The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Editor's note: Don Dennis of ICE had these comments on RMFRP:
One comment in this review isn't quite accurate. This book is based on the Rolemaster Standard System, and is not really a reprint of Rolemaster 2nd edition. Rolemaster Standard System is up to 3rd edition.

Rolemaster is one of those 'love it or hate it' games out there, both it's fans and detractors call it "Chartmaster" for good reason. And, right or wrong, many people claim that this is the game spoofed in that great comic "Knights of the Dinner Table" in which the characters play "Hackmaster" and are constantly referring to one chart or another.

But, despite the jokes, Rolemaster has been around for quite some time and it seems like it will continue going strong. Iron Crown Enterprises has just released a reformatted Rolemaster rulebook in hardback aimed at attracting a new fan base.

This isn't a new edition, rather it is more of a repackaging of the 2nd edition. One of the problems earlier versions encountered was a poorly laid out book which left the impression that the reader was going through a wargame rulebook. Part of the problem lay in the fact that the people writing the rulebook were so familiar with the system that they couldn't effectively explain it. Newcomers to the system found themselves trying to understand the system with great difficulty. This printing goes out of its way to amend that situation and it actually succeeds for the most part.

Character creation is laid out in a step-by-step process streamlining the system immensely. Don't be fooled into thinking that they got rid of all the charts though! For every section in the "rules" part of the book you can expect to find a section in the appendix that has corresponding charts. However, character creation seemed far more straightforward and simple with this current printing. Experienced players will notice that fewer professions and races are presented in this book. Expanded choices will be in upcoming releases.

The other trick that the author used was to limit the power level of the game. Instead of going up to the usual 50th level, the spell lists stop at 10th level. The attack tables are also consolidated into categories like one-handed concussion and one-handed edged weapons. Those who like the additional detail of individual weapons will be able to get it in Arms Law which should be released soon.

Since this is a reprint the artwork has been recycled from the previous printing. Some of it is really nice while others look painfully amateurish.

The single greatest piece of criticism that I can offer is that the book is not clearly marked, labeled or stated within that it is a reprint of the second edition and not a substantive change. Through conversations with the author, I learned that superficial changes were made with 95% of the rules remaining the same. Close examination of the title page does provide the statement that it is a reformat, but who actually reads the fine print? Evidently this reformatting will continue down the production line as the other core books are published.

What this production cycle will bring is familiar fare to RM consumers - such as Gamemaster Law and Arms Law - with one notable change. The core book Spell Law will be divided into three books based on the realm. Separate books for Essence, Mentalism and Channeling will be published. Whether or not this is a good thing depends on your point of view, on the one hand a player who only creates mentalists won't need to purchase the other two books. However, splitting up a core book means that there is more to buy with some additional cost and hassle. Personally I would prefer to keep all of the spells under one cover, but then again I'm not calling the shots.

If you are a player or GM looking to try the Rolemaster system, but had been discouraged from previous printings this book is for you. All that you need for the first 10 levels can be found within a single volume and the new layout makes it easier to create characters. Don't be fooled into thinking that this is "Rolemaster Lite" though, the infamous charts are still there and you will be flipping back and forth. Those who already own second edition will find little use in the reformatted book, unless of course you tend to play lower level characters and want to only carry one book to the game.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Rolemaster Fantasy
Author: various Category: game Company/Publisher: Iron Crown Enterprises Line: Rolemaster Cost: 30.00 Page count: 254 ISBN: 1-55806-550-4 Capsule Review by Tomas J Skucas on 05/13/99. Genre tags: Fantasy	Editor's note: Don Dennis of ICE had these comments on RMFRP: One comment in this review isn't quite accurate. This book is based on the Rolemaster Standard System, and is not really a reprint of Rolemaster 2nd edition. Rolemaster Standard System is up to 3rd edition. Rolemaster is one of those 'love it or hate it' games out there, both it's fans and detractors call it "Chartmaster" for good reason. And, right or wrong, many people claim that this is the game spoofed in that great comic "Knights of the Dinner Table" in which the characters play "Hackmaster" and are constantly referring to one chart or another. But, despite the jokes, Rolemaster has been around for quite some time and it seems like it will continue going strong. Iron Crown Enterprises has just released a reformatted Rolemaster rulebook in hardback aimed at attracting a new fan base. This isn't a new edition, rather it is more of a repackaging of the 2nd edition. One of the problems earlier versions encountered was a poorly laid out book which left the impression that the reader was going through a wargame rulebook. Part of the problem lay in the fact that the people writing the rulebook were so familiar with the system that they couldn't effectively explain it. Newcomers to the system found themselves trying to understand the system with great difficulty. This printing goes out of its way to amend that situation and it actually succeeds for the most part. Character creation is laid out in a step-by-step process streamlining the system immensely. Don't be fooled into thinking that they got rid of all the charts though! For every section in the "rules" part of the book you can expect to find a section in the appendix that has corresponding charts. However, character creation seemed far more straightforward and simple with this current printing. Experienced players will notice that fewer professions and races are presented in this book. Expanded choices will be in upcoming releases. The other trick that the author used was to limit the power level of the game. Instead of going up to the usual 50th level, the spell lists stop at 10th level. The attack tables are also consolidated into categories like one-handed concussion and one-handed edged weapons. Those who like the additional detail of individual weapons will be able to get it in Arms Law which should be released soon. Since this is a reprint the artwork has been recycled from the previous printing. Some of it is really nice while others look painfully amateurish. The single greatest piece of criticism that I can offer is that the book is not clearly marked, labeled or stated within that it is a reprint of the second edition and not a substantive change. Through conversations with the author, I learned that superficial changes were made with 95% of the rules remaining the same. Close examination of the title page does provide the statement that it is a reformat, but who actually reads the fine print? Evidently this reformatting will continue down the production line as the other core books are published. What this production cycle will bring is familiar fare to RM consumers - such as Gamemaster Law and Arms Law - with one notable change. The core book Spell Law will be divided into three books based on the realm. Separate books for Essence, Mentalism and Channeling will be published. Whether or not this is a good thing depends on your point of view, on the one hand a player who only creates mentalists won't need to purchase the other two books. However, splitting up a core book means that there is more to buy with some additional cost and hassle. Personally I would prefer to keep all of the spells under one cover, but then again I'm not calling the shots. If you are a player or GM looking to try the Rolemaster system, but had been discouraged from previous printings this book is for you. All that you need for the first 10 levels can be found within a single volume and the new layout makes it easier to create characters. Don't be fooled into thinking that this is "Rolemaster Lite" though, the infamous charts are still there and you will be flipping back and forth. Those who already own second edition will find little use in the reformatted book, unless of course you tend to play lower level characters and want to only carry one book to the game. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Rolemaster Fantasy