Blunderbuss
At a Glance
- Weapon: Blunderbuss
- Campaign status: Rare specialist early scatter gun
- 5.5e / 2024: Campaign conversion with bullet and pellet modes
- 5e / 2014: Campaign conversion
- Pathfinder 1e: Early two-handed scatter firearm
- D&D 3.5e: Campaign conversion from Renaissance firearm rules
The blunderbuss is a short, flared-muzzle firearm intended for close fighting and flexible shot loads. It is particularly suited to ships, gates, alleys and confined defensive positions.
Blunderbuss Rules by Edition
Blunderbuss — D&D 5.5e / 2024
Campaign conversion. Bullet load: 1d10 Piercing, range 20/60 ft., Ammunition, Loading, Two-Handed, Push. Pellet load: 15-foot cone; DC 13 Dexterity save; 1d10 Piercing on a failure, half on a success. Push applies only to bullet attacks.
Blunderbuss — D&D 5e / 2014
Campaign conversion. Bullet load deals 1d10 Piercing at 20/60 ft.; pellet load uses the same 15-foot cone and DC 13 Dexterity save. No Weapon Mastery.
Blunderbuss — Pathfinder 1e
| Cost | 2,000 gp | Dmg (S/M) | 1d6 / 1d8 | Critical | ×2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Range | Special | Misfire | 1–2 (10 ft.) | Capacity | 1 |
| Weight | 8 lbs. | Type | B and P | Special | scatter |
Pellets attack in a 15-foot cone; a bullet has a 10-foot range increment. It uses a bullet or group of pellets plus one dose of black powder, or an alchemical cartridge.
Blunderbuss — D&D 3.5e
Campaign conversion. Bullet load: 1d8 Small / 1d10 Medium Piercing, ×2, 30-foot range increment. Pellet load: 15-foot cone, DC 13 Reflex save, 1d10 Piercing on a failure or half on a success. Reloading requires a standard action.
What Changes Between Editions?
- PF1e supplies the published scatter rules.
- D&D editions use explicit campaign conversions to preserve the bullet-versus-pellet identity.
Related Equipment
Further Viewing
Sources and Licensing
Pathfinder rules derive from Ultimate Combat. D&D tabs are labelled campaign conversions where no exact core blunderbuss profile is used.
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