This is probably a general knowledge question,
but I am only now pondering it, as it pertains to the Gatling Gun special object, which comes with the Punisher's Van.

"EFFECT: Can be given a range action to make a range attack with a locked values of 8 range/3 damage to target a single opposing character. After the attack resolves, you may immediately make another range attack targeting another character within range line of fire that is adjacent to the last targeted character but was not already targeted this action. You may repeat this any number of times."

So...
the questions is:

If the damage for these attacks is locked at 3,
does this ignore the Damage Depletion Modifier ???


Thanx

Damage Depletion modifier is not ignored. It just doesn't matter for these attacks since the damage is locked. But it does still activate and you do need to still keep track of it... because if the character attacks again, for some other reason, you will most definitely need to worry about any negative modifiers you've accumulated.

So...

ALL attacks made with the Gatling Gun deal locked 3 damage...
but if you make an attack after the Gatling Gun attack (somehow),
THEN the DDM kicks in ???

No, there is no "then". The damage depletion modifier activates each and every time the character attacks.

However, when you go to apply the modifier (due to the DDM activating), the damage value is locked and the modifier doesn't matter.

By saying "then", you are implying that the DDM isn't doing anything. It is. The locked value just keeps it from mattering while Gatlin Gun is in use.

I understand the explanations of the DDM but in this case the case results in a damage locked at 3.

That is what the effect states, yes. Unless I misunderstood the initial question, I don't believe that was ever in doubt.

Rather the question was if locking the value causes the Damage Depletion Modifier to be ignored. And, no, it isn't ignored. The DDM still activates each time the character attacks.

Character has a damage value of 3.

He makes an attack with Gatling Gun. Damage is locked at 3.

He makes another attack with Gatling Gun. Damage Depletion Modifier kicks in, applying -1 damage. Locked damage value of 3 doesn't care, he still does 3 damage.

He makes another attack with Gatling Gun. Damage Depletion Modifier kicks in, applying -1 damage, total of -2. Locked damage value of 3 STILL doesn't care, he still does 3 damage.

He has no one else to shoot with Gatling Gun, actions resolve.

Later in turn, he gains the ability to make another attack somehow.

Damage Depletion Modifier shows up, says "hey, I've already got you making 2 extra attacks this turn. This is your third, so -3 damage." As character's natural damage is 3, this last attack would have a modified damage of 0, meaning he won't hurt anybody without a Perplex.

Not quite. DDM activates *AFTER* each attack. So the third attack will have a -2 modifier applied to it. Also, DDM can never cause a character's damage value to be less than 1 damage.

DAMAGE DEPLETION MODIFIER
Each time an attack resolves, modify the attacker’s damage value by -1 (minimum 1) until the end of the turn.