Equipment:
Weapons Explained
Simple, Martial, and Exotic Weapons: Because they are so easy to use, all characters who have the Technical Proficiency feat are proficient with all simple firearms—both slug-throwers and energy weapons. Otherwise, the standard restrictions on weapon proficiencies apply: druids, monks, rogues, and wizards are proficient with only a limited selection of simple weapons. Barbarians, fighters, paladins, and rangers are proficient with all simple and all martial weapons. Other classes are proficient with an assortment of weapons.
If you use a weapon with which you are not proficient, you suffer a -4 penalty on attack rolls. In addition to a specific weapon proficiency feat, characters must have the Technical Proficiency feat to use high-tech weapons. If you do not have the Technical Proficiency feat, you suffer a -4 penalty on attack rolls. This penalty stacks with the standard non-proficiency penalty. For example, a wizard without the Technical Proficiency feat attempting to use an assault laser (martial weapon) would suffer a -8 penalty on attack rolls.
Melee and Ranged Weapons: Melee weapons are used for making attacks in close combat, though some can also be used as thrown weapons. Ranged weapons are thrown weapons, projectile weapons, or energy weapons that are not effective in melee. You apply your Strength bonus to damage dealt by thrown weapons but not to damage dealt by projectile weapons (except for mighty composite bows and compound bows) or energy weapons.
Weapon Size: Every weapon has a size category. This designation indicates the size of the creature for which the weapon was designed.
A weapon's size category isn't the same as its size as an object. Instead, a weapon's size category is keyed to the size of the intended wielder. In general, a light weapon is an object two size categories smaller than the wielder, a one-handed weapon is an object one size category smaller than the wielder, a two-handed weapon is an object of the same size category as the wielder, and a mounted weapon is an object one size categoyr larger than the wielder.
Light: A light weapon is easier to use in one's off hand than a one-handed weapon is, and it can be used while grappling. A light weapon is used in one hand. Add the wielder's Strength bonus (if any) to damage rolls for melee attacks with a light weapon if it's used in the primary hand, or one-half the wielder's Strength bonus if it's used in the off hand. Using two hands to wield a light weapon gives no advantage on damage; the Strength bonus applies as though the weapon were held in the wielder's primary hand only.
An unarmed strike is always considered a light weapon.
One-Handed: A one-handed weapon can be used in either the primary hand or the off hand. Add the wielder's Strength bonus to damage rolls for melee attacks with a one-handed weapon if it's used in the primary hand, or half his or her Strength bonus if it's used in the off hand. If a one-handed weapon is wielded with two hands during melee combat, add 1.5 times the character's Strength bonus to damage rolls.
Two-Handed: Two hands are required to use a two-handed melee weapon effectively. Apply 1.5 times the character's Strength bonus to damage rolls for melee attacks with such a weapon.
You can use a two-handed projectile weapon effectively in two hands. If you have a penalty for low Strength, apply it to damage rolls when you use a bow or a sling. You get no Strength bonus to damage with a projectile weapon unless it's a mighty composite bow or compound bow.
Mounted: The weapon is too large for you to use in melee. You can only use these weapons if you are one size category larger that the weapon or if they are mounted, such as on a bipod, tripod, or vehicle mount.
Firearms: You can use pistols and handguns one-handed. However, pistols and handguns require two hands to load. Loading a firearm is a move action that provokes attacks of opportunity.
All longarms (carbines, rifles, shotguns, submachine guns, etc.) require two hands to use effectively. You can fire it with one hand at a -4 penalty. You can even fire a longarm in each hand at a -6 penalty, plus the usual -4 penalty for the off-hand attack (-6 primary hand/-10 off hand). The Two-Weapon Fighting feat does not reduce these penalties because it represents skill with melee weapons, not ranged weapons. The Two-Gun Shooting feat does reduce these penalties.
Rate of Fire: Firearms come in three varieties, each with different capabilities. Single shot weapons can fire only one shot before they must be reloaded. Semiautomatic weapons can fire as many shots as you have attacks. Automatic weapons can either fire individual shots in semiautomatic mode or multi-shot bursts in automatic mode. An automatic weapon can fire as many bursts as you have attacks. Automatic weapons can also lay down suppressive fire.