Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site rabbit.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!eagle!allegra!alice!rabbit!jj
From: jj@rabbit.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Rolemaster, initial impressions thereof.
Message-ID: <2088@rabbit.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 18-Oct-83 17:09:33 EDT
Article-I.D.: rabbit.2088
Posted: Tue Oct 18 17:09:33 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 20-Oct-83 06:31:24 EDT
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 49



I just got done reading through the whole set of
Rolemaster FRP system books.  I noticed several significant
facts:
	1)  I could read through the whole set of books in
four hours, without extensive back referencing, etc.  In addition,
I didn't wind up with linguistic madness at the end.  The way
that the books are written is clear, easily read, and easy to
understand.  <Compare that with your favorite system's DMG.>
	2)  The system seems to be quite a bit more flexible
as far as character progression, etc, is concerned.  The idea
that a skill costs effort (on a point system) and that
with enough effort a lowly fighter can cast some spells,
is attractive.
	3)  The magic system is much more reasonable, as
it groups spells of similar effects, and presumes that such
spells are extensions of each other, thus knowing one
means that you will (eventually) know all. <Given some
limits on studying, etc.>
	4)  The melee system allows active parrying, 
hand-hand combat, grappling, etc, much more gracefully than
AD&D.  In fact, allof the combat results fit nicely together,
with few (I didn't find any yet) exceptions, or seemingly
arbitrary rules.
	5)  Each character is different.  Unless the players
make an effort to develope two characters exactly the same way, the
characters will be quite different, even if they have the
same level and class.
	6)  The hit point development system is much more 
reasonable, in that no one can become invulnerable due merely
to hit points.  (Armor and abilities can help, but
there's always some chance of a hit.  It's also true
that many characters can start with 3-5 hit dice,
which means that first level characters can stick around
for a while.


We'll be trying it tomorrow night, we may post some
comments afterwards.  

<There must be someone else out there who uses this system?
Hello???  Hello???   Are you there?>

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