So, I've decided for my 2010 Special Project at my site to cover Rolemaster (primarily Classic/Express, but other editions as well). I've always thought Rolemaster had a simple, fun mechanic at its core, but that it's all too often misunderstood or poorly organized/presented. With a series of interviews, reviews, game discounts, and articles, I hope to be able to get people to take another look at this game and hopefully dispel some of the confusion/apprehension surrounding it.
So, my question to you is (since I know we have Rolemaster fans on this board), what would you most like to see for this series? I guess this is directed more towards people with at least a minimal interest in Rolemaster. Discounts/coupons? House rules? Articles clearing up the differences in edition? Interviews with current and former ICE employees? I have already talked to ICE and the Guild Companion, and have a couple more companies/freelancers I need to contact.
For reference, my initial announcement is here (http://www.rpgblog2.com/2010/01/presentingour-2010-special-project.html).
Thanks for the input!
Ive wrestled for many years on how to speed up dice-rolling and final result calculation.
Getting even smart people to roll D100, add their Offensive Bonus, whilst at the same time mentally deducting the targets Defensive Bonus. Other than reducing the progression to simple +10 incremental steps, there doesnt appear to be any other way, apart from fudging every result, which is something I confess to when running the game.
Players want to play, and not get bogged down with the duty of looking up every critical hit (unless they are sadists), plus it totally removes my GM fiat as well.
The only area of the rules we extensively house-ruled (ignored would be better) was the initiative rules. We found the phases entirely too messy for us during play. For the most of it we had a great deal of fun playing the rest of the rules (I remember a spectacular spell failure roll for one of my characters when I tried desperately to save the day with a spell too far from my reach on the spell list .. we still chuckle about that).
I can't say we had the same problems as Lawbag but we were overly fond of all the critical tables :D
In a total selfish whore, bastard move - put me in contact with someone who can get me an RM publishing deal. :D
Quote from: One Horse Town;353061In a total selfish whore, bastard move - put me in contact with someone who can get me an RM publishing deal. :D
What do you want to write?
Quote from: Zachary The First;352978So, I've decided for my 2010 Special Project at my site to cover Rolemaster (primarily Classic/Express, but other editions as well). I've always thought Rolemaster had a simple, fun mechanic at its core, but that it's all too often misunderstood or poorly organized/presented. With a series of interviews, reviews, game discounts, and articles, I hope to be able to get people to take another look at this game and hopefully dispel some of the confusion/apprehension surrounding it.
There is no confusion or apprehension about RoleMaster.
I was in one of the buyout offer groups when the IP was put up on the auction block after the collapse of Iron Crown Enterprises.
After that, I sold every Rolemaster book I ever owned. You couldn't pay me to play that game.
Quote from: bottg;353062What do you want to write?
Shit loads. I've got shit loads (that needs to be properly written up).
As an old RM grognard, I would love to see some interviews with the original creators of the system. I'm not sure how hard it would be to interview Coleman Charlton and Pete Fenlon, but at least Terry Amthor may be more accessible. It'd be great to hear about those nights in the college dorm in 1978 when they first started writing up the critical charts...
Quote from: GameDaddy;353072I was in one of the buyout offer groups when the IP was put up on the auction block after the collapse of Iron Crown Enterprises.
After that, I sold every Rolemaster book I ever owned. You couldn't pay me to play that game.
Eh? You were outbid so now you hate the game?
A 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.
Quote from: David Johansen;353082A lot of bad feelings came out of the ICE bankrupcy. There were some pretty vicious flame wars.
Hmmm??? I missed that last part. Was already long gone by then. Can't say I'm surprised by the results though.
Quote from: Zachary The First;352978So, my question to you is (since I know we have Rolemaster fans on this board), what would you most like to see for this series? I guess this is directed more towards people with at least a minimal interest in Rolemaster. Discounts/coupons? House rules? Articles clearing up the differences in edition? Interviews with current and former ICE employees? I have already talked to ICE and the Guild Companion, and have a couple more companies/freelancers I need to contact.
All the weapons that are represented by 'weapon X' with the following modifiers against Armour being put on their own sheets.
More monsters are always good. As a history buff anything that takes real history and converts it into Rpg Terms always interests me. My ideal book would be Cathedral Forge and Waterwheel (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cathedral-Forge-Waterwheel-Technology-Invention/dp/0060925817) with a table for how to use everything that crops up.
Quote from: GameDaddy;353072There is no confusion or apprehension about RoleMaster.
Well, that was easier than expected, then.
Quote from: One Horse Town;353074Shit loads. I've got shit loads (that needs to be properly written up).
Hey, if you ever want to do a guest post, I'm in contact with ICE on this, so it might reflect well or something.
I know it is more setting than anything but I would love to see more granular stuff around Shadow World and to hear more from Terry Amthor.
In fact more of the high fantasy setting stuff for RM would be great, I just have a soft spot for all that is Shadow World, especially for RM2 or RMSS.
Quote from: Zachary The First;352978So, I've decided for my 2010 Special Project at my site to cover Rolemaster (primarily Classic/Express, but other editions as well). I've always thought Rolemaster had a simple, fun mechanic at its core, but that......................
Zach, 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.
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? (http://www.montecook.com/cgi-bin/page.cgi?mc_los_160)
Well, Here I Am. And I'm Not Leaving (http://www.montecook.com/cgi-bin/page.cgi?mc_los_161)
Left But Not Gone (http://www.montecook.com/cgi-bin/page.cgi?mc_los_164)
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 (http://www.rpgblog2.com/2010/01/historical-background-iron-crown.html).
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. :D
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....
Although i'm not Zach, i don't think he was after a debate about the pros or cons of the game, but rather stuff he could put on his blog.
Quote from: One Horse Town;353593Although i'm not Zach, i don't think he was after a debate about the pros or cons of the game, but rather stuff he could put on his blog.
You're not Zachary, but he is considering retaining you as a spokesperson. :)
OK. I'd like to read articles about differences between the editions, the bankruptcy, and interviews with Coleman and Fenlon and other ICE people (including modern ICE). But I'll read whatever you write about Rolemaster. :)
Quote from: Claudius;353599OK. I'd like to read articles about differences between the editions, the bankruptcy, and interviews with Coleman and Fenlon and other ICE people (including modern ICE). But I'll read whatever you write about Rolemaster. :)
No worries. We can definitely do that, I think!