Version 4.00: September 1, 2002
I've been playing Palladium games for over 14 years, and now I'm keeper of the flame. I had the fortune of playing a Palladium game for the first time under Kevin S. himself, at one of his last appearances as a convention GM (Marcon 23, I believe). Since then, I've written hundreds of pages for the games (Thousands, if you count my Robotech fanfic that started out as an RPG campaign), and gone on to be a convention GM as well, including several years at Gen Con. My hopes of getting published by Palladium have finally come true, with my ABP-Z4 design in The Rifter #5, and I can only hope that this is just the beginning.
Notes:
1. The FAQ is normally posted in multiple parts on the Palladium list. I'm looking for someone interested in propagating it to the PFRPG list.
2. The FAQ was originally written in WordPerfect, starting originally with 6.0, and progressing through 7.0 and now, 8.0.
3. Whenever you see text in brackets [] in the FAQ, they often denote little editorial comments by Robotechie, that I've not taken out.
Stan Bundy: FAQ slave/editor, Night Owl, and general loser. He can be reached at sbundy@kih.net (provided the mail server doesn't crash again).
Brian Myers: Writer of most of the individual RPG header descriptions, and compiler of the mutant animal list.
RoboTechie (Robert Mc Daniel): Editor Emeritus.
Dustin Ramsey: Former keeper of the HTML version of the FAQ, and major contributor.
Arch Mage Hadrian (Rodney Stott):
The following people also helped contribute to this FAQ. For the most part, I have no idea which contributions were theirs.
Jason G. Aults Wayne Braden Jim Cannon Colin Cashman Cyr Kithra Brad Knowles Raymond Saulnier Sony Triplett sddey@acs.ucalgary.ca Tom Potts (The Yak God) Ronald Young Shawn Merrow Peapod Elf J.W. Rommell Cyclone Necromancer Bob Damien Darkstrom
[ALWAYS under construction.]
New and Improved items:
Section 0: Glossary
A separate file, appended to the end (WP version), or linked here in the HTML version.
Section 1: General Non-Game-Mechanics Questions
1.01. What is Palladium Books?
1.02. What products has Palladium Books published thus far? UPDATED!
1 03. What products are due to be released in the near future? UPDATED!
1.04. Why is Palladium always release items long after their announced release dates?
1.05. Who writes for/works for Palladium Books?
1.06. What is Palladium's mailing address?
1.07. What is the history of Palladium Books?
1.08. What other media (books, movies, etc.) is Palladium Books involved in?
1.09. What is THE RIFTER?
1.10. What was the "Palladium vs. Wizards of the Coast" lawsuit all about?
1.11. Is it true that Kevin threatened to sue any gaming magazines that published material for Palladium games?
1.12. I have this neat idea for a Palladium game sourcebook. What are the chances of getting it published?
Section 2: General Game Mechanics Questions
2.01. The Great M.D.C. Debate. A short analysis and warning.
2.02. How many attacks per melee does a starting character have? UPDATED!
2.03. Why are Rifts robots so much more powerful than Robotech mecha?
2.04. Why can some R.C.C.s have a O.C.C. and others can't?
2.05. How do I roll attributes and bonus dice?
2.06. What does "Standard" rate of fire mean anyway?
2.07. How Does Mini-Missile Guidance work? The different RPGs conflict!
2.08. Why should I be worried about falls? Won't my armor protect me?
2.09. What’s with all these rule changes? They’re slowing down combat!
2.10. What you mean, save vs. Pain? or Wards? What is the full list of saving throw types for Palladium?
Section 3: The Palladium Fantasy RPG
3.01. What is the Palladium RPG?
3.02. What changes are there between the 1st and the 2nd editions?
3.03. How do you handle characters who switch classes?
3.04. Whatever happened to those little pamphlet supplements for weapons, castles, etc.? UPDATED!
3.05. What is the "sexual deviations" table?
3.06. How do I handle P.B. for Changelings?
Section 4: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & After the Bomb
4.01. What is the After the Bomb RPG? UPDATED!
4.02. Where do I find X mutant animal? UPDATED!
4.03. Why did Palladium drop the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles license? What happened to the planned Second Edition? NEW!
Section 5: The Anime-Based Games: Robotech & Macross II
5.01. What is the Robotech RPG?
5.02. What discrepancies are there between the RPG and the series?
5.03. What is Macross II? Is it a sequel to Robotech?
5.04. Why were the licenses dropped? Updated!
Section 6: Heroes Unlimited
6.01. What is Heroes Unlimited?
6.02. What are the changes from 1st/Revised edition to 2nd Edition HU?
6.03. What was "The Justice Machine" supplement?
6.04. What changed in Aliens Unlimited from its original to "revised"? (i)
Section 7: Ninjas and Superspies
7.01. What is Ninjas and Superspies?
7.02. What changes were made to the revised edition?
7.03. Where is Mystic China supplement?
Section 8: Beyond The Supernatural
8.01. What is Beyond The Supernatural?
8.02. Whatever happened to all the announced but never published supplements?
8.03. I've got some questions about the first printing? Some things are confusing or missing.
Section 9: Rifts
9.01. What is Rifts?
9.02. Is Beyond the Supernatural REALLY the past of Rifts Earth?
9.03. Where are the stats for Victor Lazlo in Rifts World Book Four: Africa?
9.04. What are Universal Credits exactly?
9.05. What are the prices for vibro-blades and the neural mace?
9.06. How much does railgun ammo cost?
9.07. How do you Trade/Barter for goods?
9.08. What books are the core books necessary to play?/What books are good?
9.09. What do you mean "micro-fission reactors?" That's crazy!
Section 10: Nightbane
10.01. What is Nightbane?
10.02. Wasn't Nightbane originally called Nightspawn? What happened?
Section 11: The Mechanoids
11.01. What is The Mechanoids?
11.02. When is the Mechanoids RPG going to be reprinted?
11.03. What were the Mechanoids comics?
Section 12: Recon
12.01. What is Recon?
12.02. When is Recon going to be reprinted? UPDATED!
Section 13: Systems Failure
13.01. What is Systems Failure?
Section 14: Miscellaneous Stuff
14.01. What was "The Magic of Palladium Books"?
14.02. What was "Valley of the Pharaohs"?
14.03. What was "Rifts Manhunter"?
Section 15: The 'Net
15.01. What mailing lists are there for Palladium RPGs?
15.02. What online resources are there for Palladium RPGs?
15.03. What newsgroups/message boards are there for Palladium RPGs?
15.04. Does Palladium have an e-mail address?
15.05. Does Palladium have a place to ask about rules questions?
Section 16: Miscellaneous
16.01. Recommended Reading/Viewing/Listening
16.02. About the Author.
(Follow This Link)
1.01. What is Palladium Books?
Palladium Books is a Role Playing Games company which was started in 1980 by Kevin Siembieda for the purpose of publishing his first RPG, a fantasy game called The Palladium RPG, from which the company derives its name. It was very successful and pioneered many innovations that today dominate the gaming industry (not the least of which being its format). Palladium went on to publish many more games in the 1980s, including the lucrative Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Robotech lines of licensed RPGs.
In 1990, Palladium Books published Rifts, Palladium's landmark post-apocalyptic game designed to tie all the concepts created in previous games together. It has since become the centerpiece of the Palladium world, and a huge commercial success, spawning over 40 source books as of its 10th anniversary in 2000.
1.02. What products has Palladium Books published thus far?
Product Name Catalog Cost I.S.B.N.
# (US $)
=============================================================================
The Rifter (100-series) Source Book/Magazine series
------------------
The Rifter #1 101 $7.95 1-57457-009-9
The Rifter #2 102 $7.95 1-57457-012-9
The Rifter #3 103 $7.95 1-57457-013-7
The Rifter #4 104 $7.95 1-57457-014-5
The Rifter #5 105 $7.95 1-57457-020-X
The Rifter #6 106 $7.95 1-57457-024-2
The Rifter #7 107 $7.95 1-57457-033-1
The Rifter #8 108 $7.95 1-57457-036-6
The Rifter #9 109 $7.95 1-57457-037-4
The Rifter #9 ½ 095 $7.95 1-57457-042-0
The Rifter #10 110 $7.95 1-57457-039-0
The Rifter #11 111 $7.95 1-57457-043-9
The Rifter #12 112 $7.95 1-57457-044-7
The Rifter #13 113 $7.95 1-57457-048-X
The Rifter #14 114 $7.95 1-57457-049-8
The Rifter #15 115 $7.95 1-57457-056-0
The Rifter #16 116 $7.95 1-57457-057-9
The Rifter #17 117 $7.95 1-57457-070-6
The Rifter #18 118 $7.95 1-57457-071-4
The Rifter #19 119 $7.95 1-57457-???-?
The Rifter #20 120 $7.95 1-57457-???-?
Release Date: October 7, 2002
"200-series" books
------------------
Valley of the Pharaohs (Book) ** (1) 200? $ 8.00 0-916211-??-?
Valley of the Pharaohs (Boxed Set) ** (1) 200? $12.00 0-916211-??-?
