weasel_fierce said:
To be honest, I dont think you need to "do" anything to make MRQ work. It works, as written.
Actually, I think it
doesn't work in several key areas, namely the confusion surrounding the combat tables, and the problems with high resilience and major wounds. But these can be easily overcome with a few tweaks.
When I first read the MRQ book I was greatly disappointed with it, the lean size of the book, the lack of the complete magic system, and the addition of Legendary Abilities. It seemed overpriced for such a sparse lack of contents.
However, after playtesting the rules for various projects I slowly grew to appreciate some of the more subtle elements. I like the Opposed Test for competing skills - in my opinion, the most important mechanic in the whole rules set. I like in principle (after tweaking) the new wound levels, and the removal of total hit points. I now love the skills of Resilience and Persistence... even though I hated them at first. Even character generation is a step in the right direction.
MRQ facilitates the clear cut resolution of many different forms of contest allowing a broader range of social challenges other than simple combat.
Is MRQ as it stands flawed? Yes.
Can it be fixed? Easily!
Is it in general a good set of rules which will work like a purring engine once Loz's new
refinements are published? Yes again!
Do you need to buy 27 different Mongoose books to run Elric? No. The games contain their own copies of the core rules, and I'm sure you can select your preferred rule fixes from this forum or the wiki (or even develop your own)... there are plenty of good ones available.
Am I disappointed that Mongoose wasn't able to shoehorn the original manuscript into the final book? Of course I am. It would have been a divine gift from Arioch himself if the book contained everything originally written... rather than just an excellent book as it now stands.
Do I think Mongoose could do a better job in the future? Easily... by reducing the page border width, or failing that by adding more pages, so as to include
complete settings and give their customers a better sense of value for money. People don't want to buy systems piecemeal in dozens of thin books... they want single comprehensive core settings books which are
truly stand alone games. Make a good one and your customers will buy every single scenario pack afterwards!
Do I think that you should still buy Elric? Hell yes!!! You don't
need any other MRQ book to run it... there are rule 'fixes' on the way... and your purchase will add to the economic incentive to further the franchise.
There you go, a positive review supporting a Mongoose product. A complete reversal of my attitude towards the MRQ system which I reviled a year ago. There must be something good in it somewhere...
