Starting Equipment
Starting Equipment
"A Cowboy's Gun Is His Best Friend"
Starting Money
Every character starts with $250 to purchase gear unless modified by Edges or Hindrances:
- Poverty (–3): Start with only $50
- Belongin's (1–5): Adds one-time cash bonus or specific valuable item
- Dinero (1–5): Adds ongoing wealth (see Edges section for amounts)
Unspent money carries over—you don't have to spend it all during character creation.
El Cheapo Gear Warning
You can buy gear at 50% or 75% off normal price. Cheap clothes are ratty and torn. Cheap guns and equipment have a malfunction number—when using them, roll a d20 alongside your normal roll. If the d20 exceeds the malfunction number, something breaks or goes wrong.
- 75% price: Malfunction on 19-20
- 50% price: Malfunction on 18-20
Saving money isn't worth it when your gun explodes in your hand during a firefight.
You can buy gear at 50% or 75% off normal price. Cheap clothes are ratty and torn. Cheap guns and equipment have a malfunction number—when using them, roll a d20 alongside your normal roll. If the d20 exceeds the malfunction number, something breaks or goes wrong.
- 75% price: Malfunction on 19-20
- 50% price: Malfunction on 18-20
Saving money isn't worth it when your gun explodes in your hand during a firefight.
Essential Gear
Before worrying about fancy equipment, make sure you have the basics:
Must-Have Items
- Weapon: At least one gun or melee weapon for self-defense
- Ammunition: Minimum 50 rounds for your primary weapon
- Clothes: Work clothes, boots, hat (assume you start with basic clothes for free if not purchased)
- Bedroll: $4—you'll sleep outdoors often
- Canteen: $1—water is life in the desert
Highly Recommended
- Horse: $150—essential for travel in the West
- Saddle: $25—need this for your horse
- Rope (50'): $5—countless uses
- Trail rations: 50¢ per day—don't starve
- Matches: 50¢—for campfires and light
Weapons
Your choice of weapon depends on your character concept and combat skills. The Weird West offers an impressive arsenal—from standard six-shooters to bizarre combination weapons.
Pistols (Single-Action)
Classic Western six-shooters. Must cock the hammer between shots. ROF 1 means one shot per action.
| Weapon | Cal | Shots | Dmg | Rng | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colt Army | .44 | 6 | 3d6 | 10 | $12 | — |
| Colt Buntline Special | .45 | 6 | 3d6 | 10 | $500 | Special order! 16" barrel, detachable stock, –2 QD |
| Colt Dragoon | .44 | 6 | 3d6 | 10 | $11 | Attachable stock available |
| Colt Navy | .36 | 6 | 2d6 | 10 | $10 | Lighter caliber |
| Colt Peacemaker | .45 | 6 | 3d6 | 10 | $15 | The gun that won the West |
| Knuckle-Duster | .32 | 5 | 2d6 | 5 | $8 | Brass knuckles + pistol combo! |
| LeMat Grapeshot Pistol | .40 | 9 | 2d6 | 10 | $25 | 9-shot revolver |
| └─ Shotgun barrel | 16-ga | 1 | Special | 5 | — | Built-in shotgun barrel! Switch between modes |
LeMat Grapeshot Pistol Special Feature: This unique weapon has BOTH a 9-shot revolver cylinder AND a single-shot shotgun barrel mounted underneath. A switch lets you change which barrel the hammer strikes—giving you 9 pistol shots OR 1 devastating shotgun blast at close range. Confederate cavalry loved these!
Pistols (Double-Action)
Can fire without cocking. ROF 2 means two shots per action—much faster in gunfights!
| Weapon | Cal | Shots | Dmg | Rng | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colt Frontier | .32-20 | 6 | 2d6 | 10 | $8 |
| Colt Lightning | .38 | 6 | 2d6 | 10 | $13 |
| Colt Peacemaker (DA) | .45 | 6 | 3d6 | 10 | $15 |
| Colt Thunderer | .41 | 6 | 2d6 | 10 | $14 |
| Starr Revolver | .44 | 6 | 3d6 | 10 | $9 |
Derringers & Pepperboxes
Small, concealable weapons. Perfect for gamblers, ladies, and anyone who needs a hidden ace.
