5e: Hacking the Game—Fallout, Part V

This week continues the series hacking the 5e game for play in the world of Fallout. We started our coverage of ranged weapon in Part IV of the series, last week. This week wraps up the various remaining categories of ranged weapon, lists the costs and properties of ranged weapon modifications, and the costs and relative rarity of ranged weapon ammunition types.

If you’re new to this series, you can find an index of all previous entries in this series here.

Fair warning: this article has weapon tables in it, so depending on your monitor size I can’t guarantee the tables will line up nicely with blogger’s background template. Also, if you’re reading this on mobile, I’d probably recommend waiting until you have access to a computer.

A brief aside

It’s come to my attention that Modiphius are releasing a Fallout-themed tactical wargame. I don’t know how popular such a game will be, but it’s certainly an intriguing idea. Most interesting for our purposes is the possibility of using the miniatures from this wargame for tabletop roleplaying. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Modiphius eventually announce an RPG line possibly using their 2d20 system, too (and maybe an Elder Scrolls RPG as well), but we won’t let that dissuade us from our own 5e hacking efforts.

Now let’s jump into those weapons entries:

Heavy Weapons

						Modifications
Weapon	Cost	Damage	Weight	Ammo	Properties	Receiver	Muzzle	Magazine	Barrel	Grip	Sights
Martial Ranged Weapons
Fat Man	512 caps	9d12 fire, 9d8 radiation	30.7 lb.	Mini Nuke	ammunition (range 80/240), loading, special	—	—	—	—	—	—
Flamer	137 caps	2d4 fire	9 lb.	Flamer Fuel	ammunition (range 45), reload (100 rounds), special	—	Compression Nozzle, Vaporization Nozzle	Huge Propellant Tank, Large Propellant Tank	—	—	—
Harpoon Gun	205 caps	5d8 piercing	16.3 lb.	Harpoon	ammunition (range 80/240), slow loading, special	—	—	—	—	—	Scope
Junk Jet	200 caps	2d4 piercing, bludgeoning, or slashing	29.9 lb.	Salvage	ammunition (range 60/180), slow reload (variable), special	—	Electrification Module, Ignition Module, Radiation Module	Long	—	—	—
Minigun	382 caps	8d4 piercing	27.4 lb.	5mm	ammunition (range 80/240), full auto (20 rounds), reload (500 rounds)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Missile Launcher	314 caps	10d6 fire (special)	21 lb.	Missile	ammunition (range 100/300), loading, special	——		—	—	—	—
Cannon	245 caps	5d8 bludgeoning	27.4 lb.	Cannonball	ammunition (range 80/240), slow loading, special	—	Electrification Module, Ignition Module, Radiation Module	—	—	—	—

The Junk Jet (3D Model from Fallout 4 © Bethesda Softworks)

Heavy Weapon Special Properties

Fat Man. The Fat Man is a shoulder-mounted mini nuke launcher. When firing it, precision is therefore not required. The wielder chooses any space within range and makes an attack roll against a DC of 10. Cover and obscured areas apply their effects as normal. If firing at an area behind cover, apply the cover bonus to AC to the DC.

If your attack roll is lower than the DC, the mini nuke lands 5 feet away from the original target for every 1 by which your result fell short of the DC, in a randomly determined direction (on a d8, 1=North, 2=North-East, 3=East, 4=South-East, 5=South, 6=South-West, 7=West, 8=North-West). Note that because the attack roll only determines whether a mini nuke lands on target, a Fat Man cannot score a critical hit.

The mini-nuke’s explosion affects a 45-foot radius circle centered on the target. All creatures within the affected area make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. On a success, whatever damage is dealt to them is halved.

The damage dealt to a creature depends on where it is relative to the explosion’s ground zero, as shown in the table below:

Mini Nuke Explosion Damage

Distance From Ground Zero	Damage
Explosion’s ground zero	9d12 fire and 9d12 radiation
10 ft. from ground zero	7d12 fire and 7d12 radiation
20 ft. from ground zero	5d12 fire and 5d12 radiation
30 ft. from ground zero	3d12 fire and 3d12 radiation
40 ft. from ground zero	1d12 fire and 1d12 radiation

Cannon. An 18th-century piece of artillery adapted for personal carriage and use. A target hit by a cannon is pushed back 10 feet in addition to taking damage, and must succeed at a DC 12 Strength or Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone.

