The Tools of Heroes
Every hero needs their iconic gear - Batman's utility belt, Thor's hammer, Link's Master Sword, or Iron Man's armor. In Savage Worlds, equipment isn't just numbers on a sheet; it's part of your character's identity and story!
The Action Figure Test
Imagine your character as an action figure. What accessories would come in the package? A ninja needs throwing stars and smoke bombs. A space smuggler needs a blaster and a fast ship. A wizard needs a staff and spell components. These items define your character as much as their abilities!
Understanding Weapon Stats
Breaking Down Weapon Notation
Longsword: Str+d8
- Str: Add your Strength die to damage
- +d8: Plus roll a d8
- Total: If you have d6 Strength, roll d6+d8 for damage (and both dice can Ace)!
Aragorn (Str d8) with Andúril rolls d8+d8 damage!
Glock 9mm: 2d6, AP 1
- 2d6: Roll two six-sided dice for damage
- AP 1: Armor Piercing - ignores 1 point of armor
- Range: 12/24/48 (short/medium/long)
John McClane's favorite - simple but effective!
Melee Weapons
Close Combat Arsenal
Light Weapons
Frodo's Sting, Assassin's blade
Arya's Needle, Roman gladius
Medium Weapons
Jon Snow's Longclaw, Link's Master Sword
Gimli's axe, Viking weapons
Heavy Weapons
Cloud's Buster Sword, Guts' Dragonslayer
Thor's hammer, Sauron's mace
Special Weapon Properties
- Reach X: Attack at X" distance (spears, polearms)
- Parry +/-X: Modifies your Parry defense
- Two Hands: Requires both hands to use
- AP X: Armor Piercing - ignores X armor points
- Min Str: The Strength die needed to wield it well; if you fall short, you take penalties
Ranged Weapons
The stats below are typical examples to show how the notation reads; exact numbers vary by setting, so always use the gear tables in your rulebook or setting book.
Medieval/Fantasy
Bow
Damage: 2d6 | Range: 12/24/48
Legolas, Hawkeye, Robin Hood
Crossbow
Damage: 2d6, AP 2 | Range: 15/30/60
Reload 1 action
Daryl Dixon, medieval soldiers
Modern
Pistol
Damage: 2d6, AP 1 | Range: 12/24/48
Semi-auto, concealable
James Bond, John Wick
Assault Rifle
Damage: 2d8, AP 2 | Range: 24/48/96
RoF 3, Auto
Military ops, action heroes
Futuristic
Laser Pistol
Damage: 2d6, AP 2 | Range: 15/30/60
No recoil, energy cells
Han Solo's blaster, Starlord
Plasma Rifle
Damage: 3d6, AP 4 | Range: 24/48/96
Quirks vary by setting
Predator, Halo weapons
Armor and Protection
Armor Basics
Armor adds to your Toughness, making you harder to hurt. But heavy armor has a Minimum Strength, and if you're not strong enough for it, it slows you down and makes you clumsy!
Light Armor
Aragorn's ranger gear, rogue leathers
Police armor, John McClane
Medium Armor
Medieval knights, Frodo's mithril
SWAT gear, military ops
Heavy Armor
Medieval knights, Sauron
Iron Man, Space Marines
Shields and Defensive Gear
Small Shield
Parry +1
Little help against ranged attacks
Buckler, Cap's shield (thrown)
Medium Shield
Parry +2
Some cover against ranged attacks
Knight's shield, Viking round shield
Large Shield
Parry +3
Heavy cover against ranged attacks
Tower shield, riot shield
Adventuring Gear
Essential Equipment for Every Hero
Survival Basics
- Backpack: Carry your stuff!
- Rope (50'): For climbing, tying, swinging
- Torch/Flashlight: See in the dark
- Rations: Trail food for the road
- Waterskin/Canteen: Stay hydrated
Sam Gamgee knew: always pack rope!
Specialist Tools
- Lockpicks: Picking locks without them is harder
- Crowbar: Leverage for prying things open
- Toolkit: Avoids penalties on Repair
- First Aid Kit: Avoids penalties on Healing
- Disguise Kit: Helps Performance rolls to pass as someone else
The right tool for the right job!
High-Tech Gadgets
- Smartphone: Research, communication
- Night Vision: Cuts darkness penalties
- Grappling Gun: Batman's favorite
- Tracking Device: Follow targets
- Hacking Rig: Helps Hacking rolls
Q Branch approved!
Vehicles and Mounts
Transportation Options
SWADE vehicle stat blocks list Size, Handling, Top Speed (in MPH), Toughness (with Armor in parentheses), and Crew. The numbers here are illustrative; use your rulebook's vehicle tables.
Horse
- Pace: 12
- Toughness: 8
- Notes: Living mount, needs care
Roach (Witcher), Shadowfax, Epona
Motorcycle
- Top Speed: fast
- Toughness: 8 (2)
- Notes: Nimble, exposed rider
Ghost Rider, Akira's bike
Sports Car
- Top Speed: very fast
- Toughness: 10 (3)
- Notes: Fast, luxurious
Batmobile, Bond's Aston Martin
Starfighter
- Top Speed: blistering
- Toughness: 20 (5)
- Weapons: Laser cannons
X-Wing, Millennium Falcon
Magic Items and Relics
Legendary Gear
In fantasy settings, magical items can provide incredible benefits! These are illustrative examples; your setting (or the Fantasy Companion) supplies the real ones.
+1 Magic Sword
Damage: Str+d8+1
Special: Affects ethereal creatures
"Forged by elven smiths in the First Age"
Ring of Protection
Effect: +2 Armor (magical)
Special: Always active, no weight
"A simple band that deflects harm"
Boots of Speed
Effect: Pace +2, Running die d8
Special: Leave trails of lightning
"Mercury's own footwear"
Bag of Holding
Effect: 500 lbs capacity, weighs 5 lbs
Special: Extra-dimensional space
"Bigger on the inside"
Encumbrance
Carrying Capacity
Heroes can't carry unlimited gear! Your Strength die sets your Load Limit, the weight you can carry with no penalty:
| Strength | Load Limit (no penalty) | Most you can carry (4×) |
|---|---|---|
| d4 | 20 lb | 80 lb |
| d6 | 40 lb | 160 lb |
| d8 | 60 lb | 240 lb |
| d10 | 80 lb | 320 lb |
| d12 | 100 lb | 400 lb |
- Within your Load Limit: No penalties.
- Over your Load Limit: You're Encumbered: −2 to Pace (minimum 1), running rolls, Agility and the skills linked to it, and Vigor rolls to resist Fatigue.
- Four times your Load Limit is the most you can lift or carry at all.
- Edges such as Brawny count your Strength as one die higher for encumbrance.
Example: Pre-bite Peter Parker (Str d4) can carry 20 lb before he's Encumbered: a backpack of school books, a camera and a sandwich. Good thing his web-shooters are lightweight!
Key Takeaways
- Melee weapons add Strength die + weapon die for damage
- Ranged weapons list Short/Medium/Long ranges (−2 at Medium, −4 at Long, and −8 at Extreme beyond that)
- Armor adds to Toughness but may have a Minimum Strength
- Shields improve Parry, and larger ones give cover against ranged attacks
- The right tools give bonuses or spare you penalties on skill rolls
- Don't overload yourself - watch encumbrance!