5 replies to this topic

[stuntyogre]

If I buy my BSB a pistol and a shield can he choose which to use in combat? I ask because with points being at a premium these days finding 10 points to give the Thunderers a Veteran with pistols can be tricky but finding 6 points less so. Simply put the BSB in any shooty unit really and they get the benefit of a close range S&S. Has anyone tried this?

[Mountain Mammoth]

Problem is, under the current rules pistols count as additional hand weapons ( a special weapon ) and hand weapon and shield doesn't count as a special weapon. So your bsb would be forced to take the extra attack and the shield would be ignored except against ranged attacks and spells.

Now pistol and great weapon would allow you to choose between extra attack and +2 str as they are both special weapons. And could work well with Mr of Gromril and 3x warding for a tanky thane that can still kill a lot of different enemy types.

Pistol and rune weapon could allow stand and shoots with a shield, but your bsb probably has a runic banner. So no magic weapon.

[Hoffa]

I'm not sure. A pistol is a special weapon but a ordinary hand weapon is not, it should be possible to fight with pistol and shield. You are just forced to use the pistol nothing in the rules force you to use your ordinary hand weapon over the shield.

[pa11ad1n]

Off the top of my head, I think he would have to use pistol and shield, losing his parry.

[stuntyogre]

But like was said above, with a MRo Gromril and a 4++ a parry is redundant so pistol becomes a cheap way to better a S&S. If I did a runic banner then the shield becomes pretty much mandatory so this would certainly have to be in the situation with a tank Thane.

[Hoffa]

Pistols count as additional hand weapons now, not hand weapons. I think this means you can not use them with a shield as additional hand weapon is a special weapon you must use. (Claiming that you use the additional hand weapon but not at the same time use your normal hand weapon feels a bit to rules lawyery for me)