| Weapon | Cal | Shots | Dmg | Rng | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derringer | .44 | 2 | 3d6 | 5 | $8 | Classic hideout gun |
| English 1840 Model | .36 | 8 | 2d6 | 5 | $5 | Knife blade between barrels! |
| Rupertus Pepperbox | .22 | 8 | 2d4 | 5 | $6 | 8 rotating barrels |
| Wesson Dagger-Pistol | .41 | 2 | 2d6 | 5 | $6 | Knife under barrel |
Carbines & Rifles
Long-range accuracy and power. Essential for hunters, snipers, and anyone who fights at distance.
| Weapon | Cal | Shots | Dmg | Rng | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballard '72 | .56 | 1 | 5d8 | 20 | $24 | Single-shot, powerful |
| Bullard Express | .50 | 11 | 4d10 | 20 | $30 | High capacity! |
| Colt-Paterson Model '36 | .69 | 7 | 5d10 | 20 | $25 | Revolving cylinder rifle |
| Colt Revolving Rifle | .56 | 5 | 5d8 | 20 | $24 | Reloads like a revolver |
| Evans Old Model Sporter | .44 Evans | 34 | 4d8 | 20 | $30 | 34 rounds! Special ammo required |
| LeMat Carbine | .42 | 9 | 3d6 | 15 | $35 | Rifle version |
| └─ Shotgun barrel | 16-ga | 1 | Special | 5 | — | Built-in shotgun like the pistol version! |
| Remington '71 | .50-70 | 1 | 4d10 | 20 | $20 | Heavy caliber |
| Sharps Big 50 | .50 | 1 | 4d10 | 20 | $20 | Buffalo hunter's choice |
| Sharps '55 | .57 | 1 | 5d8 | 15 | $18 | Carbine version |
| Spencer Carbine | .56 | 7 | 4d8 | 15 | $15 | Civil War favorite |
| Springfield (muzzle-loader) | .58 | 1 | 5d8 | 20 | $8 | Cheap but slow to reload |
| Winchester '73 | .44-40 | 15 | 4d8 | 20 | $25 | Most iconic rifle of the West |
| Winchester '76 | .45 | 15 | 4d8+2 | 20 | $40 | Improved model, more damage |
Shotguns
Devastating at close range. "Special" damage means shotguns use unique rules (see combat chapter).
| Weapon | Gauge | Shots | ROF | Rng | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Barrel | 12-gauge | 1 | 1 | 10 | $25 |
| Double Barrel | 12-gauge | 2 | 2 | 10 | $35 |
| Scattergun (sawed-off) | 12-gauge | 2 | 2 | 5 | $35 |
| Colt Revolving Shotgun | 12-gauge | 5 | 1 | 10 | $45 |
| Winchester Lever-Action | 12-gauge | 4 | 1 | 10 | $35 |
Automatic Weapons
Expensive, hard to find, and devastating. ROF 3 means THREE shots per action!
| Weapon | Cal | Shots | ROF | Dmg | Rng | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gatling Gun | .36 | 45 | 3 | 3d8 | 20 | $1,500 |
| Gatling Pistol | .44 | 12 | 3 | 3d6 | 10 | $800 |
Gatling Gun Warning: Reliability 19—on a d20 roll of 19-20 when firing, the gun jams! Most towns ban Gatlings due to risk of hitting innocent bystanders. Use at your own legal peril.
Exotic & Mad Science Weapons
| Weapon | Shots | ROF | Dmg | Rng | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flamethrower | 30 | 1d6 | 1d10/shot | 20 max | $2,000 |
Melee Weapons
For close combat and quiet work.