Flamer. When fired, the flamer consumes 10 flamer fuel to expel a line of fire out to its maximum range. All creatures within the line must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw, taking 2d4 fire damage on a failed saving throw or half that if successful. On a failed saving throw the target is also set alight, taking 1d4 fire damage at the beginning of each of its turns. A creature can end this damage by using its action to make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw to extinguish the flames.

Harpoon Gun. A ship-mounted weapon adapted for personal carriage and use. A target hit by a harpoon gun is pushed back 10 feet in addition to taking damage. If their movement ends adjacent to a wall or other barrier, they are pinned to it and become grappled (escape DC 12).

Junk Jet. The Junk Jet fires any junk item (such as a wrench, scalpel, clock, or anything else) loaded into its hopper. In effect, it allows a character to use any salvage they may have on their person as ammunition.

The junk jet can carry up to forty salvage in its hopper at any one time. However, when reloading an empty hopper, its wielder can only load two salvage per slow reload due to the time necessary to remove the miscellaneous junk items from their pack and load them into the hopper. The junk jet is therefore impractical to reload mid-combat or in other tense situations.

Because salvage is an abstraction, the player can choose what junk item is being fired by the junk jet. Accordingly, it deals their choice of piercing, bludgeoning, or slashing damage depending on the object fired.

Missile Launcher. When firing the missile launcher, the wielder chooses any space within range and makes an attack roll against a DC of 10, or 15 if the target is in long range. Cover and obscured areas apply their effects as normal. If firing at an area behind cover, apply the cover bonus to AC to the DC.

If your attack roll is lower than the DC, the missile lands 5 feet away from the original target for every 1 by which your result fell short of the DC, in a randomly determined direction (on a d8, 1=North, 2=North-East, 3=East, 4=South-East, 5=South, 6=South-West, 7=West, 8=North-West). Note that because the attack roll only determines whether a missile lands on target, a missile launcher can’t score a critical hit.

The mssile launchers’s explosion affects a 15-foot radius circle centered on the target. All creatures within the affected area make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed saving throw, a creature takes 10d6 fire damage, or half that on a success.

The Missile Launcher (3D Model from Fallout 4 © Bethesda Softworks)

Energy Weapons

						Modifications
Weapon	Cost	Damage	Weight	Ammo	Properties	Receiver	Muzzle	Magazine	Barrel	Grip	Sights
Martial Ranged Weapons
Institute Laser	50 caps	2d6 energy	3.9 lb.	Fusion Cell	ammunition (range 60/180), reload (30 rounds)	Beta Wave Tuner, Boosted Capacitor	Beam Splitter, Beam Focuser	—	Automatic, Long	Comfort, Stock, Recoil Compensating	Electronic, Scope, Night Vision, Recon
Laser Musket	57 caps	2d4 energy	12.6 lb.	Fusion Cell	ammunition (range 80/240), loading, special	Three Crank Capacitor, Four Crank Capacitor, Five Crank Capacitor, Siz Crank Capacitor	Beam Splitter, Beam Focuser	—	Long	Recoil Compensating	Scope, Night Vision, Recon
Laser Gun	66 caps	2d8 energy	3.9 lb.	Fusion Cell	ammunition (range 60/180), reload (30 rounds)	Beta Wave Tuner, Boosted Capacitor	Beam Splitter, Beam Focuser	—	Automatic, Long	Comfort, Stock, Recoil Compensating	Electronic, Scope, Night Vision, Recon
Gatling Laser	332 caps	6d4 energy	19.3 lb.	Fusion Cell	ammunition (range 80/260), full auto (20 rounds), reload (500 rounds)	Beta Wave Tuner, Boosted Capacitor	Beam Focuser	—	—	—	Electronic
Plasma Gun	123 caps	3d6 fire	3.9 lb.	Plasma Cartridge	ammunition (range 70/210), reload (30 rounds)	Beta Wave Tuner, Boosted Capacitor	Beam Splitter	—	Automatic, Flamer	Comfort Grip, Stock, Recoil Compensating	Electronic, Scipe, Night Vision, Recon

The Laser Musket (3D Model from Fallout 4 © Bethesda Softworks)

Energy Rifle Special Properties

Laser Musket. A laser musket is a homemade laser rifle which grows more powerful for every crank of its handle. By default, it can be cranked twice, but it can be upgraded with an improved capacitor. A laser musket deals 2d4 damage per crank. Each crank consumes a fusion cell.

