A Rifts FAQ resolution book.

[Jesterzzn]

Okay, we have all seen the debates. We have argued to breathless frustration, at home and on the boards. We have resolved one problem only to see it spring up again and again with minor cosmetic changes. I say it does not have to be this way! I say that resolution can be had!

The question is simple:

If Palladium released an official supplement (not Rifter) of FAQ answers with detailed analysis, and examples of implementation, would you buy it?

These answers would be official and serve as cannon explanation to some of the most hotly disputed topics. These answers would contain as much elaboration as is possible, and would leave no doubt as to the reason for the ruling.

Lastly the book would have the stamped seal of approval from KevSim.

[Jesterzzn]

Isn't this the GM Guide?

I wish. For me the Gms guide was little more than a list of equipment and skills. So little is devoted to actual game mechanics, that its raising more questions rather than solve them.

The perfect format for me would be this:

Q: Specific question about game play.

A: Answer given in one or two concise sentences, followed by a detailed explanation and a couple examples.

Some questions may take a paragraph, others a page. As long as the description is detailed and final, I would be satisfied.

[Killer Cyborg]

Isn't this the GM Guide?

You'd think...
But it turns out that the GM's Guide is just a compilation of equipment.

Maybe the rules will be in the Equipment Guide...?

[maasenstodt]

If Palladium released an official supplement (not Rifter) of FAQ answers with detailed analysis, and examples of implementation, would you buy it?

I don't think so, unless it happened to be included in a X-Mas Bag or somesuch. It seems to me that if a game has enough errata and unanswered questions of such importance that it merits a book dedicated to them, that game is in serious need of a new edition.

I'm fond of many of Palladium's efforts, but what you're suggesting is a crutch resulting from something that's broken. I don't want to support that kind of product. It's bad form, not to mention an embarrassment.

[Zer0 Kay]

Before the GMG there were these funny things called Source Books that had some FAQs printed in them. Wonder if there going to do any more Indexes?

[Sentinel]

I'd buy it, if only to have all the answers to the questions in one place, and not have to remember which Errata or FAQ was in what book at any given time.

[Jason Richards]

That's stuff for the web, not a book, imo.

[RoadWarriorFWaNK]

i know how to run my own games.

[Dustin Fireblade]

No I wouldn't buy it. Like maasenstodt said if there's that much stuff then a new edition is needed.

And yeah I think a new edition of Rifts is needed.

[SkyeFyre]

Abso-fricken-lutely... yes I would buy it.
As far as new stupid rules go... I say scrap em and just stick to the good ol rules in the main book.

[Guest]

Isn't this the GM Guide?

You'd think...
But it turns out that the GM's Guide is just a compilation of equipment.

Maybe the rules will be in the Equipment Guide...?

An incomplete compilation at that. Several skills, weapons, and other odds and ends are actually missing from the book.

[Guest]

and the GMG had errors as well.

I think you're dreaming. wake up, wake up!

I know I wouldn't buy it unless KS name was on the cover and it states these are his rulings, since they've had so called "experts" do this before and it turned out terrible.

Sorry, I gotta reprint this:

Personally, I'd rather see Palladium hire a professional staff of editors and the most anal-retentive rules lawyers they can find to give all of their books a complete overhaul while Kevin's on at least a years vacation.

I wouldn't buy it WITH KS's name on the cover and it stated those are his rulings, unless the above is what had happened.

[drewkitty ~..~]

Why wouldn't I buy this....because it would give Rules Lawerys more riberish to throw around.

And it couldn't be a Book...it would have to be 14 three ring binders.

[Sir_Spirit]

NOt being a rules lawyer I wouldnt' buy the book.
I think that palladium deliberately writes things in an unclear fashion to allow you to decode for yourself and your games how you want to interpet the rules. So if they actually did that they would NOT be PB anynmore and would have "sold out" IMO. And thus I would leave PB forever....

