Wookiee Bowcasters

[Hellcat]

Could it not be argued that Chewie pulled the trigger more than once? Or that particular round was designed to release multiple bolts within split seconds of each other when the round was fired? Or that Chewie's bowcaster is different from the style designed in the game mechanics because each individual Wookiee usually designs and builds their own based on a basic design and the game mechanics offer the basic design?
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[Warhippo]

According to "Star Wars The Essential Guide To Weapons and Technology" (by Boxtree) "the Bowcaster is essentially a magnetic accelerator with twin polarizers that use alternating polarity pulses to accelerate a highly tensile metal bowstring and propel an explosive quarrel at extremely high speed". It goes on to explain that the reason the quarrel looks like a blaster beam is because it is sheathed in an "energy envelope that channels the quarrel's explosive force into the target".

It also says that it delivers an equivalent amount of damage as a blaster pistol but is considerably less advanced.

Judging by this, the rules are somewhat inaccurate as the bowcaster fires a physical projectile enshrouded with an energy matrix which imparts an explosive (ie kinetic) energy. I would surmise that it would therefore cause both physical and energy damage to it's target.

Finally, as to the unusual footage of Chewie using a Bowcaster, the book explains that Chewbacca's bowcaster has been fitted with an automatic cocking system. No doubt this would enable him to fire quite rapidly.

There are several different additions that can be made to bowcasters and IMHO it doesn't require too large a leap of faith to expect that quarrels with a larger explosve charge (ie an area effect) or quarrels with multiple warheads could be employed.
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Beware my mighty hooves

[KageRyu]

[Warhippo]

Remember that the Wookies were enslaved by the Empire and, until shortly after the Return of the Jedi, production of bowcasters would have been very limited. The wookies didn't just make thier own but had Wookie weaponsmiths making them to their specification.

I'd suggest that manufacture / modifications would be difficult during this period.
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Beware my mighty hooves

[KageRyu]

True, true... but the idea of custom mods to bowcasters gives me some new ways to have a particular Wookie NPC stand out just a little bit more. And gives new reasons why a Wookie might cling to his bowcaster instead of trading it in for a Heavy Blaster.
Also their is the Idea that a Bowcaster might have a heritage to it as well. A bowcaster being handed down, father to son. Possibly decorated with status symbols. All kinds of new ideas.
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"There's a set way to gain new Force Points and it represents a very nice system, where you're rewarded for heroism, not for being a poor conductor to electricity." ~Jachra

[Warhippo]

Sure, you're right on all counts (particularly the handed-down aspect which could make for a really cool theme).

I'm not suggesting that mods wouldn't be possible just harder (which in itself adds to the whole gaming experience).

eg the player wants to mod their BC but have to go on what turns out to be a long quest in search of one of the few Wookie weaponsmiths who has managed to slip through the grasp of the Emp.
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Beware my mighty hooves

[KageRyu]

Or, if a Wookie PC wanted to have the Bowcaster Repair skill (needed to make, repair, and Modify Bowcasters) all the more reason for him to be an Outlaw to the empire. He would also have to closely guard the secret of that knowlege, as people being aware of it's existance would be dangerous to him. As for the process, I would handle it similar to the rules for Modding Blasters I suppose. And it's like an instant plot hook right there.
The knowledge itself could have been handed down from generation to generation, just as a physical weapon could have.

Same goes for an NPC, it would add a sense of renound to the character, and give a reason for a PC (and the empire) to seek him out.
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"There's a set way to gain new Force Points and it represents a very nice system, where you're rewarded for heroism, not for being a poor conductor to electricity." ~Jachra

[Krapou]

[KageRyu]

[Warhippo]

I would say that it's both. Not every Wookie is going to skilled in it and even if they were, some would be better than others. Hence, some of the very best BC craftsmen would no doubt become weaponsmiths.

The problem with saying that all Wookies have the skill is that straight away you have to provide Wookie characters with extra points for BC Repair or (more likely but equally unsatisfactory) restrict Wookie characters so that some of their points go towards that skill.

Not only that skill but what about the use of BC's? Should we force Wookie characters to pick that skill? Surely not.

Personally I have it that many Wookies have or later learn and develop the various BC skills but some Wookie NPCs are very skilled in the manufacture, repair and modification of BC's exist. However due to the fact that the Wookie people are enslaved to the Empire, the BC weaponsmiths are hard to locate / meet with.

That's wot I fink.
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[worfbacca]

Ah heck..I just raised the damage to like 5D+2 or 6D+2 with all the cocking rules. I like it.
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"That was left handed!"

[Kehlin Yew]

Also, could it be that the reasoning for why they cannot use normal blaster pistols is because they cannot fit their fingers where the trigger is?

[Endwyn]

Bowcaseters have triggers as well.

[Kehlin Yew]

But aren't they exposed, unlike a normal pistol?

[Endwyn]

Well, your sorta right about it being exposed, but as you can see it is effectivly just as restrictive as a blaster would be.