Rifts Novels (300-series)
------------------
Rifts Novel #1: Sonic Boom 301 $7.95 1-57457-026-9
Rifts Novel #2: Deception's Web 302 $7.95 1-57457-029-3
Rifts Novel #3: Treacherous Awakenings 303 $7.95 1-57457-032-3
"400-series" - The Mechanoids
--------------
The Mechanoid Invasion ** 400 $3.95 ?
The Mechanoid Invasion Book 2: The Journey ** 402 $4.95 ?
The Mechanoid Invasion Book 3: Homeworld ** 403 $7.50 ?
The Mechanoids RPG * 400 $14.95 0-916211-13-4
The Mechanoids Special Edition (10) 400 $19.95 1-57457-021-8
Mechanoids Space 320? $24.95 ?
Release Date: December, 2002 or early 2003
"Palladium Book" / Compendium series
-----------------------------------
PB Note: These were originally Catalog #404-410 when released in the 80s. No
idea if the ISBN numbers have changed with the re-release.
Palladium Book of Weapons and Armor 401 $7.95 0-916211-07-X?
Palladium Book of Weapons and Castles 402 $7.95 0-916211-??-?
Palladium Book of Weapons and Assassins 403 $7.95 0-916211-03-7?
Weapons and Castles of the Orient 404 $7.95 0-916211-02-9?
Palladium Book of Contemporary Weapons * 408 $5.95 0-916211-01-0?
Palladium Book of Exotic Weapons * 409 $5.95 0-916211-06-1?
Palladium Book of European Castles * 410 $5.95 0-916211-11-8?
The Compendium of Weapons, Armor, & Castles 411 $19.95 0-916211-38-X
The Compendium of Contemporary Weapons 415 $19.95 0-916211-65-7
"450-series" -- The Palladium RPG: List of Original Edition Books
---------------------------------
The Palladium Role-Playing Game * (1) N.A. $19.95 N.A.
The Palladium Role-Playing Game (Revised) * 450 $19.95 0-916211-04-5
The Arms of Nargash-Tor ** 451 $4.95 0-916211-00-2
Game Masters Shield ** (1) 452 $3.95 N.A.
PFRPG Book II: Old Ones * 453 $14.95 0-916211-09-6
Monsters and Animals * 454 $14.95 0-916211-12-6
Monsters & Animals (Revised)* 454 $14.95? 0-916211-12-6
PFRPG Book III: Adventures on the High Seas* 455 $14.95 0-916211-17-7
PFRPG Book IV: Adventures in the N. Wilderness*456 $9.95 0-916211-39-8
PFRPG Book V: Further Adventures in the N.W.* 457 $7.95 0-916211-40-1
PFRPG Book VI: Island at the Edge o/t World 458 $15.95 0-916211-61-4
Palladium RPG Book VII: Yin-Sloth Jungles 459 $15.95 0-916211-81-9
"450-series" -- The Palladium RPG: List of Second Edition Books
---------------------------------
The Palladium Role-Playing Game 2nd Edition(2) 450 $24.95 0-916211-91-6
The Palladium Role-Playing Game Crimson Ed.(8) 4500 $40.00 N.A.
Dragons and Gods 451 $19.95 0-916211-98-3
PFRPG Book II: Old Ones, 2nd Edition 453 $16.95 0-916211-09-6
Monsters & Animals, 2nd Edition 454 $16.95 0-916211-12-6
PFRPG Book III: Ad. on the High Seas, 2nd Ed. 455 $16.95 0-916211-17-7
PFRPG Book IV: Northern Wilderness 2nd ed. ??? $21.95 ?-??????-??-?
Release Date: November, 2002 - Combines & Revises Original Books 4 & 5.
Palladium RPG Book VIII: The Western Empire 462 $20.95 1-57457-015-3
Palladium RPG Book IX: Baalgor Wastelands 463 $20.95 1-57457-022-6
Palladium RPG Book X: Mount Nimro 464 $16.95 1-57457-028-5
Palladium RPG Book XI: The Eastern Territory 465 $20.95 1-57457-034-X
Palladium RPG Book XII: Library at Bletherad 466 $16.95 1-57457-028-5
Palladium RPG Book XIII: Northern Hinterlands 467 $20.95 1-57457-022-6
Land of the Damned series (PFRPG Book #'s found in catalog, not on books)
Palladium RPG Book XIV: LotD: Chaos Lands 468 $20.95 1-57457-028-5
Palladium RPG Book XV: LotD: Eternal Torment 469 $21.95 1-57457-034-X
Palladium RPG Book XVI: LotD: The Bleakness 470 $21.95 1-57457-028-5
Release Date: December, 2002.
"500-series" games -- Heroes Unlimited/T.M.N.T/Ninjas & Superspies:
List Of Out of Print Books (dropped series, and those relaced by new editions)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Heroes Unlimited * 500 $14.95 0-916211-05-3
Heroes Unlimited Revised * 500 $19.95 0-916211-05-3
Villains Unlimited 501 $19.95 0-916211-49-5
HU: The Justice Machine ** 501 $14.95 0-916211-10-X
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & O.S. * 502 $9.95 0-916211-14-2
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Revised Ed. * 502 $11.95 0-916211-14-2
After the Bomb (for TMNT)* 503 $6.95 0-916211-15-0
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures! * 504 $7.95 0-916211-16-9
TMNT Guide to the Universe * 506 $7.95 0-916211-25-8
Transdimensional Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* 508 $11.95 0-916211-35-5
Truckin' Turtles * 509 $7.95 0-916211-43-6
Turtles Go Hollywood * 510 $7.95 0-916211-46-0
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Accessory Pack * 512 $11.95 0-916211-45-2
Aliens Unlimited * 515 $19.95 0-916211-76-2
Ninjas & Superspies * 525 $14.95 0-916211-31-2
"500-series" games -- Heroes Unlimited/T.M.N.T/Ninjas & Superspies:
List of Books currently in Print
------------------------------------------------------------------
Heroes Unlimited Second Edition 500 $24.95 1-57457-006-4
Heroes Unlimited 2nd Edition Hardback (8) 5000 $40.00 N.A.
Villains Unlimited Second Edition * 501 $19.95 ?????????????
Revision planned, but not yet on schedule. Old version still in stock.
After the Bomb, Second Edition 503 $20.95 0-916211-15-0
After the Bomb Book 2: Road Hogs 505 $7.95 0-916211-20-7
After the Bomb Book 3: Mutants Down Under 507 $7.95 0-916211-34-7
After the Bomb Book 4: Mutants of the Yucatan 511 $7.95 0-916211-44-4
After the Bomb Book 5: Mutants in Avalon 513 $9.95 0-916211-47-9
After the Bomb Book 6: Mutants in Orbit(3) 514 $11.95 0-916211-48-7
Aliens Unlimited Revised Edition 515 $20.95 0-916211-76-2
Heroes Unlimited Game Masters Guide 516 $20.95 1-57457-035-8
HU: Century Station 517 $20.95 1-57457-040-4
HU: Gramercy Island 518 $20.95 1-57457-055-2
Aliens Unlimited Galaxy Guide 519 $20.95 1-57457-054-4
Mutant Underground 520 $13.95 1-57457-0??-?
Due: September 30, 2002
Ninjas & Superspies Revised 525 $15.95 0-916211-31-2
Mystic China 526 $19.95 0-916211-77-0
"550-series" products -- Robotech
----------------------------------------------
Robotech RPG Book One: Macross * 550 $11.95 0-916211-21-5
Robotech RPG Book Two: RDF Manual * 551 $7.95 0-916211-23-1
Robotech RPG Book Three: Zentraedi * 552 $7.95 0-916211-22-3
Robotech RPG Book Four: Southern Cross * 553 $11.95 0-916211-27-4
Robotech RPG Adventures: Ghost Ship * 554 $6.95 0-916211-29-0
Robotech RPG Adventures: RDF Accelerated T.P. 555 $7.95 0-916211-32-0
Robotech RPG Book Five: Invid Invasion * 556 $11.95 0-916211-28-2
Robotech II RPG: The Sentinels * 557 $15.95 0-916211-33-9
Sentinels Video Tape * 557TP $19.95 N.A.
Robotech II RPG: REF Field Guide * 558 $15.95 0-916211-36-3
Robotech RPG Book 6: Return of the Masters* 559 $9.95 0-916211-37-1
Robotech RPG Book 6: Return o/t Masters 2E(9)* 559 $12.95 0-916211-37-1
Robotech RPG Adventures: Lancer's Rockers* 560 $7.95 0-916211-42-8
Robotech RPG Adventures: Zentraedi Breakout * 561 $9.95 0-916211-67-3
Robotech RPG Book Seven: New World Order * 562 $11.95 0-916211-84-3
Robotech RPG Book Eight: Strike Force * 563 $11.95 0-916211-85-1
Robotech Video Tapes (Episodes #37-85) * 570-585 $24.95(4) N.A.
