Rule Changes

I'm aware that Rolemaster Classic was based on 2e Rolemaster. But then then I've heard different (and not to mention read in a few places) that if all of the optional rules are used, that it comes close to RMFRP. Could someone clarify this for me?

I was planning to pick up the books, but now am hesiatant now, as my FRP books are still in good condition. Anyone who owns the books could chime in too, on the books quality, etc., and the quality of the writing (I have a problem with cased rule systems being poorly writen...).

I'm a bit confused as to what is what too to be honest. I have never been very strict in following the rule 100% anyway, homerules for the win!

I was told when I had to figure out if I wanted to buy it, that you can use both. Heck I have a mix of both 2E and RMFRP books, but I just stick to what is in the modules in FG2 and after a while I found where I could bend the ruleset and "make my own rules".

If I was you, I would just hold on to what I have and go with that.

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Originally Posted by Tiqon

I'm a bit confused as to what is what too to be honest. I have never been very strict in following the rule 100% anyway, homerules for the win!

I was told when I had to figure out if I wanted to buy it, that you can use both. Heck I have a mix of both 2E and RMFRP books, but I just stick to what is in the modules in FG2 and after a while I found where I could bend the ruleset and "make my own rules".

If I was you, I would just hold on to what I have and go with that.

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I wholeheartedly agree. I just don't want to "hose" the characters, that expect rules to be one way, and have house rules derived from a set they have never heard of. And it's kind of nice to be on the same page as everyone else.:)

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Originally Posted by S Ferguson

I'm aware that Rolemaster Classic was based on 2e Rolemaster. But then then I've heard different (and not to mention read in a few places) that if all of the optional rules are used, that it comes close to RMFRP. Could someone clarify this for me?

I was planning to pick up the books, but now am hesiatant now, as my FRP books are still in good condition. Anyone who owns the books could chime in too, on the books quality, etc., and the quality of the writing (I have a problem with cased rule systems being poorly writen...).

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I can't really speak to the FRP version, but I can to the SS (Standard System) version.

Indeed, if you use the vast majority of the optional RMC rules, you approach what RMSS (and probably RMFRP) are in mu opinion.

The one big difference is with respect to calculation of Hits and PP. In RMSS each race has a set amount that you get per rank depending on what type of magic Law your class is part of, and the amount decreases every 10 ranks, so over time there's diminishing returns (i.e. the first 10 ranks of PP Dev you might get 7 PP and ranks 11-20 you only get an extra 5).

My preferred version is RMSS, but you get pretty close with RMC using almost all the optional rules and the smoothed stat bonus extension.

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Originally Posted by S Ferguson

... I just don't want to "hose" the characters, that expect rules to be one way, and have house rules derived from a set they have never heard of. And it's kind of nice to be on the same page as everyone else.:)

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True enough, and an admirable sentiment.
I think quite a few of us could never go back to scratch, though, newplayer sense of juridical certainty be damned. I too am on the houserules ftw-team, absolutely! :)

At this point, my own HARP-Rolemaster hybrid consists of about 30% absolute homebrew (professions and magic system as well as mutations of all the remainding 70% 'book' rules of which: ) 40% is Rolemaster (mainly for the skillsystem and openended d100 system) and 30% Harp (mainly for the on the fly combat system and the spells put into my own magic system)
I'm happy with the result, and as such new players will just have to learn how we do things in my campaign... I haven't heard anyone voice complaints, as yet. (But then I am a crazed simulationist at that, so perhaps they are just scared I'll behead them...?)

In conclusion, I too could in all honesty only suggest that you go with what you've got, houserules, hybrid systems and all.
But then, 20$ isn't a lot, supposing that you haven't bought the FG RMC ruleset as yet. I'm positive the text included in FGs Rolemaster Classic is the same that you'll find in the printed books/pdfs (for your evalution), and you'll have the added value of being able to click and drag monster stats into easy view and use at a moments notice. That function alone makes it a worthwhile investment of 20$, I reckon.

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Originally Posted by JohnD

I can't really speak to the FRP version, but I can to the SS (Standard System) version.

Indeed, if you use the vast majority of the optional RMC rules, you approach what RMSS (and probably RMFRP) are in mu opinion.

The one big difference is with respect to calculation of Hits and PP. In RMSS each race has a set amount that you get per rank depending on what type of magic Law your class is part of, and the amount decreases every 10 ranks, so over time there's diminishing returns (i.e. the first 10 ranks of PP Dev you might get 7 PP and ranks 11-20 you only get an extra 5).

My preferred version is RMSS, but you get pretty close with RMC using almost all the optional rules and the smoothed stat bonus extension.

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Those rules, in pretty much that form, carried over to FRP. So are the books worth getting? Or should I stick with what I know better (2e and SS I still have a gut intuition for). I think I have a 24 or so page document that translates SS to FRP put out by the Rolemaster community. So if you can come close to SS you should be fairly close to FRP

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Originally Posted by Resonance

True enough, and an admirable sentiment.
I think quite a few of us could never go back to scratch, though, newplayer sense of juridical certainty be damned. I too am on the houserules ftw-team, absolutely! :)

At this point, my own HARP-Rolemaster hybrid consists of about 30% absolute homebrew (professions and magic system as well as mutations of all the remainding 70% 'book' rules of which: ) 40% is Rolemaster (mainly for the skillsystem and openended d100 system) and 30% Harp (mainly for the on the fly combat system and the spells put into my own magic system)
I'm happy with the result, and as such new players will just have to learn how we do things in my campaign... I haven't heard anyone voice complaints, as yet. (But then I am a crazed simulationist at that, so perhaps they are just scared I'll behead them...?)

In conclusion, I too could in all honesty only suggest that you go with what you've got, houserules, hybrid systems and all.
But then, 20$ isn't a lot, supposing that you haven't bought the FG RMC ruleset as yet. I'm positive the text included in FGs Rolemaster Classic is the same that you'll find in the printed books/pdfs (for your evalution), and you'll have the added value of being able to click and drag monster stats into easy view and use at a moments notice. That function alone makes it a worthwhile investment of 20$, I reckon.

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My goodness. a crazed simulationist! No, like you I have house rules and whatnot but have yet to implement into FG RMC. (haven't owned the ruleset long-enough). It's just if it's a question of The entire printed text extant in the software, then yes is was fantastic (however, it's also one of the harder rulesets to write extensions for :) ). I'd want my "house rules there for people to see and access, just so when I behead them, they have a dang good reason why!:D

Well, if and when you figure out how to write your own RMC extensions, be sure to leave some clues behind you as you go... Eventually, I suppose we'll all be going towards personalized house extensions of the ruleset for FG, if the software doesn't get there ahead of us (with a totally optional setup to pick, choose and modify creatively upon) :)

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Originally Posted by Resonance

Well, if and when you figure out how to write your own RMC extensions, be sure to leave some clues behind you as you go... Eventually, I suppose we'll all be going towards personalized house extensions of the ruleset for FG, if the software doesn't get there ahead of us (with a totally optional setup to pick, choose and modify creatively upon) :)

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I think the software's always going to win the race: One of Zeno's Paradoxes, I think.

I plan on making as many of the optional rules that fit into FG available as options in the RMC ruleset. I would like to hear what house rules you would like to see included so I can see if I can include options for them in the preferences. I want to make the ruleset so it enhances everyone's game instead of getting in the way of it so don't hesitate to pass on your ideas.