes of generic idiot bad guys while firing a magical rifle that somehow makes all the bullets hit their mark, it really isn't cool at all. In fact, it's just plain stupid. Unless your in a comedy Rp, then maybe it's acceptable in a mad parody kind of way.

Common sense is your biggest ally when using weapons that fall into this category. I know roleplaying is not real, but the mark of a true roleplaying skill is making it very believable, and that means plausibility, in short: Realism.

For all the above information you should be able to find a site that provides all sorts of specifications on weapons both old, existing and prototypes for the nearer future for other bits you'll just have to use some common sense. I will attempt to find such a site and post the link to it in this section at a later date.

Okay next i will try and give some ground rules on futuristic weapons. If your joining a futuristic thread, it's more than likely that you'll end up using some sort of weapon that only some super egg head genius could ever fathom how it works. One thing to bear in mind though, while these weapons will be superior compared to modern day weapons, so will the armour. For example, warhammer 40k weaponry is in some cases rather advanced and deadly, but certain units will have armour that can deal with that on par.

The thing to try and NOT do with futuristic is the "mine is bigger than yours" argument...boy does it get boring so very quickly. Just don't go overboard with the spec of your weapon and you can't go wrong.

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Okay this is a section i thought i should add on just for those who truely are "greenhorns". Certain weapons are just not to be used in RP'er vs RP'er fights. The generally agreed "fair" rules state that no attack can "auto-hit" of not be able to be evaded in some plausible way, in some cases this must simply be the case and you should really concede the hit and try to minimise the damage as best you can. But certain weapons fall under the generally agreed BANNED section of weapons that follows:

Orbital strike cannons, Nuclear strikes, Air strikes or any other "mass area of effect" weapon: Seriously dudes...as much as these might be cool to completely obliterate an opponent there are simply a no go area as far as use in a one on one fight situation. Putting a planet under siege? fine use orbital cannons. Planning on a crippling pre-emptive strike against a enemy country? Nuclear strikes are definitely an option. Facing heavy armour as have no weapons effective against them? Call in a air-strike to level the playing fields. just don't think you can call in this type of support in a one on one fight or against other characters directly. Common sense and fairness is the best thing you can employ.

There are weapons that are almost impossible to evade damage from and can't really be banned. Flame-throwers are once such weapon i can think of straight off the top of my head. Calling for a ban against these just isn't realistic, they are weapons that have been used on the battlefields for YEARS now. These are pretty high in the "cool factor" but really do need to be used in the right situation and used correctly. One major down factor is that your ammunition is very scarce and what you carry with you will run out quick if you run around like a crazy dude wielding it like some sort of crazed asylum escapee. If you simply must use these try not to do so in one on one fights, it's just not fair really. In all cases just limit how much ammo you have and the range of the flame burst to make it fairer for all involved.

Lock-on or wire-guided weapons: Okay these too are used in warfare and have been fact for quite a long time. Again using these against people is just not fair. Do not use these directly against other people. The only exception i can think of with this rule is if some git is charging around in some tank, helicopter, plane or any other weapon platform, by all means blast them off this plane of existence if they're being bastards with that equipment (but only if they're being irresponsible, think of these as "retribution" weapons against those that god mode, I know i would. :arr )

That's pretty much all i can think of with this particular section. as ever i you feel something should be added or amended please do not hesitate to tell me.