You're right, RoleMaster just doesn't get the Internet love - thanks for doing this!

I've never played but always been interested, so I would appreciate an overview of the versions currently available.  Well, I know I can get an overview on Iron Crown's website, but I want to know why each would be a good place to start as I'm sure each has its points.  Another interesting read would be a write-up of how combat or a stereotypical fantasy encounter could shine using RoleMaster's tools.

-Matt

Quote from: Koltar;353093Zach, you trying make some of us laugh?

Rolemaster was the most confused and complicated system I ever had the misfurtune to be a player with (Until recent D&D 4/e events)

- Ed C.

Well, Ed, tell you what--I'll showcase it, put it out there, and you can see what you think.  If it isn't your cup of tea--no worries--this isn't to sell you, just to make you take another look.

Quote from: Koltar;353093Zach, you trying make some of us laugh?

Rolemaster was the most confused and complicated system I ever had the misfurtune to be a player with (Until recent D&D 4/e events)

- Ed C.

Nonsense!

Allow me to summarize.

Roll d% + Skill Bonus, check chart for applicable chart for applicable modifiers, apply, check result on chart.  Generally 100+ is a success.  There is a static maneuver chart with specific versions for each skill category.  There is one moving maneuver chart.  It's best to think of the weapons and criticals as two three dimensional charts.  Really the category specific static maneuver charts could be considered as a three dimensional table as well.

Combat notes -

2d10 + Quickness Bonus Initiative, +5 for longer weapon, +1 for stronger fighter (snap actions and deliberate happen in separate phases with a +10 or -20)

Reducing an action's percentage activity applies an equal penalty to skill.

May reduce skill by any amount to parry against one foe.  May apply shield bonus to alternate foe.

-10 per 25% hits taken
- wound penalties from criticals

Criticals can stun characters meaning they can only parry with 50% of skill and only take 50% activity.

Quote from: David Johansen;353082A lot of bad feelings came out of the ICE bankrupcy.

Not exactly bad feelings and flame wars but Monte Cook has interesting recollections:

What Am I Doing Here?
Well, Here I Am. And I'm Not Leaving
Left But Not Gone

I once played with RM group that had a DIY computer program for calculating hits and actions, but it was just as slow because the GM had to enter the die rolls and other details to make it work.

Conceivably, RM might run nicely with smart phones and calculator apps, so that each player can just enter their roll (or get the phone to do it) and it spits out the manouvre or crit result.

If you're talking Rolemaster you have to talk about its bastard spawn, MERP and HARP, both of which are arguably better than it for various reasons.

Quote from: noisms;353128If you're talking Rolemaster you have to talk about its bastard spawn, MERP and HARP, both of which are arguably better than it for various reasons.

I will. I have a soft spot for both games, albeit for various reasons as well.

I followed it up today with a short, introduction-style history of Iron Crown Enterprises.

Rolemaster is a hot mess. I was king of fond of the chargen mechanics, but my players hated it. Meanwhile, constantly looking things up made the game painful. And despite the level of detail, it didn't necessarily result in a better playing experience; dwarves chopping off their own ears with battle-axes? Critting an orc in the foot with a dagger in melee? Sometimes detail isn't improvement, it's just detail.

Quote from: David Johansen;353082A lot of bad feelings came out of the ICE bankrupcy. There were some pretty vicious flame wars.
 
I hung on with ICE because they continued to support RMSS.
 
They stopped and went back to RM2 / C and I hung on because they kept RMSS in print. But after some recent discussions, some public, some private, I'm done with ICE and Rolemaster and short of owning the IP myself I can't imagine returning to it in any fashion.

RPG.net had a really indept 2 part column on the history of ICE, its worth a google and a read.

Quote from: The_Shadow;353081Eh? You were outbid so now you hate the game?

I can sympathise with this guy, I mean Mongoose turned down 2 non-D20 concepts we were developing because according to their line development manager, Mongoose were only ever going to support D20 and nothing else. A foolhardy attitude...

I read Monty Cook's articles a couple years ago and the rpgnet columns when they came out.

Keep in mind that I disliked RM2 and never really got into it, RMSS is what made me an ICE customer.

The main reason I'm done is that it's impossible for me to discuss RM without an edition war breaking out.  I've got no interest in running or writing for RMC at all.  The RM2 fans can have ICE and Rolemaster.

Yes I've given up discussing RM for some long stretches but I still was a player and customer.  That is what has changed.

I never liked Rolemaster, in any version.

RPGPundit

There was a time when I didn't like Rolemaster either, but some actual play made me a convert.

Quote from: David Johansen;353097Nonsense!

Allow me to summarize.

Roll d% + Skill Bonus, check chart for applicable chart for applicable modifiers, apply, check result on chart.  Generally 100+ is a success.  There is a static maneuver chart with specific versions for each skill category.  There is one moving maneuver chart.  It's best to think of the weapons and criticals as two three dimensional charts.  Really the category specific static maneuver charts could be considered as a three dimensional table as well.

Combat notes -

2d10 + Quickness Bonus Initiative, +5 for longer weapon, +1 for stronger fighter (snap actions and deliberate happen in separate phases with a +10 or -20)

Reducing an action's percentage activity applies an equal penalty to skill.

May reduce skill by any amount to parry against one foe.  May apply shield bonus to alternate foe.

-10 per 25% hits taken
- wound penalties from criticals

Criticals can stun characters meaning they can only parry with 50% of skill and only take 50% activity.

Yes, Rolemaster is mechanically very simple; it's the layered complexity, modifiers and exceptions that exacerbate the situation. But to be honest, while Rolemaster looked vastly more complex to me than anything on the market back in the late 80's and early 90's (last time I had a chance to play it), these days it looks rather tame and restricted....