"590-series" products -- Macross II
----------------------------------------------
Macross II, The Roleplaying Game * 590 $11.95 0-916211-62-2
Macross II: Sourcebook (One) * 591 $9.95 0-916211-63-0
Macross II: Deck Plans Volume 1 * 592 $9.95 0-916211-66-5
Macross II: Deck Plans Volume 2 * 593 $9.95 0-916211-74-6
Macross II: Deck Plans Volume 3 * 594 $9.95 0-916211-75-4
Recon (600-series)
------------------
Deluxe Revised Recon 600 $20.95 1-57457-023-4
Revised Recon * (5) 610 $14.95 0-916211-19-3
Advanced Recon * (5) 611 $7.95 0-916211-24-X
Recon Modern Combat 610? $21.95 1-57457-0??-?
Release Date: October, 2002. Was originally announced as Cat #601.
System Failure (650-series)
------------------
System Failure 650 $12.95 1-57457-038-2
"700-series" games -- Beyond the Supernatural & Nightbane
---------------------------------------------------------
Beyond the Supernatural * 700 $19.95 0-916211-18-5
Boxed Nightmares (6) * 701 $11.95 0-916211-41-X
Nightspawn * (7) 730 $19.95 0-916211-86-X
Nightbane (7) 730 $19.95 0-916211-86-X
Nightbane: Between the Shadows 731 $16.95 0-916211-90-8
Nightbane: Nightlands 732 $16.95 0-916211-97-5
Nightbane: Through the Glass Darkly 733 $16.95 1-57457-004-8
Miscellaneous materials
-----------------------
RiftworkZ Art Portfolio 799 $29.95 0-916211-99-1
Rifts Miniatures - Twenty different sets: 8001-8020 N.A.
These are out of print, but still $6.95 to $10.95 Retail
Have plenty in stock at Palladium (Currently $4-6 each)
Rifts G.M. Companion (Computer program)** 9000
Rifts T-shirts: Borg 800-TS $14.95 N.A.
Rifts T-shirts: Ley Line Walker * 801-TS $14.95 N.A.
Rifts T-shirts: Dog Pack 803-TS $14.95 N.A.
Rifts T-shirts: Rifts Logo 804-TS $14.95 N.A.
Nightbane T-shirt 805-TS $14.95 N.A.
Palladium Fantasy RPG T-shirt 806-TS $14.95 N.A.
Rifts T-shirts: Coalition Christmas 807-TS $14.95 N.A.
The Magic of Palladium Books MOP $12.95 N.A.
Rifts Briefcase / Book bag (12) BR100 $16.95 N.A.
Palladium Fantasy Briefcase / Book bag (12) BR200 $16.95 N.A.
Palladium Fantasy Dice Bag (12) DB100 $5.95 N.A.
Rifts Dice Bag (12) DB200 $5.95 N.A.
'Real Gamers Use Dice' Dice Bag (12) DB300 $5.95 N.A.
Rifts Psi-Cola Water Bottle (12) BT100 $5.95 N.A.
Rifter #18 Cover Poster PO800 $19.95 N.A.
Rifts (800-series)
------------------
Rifts 800 $24.95 0-916211-50-1
Rifts Silver Edition Hardback (8) 800 $32.95 0-916211-87-8
Rifts Sourcebook (One) 801 $11.95 0-916211-51-7
Rifts World Book One: Vampire Kingdoms 802 $15.95 0-916211-52-5
Rifts Conversion Book 803 $19.95 0-916211-53-3
Rifts Conversion Book - Revised 803 $19.95 0-916211-53-3
Due: September 20, 2002 - Modified for new RPGs, the GM & Magic books.
Rifts World Book Two: Atlantis 804 $15.95 0-916211-54-1
Rifts Sourcebook Two: The Mechanoids 805 $11.95 0-916211-55-X
Rifts 1993 Calendar * 806 $11.95 0-916211-56-8
Rifts World Book Three: England 807 $15.95 0-916211-57-6
Rifts World Book Four: Africa 808 $15.95 0-916211-58-4
Rifts Dimension Book One: Wormwood 809 $16.95 0-916211-59-2
Rifts World Book Five: Triax & The NGR 810 $20.95 0-916211-60-6
Rifts Conversion Book Two: Pantheons of 811 $19.95 0-916211-68-1
the Megaverse
Rifts Sourcebook Three: Mindwerks 812 $11.95 0-916211-69-X
Rifts Mercenaries 813 $15.95 0-916211-70-3
Rifts World Book Six: South America 814 $15.95 0-916211-71-1
Rifts World Book Seven: Underseas 815 $19.95 0-916211-72-X
Rifts Dimension Book Two: Phase World 816 $19.95 0-916211-73-8
Rifts Dimension Book Three: Phase World SB 817 $11.95 0-916211-79-7
Rifts World Book Eight: Japan 818 $19.95 0-916211-88-6
Rifts World Book Nine: South America 2 819 $19.95 0-916211-89-4
Rifts World Book Ten: The Juicer Uprisings 820 $16.95 0-916211-92-4
Rifts World Book 11: Coalition War Campaign 821 $20.95 0-916211-93-2
Rifts World Book Twelve: Psyscape 822 $16.95 0-916211-94-0
Rifts Index and Adventures, Volume One 823 $12.95 0-916211-95-9
Rifts Game Shield & Adventures 824 $12.95 0-916211-96-7
Rifts World Book Thirteen: Lone Star 825 $16.95 1-57457-000-5
Rifts World Book Fourteen: The New West 826 $20.95 1-57457-001-3
Rifts World Book Fifteen: Spirit West 827 $20.95 1-57457-002-1
Rifts Sourcebook Four: Coalition Navy 828 $12.95 1-57457-003-X
Rifts World Book Sixteen: Federation Of Magic 829 $16.95 1-57457-005-6
Rifts Dimension Book Four: Scraypers 830 $16.95 0-916211-78-9
Rifts Index Volume Two 831 $12.95 1-57457-008-0
Rifts World Book 17: Warlords of Russia 832 $20.95 1-57457-010-2
Rifts World Book 18: Mystic Russia 833 $16.95 1-57457-011-0
Rifts World Book 19: Australia 834 $16.95 1-57457-018-8
Rifts World Book 20: Canada (One) 835 $20.95 1-57457-025-0
Rifts World Book 21: Splynn Dimensional Market 836 $16.95 1-57457-027-7
Rifts World Book 22: Free Quebec 837 $20.95 1-57457-030-7
Rifts World Book 23: The Xiticix Invasion 838 $16.95 1-57457-031-5
Rifts: Coalition Wars - Siege on Tolkeen
Chapter One: Sedition 839 $16.95 1-57457-045-5
Chapter Two: Coalition Overkill 840 $12.95 1-57457-046-3
Chapter Three: Sorcerer's Revenge 841 $12.95 1-57457-050-1
Chapter Four: Cyber-Knights 842 $12.95 1-57457-051-X
Chapter Five: Shadows of Evi1 843 $12.95 1-57457-052-8
Chapter Six: Final Siege 844 $20.95 1-57457-053-6
Rifts Game Master Guide 845 $20.95 1-57457-067-6
Rifts Aftermath 846 $20.95 1-57457-068-4
Rifts Dimension Book Five: Anvil Galaxy 847 $20.95 1-57457-0??-?
Rifts Book of Magic 848 $20.95 1-57457-069-2
Rifts Adventure Guide 849 $20.95 1-57457-072-2
Rifts Bionics Sourcebook 850 $13.95 1-57457-0??-?
Release Date: September, 2002. Ready to send to printers at time of update.
Miscellaneous materials
-----------------------
RiftworkZ Art Portfolio 799 $29.95 0-916211-99-1
Rifts Miniatures - Twenty different sets: 8001-8020 N.A.
These are out of print, but still $6.95 to $10.95 Retail
Have plenty in stock at Palladium (Currently $4-6 each)
Rifts G.M. Companion (Computer program)** 9000
Rifts T-shirts: Borg 800-TS $14.95 N.A.
Rifts T-shirts: Ley Line Walker * 801-TS $14.95 N.A.
Rifts T-shirts: Dog Pack 803-TS $14.95 N.A.
Rifts T-shirts: Rifts Logo 804-TS $14.95 N.A.
Nightbane T-shirt 805-TS $14.95 N.A.
Palladium Fantasy RPG T-shirt 806-TS $14.95 N.A.
Rifts T-shirts: Coalition Christmas 807-TS $14.95 N.A.
The Magic of Palladium Books MOP $12.95 N.A.
Rifts Briefcase / Book bag (12) BR100 $16.95 N.A.
Palladium Fantasy Briefcase / Book bag (12) BR200 $16.95 N.A.
Palladium Fantasy Dice Bag (12) DB100 $5.95 N.A.
Rifts Dice Bag (12) DB200 $5.95 N.A.
'Real Gamers Use Dice' Dice Bag (12) DB300 $5.95 N.A.
Rifts Psi-Cola Water Bottle (12) BT100 $5.95 N.A.
Rifter #18 Cover Poster PO800 $19.95 N.A.
Footnotes
---------
(N.A.) Indicates information was not on product (not necessarily that it didn't have one, just that it wasn't present).
(?) Indicates incomplete or possibly inaccurate data.