Miscellaneous Weapons

						Modifications
Weapon / Item	Cost	Damage	Weight	Ammo	Properties	Receiver	Muzzle	Magazine	Barrel	Grip	Sights
Martial Ranged Weapons
Alien Blaster	1551 caps	3d6 energy	2.5 lb.	Alien Blaster Round	ammunition (range 120/360), reload (42 rounds)	—	—	Fusion	Long	Comfort Grip	Scope, Night Vision
Cryolator	302 caps	4d4 cold	13.2 lb.	Cryo Cell	ammunition (range 40/120), reload (25 rounds), special	—	—	—	Crystallising Barrel	Recoil Compensating	Electronic
Tesla Rifle	90 caps	2d4 lightning	8.1 lb.	Fusion Cell	ammunition (range 50/150), reload (15 rounds)	—	—	—	Automatic	—	Electronic

The Cryolator (3D Model from Fallout 4 © Bethesda Softworks)

Miscellaneous Weapon Special Properties

Cryolator. In addition to taking cold damage, the target of a cryolator must make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be restrained until the end of their next turn.

Tesla Rifle. A tesla rifle fires an electrical discharge that arcs from the original target to any secondary target within 15 feet of the first. It can continue arcing from target to target, but never back to a target already hit. One fusion cell is consumed per target hit, up to a maximum of fifteen targets (depleting its clip capacity).

Ranged Weapon Modifications

Modification	Cost (Pipe)	Cost (Pistols)	Cost (Rifles and shotguns)	Cost (Heavy)	Cost (Energy and Plasma)	Cost (Miscellaneous)	Damage	Weight
Receiver Modifications
Automatic Receiver	10 caps	35 caps	40 caps	—	—	—	—	+0.4 lb.
Beta Wave Tuner	—	—	—	120 caps	60 caps	—	—	+0.3 lb.
Caliber Downgrade	20 caps	—	40 caps	—	—	—	—	+1.8 lb.
Caliber Upgrade	80 caps	—	180 caps	—	—	—	—	+1.8 lb.
Hardened Receiver	15 caps	30 caps	40 caps	—	—	—	—	+0.4 lb.
Muzzle Modifications
Bayonet	5 caps	10 caps	20 caps	—	10 caps	—	1d4/1d6	+0.2 lb.
Beam Focuser	—	—	—	—	20 caps	—	—	+0.6 lb.
Beam Splitter	—	—	—	—	80 caps	—	—	+0.5 lb.
Module, Electrification	—	—	—	120 caps	—	—	—	+0.5 lb.
Module, Ignition	—	—	—	120 caps	—	—	—	+0.5 lb.
Module, Radiation	—	—	—	150 caps	—	—	—	+0.5 lb.
Nozzle, Compression	—	—	—	80 caps	—	—	+1d4	-0.2 lb.
Nozzle, Vaporisation	—	—	—	200 caps	—	—	+2d4	+0 lb.
Supressor	15 caps	40 caps	100 caps	—	—	—	—	+0.4 lb.
Magazine Modifications
Drum Magazine	55 caps	—	230 caps	—	—	—	—	+0.6 lb.
Fusion Magazine	—	—	—	—	—	140 caps	—	+0 lbs.
Full Capacitor	—	—	—	—	70 caps	—	—	+0.4 lb.
Three Crank Capacitor	—	—	—	—	40 caps	—	—	+0.5 lb.
Four Crank Capacitor	—	—	—	—	100 caps	—	—	+0.5 lb.
Five Crank Capacitor	—	—	—	—	180 caps	—	—	+0.5 lb.
Six Crank Capacitor	—	—	—	—	280 caps	—	—	+0.5 lb.
Huge Propellant Tank	—	—	—	300 caps	—	—	—	+5.6 lb.
Large Magazine	15 caps	30 caps	—	—	—	—	—	+0.2 lb.
Large Propellant Tank	15 caps	30 caps	—	100 caps	—	—	—	+2.6 lb.
Barrel Modifications
Automatic Barrel	—	—	—	—	35 caps	—	—	+1.1 lb.
Crystallising Barrel	—	—	—	—	—	100 caps	—	+0.5 lb.
Flamer Barrel	—	—	—	—	60 caps	—	—	+0.3 lb.
Long Barrel	15 caps	20 caps	35 caps	—	20 caps	—	—	+1 lb.
Short Barrel	10 caps	25 caps	40 caps	—	30 caps	—	—	-0.5 lb.
Grip Modifications
Comfort Grip	30 caps	40 caps	—	—	40 caps	—	—	+0.1 lb.
Sawed-off	—	—	10 caps	—	—	—	Special	-1.5 lb.
Stock	40 caps	—	—	—	60 caps	—	—	+0.7 lb.
Stock, Recoil Compensating	80 caps	—	180 caps	—	180 caps	—	—	+0.8 lb.
Sights Modifications
Electronic Sights	30 caps	40 caps	70 caps	—	40 caps	—	—	+0.2 lb.
Scope	40 caps	100 caps	180 caps	—	100 caps	—	Special	+0.4 lb.
Scope, Night Vision	60 caps	140 caps	230 caps	—	140 caps	—	Special	+0.4 lb.
Scope, Recon	80 caps	180 caps	350 caps	—	180 caps	—	Special	+0.7 lb.