- Bowie Knife: $5—large fighting knife, STR+1d6 damage
- Tomahawk: $3—can be thrown, STR+2d6 damage
- Lariat (Rope): $5—for roping cattle or enemies
- Whip: $10—reaches 10 feet, STR+1d4 damage
Ammunition
Guns are useless without bullets. Don't skimp!
| Type | Quantity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pistol rounds (box) | 50 | $2 |
| Rifle rounds (box) | 50 | $3 |
| Shotgun shells (box) | 50 | $3 |
| Arrow | 1 | 25¢ |
Gun Accessories
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gun belt | $2 | Holds ammunition |
| Holster | $3 | Regular holster |
| Quick-draw holster | $11 | Essential for gunslingers |
| Speed-load cylinder | $3 | Pre-loaded spare cylinder |
| Rifle scabbard | $3 | Attaches to saddle |
Horses
A horse is your most important investment in the Weird West. Trains and stagecoaches exist, but for day-to-day travel, nothing beats a good mount.
| Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Average horse | $150 | Pace 20, Size 10, Wind 14 |
| Exceptional horse | $300 | One special quality (fast, brave, smart, strong, tough, or surly) |
| Mule | $50 | Slower but cheaper |
| Saddle | $25 | Necessary for riding |
| Saddle bags | $5 | Storage for gear |
Exceptional Horse Qualities:
- Brave: Spirit 2d8, Guts 4d8—doesn't spook easily
- Fast: Pace 24—outrun most pursuers
- Smart: +2 to your Horse Ridin' rolls
- Strong: Strength 3d12—can carry more weight
- Tough: Vigor 2d12—survives more damage
- Surly: Mean-tempered, kicks and bites strangers
Common Gear
Clothes
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Boots | $8 |
| Chaps (Armor -2) | $4 |
| Duster | $10 |
| Stetson hat | $5 |
| Suit/fancy dress | $15 |
| Work shirt | $1 |
| Trousers/skirt | $2 |
Camping & Travel Gear
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Backpack | $2 |
| Bedroll | $4 |
| Canteen | $1 |
| Lantern | $2.50 |
| Lantern oil (gallon) | 10¢ |
| Matches (box of 100) | 50¢ |
| Mess kit | $2 |
| Rope (50') | $5 |
| Trail rations (per day) | 50¢ |
Tools & Miscellaneous
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Ax | $2 |
| Handcuffs | $3.50 |
| Harmonica | 50¢ |
| Playing cards | 25¢ |
| Shovel | $1.50 |
| Spectacles | $5 |
| Tobacco (pouch) | 50¢ |
| Watch | $2.50 |
Explosives (Dangerous!)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Dynamite (per stick) | $3 |
| Blasting cap | $1 |
| Fuse (per foot) | 5¢ |
| Detonator (plunger) | $10 |
Sample Loadouts
Here are some typical equipment packages for different character types:
The Gunslinger ($250 budget)
- Colt Peacemaker (double-action): $15
- Box of 50 pistol rounds: $2
- Quick-draw holster: $11
- Gun belt: $2
- Speed-load cylinder (×2): $6
- Winchester '73: $25
- Box of 50 rifle rounds: $3
- Horse: $150
- Saddle: $25
- Bedroll: $4
- Rope: $5
- Canteen: $1
- Total: $249
The Preacher ($250 budget)
- Colt Peacemaker: $15
- Box of 50 rounds: $2
- Holster & gun belt: $5
- Bible (assume free/personal item)
- Silver crucifix: $10
- Suit: $15
- Horse: $150
- Saddle: $25
- Bedroll: $4
- Trail rations (10 days): $5
- Canteen: $1
- Matches: 50¢
- Mess kit: $2
- Total: $234.50, $15.50 remaining
The Huckster ($250 budget)
- Derringer: $8
- Box of 50 rounds: $2
- Playing cards (multiple decks): $1
- Fancy suit: $15
- Stetson: $5
- Horse: $150
- Saddle: $25
- Bedroll: $4
- Canteen: $1
- Spectacles (if needed): $5
- Watch (gold): $10
- Total: $226, $24 remaining for poker stakes
The Broke Cowpoke ($50 budget - Poverty)
Buying After Character Creation
The prices listed here are standard. In-game, availability and prices may vary by location, season, and circumstances. Ghost towns might have cheap gear from dead owners. Boomtowns might charge premium prices. Negotiate with the Marshal for special items or bulk purchases.
The prices listed here are standard. In-game, availability and prices may vary by location, season, and circumstances. Ghost towns might have cheap gear from dead owners. Boomtowns might charge premium prices. Negotiate with the Marshal for special items or bulk purchases.
Good gear keeps you alive. Cheap gear gets you killed.
Character creation is almost complete! Move on to Character Archetypes Overview to see example characters and get inspiration for your own troubleshooter.
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