(*) Denotes that this item is Out-of-Print. And even though it is out of print you may still be able to find it somewhere.
(**) These are very rare products (10-15 years old, generally). They are VERY out-of-print. Many players consider them collector's items. However, Arms of Nargesh Tor, Valley of the Pharaohs and the GM's Companion are both downloadable from Palladium's page.
(1) It would appear these products had the catalog #, ISBN or both missing from the actual product packaging. If the number is in [], it is a number supplied by the company to me, that didn't actually appear on the product.
(2) There are three versions of the Palladium Role-Playing Game. There is the first edition (Early printings of the Revised Edition continued to include the "Sexual Deviations" table and kept the black & red cover art, instead of the newer full-color cover art), the Revised Edition, and the Second Edition.
(3) This is a supplement for the After the Bomb TMNT setting. Half of the book is dedicated to Earthspace in the Rifts setting.
(4) All but 577 were 3 episodes each. 577 had 4 episodes (the last 4 of the series), and cost $29.95. The Southern Cross tapes were #578-585.
(5) There are two versions of the Recon game. The original Recon was a miniature-only game, and was not initially a Palladium product. Revised Recon is a modern-combat game written with a different system related to (but not 100% compatible with) the Palladium standard system. Included in Revised Recon are the original Recon miniature rules. However, there have been plans to make a new, Second edition of the game, using the standard Palladium system.
(6) A tabloid-style newspaper came shrink-wrapped with this supplement.
(7) The very first printing of this game was called Nightspawn, but it was immediately changed to Nightbane due to Todd McFarlane's bad attitude (who's he gonna sue next - salmon?). All further printings are called Nightbane.
(8) There is a special autographed, limited edition hardcover of several of the RPGs, each with a 600-copy print run. Includes double-page end sheet artwork on the insides of the covers.
Rifts "Gold" edition - Cat # 8000G, cost $40.00. It is sold out.
Palladium Fantasy RPG "Crimson" edition - Features the Second Edition PFRPG contents, with a leatherette version of the First Edition PFRPG's original cover (red art on black background). Cat # 4500, cost $40.00. Released 1999, still a few copies available as of August 2000.
Heroes Unlimited RPG "Blue" edition - Features the Second Edition HU contents, with a Blue leatherette cover. Cat # 5000, cost $40.00. Released at Gen Con 2000.
(9) The Second Edition has 40 more pages of game material, by Wayne Breaux.
(10) A special edition reprint of the Mechanoids RPG (updated S.D.C. version of Books #1-3) was part of the Palladium 1998 X-mas Special, with the excess being sold through web orders only (though a few might have gone through normal distribution channels, or have been sold to retailers as a result of persons making multiple X-Mas Special orders).
(11) A special edition reprint of the collected "The Magic of Palladium Books" pamphlets was part of the Palladium 1999 X-mas Special, with the excess being sold through web orders only.
(12)These were Promotional items made for Gen Con 2000, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Palladium, and the 10th anniversary of Rifts. The book bags are cloth, with The Rifts bag being blue, and the PFRPG bag being black. The dice bags come in royal blue, black, red, burgundy and charcoal.
Interesting Fact #1: There was also another shirt for sale at Gen Con - not a t-shirt. The shirt was of the type the Palladium staff was wearing, with red sewn writing "Palladium Books: 20 Years of Adventure". They are not currently listed on the web page, and any that were not sold or given away at the con MIGHT appear in a future Palladium special (such of the Xmas special returns for a 4th year), but would be so few that they would be a random item.
Interesting Fact #2: the "Real Gamers" dice bag is a friendly poke at long-time Palladium friend and author Erick Wujcik, who (with his own company) is the author of the Amber Diceless RPG, based on the "Amber" novels of Roger Zelazny. According to Kevin and Maryann, Erick got a kick out of the joke.
The full Palladium catalog, which lists all current products, can be found at the Palladium Books web page (http://www.store.palladiumbooks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv).
1.03. What products are due to be released in the near future?
From the most recent updates/press releases on the list -
Shipping in the last quarter of the year:
2003 Possible Releases (no Particular order)
In Limbo (canceled and never-completed products):
New Rifts Miniatures, and a Rifts Miniature combat system by Agents of Gaming:
Reason: Agents of Gaming had too many projects going on concurrently (mostly due to the overwhelming success of the Babylon 5 Wars game), and had to cancel both the Rifts and White Wolf "World of Darkness" mini games, from lack of resources needed to complete them.
Rifts World Book: Lemuria
Reason: Was being written by a non-author member of the Palladium staff. Other duties prevented him from completing it, so Kevin plans to eventually finish it himself.
Rifts World Book: Japan 2 (The Gods & Oni of Japan)
Reason: Kevin wants to write it, but has not had the time, due to various reasons.
Rifts: The Omegan Order
Reason: Lateness from Freelancers led to shelving. The name itself was reused for a group in the Phase World setting, and the original OO setting (dealing with NORAD-type survivors of the coming of the Rifts coming out in the PA-era Rifts setting) has been voided by the Chaos Earth setting dealing with the actual events of the Cataclysm.
BTS: Darklings, BTS: Nostromo: Agents of Darkness
Reason: Author left Palladium
BTS: The Lazlo Agency
Reason: Low Priority, but still being worked on in-house (may be bumped up when the Second Edition of BTS gets done)
BTS: The UFO Conspiracy
Reason: UFO Conspiracy is by Alex Marciniszyn, part of the non-author staff. On hold till he finishes writing it in his spare time.
N&S: Mystic China Sourcebook
Reason: Erick Wujcik. With all the time he was putting in on his own Amber RPG, he felt he couldn't do it right. So, he put the MCSB on the back burner, and left it there.
New Robotech Books
Reason: Were pretty much completed, but had been sat on for a while, due to Harmony Gold telling Palladium not to release books until the (non-existent) new series was announced. Then, they were canceled as a result of the license not being renewed. Blame Harmony Gold, as they tied Palladium's hands.
Rifts CCG & CCG Gargoyle Empire Expansion
Precedence went bankrupt just prior to printing of main run of the expansion. Remaining stock of main series cards available from Palladium.
RiftworkZ Two
This was announced, but it's likely that the material meant for it ended up in "Lightstrike", an art book published by Cartouche Press, of Zeleznik work for Palladium, Steve Jackson Games, and others. Of note, Cartouche also has art books by R.K. Post and Brom, both of whom have done Palladium work.
1.04. Why does Palladium always release items long after their announced release dates?
The following is an excerpt from the letter column of The Magic of Palladium Books #2. It explains most of the details behind this situation.
"Before we jump into letters and questions, I'd like to address the often asked question of "Why do you advertise books before they are completed?"
There are several reasons. The most basic is that people want to know what's in the works and want to know when it will be available. Often we will announce a "tentative" date or a "month of" as the release. Unfortunately, many exuberant fans seem to forget the tentative aspect (that means when we hope to have it done) or' seem to think that the month of means the first day of the month. That's okay, we appreciate the enthusiasm, as long as you're not getting mad because the item is delayed.
The other major culprit for actual advance advertisements is that most magazines have a two month lead time, and some, like comic books, have a three or four month lead time. That means we have to do ads for a product that will be out 2 to 4 months from today. If we wait until the book is finished, it will be sitting in our warehouse for a few months with no publicity. Consequently, we have to plan out a schedule and try to stick to it. But you know what they say about "the best laid plans of mice and men."
There are a number of things that can delay a book. The big three are Writer, Artist, Printer. If the writer or artist misses his/her deadline the schedule may become jeopardized. Yes, we do plan for delays, but sometimes things go so wrong that nothing can help. And human beings can only do so much. Then there is the printer. We have two good book printers, but they have their schedules and personnel problems. Most people don't realize that it usually takes FIVE weeks to print a book and sometimes six to nine weeks. That means we've been done with the book for a month or longer (and are already working on new projects) before we get the finished product to ship to our distributors. We could trim a day here and a week there if we cut quality corners, like not sewing the pages of the big books together, but I want to give our fans a durable game, on better paper, that won't fall apart. I think it's worth the extra week.
There are other factors, but those already mentioned are the most notable. I have to admit that most of you out there are very considerate, polite and understanding. We appreciate that. On the other hand, some of you are a little too patient. If a book is delayed and you have a mail order with us, we always try to send a post card letting you know it has been delayed. As soon the late book is back from the printer we mail 'em out (usually the same day)."
[end MOPB #2 quote]
As for the "other factors" that Kevin and Rick Burke referred to above, here is one of them, that plays a bigger role than it used to for Palladium, now that Palladium uses so many more freelancers.
Some freelancers live hundreds of miles from Palladium, and revisions require sending the text back, having the revisions done, sending it back to Palladium, etc., which can take months, if it ever reaches the point of being printable (example of a completely failed project of this sort: C.J.'s version of Psyscape).
