But first, I'm new! Hi everyone
I've been thinking that a few different ammo types for the shotgun might be nice. They seem to be one of the more popular weapons in BW, so I don't think anyone would complain about getting some shiny new ammo to stick in them, and adding new shells would be almost as good as adding new guns, but without any new models or animations required (though of course new FX would be needed).
So here are some ideas, mostly borrowed from wikipedia. I'll post links where appropriate.
Solid slugs: The most obvious one, really. Accurate at short to medium ranges, this type would lack the "instant red mist" effect that the buckshot shells currently have, but would make the shotgun more versitile at longer distances. Would probably still have quite high damage, since it actually requires the user to aim accuratly, would be slow to fire, and couldn't be used as some sort of makeshift sniper rifle. Plus it's a really big slug
Flechette rounds: Quote from the shotgun article on wikipedia: "Flechette rounds contain aerodynamic darts, typically from 8 to 20 in number. The flechette provide greatly extended range due to their aerodynamic shape, and improved penetration of light armor. American troops during the Vietnam War packed their own flechette shotgun rounds, called beehive rounds, after the similar artillery rounds." I imagine that these would be used to pepper a small area with fire from longer ranges than buckshot is capable of. Not quite sure if they'd have a huge tactical role in BW, but they sound really cool.
Explosive rounds: Like solid slugs, except that the slug is replaced with a small explosive charge surrounded by shrapnel. Explosion should only have a radius of about a metre I think, and should do medium damage. Perhaps a little less accurate than solid slugs too?
Dragon's Breath rounds: Dragon's Breath. Ok, so the article does say that the round has no tactical use, but BW is all about fun over realism, and these things lookd like they'd be all sorts of fun. They'd be different from buckshot rounds because they'd inflict the full amount of damage to anything caught within the blast, even if they're behind another player, so they'd be useful for groups of people. I imagine that they'd do less damage than other rounds, but set the target on fire.
Ideas, suggestions, criticism?
Could even have a (hand)gun with 2 mags and 2 barrels, that shoots dum dums/Black Talons and FMJ/AP rounds. Hit someone once or twice to check for armor, then blast them good with the appropriate ammo type.