Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site inuxc.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!houxm!ihnp4!inuxc!ralph 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