"Scattergun" is a synonym of Shotgun ⚡, and very rarely will a weapon type other than this one (except for a number of small shotguns classified as a Handgun ⚡) employ them. Their defining characteristic is that, unless shooting slugs, shotguns fire a number of projectiles at a target with a single shot. How many projectiles and how much damage they do is dictated by these rules.
When using ammunition that fires multiple projectiles such as Buckshot:
- Perform a hit roll for each shell fired.
- If successful, the difference between the result and the skill check level is the amount of hits which can be optionally transferred to other targets within Point-Blank Range (PBR), at the shooter's discretion. Pellets which are not optionally transferred will still impact the primary target.
- For example, with a 12-gauge shotgun firing at a target requiring a D20 hit roll of 8 and landing a 12, four pellets out of ten can be transferred to another Creature within Point-Blank Range (PBR).
- If failed, the difference between the result and the skill check level is the number of missed shots. If any projectiles remain after the deduction, they impact their target.
- For example, with a 12-gauge shotgun firing at a target requiring a D20 hit roll of 12 and landing an 8, four pellets out of ten will miss their target, but six will still land.
This means that shotgun shells make it easier to hit targets and reward close-range combat, though they are typically weaker in other aspects. Most shotguns are limited to Short Range (SR), though some special shotshell types are able to extend this further.
Disastrous Failure and Critical Failure will always result in all pellets missing their targets.
6-gauge
- 20 pellets of 00 buckshot.
- 20 steel flechettes.
- 40 pellets of BB birdshot.
- 10d6 DMG 1 PEN solid slug.
10-gauge
- 16 pellets of 00 buckshot.
- 16 steel flechettes.
- 32 pellets of BB birdshot.
- 7d6 DMG 1 PEN solid slug.
12-gauge
- 12 pellets of 00 buckshot.
- 12 steel flechettes.
- 24 pellets of BB birdshot.
- 6d6 DMG 1 PEN solid slug.
20-gauge
- 8 pellets of 00 buckshot.
- 8 steel flechettes.
- 16 pellets of BB birdshot.
- 5d6 DMG 1 PEN solid slug.
.410 Bore
- 4 pellets of 00 buckshot.
- 4 steel flechettes.
- 8 pellets of BB birdshot.
- 4d6 DMG 1 PEN solid slug.