A Combat Shotgun with Drum Magazine and Recoil Compensating Stock (3D Model from Fallout 4 © Bethesda Softworks)

Modification Properties

Automatic Barrel (Barrel Modification). An energy weapon with this modification has its short and long range categories reduced by 10 feet and gains the burst fire property. If the weapon’s unmodified clip capacity is divisible by 10, the weapon expends 10 fusion cells each time you use burst fire. If the weapon’s unmodified clip capacity is divisible by 12, the weapon expends 12 bullets each time you use burst fire.

Automatic Receiver (Receiver Modification). A firearm with this modification has its short and long range categories reduced by 10 feet and gains the burst fire property. If the weapon’s unmodified clip capacity is divisible by 10, the weapon expends 10 fusion cells each time you use burst fire. If the weapon’s unmodified clip capacity is divisible by 12, the weapon expends 12 fusion cells each time you use burst fire.

Bayonet (Muzzle Modification). A firearm with a bayonet can be used as a piercing melee weapon. A pipe gun with a bayonet deals 1d4 piercing damage, or 1d6 piercing damage if it is also upgraded with a marksman’s stock.

Beam Focuser (Muzzle Modification). An energy weapon with a beam focuser has its short and long range increased by 20 feet.

Beam Splitter (Muzzle Modification). An energy weapon with a beam splitter has its beam broken up, covering a wider area. The weapon’s short and long range categories are halved, but it can target two creatures that are no more than 15 feet from each other. Make a separate attack roll against both creatures, but roll damage once and apply it to both.

Beta Wave Tuner (Receiver Modification). A firearm with a beta wave tuner has half its damage converted to fire damage (if the weapon, and the target must succeed at a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or be set on fire. While ablaze, the target takes 1d4 fire damage at the beginning of each of its turns. A creature can end this damage by using its action to make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw to extinguish the flames.

A weapon that already deals fire damage still benefits from the ongoing fire feature of this modification.

Caliber Downgrade (Receiver Modification). This modification adapts a weapon to use a more common, but less powerful caliber of bullet. The damage dice of the weapon are reduced to the next lowest size (for instance 1d8 becomes 1d6, or 2d8 becomes 2d6).

Caliber Upgrade (Receiver Modification). This modification adapts a weapon to use a more powerful, though less common caliber of bullet. The damage dice of the weapon are increased to the next highest size (for instance 1d8 becomes 1d10, or 2d8 becomes 2d10).