1.05. Who writes for/works for Palladium Books?
The founder, owner, head writer, senior editor, art director and overlord of Palladium Books is Kevin Siembieda. He's been the primary force behind
Palladium Books, writing (among other things) The Palladium Fantasy RPG and Rifts. Kevin's wife Maryann was doing most of the typography, but is retiring to go back to school and. Other major staff past & present include Erick Wujcik (now freelances, and has his own company that sells the Amber Diceless RPG), Wayne Smith, Alex Marciniszyn, James A. Osten, and Julius Rosenstein, and a host of freelancers. For a list of current employees, go to http://www.palladiumbooks.com/staff.html
1.06. What is Palladium's mailing address?
Note that Palladium may be relocating in the next few months, due to a possible sale of their current facility to a neighboring business.
Palladium Books
12455 Universal Drive
Taylor, MI 48180
1.07. What is the history of Palladium Books?
This was my original contribution to the FAQ, and answers some of the questions about the origins of the Palladium system. BTW, the role-players mentioned in the group below have their characters' likenesses drawn in the front of the PFRPG book, and several of them were the founders of the Cyber-Knights in Rifts - not to mention several of those gamers still being part of Palladium's staff today.
The Mechanoids: A brief history
By Kevin Siembieda
(Extracted from the RPG section of the Caliber Press Comic
The Mechanoids #1, & reformatted by Stan Bundy)
The Mechanoid Invasion was the very first product to be published by Palladium Books. However, it was not my first idea for a role-playing game. I had created and written the Palladium Role-Playing Game (fantasy) and ran a two and a half year campaign play test. My playing group kept telling me to publish the damn thing. because they thought it was so much fun. Eventually I relented and approached every role-playing game company I could find. The best deal I was offered was $500 and a 1% royalty, so l said to myself, "the heck with it" and dismissed the notion entirely. This only made my friends try a different tact. They began to suggest I publish it myself.
I had been bitten by the publishing bug back in Eighth grade when Alex Marciniszyn and I published our first fanzine (we've been collecting comics forever), so this idea had a certain amount of appeal. Then again, Alex and I had lost our shirts publishing one of the first alternative black and white comic books, A +Plus # 1-5, back in 1977-78, before there was such a thing as alternative press. Even though we lost money, we had learned a great deal, and working on a few other magazines and comics taught me even more. So one day in 1980 I announced that I'd do it. I'd publish the Palladium RPG myself. Heck, I'd start my own publishing empire!
My immediate problem was poverty.
My second problem was that I had two ideas that I felt were critical in the success of my company: the square bound, perfect bound, soft cover paperback format (which Palladium would later pioneer) and the concept of one universal RPG system of rules. I would often hear gamers agonize about the difficulties in trying to adapt one game system to another completely different game system in order to combine ideas, adventures, and equipment. The original Palladium fantasy campaign included a blending of science fiction and technology with fantasy and magic. We had revolvers, particle beam rifles, cyborgs, a tech level, dimensional travel, time paradox, and even Martians, along with the usual fantasy magic, monsters, and fanfare; it all worked very well. I didn't see any reason why such an idea couldn't be marketed. This made me decide to produce a series of RPG environments all based on the same basic game system (which has been a great success and widely imitated).
My next problem was getting the actual bucks to produce the game. The Palladium RPG was my baby, but would cost over $12,000 to produce. All I could scrape together was $3000. I could not bring myself to stray from my vision of the trade paperback fantasy game, so I came up with an alternative idea, to produce a much smaller and less expensive RPG that would earn enough money to allow me to publish the Palladium RPG!
The question then was. ..what? You don't just toss something together out of the blue, especially as your first product. After a surprisingly little amount of brainstorming I came up with the Mechanoid Invasion.
The idea for the Mechanoids was initially drawn from the techno-level of my fantasy campaign. The release of Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back fueled my imagination and hooked me on the idea of doing a science fiction game. The particle beam rifles, the light body armor, and psionic powers were taken directly from my fantasy campaign, as was the idea of robots, but soon the Mechanoids began to take on a life of their own. Before I knew what happened, the Mechanoid Invasion had turned into a trilogy and I was flying with ideas.
I would call my company Palladium after my fantasy campaign. After all, that is what got the ball rolling, and Books because my goal was to produce RPG books, not boxed games. The Mechanoid Invasion was a finished manuscript by December 1980, but I wouldn't be able to publish the book until 1981.
What did The Mechanoid Invasion look like? Sheesh, it was this flimsy, little, 48 page, comic book size book, printed on newsprint, with a blue and white cover (color was a financial impossibility at that time). The interior was black and white, with a lot of nice art produced by me and a piece or two by my pal, and fellow Detroiter, Bill Loebs (as in William Messner Loebs). The entire book was typed with one finger, on an IBM typewriter, by my roommate, Tony Falzon. The original manuscript was hand written, as were the next ten or so books to follow. Since I was a fairly poor speller (I still ain't no whiz-bang speller) and Tony wasn't much better, the book was riddled with
errors/typos, to the tune of about six to ten a page. Cover price, $3.75... Ah, but the magic was there and the book sold well. The Mechanoid Invasion would be followed by our historical weapons and armor series and The Mechanoid Invasion: Books Two and Three on nicer, white paper, still comic book size. In the Summer of 1983 I was able to publish the Palladium Fantasy RPG and the rest is history.
For more on the history of Palladium from this point on, go to http://www.palladiumbooks.com/profile.html
1.08. What other media (books, comics, movies, etc.) is Palladium Books involved in?
Palladium released a trilogy of Rifts novels in 1999, and is debating further fiction ventures.
Riftworkz is a portfolio of covers by John Zeleznik of cover art done for Palladium's products.
Palladium is negotiations for the possible production of video/computer games, movies, and more, via their contract with Surge Licensing.
In the past, Palladium had the rights to the Robotech TV series and released several video tapes (see 1.02), but that license has expired. However, this (and the later ownership by no less than three different companies) has not stopped bootleggers from copying and selling these tapes. If you come across Southern Cross or Invid-era tapes with three episodes per tape (4 for the last Invid tape), in a generic-looking box with no mention of Palladium (but using scans of Palladium's box art and episode descriptions, if you're familiar with them), please report the seller to Palladium and/or Harmony Gold. Tapes of this type were spotted recently at Gen Con 2000 by myself, and are quite likely being distributed by bootleggers to retailers that may or may not know that the product is illegal.
Palladium also has a line of T-shirts that you can buy through their catalog, along with miscellaneous stuff they came out with for Gen Con 2000.
1.09. What is THE RIFTER?
The Rifter is a quarterly supplement/magazine for the entire Palladium line of games. Of game products by other companies, it most closely resembles the defunct Star Wars Adventure Journal West End Games used to put out when they had that license, only with a lot more fan input, including items previously available only from fans' internet web pages. It is the only Palladium product that is an exception to the rule against submissions that have been on the net. Go to the following page for a full description of this new supplement, as well as a link to submission guidelines. http://www.palladiumbooks.com/submission/rifterguide.html
1.10. What was the "Palladium vs. Wizards of the Coast" lawsuit all about?
WotC came out with a line of products that listed conversion notes for items using the Palladium System and several others (it was a generic game line) and they did not seek Palladium's approval over the use of their rules and trademarks. Palladium then sued WotC over this. This also sparked a huge flame war, K.S. had a presence on the net (e-mail) and ended up leaving the net after all the flames he received. The seriousness of these events exists only in the minds of a few crazed WotC fanatics, as was in fact a friendly lawsuit by all reports, that resulted in a verdict that prevented the other big shots of gaming at the time (TSR, under Lorraine Williams, for example), from suits that would have destroyed then-small WotC at the time. After all, had it been as hostile as the scandal-monger would have one believe, would the president of WotC have given Maryann Siembieda one of the original promotional Black Lotus cards when Magic: The Gathering was released a year or two later?
1.11. Is it true that Kevin threatened to sue any gaming magazines that published material for Palladium games?
Not exactly; it was more of a rights issue that got out of hand. Games Designer Workshop was being a little prickish, and things got out of hand (may they rest in peace; GDW went out of business in January 1996, ironically partially due to costs incurred from the lawsuit they lost to TSR over a violation of the non-compete clause in Gary Gygax's contract, when he did Dangerous Journeys).
What Kevin wanted was editorial pre-approval of any articles GDW would have printed in their Journeys magazine. This meant that, if a magazine wanted to print a non-review (i.e. adventure or other supplement) article for Rifts or other Palladium games, Kevin wanted the right to review it, and reject any part of the article that might conflict with the company's plans for Rifts (especially), etc. There was also the matter of the potential license difficulties that would have cropped up for TMNT or Robotech RPG articles. Also, it was perfectly in line with what other magazines Kevin had experience with at the time that had published Palladium material had offered.
GDW (then publisher of Journeys & Challenge magazines), used to pretty much publishing what they wanted at the time, took the stance that "We don't need your articles, if your restrictions mean a 1-3 month delay in an article seeing print." This is amazing, as they had been publishing Star Wars and Star Trek RPG info without permission (AFAIK) from Paramount, Lucasfilm, or those companies' official RPG licensees, and the former two entities went after other magazines for unauthorized articles quite viciously during that period, and were exercising the exact same sort of control with their official licensees as Palladium wanted from GDW (to the point that even if FASA, Task Force Games or West End HAD given permission for such articles, without oversight from the line owner, the permission still wouldn't have been legal).
