Great White Games/Pinnacle Entertainment Group

Metarusuta · Novice Joined: 20 Apr 2012 Posts: 25

How do you handle silencers in your games? I haven't seen any mention of them in the core rules.

Thanks.

Jordan Peacock · Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 7:47 am Post subject:

Well, in my more "realistic" games, I make it clear that silencers and suppressors don't make big cracking gunshots turn into "pew-pew" like it seems to do in TV shows. A "silenced" .22 pistol shot still makes a noise in a decibel range comparable to a chainsaw.

However, it makes it harder to pinpoint where the sound came from, and under certain circumstances (i.e., surroundings are already noisy) it makes it theoretically possible to mask the noise. In my zombie apocalypse games, this meant that if someone was sniping zombies with a suppressed weapon, the zombies didn't automatically converge upon the sniper from the noise alone; they had to make a group Notice check at a -2 penalty to start roaming in the correct direction.

Also, I instituted a setting rule whereby if someone fired off a gun without warning in a building or other enclosed quarters (e.g., your buddy behind you opens up with gunfire without warning you first), others immediately nearby without some sort of ear protection would need to make a Spirit check or be Shaken. If the shooter had a suppressor, I'd waive the check.

As a downside, suppressors add weight to the weapon.

I'd imagine that they might impact the accuracy and/or effective range of the weapon as well, but I don't know how to model how significant that would be ... and Savage Worlds gun ranges aren't strictly "realistic" anyway, so I've just treated the effect as negligible.
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OSIAdept · Heroic Joined: 19 Oct 2007 Posts: 1555

weight and range yes accuracy not so much
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The GIT! · Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 9:43 am Post subject:

You might find this document quite helpful...

Basic Information on Firearm Suppressors

In short, with regards to sound, Jordan is pretty much spot on. As for accuracy, there is much to be said that a well fitted suppressor can actually improve the accuracy of a firearm by acting as a muzzle brake and helping to reduce muzzle flash (helping to speed up the time to reacquire the target).
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Rohan · Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 10:03 am Post subject:

We generally make it so someone has to make a Notice check to pinpoint the location of the shooter.

Some guns are specifically designed to be silent. They use subsonic rounds and have baffles and chambers built into the weapon to absorb sound. I know the Russians have one but I can't remember what it's called off the top of my head. Special ammo, special gun. All that has a cost of reducing range and power of the gun; but it's designed for upclose assassinations, not long range sniping.

You can never, ever, ever silence a revolver.

Oddly enough there is a silencer for a shotgun. It looks almost like a car muffler and it brings it down to the noise range of about a .223 rifle or so. Not a huge help, but it doesn't sound like a shotgun!
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Virgobrown72 · Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 11:07 am Post subject:

Jordan Peacock · Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 11:53 am Post subject:

Averjoe · Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 7:01 pm Post subject:

VonDan · Legendary Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Posts: 3306

To use any suppressors correctly you need special sub sonic ammunition. The reason so many hit guns are suppressed .22 is that the .22 short is subsonic and is easly gotten off the shelf at any sporting goods store

Metarusuta · Novice Joined: 20 Apr 2012 Posts: 25

Thanks for the replies guys! I'll tinker with all of these ideas Smile

Rohan · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 9:26 am Post subject:

TTM · Novice Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 97

What are the rules for duct taping a soda bottle to the end of the barrel? Smile

Rohan · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 2:38 pm Post subject:

As long as it's not glass Cool

I've never done it (which is surprising) but it is supposed to work. I'd have it do a normal silencer thing, but you only get one shot.
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slade · Novice Joined: 21 Apr 2007 Posts: 26

A friend of mine had a .22 bolt action rifle, using .22 shorts (sub sonic), all you tended to hear was the click of the firing pin hitting the cartrage.
Must say he was a game keeper & used to use it for rabbit control!