RQM v Elric v BRP?

[Vortigern]

Hello!

I am currently considering investing in some d100/RQ material and am curious what the real differences in some of these interesting products are? I am brand new / unlearned in this system so I would appreciatte your advice.

Are there any regular runequest materials required ( or useful? ) for playing the Elric game?

How much of the RQ stuff is reliant upon using the Gloranthan setting?

Can anyone give me a gist of said setting?

How much of that is transferable to the Elric game? To BRP?

How compatible is BRP with either of the mongoose products? Is it a worthy addition to a collection intending on focusing/expanding into either of the mongoose lines?

What RQ/Elric materials would you recommend for someone getting into the system?

 

[Loz]

'Elric' used the RuneQuest rules and is a self-contained game; you don't need to buy the RQ rules on top (although Magic of the Young Kingdoms and the Elric Companion are useful additions).

'RuneQuest' as a rules system is also standalone. Glorantha is the default setting for RQ, but the rules themselves do not rely on you having any knowledge of Glorantha. The Glorantha books vary in how much rules-wise they contain, but there's a good mix of races, adventures and sourcebooks.

The RuneQuest line also includes Arms and Equipment, the GM's Handbook, and RQ Empires - each of which add more depth to the game, but aren't essential components for it. All these books are fully compatible with Elric/Hawkmoon/Lankhmar.

As to RQ's compatibility with BRP: absolutely. There are differences between the two systems, but the same core rules, stats and resolution systems. You can mix and match the two with ease.

 

[howardfanatic]

MRQ and BRP are not only 90% compatible, but they work very well together, with each acting easily as a "Unearthed Arcana" style sourcebook for the other.
My advice is to get both!
The biggest difference between the two systems is that MRQ does not use the Resistance Table from BRP. That said, if you can divide by 5, you can convert.

 

[AKAmra]

MRQ and BRP are very compatible, I'd go so far as to say that MRQ is simply a variation of BRP and that they are essentially the same system.

I would advise you to pick one setting that you are interested in to learn the system. It doesn't matter which setting you choose or if it's published by Mongoose or Chaosium. Elric, Call of Cthulhu, etc.

Buy into that setting and run some games to learn the system and decide if you like it. If you do find that you like the system then you'll be happy to know that you can branch out and buy into other MRQ/BRP products and mix and match to your hearts content. But, you want to build a familiarity with with the basics before you overwhelm yourself with a lot of alternate takes on the rules.

 

[Osentalka]

You can see it both ways:

MRQ is an advanced (not meaning BETTER, but developed later on) version of BRP.

But MRQ is IMHO still using the BRP engine (even if slightly altered).

If you are reading one of them and are not comfortable how the game handles a situation/game rule, have a look at the other and you might find something that serves your gaming style better.

Converting one system to the other is quite easy, just have a look at the stats and have the main rules of both systems (or the differences) in mind, and you can handle it ad hoc, without any time to prepare yourself.

If we need a setting, there are plenty of it!

MRQ:
- Glorantha
- Lankhmar
- Elric of Melnibone
- Hawkmoon
- Pirates
- Land of the Samurai
- Slaine

BRP:
- Chaosiums "Call of Cthulhu"
- Chaosiums "Stormbringer" (not longer published in that version)
- Chaosiums "Elric!" (not longer published in that version)
- Chaosiums "Hawkmoon" (not longer published in that version)
- Darcsydes "Corum" (not longer published)
- Chaosiums "Worlds of Wonder" (not longer published; replaced by BRP Rulebook)
- Chaosiums "Thieves World" (not longer published, actually a multi-stats box)
- Chaosiums "SuperWorld" (available again as PDF)
- Chaosiums "Ringworld" (not longer published)
- Chaosiums "Elfquest" (not longer published)
- Chaosiums "Nephilim" (not longer published)
- Fantasy Games Unlimiteds "Other Suns" (not longer published)
+ Chaosiums more recent published settings/campaigns

 

[Vortigern]

Thanks for all of your advice/input. Very helpful!

 

[rabindranath72]

I would also add Pendragon as a variation on the BRP theme. Actually, with its use of only two types of dice (d20 and d6) and the general simplification of many mechanics (e.g. combat) would be my preferred BRP-like system.

 

[Vortigern]

How much duplication is there between the MRQ deluxe and Elric then?

I was looking at the deluxe + spell book + arms/equipment bundle on amazon and am wondering whether I'll be double buying stuff or if these are sufficiently different yet compatible to be worth buying seperately?

 

[frogspawner]

BRP:
...
- Chaosiums "Stormbringer" (not longer published in that version)
- Chaosiums "Elric!" (not longer published in that version)
...
- Darcsydes "Corum" (not longer published)
...
- Chaosiums "Nephilim" (not longer published)
...
+ Chaosiums more recent published settings/campaigns

Actually, Corum and Nephilim are still available from Chaosium, as are several Elric/Stormbringer supplements (very cheaply). The growing number of publications supporting the new BRP Rules are well worth checking out, too... (...since it's much better than MRQ! :wink: )

PS: And, for the rest of today, they have a sale on...