The misunderstandings spread from there, with the result of both companies thinking that the other side wasn't willing to negotiate at all. And, before they could work it out, GDW had more important things to do - the TSR lawsuit, which TSR won, winning the Dangerous Journeys RPG and Journeys magazine. Shortly after that lawsuit was over, GDW went under (partially due to the suit, but also from other external matters), and TSR collapsed a few months later - a victim of greed and mismanagement.
1.12. I have this neat idea for a Palladium game sourcebook. What are the chances of getting it published?
It all depends on your skill, and the content. The guidelines for submissions are at the following address: http://www.palladiumbooks.com/submission/submit.html
Note that stuff released on the internet CANNOT be considered for a book, but CAN be submitted to The Rifter.
A good set of advice on how to write freelance for game companies is at the following site, by the most prolific freelancer for Steve Jackson Games, David Pulver. http://www.sjgames.com/general/guidelines/writers/freelance.html
2.01. The Great M.D.C. Debate.
Some people think that the M.D.C. system is broken. Others think it should be reduced to 10/1 or 25/1 ratios instead of 100/1. Personally, I find the S.D.C. games to be broken, and think they should be converted to use M.D.C.! The reason S.D.C. games are even less realistic than the M.D.C. games, IMO, is that we have had machines that are M.D.C. for decades (tanks), yet in the S.D.C. games, they're barely twice as tough as a station wagon.
HOWEVER, NEVER TRY DISCUSSING THIS ON THE MAILING LIST OR MESSAGE BOARDS!!!! It is a dead issue, because no good comes from the flame wars it causes, and bringing it up can be grounds for banishment from the ML.
2.02. How many attacks per melee does a starting character have?
Good Question, but one that's as bad as the one above. DON'T ASK IT! The following is a step-by-step journey into the morass that is the HTH debate....
A. Initially, it was always assumed that the base listed for a HTH type was the base, except for in Heroes Unlimited, where characters had an additional 2 attacks each to accent the "heroic" nature of the game. Beyond the Supernatural's main book NPCs also follow this pattern, but the ones in Boxed Nightmares DO NOT.
B. Maryann has stated that it is 2 attacks plus HTH (as in HU & BTS). However, NONE of the games outside HU and BTS support this, in terms of the listed number of attacks of their NPCs printed.
C: In fact, ALL NPCs printed in/for Ninjas & Superspies, TMNT/After the Bomb, Robotech(including Sentinels), BTS: Boxed Nightmares, Macross II, Nightbane, and PFRPG 2nd Edition books, plus those from the first 23 Rifts books (Main book through CWC, + Index, Game shield adventures, and Manhunter), have the non-alien or HU-derived NPCs with HTH skills starting with the base for the style (not base +2), before counting boxing. Yes, I _DID_ go through the trouble of going through ALL the books to research this.
D. It was at this point that Maryann issued her ruling. But, of all the non-HU books published in the first year after that ruling, only Rifts New West NPCs and the single NPC from Psyscape obey it (and even the latter, head of the CS Psi-Bat, is listed as having HTH Martial Arts in her skills, but her combat stats are written up as if HTH Commando possessed), while the NPCs from Coalition Navy, Federation of Magic, and Rifts Index & Adventures Volume Two use the old system. This has led to even more confusion.
E. The PFRPG 2nd Edition HTH descriptions SPECIFICALLY state "STARTS WITH" (Emphasis mine) at the beginning of each HTH description. Again, this seems to preclude the 2+2 system, and it is in their first "MAIN BOOK" product published after the announcement. (Page 47) Furthermore, in the "Psychic Combat" section (Page 48), the above is confirmed by the following quote:
"A reminder: Most player characters start off with two attacks per 15 second melee round. Additional attacks may be acquired as one ADVANCES IN HAND TO HAND COMBAT EXPERIENCE and from the boxing skill, special bonuses or magic. The average person, not trained in combat, will only have one attack per melee round. Experienced fighters will have an average of THREE to six attacks per melee, sometimes more." (Emphasis mine).
Not only does the second sentence specifically state that the additional skills from HTH come from ADVANCEMENT & EXPERIENCE, the last sentence, concerning EXPERIENCED fighters only make sense with the HTH base system. EVEN IF SECOND level was considered "experienced" (highly unlikely), there would be NO POSSIBILITY of characters of 2nd+ level having less than 4 attacks using the 2+2 system. (Basic, Expert & Martial Arts would have 4 or 5, Assassin 5 or 6 - the latter numbers for each being with boxing).
F. The case is pretty strong, and it does not support 2+2, except for HU (which it actually fits). HU, being a heroic game, should have such an edge, but the other games not only don't need it, for all appearances, they've never had it in the first place.
G. The existence of Mecha/RPA combat further complicates things. First, there is the matter of the numbers of attacks that result from these skills. To quote the Robot Combat section of Macross II (Robotech & Rifts have analogous text, differing only in terms referential to the vehicles involved), Specifically, the "Determining the Number of Attacks Per Melee and Combat Bonuses") contains the following quote:
"This is how it works. Players will find two skills that exclusively determine the pilot's number of attacks when piloting a high-tech robot or power armor: 1) The pilot's normal, hand to hand combat/fighting skills, and 2) The pilot's Robot Combat skill. Simply combine the number of attacks and from each (and level of experience). The total number indicates the total attacks per melee possible. Most first level pilots, with both skills, will have a total of FOUR attacks per melee." Macross II RPG, page 36, left column, 2nd paragraph under the heading above. The emphasis on "FOUR" is PALLADIUM's, not mine. The text in the description above FIRMLY supports the "Base-only" interpretation, in ALL the books for M.D.C. games (Rifts, Macross II & Robotech).
H. Next, we have an exercise in game mechanics, using the various mecha/RPA games' pilot O.C.C.s and elite combat skills, comparing them to a Heroes Unlimited character with the Sonic Speed power. These examples are assuming the 2+Base system is correct, and show why it SHOULDN'T BE.
Examples:
a: HU (Revised) character (11th level): 2 + HTH: Martial Arts(2) + 2(advancement in HTH:MA) + Boxing(1) + Sonic Speed (3 = 2 + 1 at 3rd level) = 10 Attacks;
b: HU (2nd edition) character (11th level): 2 + HTH: Martial Arts(2) + 2(advancement in HTH:MA) + Boxing(1) + Sonic Speed (4 = 1 + 1 at 3rd, 6th & 9th levels) = 11 Attacks;
c. Glitter Boy Pilot (11th level): 2 + HTH: Martial Arts(2) + 2(advancement in HTH:MA) + Boxing(1) + PA Combat Elite: GB (4 = 2 + 2 from advancement) = 11 Attacks;
d. Robotech Destroid Pilot (10th level)*: 2 + HTH: Martial Arts(2) + 2(advancement in HTH:MA) + Boxing(1) + Mecha Combat Elite: Gladiator (5 = 3 + 2 from advancement) = 12 Attacks;
e. (Brace yourself) Macross II Valkyrie Pilot (11th level)**: 2 + HTH: Martial Arts(2) + 2(advancement in HTH:MA) + Boxing(1) + Robot Combat Elite: VF-2 (4 = 2 + 2 from advancement) = 11 Attacks, PLUS the character's mecha has AUTODODGE!!!
* Most extreme conventional example I could think of, though several other Robotech & Rifts designs also start off with 3 additional attacks, but don't get their second additional Mecha/RPA attack until 11th or 12th level.
** This is down-right scary, as the autododge means that the character will rarely EVER use any of the 11 attacks for defensive purposes, unlike the first three examples.
In other words, by 11th level, assuming that no other combat-affecting powers are not taken (such as Natural Combat Ability, or the Super-Soldier option from the AU Galaxy Guide) by the HU2 character, pilots with Elite combat in their vehicle have as many attacks than a speedster of the same level, if not more! This equals out a little, when the HU2 Speedster picks up attacks at 12th & 15th levels (plus any more from HTH in that period), but one has to remember that HU2 is NEWEST of these RPGs, and the revision only serves to equalize an imbalance that by all rights should not exist in the first place! I don't care HOW good a Rick Hunter or Sylvie Gena is - they shouldn't have more actions than a character more closely related to the late-80s version of Wally West!!! (the current Flash in DC Comics, Wally wasn't quite the mega-hero he is today - in the 80s, he was only capable of the speeds used in HU2's Speed powers).
I. On the other hand, the following rule clarification (also from Maryann, after my bringing up this matter) makes this a little (not much) more bearable. There are ways to tone down the sudden overpowering of Mecha/RPA characters' actions, without sacrificing game mechanics - but at the expense of quicker game play. In fact, the first of these methods is part of the game mechanics that is generally overlooked, in terms of smooth play (and because Kevin never wrote them into his example of how combat works).
Essentially, it revolves around two skills required for most mecha/RPA operation, but not really defined as to WHAT they are really used for, other than in the most basic terms. To shoot at a target, one must target it, unless shooting wild (or a spray). To target something, generally the combat and targeting computers must acquire it, and figure out the appropriate aim. Then, there is the matter of choosing which weapon (and conceivably, the ammo type as well). There are skills for this: Read Sensory Equipment (R.S. Instruments in Robotech) and Weapon Systems.
