Another point to consider is that gunpowder weapons, in RL, have been around a LOT longer than people think, but their reliability, danger to the user, slow load times, and loud operating noise (which kind of ruled them out as a sniper assassin's weapon for a long time...) made them sort of a fringe weapon for centuries. I read a recent article that pointed out muskets/rifles in paintings from much, much earlier in history than your typical modern person would believe.
So, the question must also consider that when we have mages, and enhanced archery techniques, that firesand weapons simply aren't especially useful EXCEPT for putting in the hands of greener troops to quickly try to match firepower against experienced archers and fire-throwers, and even though a musket may be easy to aim and shoot, LOADING them is a massive vulnerability for a magicpunk culture like Eorzea, since in the time it takes even an experienced musketeer to pour powder and shot, an archer or Thaumaturge can get off three-plus ranged attacks, maybe more.
Indeed, the most expedient use for firesand weaponry seems to come in at the artillery level: cannons, which are smaller, more portable and often more destructive than counterweight or torsion-based siege weapons, making them ideal for ships and use against really big targets... which is exactly why we'd see Limsans apparently leading the way for their use in Eorzea.
So, the question must also consider that when we have mages, and enhanced archery techniques, that firesand weapons simply aren't especially useful EXCEPT for putting in the hands of greener troops to quickly try to match firepower against experienced archers and fire-throwers, and even though a musket may be easy to aim and shoot, LOADING them is a massive vulnerability for a magicpunk culture like Eorzea, since in the time it takes even an experienced musketeer to pour powder and shot, an archer or Thaumaturge can get off three-plus ranged attacks, maybe more.
Indeed, the most expedient use for firesand weaponry seems to come in at the artillery level: cannons, which are smaller, more portable and often more destructive than counterweight or torsion-based siege weapons, making them ideal for ships and use against really big targets... which is exactly why we'd see Limsans apparently leading the way for their use in Eorzea.
"But in the laugh there was another voice. A clearer laugh, an ironic laugh. A laugh which laughs because it chooses not to weep."
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