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From: ralph@inuxc.UUCP (Ralph Keyser)
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Runequest - Try It!
Message-ID: <914@inuxc.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 16-Feb-84 17:04:17 EST
Article-I.D.: inuxc.914
Posted: Thu Feb 16 17:04:17 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 18-Feb-84 01:17:06 EST
Organization: AT&T Consumer Products Div., Indianapolis
Lines: 42


   Runequest is different from D&D. It is cleaner, simpler, and more
elegant. The rules allow you, the player, to customize your character 
in any direction you wish. You might think that would make life easier, 
but it actually takes more role playing to make it work. 
   Your character in RQ is open for development. There are no rules
that say you are a thief, therefore you can do this, but not this
over here. You have skills to deal with, not artificial classes.
Most people drift into being a fighter because it is easiest.
(Let's face it, fighters are easiest in D&D too) If you want to be a thief,
then be a thief. You must learn to play your character like a thief.
You must concentrate your time and money into learning to climb walls, 
move silently, pick locks, and etc. If you do that, you are going to 
have no time to learn to fight well, you will not be able to wear heavy 
(and noisy) armor, and you *must* not fight. If you fight something, 
your odds of dying are very high. But the direction of your character
is your choice. You, not the rules, decide what you are going to be
good at, and it is up to you to play that way.
   As for magic, Runequest is a magic poor world. D&D is a magic rich
world. Comparing them is an apples and oranges operation. In D&D 
a character is often made by the items he/she has. These items keep 
you alive, and *everybody* has them. In RQ your character's wits 
and skills keep you from the void. Magical items are few and far 
between, and they take on true value.
   The combat system is where RQ really shines. It is simple enough
to be playable, yet it captures the "feel" of hand to hand combat.
You have the ability to parry the blow of your opponent or have your
own blow find a weak point in his armor. Fighting can wear you down,
as you lose the use of an arm or leg your situation becomes more 
desperate. Numbers are important, and tactical strategy can be used to 
good effect in RQ. Anytime you outnumber the bad guys, you have an edge.
Armor will not stop a blow from landing, but it will make the blow
hurt less if it does land.
   I play both AD&D and RQ these days, and I like them both for various
reasons. Runequest is a very playable system, and an excellent addition
to the realm of role playing games. I would strongly recommend it to
anyone who enjoys fantasy. After all, the book (just one) is only about
$12. A bargain compared to the buy-in cost of D&D.

				Ralph Keyser
				AT&T Consumer Products
				...!inuxc!ralph