Before combat starts, and whenever new combatants (or non-combatants) enter sensor range, a RSE roll must be made. This would not take an action, unless one is specifically trying to identify a target as friend or foe by sensors alone, or if one is trying to use sensors where ECM is being used (the ECM skill is in Rifts WB11: CWC, but active sensors can be jammed just as easy as - if not more often than - communications, but makes you an even bigger target for sensor-homing munitions, as jammers overload the sensor with signal, not obscure it like stealth design). Failure of the RSE should make it more difficult to use the Weapon Systems skill in combat (say, ½ normal ability?).
Now, for each SINGLE target, a Weapon Systems roll will be needed to lock on, otherwise the shot is considered a wild shot (no bonuses other than P.P. - if applicable). Penalties from ECM, obstructions, or other interference from the environment may apply. Acquiring a NEW target (or switching to a new target) would require a Weapon Systems roll, taking up one of the pilot's actions. Environmental modifiers (as above) may apply. In other words, changing targets requires a RSE and/or Weapon Systems roll, which may take up one attack.
Similarly, going for a called shot with a ranged weapon would also require much more effort than normal, general, targeting, and takes an additional action (over and above that for switching targets, when applicable). Switching weapons (to/between ranged weapons), while going after the same target as before, would require a Weapon Systems roll to switch, but may or may not count as an action. (GM call)
When I asked Palladium about these, the response was:
"1) Although the examples presented are subject to situational modifiers and ultimately up to the discretion of the GM, they are essentially correct.
2) RSE does NOT count as an action if taken before combat actually begins. Once combat is initiated, RSE counts as an action from then on. Using the WS skill definitely counts as an action. The GM may allow both skills to count as a single action if they are used simultaneously.
Maryann/Julius
Palladium"
J. However, a much simpler method can be to use the 2+Base system in the S.D.C. games (where the extra attacks are more appreciated and useful), and remain using the base system in Robotech, Rifts, and Macross II, as the additional skill rolls will only serve to drag out combat even longer (especially if the players aren't used to them).
In fact, the following excerpt from the Beyond the Supernatural errata (from MOPB #1) suggests something similar (though before Rifts or Nightbane came out), and states flat out that BtS characters were NOT supposed to get the 2+Base method, despite that RPG main book being the only book to ever use it outside of HU, prior to 1998!!
"PAGE 45: A question about hand to hand combat. Do characters get two attacks per melee automatically plus two attacks from Hand to Hand combat skills? Well it depends. Randy and I saw the BTS characters as being more vulnerable, normalish, people. That means they would have two attacks per melee only if they took a hand to hand skill and ONE attack per melee if they had no combat training. Additional attacks per melee come with greater hand to hand skill experience.
"However, if you want a more combat oriented game, or if you are combining BTS with Heroes Unlimited or Ninjas & Superspies, you should probably start the characters off with two attacks plus the two attacks gained from any hand to hand skills (total of 4 attacks at first level). This will make them more compatible with superhero types."
Also note that Ninjas and Superspies itself said in its revised edition, in the very first conversion note for using Heroes Unlimited and Ninjas & Superspies together, that the martial arts ARE NOT combined with the base two attacks of Heroes Unlimited! And, that even if a HU character (such as physical training) has a Martial Art Form, only the number of attacks from the Martial Arts Form are gained, not the base two plus the form. HU 2nd edition contradicts this, however.
K. In another attempt to clarify things, Palladium has (in the new Rifts Game Master Guide) explained how the 2+HTH system works, and adds them into the base for the HTH skills within, so that the new version of those skills have the extra two attacks listed as part of the base. Frankly, it's good they're making the attempt to clarify it, but I still say 2+HTH is a bad idea outside of HU.
L. One, very definitive analysis of the methodology for the Base-only system is on the following web page, by Dustin Ramsey/Kralizec!
http://www.rifts-rpg.com/adv/attacks_per_melee.html
The following is a shortened version of it...
1. All humans start out with one attack per melee. (This is a 'base' number of attacks) Individuals without any combat training will gain one additional attack at levels three and nine (Main Rifts book, pg. 28).
2. Learning the hand-to-hand combat skills Basic, Expert, and Martial Arts provides a first level character with one additional attack per melee. The hand-to-hand combat skill Assassin does NOT provide an additional attack at level one, but gives TWO additional attacks at level two.
3. If selected, the Boxing skill also provides the character with one more attack per melee.
4. Special occupational training (Bonuses given it the O.C.C.) may give the character extra attacks per melee. Rifts examples include Juicers & Cyber-Knights, among others.
5. Unless otherwise stated, non-humans are gain and accumulate hand-to-hand attacks in the EXACT same manner as humans. The exception to this is the base number of attacks that the being starts with. Carte blanche statements such as "three attacks per melee plus those gained from hand-to-hand combat training" (Centaurs from the Conversion book, pg. 113) and "four without any hand-to-hand combat training, or four plus those gained from hand-to-hand combat and/or boxing" (Rahu-Men from the Conversion book, pg. 154) mean that the particular race's base number of attacks is three for Centaurs and four for Rahu-Men. Statements such as "two without any combat training, or one plus those gained from hand-to-hand combat and/or boxing" (Wolfen, Conversion book, pg. 86) and "two without any combat training, or one plus those gained from hand-to-hand combat and/or boxing" (Gigantes, Conversion book, pg. 96) means that characters without a HTH skill have a base number of attacks of two,
while those with HTH have a base number of one attack per melee.
2.03. Why are Rifts RPA so much more powerful than Robotech mecha?
The Real reason is the age of the Robotech RPG, which was the first game to use M.D.C. Since its creation, a lot of work had to be done to better balance the system for use in Rifts (example - compare the Abm Mechanoid stats in Rifts SB 2 to the conversions from The Magic of Palladium Books #2 or the Palladium Update (an even older company newsletter that I've never seen myself). But, on a purely game mechanics level, consider the following.
Several things contribute to this situation.
A. Differences in materials technology: While Robotech Earth may have gotten some technical help from the SDF-1, even the REF designs date from circa 2020. On Rifts Earth, technology evolved under similar pressure, but directed against planetary enemies, up to the coming of the Rifts in 2098. So, even if Robotech mecha got a 25-year boost from materials recovered from the SDF-1, it would still be 50 YEARS behind Pre-rifts technology. So, weapons are weaker, armor is weaker, etc. On the other hand, the laser-resistant technology of the Robotech universe is vastly superior to the Rifts universe, as it is cheaper, and non-reflective (meaning that variable lasers probably would not be able to adjust to its manner of resistance).
B. Differences in emphasis: Rifts RPA/mecha are more oriented toward firepower and survivability; hence the boom gun and ungodly M.D.C. of the Glitter Boy types. The same holds true for most other Coalition, Triax and independent equipment. Robotech mecha, however, were designed with maneuverability and speed in mind, as well as the various Veritech mechas' ability to change modes. In order to get such things, the Robotech mecha sacrifice some protection and weaponry in order to get an advantage in their form of battle. See the following comparison:
| World | Enemy types | Effect on designs |
| Rifts | Equal numbers (usually), with generally equal power & armor | RPA designed to both give and take punishment; emphasis on Quick kills and soaking damage |
| Robotech | Enemy has vastly superior numbers, but much lesser power and armor protection | Mecha designed to avoid mass attacks by maneuvering, and with lots of low-power weapons to prevent overkill and preserve ability to make many kills |
The Macross II mecha seem to have the best of both worlds. Their technology has the same emphasis as in Robotech, but has had just as much time to develop as Rifts Earth (though the development was in fits and starts, as indicated in the videos; the Metal Siren was the first radically new mecha in decades).
2.04. Why can some R.C.C.s have a O.C.C. and others can't?
In reality, there should be FOUR distinct classifications:
1) Occupational Character Classes: These are your run-of-the-mill character classes, well described in Rifts and other RPGs.
2) Races: A Race is an intelligent, usually humanoid, species. A Race has a diverse populace that can select from a variety of O.C.C. Humans, Elves, and True Atlanteans are all excellent examples of a Race. Some Races have limits on the classes they can select based on intelligence, genetic or cultural factors.
3) Racial Character Classes: A Racial character class is a race whose incentive (whether genetic or cultural) to have one particular occupation is so strong that all (or virtually all) members of said species possess that Occupation. Good examples are: Dragons, Dog Boys and Simvan. This also includes those species not intelligent enough to select an O.C.C., such as Grimbor or Seekers. Anything less intelligent is considered a monster or animal. One cannot change from an O.C.C. to an R.C.C. using class-change rules, but MIGHT be able (GM's call on each specific case) abandon an R.C.C. to be re-educated in an O.C.C. Of course, transformations like Vampires and Borgs are exceptions to this rule, as they destroy nearly all of what the character was before conversion, in terms of racial and psychic powers.
