Where can I get the game rules?

[Anthallas]

Hi.

I used to play ACTA in 2006 and 2007, and would like to get back to it. Now it seems that the mgp B5 license has expired and you cannot get even the rules anywhere? Is this correct or can I still buy the 2ed rules somewhere? (other than getting lucky on ebay or something).


I have the sky full of stars rules, so if there is somekind rules summary or reference sheet somewhere for the second edition, that might help me get playing atleast somehow...

 

[Burger]

They are out of print, you'll have to try eBay or asking on these forums

 

[AdrianH]

And, since Burger has declined to advertise his own site, I'll point out that you can see all ship stats to 2nd Edition or Powers & Principalities standards on his Ship Viewer:
http://www.ibisfightclub.co.uk/

 

[Burger]

True but that's fairly useless without the rules

If you only have SFOS, you don't have a playable game since SFOS requires 1st edition rules to play. SFOS (and Armageddon) is made obsolete by 2nd edition rules.

 

[Anthallas]

Yes, I remember Burgers ship viewer from when I still played.

Still, there are many changes to basic rules since sky full of stars (as you of course know) I am in need of the basic rules in some form.

Are you guys implying that practicaly only way to get them is that some more experienced player teaches them to me?

 

[Burger]

The best way to get the rules would be eBay, or hanging around forums, or borrowing a friend's books.

 

[Greg Smith]

Try searching online shops and local games stores.

Infinity Games has it: http://www.iguk.co.uk/SearchResults.aspx?_ctl0%3AMenu1%3AtxtSearch=babylon+5

Leisure Games: http://www.leisuregames.com/cgi-bin/ss000001.pl?SS=babylon+5&PR=-1&TB=A&SHOP=

In the US Noble Knight: http://www.nobleknight.com/ViewProducts.asp_Q_ProductLineID_E_2137421460_A_ManufacturerID_E_617212936_A_CategoryID_E_5_A_GenreID_E_

 

[Anthallas]

Infinity Games is out of stock, Leisure games doesn't give stock information, so I might get lucky there (but I kinda doubt it). Noble Knight seems to have only the fleet lists, that I don't need.

 

[nightshade]

I generally see a couple copies of the rules in ebay stores. P&P much less often.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BABYLON-5-A-CALL-TO-ARMS-2ND-ED_W0QQitemZ370241891758QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item563422edae&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_1554wt_845

http://cgi.ebay.com/BABYLON-5-A-CALL-TO-ARMS-2ND-ED_W0QQitemZ310160489750QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4837017d16&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_2464wt_1071

 

[Greg Smith]

Infinity Games is out of stock, Leisure games doesn't give stock information, so I might get lucky there (but I kinda doubt it). Noble Knight seems to have only the fleet lists, that I don't need.

The fleet lists do contain special rules for fleets, so you may want to consider it.

If Leisure Games has it on their site, it is in stock as far as I know.

Are you in the UK? If so:

http://www.spiritgames.co.uk/results.php?search=call+to+arms In stock

http://www.waylandsforge.co.uk/html/catalogue/wayland_minwar_list.asp#MongoosexPublishing They have Rules, Fleet book and P&P listed.

 

[Burger]

Fleet lists also contain refits and other duties, as well as special rules, fleet-specific special actions, and abilities and background. Ship viewers (intentionally) don't contain all the information from the fleet book

 

[Anthallas]

I am in Finland, so those that only do business in UK are beyond my reach. Altough I would guess that many would send atleast inside EU.

I have sent queries to some of mentioned places asking if the actually have the books in stock. P & P I can probaly get from Amazon.

 

[basaint]

Stumbled on this one-

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Arts-Game-Store/items/item.aspx?itemid=10529484

 

[Anthallas]

Ok, a friend managed to order all three from spiritgames. It seems they had only one copy of rules and fleet lists in stock, because now both are out.

Anyway, all and all, this is a ridiculous situation. These rules are soon similiar to old games that are now abandonware (available only to download illegally). I hope that the rules will be made more readily available in the future.

 

[Myrm]

Infinity Games is out of stock, Leisure games doesn't give stock information,

Leisure games either say out of stock or they have some. I got Powers and Principalities from them a coupla weeks ago - so after the game went OOP officially.

 

[GhostRecon]

Amazon is selling the P&P and the 2E Fleet Book, while listing the 2E Rule Book as temporarily out of stock:

http://www.amazon.com/Powers-Principalities-Babylon-Mongoose-Publishing/dp/1906103941/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1250033061&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Babylon-Call-Arms-Fleet-Book/dp/1905850646/ref=pd_sim_b_7

http://www.amazon.com/Babylon-Call-Arms-Main-Rulebook/dp/1905850638/ref=pd_sim_b_1

 

[sidewinder]

I'm in Fresno, CA and my local store has a few of each book left. No P&P books though. The owner only ordered 2 and me and him took em.

www.2nd-dimensioncomicsandgames.com

 

[Right Hand of God]

I have 2 copies of the fleet lists and the rules book I would be happy to sell you one of each if you want to pm me

 

[H]

so then, um, legally yeah. If I owned a book, I could give someone the book without breaching copyright or anything.
Now what happens if somoene owns the PDF, and "gives" it to someone? if they deleted it, surely it would be like the book scenario, if they shared it then yeah, I'm sure it's a violation. But on the basis that the game is gone, and the rules out of print, then what does it matter.

I appreciate I may now be accused of Pirating rules copies, which incidentally I am not, I'm mostly curious as to how it works. indeed it is "possibly" in the best interest of Mongoose for the rules to continue in circulation prior to any CTA new setting release, as it keeps people interested?

on this basis, Mongoose could continue selling the rules on the website by removing B5 references and images with generic stuff? of course the issue with ship stats is still there for the fleet book.

 

[ubersnug]

As a random curiosity, has anyone got the hardback version of the fleet lists and the main rules that are in good condition and would be willing to sell?