The Scout Rifle Concept for Star Wars

[Naaman]

Even though I feel that the RAW don't do a very good job of differentiating weapons from each other, here is an attempt to put something together that is a pretty cool idea in theory for use in RAW combat.

Name: Scout Rifle (Per Manufacturer)
Scale: Character
Skill: Blaster; Blaster Rifle
Ammo: 75
Cost: 1200 (Power Packs: 50); 1800 with scout scope
Availability: 2
Range: Rifle with iron sights [5-50/200/300]; with scout scope [25-75/300/400]
Damage: 6D

Description: The concept of a scout rifle is based on the idea that an opportunity (or necessity) to shoot should be taken when available, and the first shot should be as fast and as accurate as possible. The "scout scope" is mounted far forward on the rifle, allowing for a target to be acquired through the scope while also keeping both eyes open. This gives the shooter much greater situational awareness when engaging targets (game or threats). To represent this, during the first round of combat, a character who declares his first action as an attack with the scout rifle resolves that action with a +5 bonus on his initiative. Note that this bonus does not actually increase the shooter's initiative total, but it can result in his shot interrupting a character who actually rolled higher on initiative. After the first round of combat, resolve actions using the normal initiative order.

[Mamatried]

I Like the idea and the weapon, maybe even expand on the idea and make some ver ver emergency weapons for scouts as well, maybe something that fits all, but is neither.

I picture verious range and damage stats

[Naaman]

Not sure I follow.

The idea of the scout rifle is that it is a general purpose rifle that can be used with speed (for relatively "close range" targets) as well as distance for more remote, less urgent shots. The primary compromise is that the optics that are useful for such a role are necessarily limited in the amount of magnification the provide, so you don't get the full limits of the weapon's absolute max range (which is usually around 1000m for shooters who know how to shoot that far).

[Mamatried]

I was thinking more like a survival type gun, like the M6 Aircrew Survival Weapon and the M4 Scout Rifle, AR-7 And the like

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M6_Aircrew_Survival_Weapon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArmaLite_AR-7

[garhkal]

Why would a scout's rifle be so damaging? I can see a need for it to have better range than normal though.
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[Zarn]

A blaster carbine has the same damage as a blaster rifle - 5D base, but individual models can obviously vary. The way I read the entry on the scout rifle, I feel a blaster carbine fills much of the same role as a smaller, handier rifle.

[Naaman]

It's not a "scout's" rifle. Take a look at the scout rifle concept by Jeff Cooper.

A scout rifle needs to be able to take game in excess 400 or so pounds. It also tends to be a bolt action weapon, but modern interpretations have been configured on semi auto platforms.

Essentialy, its the difference between a modern .308/7.62 NATO and a 5.56 NATO, the latter being used as a primary issue fighting weapon by most militaries in the world, and therefore the most analogous to a standard 5D "blaster rifle." The scout rifle is more powerful.

[Naaman]

[garhkal]

[Forceally]

A quick question then - you've been mentioning the blaster carbine. Obviously, to fire one, one would use the blaster skill. But if I were to use a specialization, would it be blaster: blaster rifle or blaster: blaster carbine.

[Naaman]

I assume this is directed a Garhkal, but my opinion is that a carbine is sufficiently similar to a rifle to warrant coverage by the same specialization.

Historically, a carbine was both smaller and weaker (different ammo) than a "rifle." Nowadays, the concept of a carbine has evolved into a standard "rifle" with a shortened barrel. Adjustable/collapsible stocks are also typical if you are bothering to make a distinction; but the "ideal" weapon of combat in modern times is technically a carbine, but usually called a rifle. There is little distinction between the two terms except when it matters to the actual application. For example, the Mk12 is certainly a "rifle" while the Mk18 is certainly a "carbine" or "short barreled rifle." But for purposes of the nomenclature of a primary weapon, the Mk18 would be called "my rifle" by those who carry it, whereas the Mk12 would never be called "my carbine."

[garhkal]

[denderan marajain]

Basically, I always like it when people do something for the equipment


But are not there already such similar weapons? What sets this weapon apart from those that already exist officially (apart from the Initiative Bonus)?


Do not you find the damage a little high?

This Sniper Rifle itself only damages 5D and is just one of many examples

[Zarn]

One could even argue that the specializations under Blaster should really be an individual weapon or weapon type, rather than a 'class' of blaster; i.e. that to use a scout rifle specialization, the specialization is not Blaster: Scout Rifle, but rather Blaster: (specific model of scout rifle) (given that the DL-44 was namedropped in the description garhkal linked).

Then, there's oddities like Boba Fett's blaster of choice - an EE-3 "carbine rifle", which seems to be kinda Frankensteined together.

There's also the http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/A-11_Scout_Disruptor A-11 Scout Disruptor, which seems to point towards some idea of a 'scout rifle' existing in the SWEU - though there's no (low-powered) scope on it.

Come to think of it - if a rifle is scomp linked, wouldn't that obviate the need for a scout rifle?

[Naaman]