Elric rpg vs RQ2 Elric RPG.

[danskmacabre]

So a couple of years ago I bought the Mongoose Elric RPG (and a few source books) and now I see there's a new version which you need RQ2 to get, then the Elric addon.

How different is the Elric RPG (the Mongoose one published a few years back) from the RQ2 version?

I'm quite keen on running an Elric game, but I don't want to have to rebuy everything.
But after saying that, there's some of the new sourcebooks that look nice.
Is the Mongoose Ellric rpg ( the standalone one) similar enough to do be able to buy the new sourcebooks and not have to do lots of conversions?

 

[Mugen]

In my opinion, the MRQ2 version of Elric of Melniboné is not very interesting for you, as it is basically a compilation of the first edition rules, updated for MRQ2.

 

[danskmacabre]

Oh ok, so I can get the Elric RQ2 expansion material and it'll work just fine with my edition?

 

[Da Boss]

Hi As someone who has pretty much all versions I had the same dilema

The new versions has several good points and couple of bad points IMO

Good
It does update (as you would expect) the whole thing to RQ2 - in particular char gen and magic use which are very different. It adds a few more racecs from Moorcoks work - Karasim, Na'ane, Pukwadi
The Magic system is quite intriguing and an evolutionof previous editions
It brings in Passions which can be helpful to player and GM when building characyers/adventures. These are optional and provide a measure of two of the characters loves/hates.
It does cover the background very well and has a small but good chapter on Alternative eras to adventure in - including non canon one.
There are some good bits on races such as the Dhazi - which flesh them out more than before.
Its a much better book than the RQ1 version.

Bad
You need to have RQ2 basic book - which is expensive
Its imo nice but expensive - the art work ranges from fairly evocative (if not to my taste) to basic and is sparse but thats true of most Mongoose products.
layout - especially in creature bits is a bit haphazard
The standard slection of creatures includes things that are fairly useless for "normal" campaigns - buts thats always been the case.

In summary - its very nice and useful but not at all essential.

One other thing worth noting is that MGP were selling off ALOT of their old Elric books via ebay - some very good bargins to be had - which I did

 

[danskmacabre]

Thanks for the info.
I think I'll stick with what I have, I don't really feel like spending lots of money on core books just for the sake of being able to use the new Elric book.

 

[havercake lad]

The new Elric Book core book featured the lands of the Unknown East in its contents which you needed the Elric Companion for in the previous series.

 

[danskmacabre]

The new Elric Book core book featured the lands of the Unknown East in its contents which you needed the Elric Companion for in the previous series.

I already have the Elric companion from the first edition. So it looks like I'm covered.
I also have "Bright shadows", "Cults of the young kingdoms" and "Magic of the young kingdoms"
So really I don't need to buy anything else.

I noticed a couple of books for the new system I might like, but they're not essential.
As long as I can more or less convert them back I'll be happy enough.

It IS a bit irritating though that they went to a new version so quickly, but it's not like my original edition books will stop working or anything though

 

[Da Boss]

Quite right

I am working out which bits of which system to use in my own version Stormbringer.

 

[danskmacabre]

I have to say the version I enjoyed the most was the 1st Edition boxed set many years ago.
I actually bought that when it first came out, it was deadly and a real laugh to play and run.
Also it was very easy to learn and very quick combat.

The 1st Ed Mongoose edition sort of reminds me of that (although it is somewhat less deadly), as it brought back demons and stuff, which earlier editions removed.

 

[danskmacabre]

Hi again, sorry to resurrect this thread again, but I have a question that is related to this thread and I don't want to have to reiterate some of the information.

I'm sorta tempted to get RQ2. One thing about this RQ1 version of Elric, is the rules aren't formatted very well. Everything just seems to have been put all over the place and it feels somewhat haphazard, altohugh I love the system now I've run it more.

Is the RQ2 version better organised?
If I get the RQ2 rules and say the Elric MRQ2 rules book, will I need to rebuy Magic of the Young Kingdoms?

 

[Loz]

Is the RQ2 version better organised?
If I get the RQ2 rules and say the Elric MRQ2 rules book, will I need to rebuy Magic of the Young Kingdoms?

RQII is far better organised and a far better game system all round.

If you do invest in Elric II you categorically won't need to rebuy Magic of the YK. I've integrated all the key parts of MotYK into the core Elric rules and expanded dream and spirit magic to ensure maximum RQII compatibility.

I can understand your reticence about spending more money on Elric, but the new editions are more than just rehashes: they do contain a great deal of new material and are far closer to the version of Elric I wanted to release in the first place.

 

[danskmacabre]

what about "Cults of the young kingdoms", "Bright shadows" and "Elric companion". I have all these.
Are these RQ1 versions compatible with the RQ2 versions?

 

[Loz]

Yep, all compatible.

Cults has about eight or nine additional cults in there not featured in the original version.

 

[danskmacabre]

That's great news
Well, I'll most likely grab the RQ2 core book and the new Elric book at some stage soon.
Thanks for the answers.

 

[Puck2099]

Hello,

I'm an old Stormbringer player and I would like to update to new RQII Elric of Melnibone.

I have just ordered the following books: RuneQuest II, Elric of Melnibone (RuneQuest II) and Cults of the Young Kingdoms (RuneQuest 2 Elric of Melnibone).

I've seen that there are several books of previous RQI Elric of Melnibone so I would like to know if some of them are included in the ones published nowadays for RQII and if any of them is recommended to buy in order to play with the actual edition or it would be better to wait for the updated version.

Thanks a lot and sorry for my bad English.

 

[Loz]

Hi Puck,

The Elric Companion and large parts of Magic of the YK are worked into the core rules, so neither of those books will be of any benefit. Cults of the YKII also fully updates the previous edition.

'Bright Shadows' has excellent info on Melnibone and 'Dream Realms' offers some interesting info on plane hopping, plus a description of Tanelorn, so these may be of interest.

 

[Puck2099]

Thanks Loz

And what about Arms & Equipment, Monster Coliseum and Necromantic Arts? Are they useful and suitable to Young Kingdoms' environment?

Thanks again.

 

[Loz]

Yes - all three have their uses. They're not specifically YK, but you'll find useful material in there nevertheless.

 

[danskmacabre]

I'll be buying the Monster Coliseum, as there's not that many monsters in the Elric book, just some specific to the Young Kingdoms.

The Equipment book is going for £10, so I'll probably grab that too.

I might grab the Necromantic arts book sometime, but I have plenty of material already, Rune magic, summoning, dreamtheft etc is plenty for now.
Maybe later when I want to add some more stuff.
I think I have the MRQ1 version of necromancy in a sourcebook somewhere, I think an Elric specific one, I might be able to adapt that.

 

[Puck2099]

Thanks for your answers.

I finally bought yesterday on Mongoose's online store Arms & Equipment, Cities of the Young Kingdoms 1: The South, Elric of Melnibone Games Master's Screen, Dream Realms and RuneQuest Monsters (I know it is for RQ I, but it was very cheap and I suppose I could adapt it without much effort).

The weird thing is that I received and email from Paypal confirming my transaction, but I haven't received any email from Mongoose confirming my order...

Regards