Looking to Start

[Ronin84]

Ok

I have two teenagers who have been playing rpg's for four years and I have an 11 year old who has been playing for two. I would appreciate some suggestions on how to start off a game with them....I'm not worried about them learning new systems but just the setting and I am looking for a few nice hooks.

I have the UE version of the book and I am not unwilling to spend for a few others if needed...but I just want them to experience the system.

Thanks in advance!

[Tinker Dragoon]

A slightly related topic: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=143977

[dragonfett]

WOW, a thread that I started is suggested to someone else! I am so honored! LOL!

Ok, so now that my excitement has toned down, do you have any ideas on where in the setting you want to play (Dino Swamp, Federation of Magic, New West).

I personally love the New West setting book. Lots of space to roam, lots of freedom, plenty of scavenging to do, and unless you are a wanted criminal of the CS, you don't have to constantly worry about bumping into Dead Boys every time you turn around (I was also stationed in the Southwest, so that also helps my love with the book). There is no need to mention prostitutes. I had started the thread mainly to ask for help on how to deal with combat with MD weapons when it can easily vaporize an unarmored part of most creatures bodies. There are some good tips in that thread.

[Ronin84]

WOW, a thread that I started is suggested to someone else! I am so honored! LOL!

Ok, so now that my excitement has toned down, do you have any ideas on where in the setting you want to play (Dino Swamp, Federation of Magic, New West).

I personally love the New West setting book. Lots of space to roam, lots of freedom, plenty of scavenging to do, and unless you are a wanted criminal of the CS, you don't have to constantly worry about bumping into Dead Boys every time you turn around (I was also stationed in the Southwest, so that also helps my love with the book). There is no need to mention prostitutes. I had started the thread mainly to ask for help on how to deal with combat with MD weapons when it can easily vaporize an unarmored part of most creatures bodies. There are some good tips in that thread.

I read through that and did find some interesting ideas, we live in the suburbs of Chicago and I thought it would be neat to start around there. I was thinking based upon our conversations, my one son wants to play a CS Military Specialist and another a Dog Boy...what I am confused about rules wise is if and when the CS MS stops being a CS MS and maybe picks up Wilderness Scout or something....

[Bill]

Regardless of many powerful NPCs having multiple classes, Rifts hasn't got any specific rules for multiclassing. I think you can kind of tease some out of the Juicer detox rules though, or you can make up your own. There are some canonical dual class rules in Palladium Fantasy <edit>they're actually on the Cutting Room Floor</edit>, if you want to diversify into other worlds.

Of course it's not really necessary. In Palladium games, characters are assumed to progress in a class independent of any organization. Benefits like rank aren't usually tied to character level, so the character is just picking up skills.

As for story ideas, turn to almost any page at random and read. Look for loose threads and dropped hints. Pick up what you like and ignore what you don't. Rifts is one of the most imaginative games I've ever encountered, and if you keep an open mind stories will present themselves. It's what keeps me coming back.

[dragonfett]

WOW, a thread that I started is suggested to someone else! I am so honored! LOL!

Ok, so now that my excitement has toned down, do you have any ideas on where in the setting you want to play (Dino Swamp, Federation of Magic, New West).

I personally love the New West setting book. Lots of space to roam, lots of freedom, plenty of scavenging to do, and unless you are a wanted criminal of the CS, you don't have to constantly worry about bumping into Dead Boys every time you turn around (I was also stationed in the Southwest, so that also helps my love with the book). There is no need to mention prostitutes. I had started the thread mainly to ask for help on how to deal with combat with MD weapons when it can easily vaporize an unarmored part of most creatures bodies. There are some good tips in that thread.

I read through that and did find some interesting ideas, we live in the suburbs of Chicago and I thought it would be neat to start around there. I was thinking based upon our conversations, my one son wants to play a CS Military Specialist and another a Dog Boy...what I am confused about rules wise is if and when the CS MS stops being a CS MS and maybe picks up Wilderness Scout or something....

Just because someone plays a Coalition Military Specialist who deserts/leaves the Coalition doesn't mean that the character has to gaining levels as a Military Specialist. Not to mention a Military Specialist has access to all the right skills to be a Wilderness Scout, but has superior training in combat.

[Nightmask]

WOW, a thread that I started is suggested to someone else! I am so honored! LOL!

Ok, so now that my excitement has toned down, do you have any ideas on where in the setting you want to play (Dino Swamp, Federation of Magic, New West).

I personally love the New West setting book. Lots of space to roam, lots of freedom, plenty of scavenging to do, and unless you are a wanted criminal of the CS, you don't have to constantly worry about bumping into Dead Boys every time you turn around (I was also stationed in the Southwest, so that also helps my love with the book). There is no need to mention prostitutes. I had started the thread mainly to ask for help on how to deal with combat with MD weapons when it can easily vaporize an unarmored part of most creatures bodies. There are some good tips in that thread.

I read through that and did find some interesting ideas, we live in the suburbs of Chicago and I thought it would be neat to start around there. I was thinking based upon our conversations, my one son wants to play a CS Military Specialist and another a Dog Boy...what I am confused about rules wise is if and when the CS MS stops being a CS MS and maybe picks up Wilderness Scout or something....

Just because someone plays a Coalition Military Specialist who deserts/leaves the Coalition doesn't mean that the character has to gaining levels as a Military Specialist. Not to mention a Military Specialist has access to all the right skills to be a Wilderness Scout, but has superior training in combat.

It really does though, you don't stop being a Coalition Military Specialist OCC even if you leave the CS for some reason, and you still level up as one unless your GM has a house rule that lets you change to another class (for those that don't consider the multi-class rules given as errata as applying to Rifts).

[dragonfett]

WOW, a thread that I started is suggested to someone else! I am so honored! LOL!

Ok, so now that my excitement has toned down, do you have any ideas on where in the setting you want to play (Dino Swamp, Federation of Magic, New West).

I personally love the New West setting book. Lots of space to roam, lots of freedom, plenty of scavenging to do, and unless you are a wanted criminal of the CS, you don't have to constantly worry about bumping into Dead Boys every time you turn around (I was also stationed in the Southwest, so that also helps my love with the book). There is no need to mention prostitutes. I had started the thread mainly to ask for help on how to deal with combat with MD weapons when it can easily vaporize an unarmored part of most creatures bodies. There are some good tips in that thread.

I read through that and did find some interesting ideas, we live in the suburbs of Chicago and I thought it would be neat to start around there. I was thinking based upon our conversations, my one son wants to play a CS Military Specialist and another a Dog Boy...what I am confused about rules wise is if and when the CS MS stops being a CS MS and maybe picks up Wilderness Scout or something....

Just because someone plays a Coalition Military Specialist who deserts/leaves the Coalition doesn't mean that the character has to gaining levels as a Military Specialist. Not to mention a Military Specialist has access to all the right skills to be a Wilderness Scout, but has superior training in combat.

It really does though, you don't stop being a Coalition Military Specialist OCC even if you leave the CS for some reason, and you still level up as one unless your GM has a house rule that lets you change to another class (for those that don't consider the multi-class rules given as errata as applying to Rifts).

Thank you Nightmask for saying what I just said in a simpler and easier to understand way. I was a bit rushed earlier and didn't have time to think about how to reword what I had said.

[Blue_Lion]

I normally run new people to rifts threw the Archie 3 in rifts source book 1. If your group is mostly CS you could also Run a CS military unit threw the SOT series. Or they could go on a campaign into FOM. CS games can be fun but they are not every ones cup of tea, you could alternate from CS based campaign and other north American factions campaign to develop a group with a wider understanding of all that rifts has to offer.