Capacitor, Boosted (Magazine Modification).A laser equipped with a maximised capacitor has its damage dice increased to the next highest size (for instance 2d6 becomes 2d8).

Capacitor, Full (Magazine Modification). By default a gauss rifle is equipped with a half capacitor. When the magazine is upgraded to a full capacitor, the gauss rifle can be loaded with ten 2mm EC rounds instead of seven.

Capacitor, Three Crank (Magazine Modification). By default a laser musket is equipped with a two crank capacitor. When the magazine is upgraded to a three crank capacitor, the laser musket can be loaded with three fusion cells instead of two.

Capacitor, Four Crank (Magazine Modification).By default a laser musket is equipped with a two crank capacitor. When the magazine is upgraded to a four crank capacitor, the laser musket can be loaded with four fusion cells instead of two.

Capacitor, Five Crank (Magazine Modification).By default a laser musket is equipped with a two crank capacitor. When the magazine is upgraded to a five crank capacitor, the laser musket can be loaded with five fusion cells instead of two.

Capacitor, Six Crank (Magazine Modification).By default a laser musket is equipped with a two crank capacitor. When the magazine is upgraded to a six crank capacitor, the laser musket can be loaded with six fusion cells instead of two.

Comfort Grip (Grip Modification). While wielding a firearm with this modification, you receive a +1 bonus to attack rolls.

Crystallising Barrel (Barrel Modification). A cryolator with this modification fires cryogenic capsules, a more efficient delivery system which also increases the weapon’s short and long ranges by 20 feet.

Drum Magazine (Magazine Modification).This modification quadruples a firearm’s bullet capacity.

Electronic Sights (Sights Modification). This modification represents laser, reflex, or holographic sights.While wielding a firearm with this modification, you receive a +1 bonus to attack rolls.

Flamer (Barrel Modification).This modification turns a plasma gun into a flamer with a range of 40 ft. When fired, the flamer consumes 10 plasma cartrdiges to expel a line of fire out to its maximum range. All creatures within the line must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw, taking 2d4 fire damage on a failed saving throw or half that if successful. On a failed saving throw the target is also set alight, taking 1d4 fire damage at the beginning of each of its turns. A creature can end this damage by using its action to make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw to extinguish the flames.

Fusion Magazine (Magazine Modification).This modification adapts the alien blaster pistol to work with conventional fusion cells rather than alien blaster round. The weapon’s damage dice is reduced to 3d4, buts it clip capacity improves to 63.

Hardened Receiver (Receiver Modification). A firearm with this modification deals +1 damage per damage die rolled.

Huge Propellant Tank (Magazine Modification).This modification quadruples a flamethrower’s fuel capacity.

Large Magazine (Magazine Modification).This modification doubles a firearm’s bullet capacity.

Large Propellant Tank (Magazine Modification).This modification doubles a flamethrower’s fuel capacity.

Long Barrel (Barrel Modification). A firearm with this modification has its short and long range categories increased by 20 feet.

Module, Electrification (Muzzle Modification). This modification converts half the weapon’s damage dice to lightning.

Module, Ignition (Muzzle Modification). This modification converts half the weapon’s damage dice to fire.

Module, Radiation (Muzzle Modification). This modification converts half the weapon’s damage dice to radiation.

Nozzle, Compression (Muzzle Modification). A flamer with this modification deals one additional die of damage.

Nozzle, Vaporisation (Muzzle Modification). A flamer with this modification deals two additional dice of damage.

Sawed-off (Barrel Modification). A shotgun with this modification has its long range reduced by 20 feet. However, it deals one additional dice of damage to any target within short range, and you receive a +1 bonus to hit any target within short range. On a critical hit, you instead deal two additional dice of damage.

This modification cannot be removed.

Scope (Sights Modification). A firearm with this modification has its short range doubled, up to a maximum of its long range.

Additionally, a firearm with a scope deals an additional die of damage on a critical hit.

Scope, Night Vision (Sights Modification). This modification has all the properties of a Scope (see above). In addition, the wielder gains darkvision out to the weapon’s long range while carrying the firearm in their hands. Due to the limited field of vision and the scope’s magnification, the wielder cannot use this darkvision to help them explore; it is of benefit only during combat and for sighting distant objects and creatures while in the dark.

