Quote from: James McMurrayOf course not. It's obvious that jrients is a Robot Wizard. You gotta be specific about these things or you'll be turned into a Lite Brite picture of a toad.

Sheesh!

Well I am a Vampire Pacman see

Quote from: James McMurrayIs there one of those handy fan-compiled list of differences between the two somewhere? I've been holding off on getting RMC because I've already got everything I need (and most of what I want) for RM2, but a chance to see the improvements might change that.

This is the best I could find:

http://www.ironcrown.com/ICEforums/index.php?topic=4106.msg57029#msg57029

I don't know any list of the new optional rules.

Thanks!

Quote from: jrientsMERP was frickin' awesome.  I was just paging through one of my copies last night, thinking of all the good times my high school group had with our one short MERP campaign back in the day.

One of my best campaigns during high school was also with MERP.  

We played it through the summer of 1986 (or maybe 1985).  I ran a 'quest for the lost palantir' campaign in the early Fourth Age (one of the suggested adventures in the back of the Rangers of the North campaign module -- it was later expanded in a full-blown campaign module by ICE).  The PCs inclouded the sons of Sam Gamgee and Eowyn.

 (EDIT: Er, one son of Sam and Rosie, another son of Faramir and Eowyn -- I didn't mean to suggest that Sam and Eowyn had a secret love child!)  

Good times ...

That doesn't sound familiar, but sounds like something I'd love to run. Do you remember what the campaign was called?

Quote from: James McMurrayThat doesn't sound familiar, but sounds like something I'd love to run. Do you remember what the campaign was called?

Strangely enough, it was called Palantir Quest. :cool:

Lots more info here:
http://www.icewebring.com/ICE_Products/M2/M2_2009_Palantir_Quest.php

Quote from: AkrasiaStrangely enough, it was called Palantir Quest. :cool:

Lots more info here:
http://www.icewebring.com/ICE_Products/M2/M2_2009_Palantir_Quest.php

Ooh, I remember that one. One of the best MERP adventures published.

I don't know about the legality of it, but merp.com had virtually every MERP product ever published available for free download. Might be worth checking out if you're looking for some OOP MERP stuff.

Thanks for this thread. I'm picking up a fat stack of RMSS this coming payday (and possibly one of those limited edition RM2 compilations).

Quote from: jdrakehThanks for this thread. I'm picking up a fat stack of RMSS this coming payday (and possibly one of those limited edition RM2 compilations).

Noooooo...

Stick with RM Classic or RM2.

Well, whichever direction you go in, check out ICE's website if you haven't already - they usually have decent deals on bundles for their various games.

And good luck!

Quote from: jdrakehThanks for this thread. I'm picking up a fat stack of RMSS this coming payday (and possibly one of those limited edition RM2 compilations).

Let us know how you're doing with it. I'm in the same boat--I have a bunch of RMFRPG stuff, and am too scared too look at it.

Then again, I'm trying to teach myself Rifts, so what is my problem?

Quote from: GoOrangeNoooooo...

Stick with RM Classic or RM2.

Well, the thing is, RMC isn't nearly complete as of the present time (Creatures & Treasures is still forthcoming) and the only version of RM2 available from ICE at the present time is the ultra-expensive Limited Edition leatherbound (though, as I've said, I'm considering this latter purchase). Aside from this, I have three other reasons for leaning toward RMSS:

1. I understand that it's the best organized version of Rolemaster.
2. I know that it's the most flexible version of Rolemaster.
3. David Johansen likes it.

Three is probably the biggest factor (no kidding). You see, I've never not liked any game that David has recommended and/or praised. This being the case, he's kind of my 'go to guy' for opinions on games (or editions of games) that I personally have little experience with. If David signs off on a given game, I typically make it a point to pick up that product.

shit man, I dunno what to say...

Quote from: GoOrangeOoh, I remember that one. One of the best MERP adventures published.

I don't know about the legality of it, but merp.com had virtually every MERP product ever published available for free download. Might be worth checking out if you're looking for some OOP MERP stuff.

The Legal Notices part of their website details a cease and desist letter chain from Tolkien Enterprises that forced them to take down all their ICE MERP products, so I'm guessing it wasn't quite legal. and also

Quote from: jdrakehWell, the thing is, RMC isn't nearly complete as of the present time (Creatures & Treasures is still forthcoming) and the only version of RM2 available from ICE at the present time is the ultra-expensive Limited Edition leatherbound (though, as I've said, I'm considering this latter purchase). Aside from this, I have three other reasons for leaning toward RMSS:

1. I understand that it's the best organized version of Rolemaster.
2. I know that it's the most flexible version of Rolemaster.
3. David Johansen likes it.

David Johansen aside, I'd still take RMC every time. It is now complete apart from the monsters book C&T, which is a couple of months away. You can use a copy of RM2 C&T from ebay if you're in a hurry, no conversion necessary - it's the same game. And a lot of effort was made to make RMC better organised than RM2 or RMSS.

And I'm not sure what you mean about RMSS being more flexible. If your kind of flexibility is having modifiers for gargling mouthwash, then fine. But if you want a rules-medium fantasy game that can handle pretty much anything within the implied genre, then RM2/RMC will do fine.

(Disclaimer: I was part of the RMC team for a while.)

good gaming to you,
TheShadow

Quote from: The_ShadowAnd I'm not sure what you mean about RMSS being more flexible.

It's the only version of Rolemaster specifically designed to accommodate expansion into genres other than fantasy. In many ways, it's kind of like the GURPS Basic Set or HERO FRED. Other versions/editions of Rolemaster are more like Champions or GURPS World War II (i.e., powered by the same basic system, though focused on one specific genre).

As David mentioned, this has the drawback of making RMSS somewhat inaccessible to newcomers, much as HERO FRED and the GURPS Basic Set intimidate many hobby newcomers. That said, I've tackled both several editions of HERO and the GURPS Basic Set, so I don't see RMSS posing any problems for me.