Weapons

Weapons are defined by several characteristics.

All ranged weapons have:

1. Range
2. Rate of Fire

Weapons may also have the following common special characteristics:

• Massive.  Massive weapons negate Toughness.
• Armor Piercing.  Armor Piercing weapons negate Armor worn by infantry.
• High Explosive:  High Explosive weapons negate Cover Saves.
• Anti-Tank: Anti-Tank weapons may damage Vehicles.

Special Characteristics have a rating.  A big gun might be Massive 1.  An even bigger one would be Massive 2.  Etc.

Melee equipment grants:

• Rate of Attacks

Melee weapons may also possess the following common special characteristics:

• Anti-Tank: Anti-Tank weapons may damage Vehicles.
• Melee Defense.  Increases the Save in Melee.
• Melee Offense.  Decreases the Save in Melee.
• Massive.  Massive weapons negate Toughness.
• Armor Piercing.  Armor Piercing weapons negate Armor worn by infantry.

Geek Notes

Most models are going to have an RoF of 2.  Machine-Guns will have a RoF of around 10. 

The names are intended to be evocative; it is the game-mechanical effect that is important, not the name.  So, for example, flame-throwers will have a High Explosive rating because they negate cover, even if they do not actually explode things. 

A model's melee Rate of Attacks reflects the unit's doctrine, training and ammunition as much as the actual type of equipment carried. In close combat, dedicated shooting models will usually have 1 attack.  Generalist elite units will have 2 attacks.  Dedicated assault units will usually possess 3.