Scope, Recon (Sights Modification). This advanced modification has all the properties of a Scope (see above). In addition, if the wielder is wearing a pipboy or power armour with a working fusion core, they also gain the following benefit: Once they have targeted an enemy with an attack with the firearm they know where that enemy is, even when they are concealed or in cover, for as long as the enemy remains within the long range of the weapon.

Stock (Grip Modification). This modification can be applied to modular firearms like pipe guns or lasers to reconfigure the base pistol model into a rifle. A firearm with this modification has its short and long range categories increased by 30 feet and gains the two-handed property.

Stock, Recoil Compensating (Grip Modification). This modification has all the properties of a Stock (see above). Additionally, while wielding a firearm with this modification, you receive a +1 bonus to attack rolls.

Short Barrel (Barrel Modification). A firearm with this modification has its short and long range categories decreased by 20 feet, but the wielder receives a +1 bonus to attack rolls against opponents within short range.

Suppressor (Muzzle Modification). A firearm with this modification has its short range reduced by 10 feet and its long range reduced by 30 feet. A supressed firearm is still loud but the sound doesn’t carry as far, and its muzzle flash is significantly reduced. While the firearm’s wielder is in total concealment, as long as there are no hostile creatures within 60 feet when the weapon is fired, the wielder may roll a DC 15 Luck (Stealth) check to retain their concealment.

A Pistol with Suppressor (3D Model from Fallout 4 © Bethesda Softworks)

Ammunition

Ammunition	Cost	Per Round	Weight
(ordered from most common to most rare)
Salvage (1 round)	1 cap	—	0.4 lb.
.38 (50 rounds)	50 caps	1 cap	—
5mm (50 rounds)	50 caps	1 cap	—
10mm (50 rounds)	100 caps	2 caps	—
5.56mm (20 rounds)	40 caps	2 caps	—
.45 (20 rounds)	40 caps	2 caps	—
12 guage Shells (20 rounds)	60 caps	3 caps	—
.308 (20 rounds)	60 caps	3 caps	—
Fusion Cell (20 rounds)	60 caps	3 caps	—
.44 (20 rounds)	60 caps	3 caps	—
Plasma Cartridge (10 rounds)	30 caps	3 caps	—
.50 (10 rounds)	40 caps	4 caps	—
Railway Spike (1 round)	1 cap	—	0.2 lb.
Gamma Round (10 rounds)	100 caps	10 caps	—
Flamer Fuel (1 round)	10 caps	—	—
Harpoon (1 round)	1 cap	—	0.2 lb.
2mm Electromagnetic Cartridge (10 rounds)	100 caps	10 caps	—
Cryo Cell (1 round)	10 caps	—	—
Syringe, Bleed Out (1 round)	17 caps	—	0.1 lb.
Syringe, Bloatfly Larva (1 round)	10 caps	—	0.1 lb.
Syringe, Pax (1 round)	39 caps	—	0.1 lb.
Syringe, Lock Joint (1 round)	40 caps	—	0.1 lb.
Syringe, Berserk (1 round)	50 caps	—	0.1 lb.
Syringe, Radscorpion Venom (1 round)	65 caps	—	0.1 lb.
Syringe, Yellow Belly (1 round)	55 caps	—	0.1 lb.
Syringe, Endangerol (1 round)	60 caps	—	0.1 lb.
Syringe, Mind Cloud (1 round)	73 caps	—	0.1 lb.
Missile (1 round)	25 caps	—	7 lb.
Fusion Core (1 core providing 500 rounds)	200 caps	—	4 lb.
Mini Nuke (1 round)	100 caps	—	12 lb.
The prices listed in the cost column are for a full box of rounds. Merchants in the world of Fallout are happy to sell bullets individually—in fact, it’s rare for them to even have a full box worth of bullets to sell. Refer to the Per Round column to purchase ammo on an individual basis.

Next Time

That’s it for ranged weapons. Next time we’re moving on to melee weapons, melee weapon modifications, explosives, and traps.