Are there Guns in D&D?
Dungeons & Dragons, also known as D&D, is a popular tabletop role-playing game where players create characters and embark on quests and adventures. With a rich history spanning decades, the game has seen its fair share of changes in game mechanics, settings, and rules. One burning question that many new and seasoned players ask is, Are there guns in D&D?
In this article, we will explore the history of gun inclusion in D&D, current rules, and campaign settings that allow or omit firearms.
A Brief History of Guns in D&D
D&D, originally published in 1974, did not feature firearms as part of the core game mechanics. However, as the game progressed and new settings were developed, the need for ranged weapons like guns became a topic of discussion.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, various campaign settings like Frostburn: The Wrath of the Frost Queen (1996) and Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance (1996) experimented with magic-using firearms, but they were not officially integrated into the core rules.
A turning point came with the introduction of 3.0 Dungeons & Dragons (2000), which included some basic firearms in the Pharmacopoeia, a supplement focusing on potion and poison rules. Additionally, the Drow City sourcebook, released in 2006, featured some firearms alongside the traditional magical and edged weapons.
Current Firearms in D&D
D&D 5th edition, published in 2014, does not introduce new firearms to the core rules. Instead, firearms were relegated to spendable items (perishable items bought during the game) , which meant they broke or malfunctioned after prolonged use.
Xanathar’s Guide to Everything (2017) and Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron (2019) are the most notable publications that provide firearms specifically for the Eberron and Pathfinder campaign settings respectively. These sources offer modern, sci-fi, or industrial settings where firearms serve a crucial role.
Firearms in Fantasy and Science Fiction Settings: Campaign Options
• Pathfinder (Eclipse) Campaign setting: Firearms are a dominant feature in this setting, similar to the 3.x Edition’s "Drow City".
• Feng Shui Third Edition: This setting brings an Asian-influenced steampunk world to life, featuring firearms among the many gadgets and powers available.
• Vengers Setting: Within the Eclipse: Pathfinder compendium, the Vengers setting describes a world with a fusion of magic and technology where firearms are abundant.
• Eberron’s Sharn: This particular region within the Eberron campaign setting leans toward a darker, steampunk atmosphere, permitting the use of firearms alongside elemental powers.
• Myth-Weavers.com: This web-based online D&D setting, born out of fan creativity and playtesting, offers Urban Fantasy and other environments where firearms can blend in with traditional fantasy gear.
Customizing the Rules: Homebrew Firearm Options
For campaign masters and players who long for firearms, there exists the option to create unique house rules. This would require careful consideration of statistical implications, such as balanced attack and defense mechanics against armor class.
Points to Consider:
| Feature | Advantages | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Accurate ranged attack | Increased consistency and reliability | Reduced hit chances due to armor-class values |
| Multi-burst shots | Fast-paced, high-fiber damage output | Consequent accuracy decreases, fatigue management |
| Energy shield | Enhanced overall combat performance | Resource-costs, increased vulnerability outside energy shield range |
Implementing firearms as part of D&D gameplay requires not only creative writing but strategic rules adjustments. Campaign adaptability and collaborative problem-solving become essential.
A Glance at the Art
Throughout D&D publications and online platforms, cover art and illustrations often provide visual representations of firearms incorporated within the fantasy world of the game. These concepts evoke a fascinating blend of gunpowder and imagination.
