Revolver
At a Glance
- Weapon: Revolver
- Campaign status: Gnome-advanced
- 5.5e / 2024: 2d8 Piercing; 40/120 ft.; Reload (6); Sap
- 5e / 2014: 2d8 Piercing; 40/120 ft.; Reload (6)
- Pathfinder 1e: Advanced one-handed firearm; 1d8 Medium damage; capacity 6
- D&D 3.5e: Modern exotic firearm; 2d8 Medium damage; six shots
A revolver is an advanced pistol built around a six-chambered rotating cylinder. Each chamber carries a metal cartridge, allowing several shots to be fired before the weapon must be reloaded.
Revolvers are not ordinary human technology. They belong to the exceptional precision-gunsmithing tradition associated with the exiled gnome workshops of the North American frontier, rare copied prototypes and other specifically established sources. Possession of one can reveal a connection to those workshops as readily as it provides firepower.
Revolver in the Campaign
Its six-shot capacity is its greatest advantage. The price is dependence on precision-made cartridges and parts that ordinary gunsmiths may be unable to reproduce. An empty revolver far from its makers can become a valuable mechanical secret rather than a useful weapon.
Revolver Rules by Edition
Revolver — D&D 5.5e / 2024
| Category | Damage | Range | Weight | Properties | Mastery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firearms Ranged Weapon | 2d8 Piercing | 40/120 ft. | 3 lb. | Ammunition (Firearms), Reload (6 shots) | Sap |
Reload. The cylinder holds six shots. Reload after those shots are expended according to the 2024 firearm Reload property.
Sap mastery. A creature hit by the revolver has Disadvantage on its next attack roll before the start of the wielder’s next turn.
Campaign availability. This rules profile does not make revolvers common; in the setting they remain Gnome-advanced precision weapons.
Revolver — D&D 5e / 2014
| Category | Damage | Range | Weight | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Firearm | 2d8 Piercing | 40/120 ft. | 3 lb. | Ammunition, Reload (6 shots) |
The 2014 Dungeon Master’s Guide treats the revolver as optional modern-era firearm technology. It fires six shots before reloading.
No Weapon Mastery. Do not import the 2024 Sap property into the 2014 rules.
Revolver — Pathfinder 1e
| Cost | Dmg (S) | Dmg (M) | Critical | Range | Misfire | Capacity | Weight | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,000 gp | 1d6 | 1d8 | ×4 | 20 ft. | 1 | 6 | 4 lbs. | B and P |
Each of the six chambers holds one metal cartridge. After a shot, the cylinder rotates automatically without requiring an extra hand or action. The revolver follows the PF1e advanced-firearm rules for loading, penetration and misfires.
Revolver — D&D 3.5e
| Category | Dmg (S) | Dmg (M) | Critical | Range Increment | Weight | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exotic Firearm | 2d6 | 2d8 | ×2 | 30 ft. | 3 lb. | Piercing |
The 3.5e modern-era revolver can fire six times before reloading. Reloading the revolver requires a full-round action. Exotic Weapon Proficiency (firearms) covers modern firearms under the DMG rules.
What Changes Between Editions?
- 2024: retains the six-shot modern firearm profile and adds Sap mastery.
- 2014: uses the optional DMG modern firearm without mastery.
- PF1e: uses lower base damage but adds touch-AC penetration, misfire and metal-cartridge rules.
- 3.5e: uses the DMG modern-era exotic firearm profile with a full-round reload.
Related Equipment
Sources and Licensing
Pathfinder firearm statistics and rules material derive from Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Ultimate Combat, © 2011 Paizo Publishing, LLC; authors Jason Bulmahn, Tim Hitchcock, Colin McComb, Rob McCreary, Jason Nelson, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, Sean K Reynolds, Owen K.C. Stephens and Russ Taylor.
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