Quickdraws

Originally published June 24th 2024

I’ve watched quite a few westerns* recently and also been watching a friend of mine play a samurai video game so quick draws are on the mind. Here are some rules for quick draws both modern and archaic for a bunch of different games.

The core of the system is simple: two people stand looking each other dead in the eyes, weapons sheathed. An opposed check is made, the result of the check is dealt as damage.

Below are some rules for the specific mechanical manifestation of that in a few games I like.

CAPERS

The two parties make opposed Agility/Guns Reaction Checks. If the higher does not beat the lower by the Level of the dueler, then both suffer damage equal to the result of the check. If the high beats the lower by the Level of the lower, the higher comes off scot free.

Dungeon Crawl Classics

As above, use a standard attack roll, and use HD instead of Level.

*If you get the chance, do watch the good the bad the weird (2008), amazing western that by being set in Japanese occupied Manchuria is half way between a traditional western and an indiana jones film.