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Beyond the gunslinger subclass, the 2024 Player’s Handbook helped introduce new rules for using firearms and other explosives inDungeons & Dragons. While, ultimately, it’s up to the Dungeon Master to determine whether such technology exists in their world, if they choose to make these weapons available, it can be a real game-changer.
But, how do you use firearms and explosives in a fantasy setting? There are a couple of key rules to consider when it comes to determining if your player character can use these weapons efficiently. So, here’s everything you need to know to use firearms and explosives in Dungeons & Dragons.
What Are Firearms And Explosives?
Firearms and explosives are ranged or thrown weaponsthat have their own set of rulesfor use just likeother weapon typesoffered in the 2024 Player’s Handbook. Here are some examples.
You’ll notice that whilesome Dungeon Masters may choose to have fantastical firearms and explosivesthat resemble medieval weapons of the same type,you may also have modern, futuristic, or even sci-fi versions of these weaponsin your campaign, as long as your DM allows it.
How To Get Firearms And Explosives
Like most equipmentin Dungeons & Dragons,firearms and explosives can be purchased in settlements. However,more futuristic and powerful weapons may need to be foundor taken off a powerful foe.
For the purposes of the DM,you may treat firearms and explosives as rare magic items; however, depending on the setting of the campaign,you should treat futuristic firearms like lasers as very rare.
How To Use Firearms
Like all weapons in the 2024 Player’s Handbook,each firearm has the following characteristics:
Details
Damage
The amount and type of dice you roll on a hit.
Determines rules like range, number of attacks made, and ammunition.
Weight
Weight in pounds of the object.
For the purposes of determining proficiency, all firearms offered in the 2024 Player’s Handbook and 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide areconsidered Ranged Martial Weapons.
While firearms function nearly identically to most other Ranged Martial Weapons,there are also three special properties for firearmsoffered in the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide.
Burst Fire
As an action, you can expend ten pieces of ammunition tospray your shots outward in a ten-foot cube within range.
Each creature in range has to make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throwor take the corresponding damage associated with the weapon.
Reload
You can only make a limited number of shots with a weapon with this property, meaningyou must reloadthe weapon as an action or bonus action.
The number of shots you can make is listed in parentheses next to this property.
Ammunition
Bullets are used in all medieval and modern firearmslike pistols, muskets, and more.
For futuristic weaponslike an antimatter rifle or laser pistol,players must use energy cells, which weigh 1/2 lb and can be depleted and therefore need to recharge.
How To Use Explosives
Separately from firearms,explosives have their own set of rules. Each type of explosive typically has some or all of the following characteristics.
For a sample list of explosives, check out Chapter Three of the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide.
Unlike firearms, which have a universal set of rules to adhere to,each explosive works differently. For explosives,consult Chapter Three of the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide for sample ruleson each explosive type.
Unless stated otherwise,an explosive is considered consumed once used.
How To Homebrew Firearms And Explosives
If your DM allows it,you’re able to also homebrew your own firearms and explosives. When doing so, justmake sure you give your weapon of choice the following characteristics.
While you can and should work with your DM to figure out what makes the most sense,every firearm should have both the Ammunition and Reload property. Otherwise, the weapon doesn’t feel tethered to reality.
When selecting aWeapon Mastery Property, consider using Sap, Vex, or Graze. These make the most narrative sense with ranged weapons like firearms.
As you come up with the stat block and ruleset for this weapon,make sure you’re not making something too overpowered for a medieval fantasy setting. For example, a large weapon of mass destruction may feel tonally out of place within a fantasy realm.
When homebrewing a firearm or explosive, try to make sure this weapon makes sense in the world you’re playing in. Evenif the weapon is far ahead of its time,technologically speaking,find ways to explain narratively the rarity of this itemand how special it is.