[grandmaster z0b]

I may buy that book, especially if it had detailed vehicle combat rules, that were coherant and made sense, as well as complete lists of all the penalties for shooting.
I would buy a book that had several sets of complete house rules as well. Sorta like the patches you can get for computer games or software, this would have detailed notes on how to change to a 1MDC=10SDC system and the AR and PV rules, or to a 1MDC=5SDC, or an MDC-less system. It would also include various variations on bursting rules, PPE channeling (and similar magic rules) snippering etc.
At least that way we could all use rules we liked and it wouldn't be too hard to go from group to group as we could look up which kind of house rules they were using.

[PigLickJF]

I would buy a book that had several sets of complete house rules as well. Sorta like the patches you can get for computer games or software, this would have detailed notes on how to change to a 1MDC=10SDC system and the AR and PV rules, or to a 1MDC=5SDC, or an MDC-less system. It would also include various variations on bursting rules, PPE channeling (and similar magic rules) snippering etc.
At least that way we could all use rules we liked and it wouldn't be too hard to go from group to group as we could look up which kind of house rules they were using.

Isn't that sorta what the Rifter is for, though? Sure, it's not all together in one book so it's not too convenient, but it would seem a bit wierd to put something like this together when they already have an outlet for that type of stuff.

PigLick

[grandmaster z0b]

I would buy a book that had several sets of complete house rules as well. Sorta like the patches you can get for computer games or software, this would have detailed notes on how to change to a 1MDC=10SDC system and the AR and PV rules, or to a 1MDC=5SDC, or an MDC-less system. It would also include various variations on bursting rules, PPE channeling (and similar magic rules) snippering etc.
At least that way we could all use rules we liked and it wouldn't be too hard to go from group to group as we could look up which kind of house rules they were using.

Isn't that sorta what the Rifter is for, though? Sure, it's not all together in one book so it's not too convenient, but it would seem a bit wierd to put something like this together when they already have an outlet for that type of stuff.

PigLick

Yeah I can see where your coming from, and it is used in this capacity quite well sometimes. Unfortunately it's also filled with lots of info I don't use and is hard to find the rules when you need to. Well it is published by PB after all...

I actually think they could put a lot more optional/house rules in the Rifter though, only because listening to people's ideas and the way they run their games has made mine heaps better, and this would be good for those without the skills or the access to a computer.

[maasenstodt]

Why wouldn't I buy this....because it would give Rules Lawerys more riberish to throw around.

And it couldn't be a Book...it would have to be 14 three ring binders.

I was eating my breakfast when I read that and almost blew milk and chewed up corn flakes all over my keyboard. Thanks.

[maasenstodt]

Palladium could always pay several writers to make a New GM guide for Various campaign style games, Serious, Cinematic, Silly, Etc..

Now that could be pretty cool.

Of course, good luck getting Kevin to green light it...

[Scooter the Outlaw]

If Palladium released an official supplement (not Rifter) of FAQ answers with detailed analysis, and examples of implementation, would you buy it?

I don't think so, unless it happened to be included in a X-Mas Bag or somesuch. It seems to me that if a game has enough errata and unanswered questions of such importance that it merits a book dedicated to them, that game is in serious need of a new edition.

I'm fond of many of Palladium's efforts, but what you're suggesting is a crutch resulting from something that's broken. I don't want to support that kind of product. It's bad form, not to mention an embarrassment.

Full agreement. I'm tired of getting things patched up and scattered across the megaverse of books. Putting all the patches in the same place isn't going to help, especially with the "Q & A" format (which I've always hated, especially in Palladium Books). I refuse to buy any kind of rules suppliment, because I've had enough rules erratas and such crammed down my throat in other books. No thank you, sir.

The only thing I would buy is a revised Rifts main book, any maybe not that, the more I think about it. I'm quite comfortable with the way I play my games as is.

[Kalinda]

Palladium could always pay several writers to make a New GM guide for Various campaign style games, Serious, Cinematic, Silly, Etc..

Thats a VERY good idea AJ.

many of the arguments around here seem to come down to different styles of play. It would be nice to have optional rules for the different campaign styles.

[Vrykolas2k]

Isn't this the GM Guide?

No.
A friend of mine has that... thing, and it confuses as many issues than it resolves.