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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

Pathfinder RPG (1st Edition) Pathfinder RPG (2nd Edition) Starfinder RPG

Rules Index | GM Screen | Player's Guide
Guns & Gears / Gears Equipment / Siege Weapons

Mounted Siege Weapons

Source Guns & Gears pg. 72 2.0
Properly using a mounted siege weapon involves three activities: Loading, Aiming, and Launching the payload. Generally, none of these activities can be taken unless the weapon has enough crew, but the GM might allow a smaller crew or even an individual to perform simpler parts of the process, like Launching—especially at a dramatic moment!

Aiming

Source Guns & Gears pg. 72 2.0
A cumbersome mounted siege weapon can't be Aimed in a moment like a bow could be. A member of the weapon's crew needs to take the Aim activity to adjust a mounted siege weapon's aim. At a given time, the weapon is Aimed in a particular way, depending on the target or area the weapon uses.
  • Single Target: Aimed at one square
  • Burst: Aimed at one grid corner (that will be the center of the burst)
  • Cone or Line: Aimed in a particular direction, to the nearest 45Âş angle.
When a siege crew member takes the Aim activity, they can move the aim of a mounted siege weapon only a certain distance (or rotate the weapon a certain amount for a cone or line). Typically, the aim for a single target or burst can't be placed too close to the weapon due to the arc in which the weapon shoots. The distance moved or rotated can be found in each weapon's stat block, as is the minimum distance, if applicable. The Launch entry notes whether the attack is against a single target or in a burst, cone, or line.

Loading

Source Guns & Gears pg. 73 2.0
Any member of the crew can take the Load activity to prepare the weapon, resetting its machinery or helping Load the payload. The stat block lists how many times the activity must be taken to prepare the weapon to Launch. Some Load activities require successful checks to be effective, such as ones that require an Athletics check to Load heavy ammunition into the siege weapon. Once the weapon is Loaded, trying to Load it further has no effect. It doesn't matter in what order the siege weapon is Aimed and Loaded, and the crew could partially Load the weapon, Aim it, and then continue Loading it without disrupting the process.

Launching

Source Guns & Gears pg. 73 2.0
A member of the crew adjacent to the siege weapon's release can use the Launch action to shoot the siege weapon. After the weapon has been Launched, it must be Loaded fully to be Launched again. No matter how quickly it's Loaded, a single siege weapon can never be Launched more than once per round. The aim remains where it was, and the weapon needs to be Aimed again only if the crew wishes to change the aim. Launch [one-action] (attack) Requirements The siege weapon is Loaded; Effect The siege weapon launches its payload, which targets or has an area where the weapon is Aimed.
  • Single target Targets a creature, unattended object, or structure in the square the weapon is Aimed at
  • Burst Centered on the grid corner the weapon is Aimed at
  • Cone or Line Directed where the weapon is Aimed
Each creature, unattended object, and structure the siege weapon is Aimed at or that is in the area takes the amount of damage listed in the Launch action, with a basic saving throw against the DC listed in the stat block. If you're trained in any weapons of the category listed in the siege weapon's proficiency entry, you can use your class DC instead of the weapon's default save DC. The weapon's range increment penalty applies to the Launch DC, as does your multiple attack penalty. If the weapon is mounted on a vehicle, the penalties for attacking from a vehicle in combat also apply. Though a siege weapon doesn't require an attack roll, the Launch action still has the attack trait and therefore counts toward your multiple attack penalty.

Moving a Mounted Siege Weapon

Source Guns & Gears pg. 73 2.0
A mounted siege weapon has to be built on solid ground and remains stationary while being operated. Some are on wheels or are otherwise easier to move, but none can be prepared or shot while being moved. The GM might allow a mounted siege weapon to be placed on a large enough vessel, such as a sailing ship.

Moving a mounted siege weapon takes concerted effort from the whole crew pulling and pushing. This requires acting in concert, as described under Portable Siege Weapons, with the crew leader taking the Move Siege Weapon activity. This requires the minimum number of crew required to operate the siege weapon and gets no extra benefit for additional crew helping. If a siege weapon doesn't list this action, it can't be moved this way; it has to be disassembled and reassembled.

Move Siege Weapon [one-action] Requirements The rest of the crew have Readied to Stride on your order; Effect You and the crew Stride, moving the mounted siege weapon with you. The maximum distance equals the slowest crew member's Speed, or the maximum Speed listed in the siege weapon's Move Siege Weapon entry, whichever is lower. The siege weapon's aim moves the same distance and direction the siege weapon moved.