4) Psychic Character Classes & Psychic R.C.C.s: P.C.C. are found in original Beyond the Supernatural. They, and the Psychic R.C.C. types from Rifts, Nightbane, and other RPGs, are like an O.C.C. for the most part, except that they require a certain ability in psionics to be used. Hence, to take a Psychic R.C.C. or P.C.C., one has to belong to a race that can have psionics. Despite being more akin to O.C.C., in that they aren't limited to a specific race, they tend to be grouped with the R.C.C. types because of the genetic requirement. As with R.C.C., one generally cannot change from an O.C.C. to an R.C.C. or P.C.C. (With the exceptions noted in R.C.C. above), but MIGHT be able to change to an O.C.C. from the R.C.C. Note that the non-psychic P.C.C. from Beyond the Supernatural (Arcanist, Parapsychologist, Ordinary People) SHOULD be redefined as O.C.C. types.
2.05. How do I roll attributes and bonus dice?
It has generally been stated in most games that the only circumstances in which you receive bonus dice are:
If rolling 2D6, if you roll a 12 you get to roll *1* additional die.
If rolling 3D6, if you roll 16, 17, 18 you get to roll *1* additional die.
A. However, the first Rifts Conversion Book states otherwise, on page 25, in the section titled "Attributes". Thanks to Ronald Young for pointing this out. The relevant sentences are quoted below:
"Normal humans always roll three (3) six-sided dice for each attribute. A roll of 16, 17, or 18, means the an [sic] additional six-sided die is rolled and added to that attribute. If a six is rolled, another six-sided die is rolled and its number also added to that particular attribute."
This method is also used in both Heroes Unlimited 2nd Edition, and Palladium Fantasy 2nd Edition, but is not found in any of the other games. However, it would explain some "blips" in NPC stats, such as Lynn-Kyle's M.A. of 25 in the Robotech RPG. The clearest explanation of this method comes from PFRPG 2nd Edition, page 14.
"An exceptional roll for humans and other characters who determine an attribute with the roll of three six-sided dice (3D6) is a roll of 16, 17, or 18. If any of these numbers are rolled, the player gets to roll an additional one six-sided die (1D6) and add it to his total. If a six is rolled, the player adds the six to his or her character's attribute and roll 1D6 again, and add that number also to his character's total attribute number. However, even if this last roll is a six, the player does not roll again. Note that such rolls are relatively rare, so it is very unlikely for a human player to have several attributes (4 or more) with attributes higher than 18."
B. Note that some games (Robotech II: The Sentinels, being one of them) give the bonus die for 2D6 for an 11 as well.
C. Nowhere is it stated that dice with bonuses do not get the bonus die. If they did not get the bonus, it would mean that a person with 3D6 for a stat has a higher potential maximum attribute score than one with 3D6+1, or even 3D6+5! Logically, you should roll the dice, check for the bonus die, roll the bonus die (if warranted), THEN add the racial bonuses.
D. Races with 4+dice (including dice times a multiplier for optional R.C.C.s from Monsters & Animals, Rifts Conversion Book, etc.) DO NOT get bonus dice in that attribute. However, Aliens Unlimited allows Alien characters do get bonus dice on ANY 16-18, not just natural 16-18 from the die roll, and for any number of dice.
The following web page has an alternate treatment for this situation:
http://www.rifts-rpg.com/adv/attribute_dice.html
2.06. What is "Standard" Rate of Fire?
Palladium's answer to this is on their page: http://www.palladiumbooks.com/stuff/oops/rof.html
There is another set of (extremely complex) optional rules in Rifter #11, but with the exception of the modification of how "shooting wild" works, they're not all that hot, IMO.
I suggest the following modifications, as a simpler way of doing things, and to take into account weapons that have burst limiters inherent to their operation:
Note that "Automatic Pistol" is a misnomer, being short for "SEMI-Automatic Auto-loading Pistol" (Treat "Machine Pistols" as submachineguns). As such, all conventional pistols are Standard ROF, with the exception of the following three, built for military/special ops use: 93R Selective Fire Beretta, Stetchkin, and the Heckler and Koch VP70, a rare pistol that was automatic ONLY when its shoulder stock was attached, as the stock's connections enabled the auto-fire mode.
STANDARD ROF:
A Semi-Automatic Weapon. If the weapon has an ammo capacity of 9 or more rounds, the character can fire short bursts through rapid pulling of the trigger, but CANNOT fire long or full melee bursts. Short bursts use 3 rounds, or 20% of the magazine, whichever is larger. If by some odd chance the weapon has an ammo capacity over 30, then 6 rounds is the maximum size of the burst. Regardless of ammo usage, such a burst on one target only does x2 damage.
PULSE WEAPONS:
Not just energy weapons, but projectile weapons (like the M16A2) that have a setting that fires a burst of 3-5 (differs by weapon) rounds as a result of one trigger pull. Despite the low number of rounds (compared to ammo capacity), this burst is considered a short burst for damage (unless pulse damage already given), and a long burst can be attempted by firing multiple, rapid trigger pulls (usually 4) at one target. Full melee/empty magazine bursts are not possible with this weapon type, unless it has a fully automatic setting as well.
AIMED, BURST OR WILD:
A fully automatic weapon. Capable of all kinds of burst fire.
2.07. How Does Mini-Missile Guidance work? The different RPGs conflict each other!
There are two different types of mini-missile guidance: internal and command.
Internal guidance is the type used in Macross II, and seems (from references in the book) to be the type used by the Coalition RPA in Coalition War Campaign (Rifts World Book 11). Such guidance is essentially a more limited version of that of larger missiles.
Command guidance, however, is that used by Robotech and (other) Rifts mini-missiles, and they are often mistakenly referred to as having no guidance at all. Command guidance means that the missiles are controlled by the launcher. In the high-tech games, this is by laser designation of the target, or use of laser signals to the missiles themselves to alter their course; but older, 20th century tech missiles got similar performance by way of wires or fiber optic cables that spooled out from the back of the missile in flight, on which the commands were sent. Radio signals were not used, as they could be too easily jammed. With laser designation, the missiles automatically calibrate to that SPECIFIC launcher's laser frequency in the targeting computer, and when launched will track the reflected light to the target. However, the target must be designated up to the time of impact; with ranges of a mile or less, this isn't a problem with mini-missiles, unless you want to change targets. Changing from one target at a range over 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) to any other takes one attack to let the missiles in flight reach their target.
| Guidance Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Internal | Always +3 to strike, plus Weapons systems bonus 4 or more cannot be dodged | Cannot be used for
called shots No control after launch PP & WP do not add in |
| Command | PP & WP bonuses to strike, plus Weapon systems bonus Can be used for called shot Can be redirected in flight* |
Launching 3 or more
counts as Burst for strike bonus Any number can be dodged Must have line of sight to hit |
* Easier said than done, considering the speed of the missiles. Firer must first realize the mistake in missile flight, and then to redirect requires a strike roll with no bonuses, and a penalty equal to the pilot's PP-20; PPs over 20 DO NOT get a bonus this way, only no penalty. The redirection can be at nothing (i.e. the empty space beyond the original target, or another target within 50 feet/15m of the original. A pure miss on the redirection attempt means the original target is still hit; a miss due to penalties hits halfway between the old and new targets, and a miss due to dodge is treated normally. Note that, depending of the situation, both the old and new targets may still be in the blast radius of a miss, or even a successful redirection!
How Command Guidance Works (optional rule): It is commonly thought that mini-missiles are totally unguided. This is not true. In fact, they are more accurate than most guided missiles! Mini-missiles use what is known as COMMAND GUIDANCE; in other words, it is the launcher, not the missile itself that provides the steering commands. The exact process is described below.
Step One: Laser Designation. Also called "painting the target." For Robotech mecha, this is the primary purpose of the targeting system that pops out of the shoulder of GR-103/GR-97-equipped Cyclones; the RL-6 has its own internal system that serves the same function. All Rifts RPA and weapons that fire mini-missiles will have similar systems. The targeting laser is aimed at an impact point chosen by the pilot, on which the missiles will home. Mini-Missiles CAN be used for single-missile called shots, but at normal penalties.
Step Two: Launch. The missiles are launched at the target; remember that only single missiles can be used for aimed shots, as multiple missiles would interfere with each other when trying to hit such a small target. One or two missiles are +3 to hit, three or more are +1 to hit (as per WP rules; If WP Heavy actually possessed, use its bonuses instead). Add in bonuses for High P.P., the targeting system, and/or Cyclone Weapon Systems, if applicable.
Step Three: Tracking. Remember that these missiles have to track to their targets; if the firer has to dodge, the missiles will no longer have guidance, and will continue on their last course in a straight line. Unless the target is stationary, this will always result in a miss.
Any target under 500 feet distance requires less than a second to reach, and won't interfere with a firer's autododge (except vs. simultaneous attacks).
Targets at 501-1500 feet force the firer to waive the ability to dodge for one attack sequence.
Targets at 1501 feet to 1/2 mile cause the firer to lose the next attacks' action (if one possessed), WITH ONE EXCEPTION. If the firer still has both attacks and missiles remaining, he can fire another salvo at the same target while guiding the first missiles in (requiring another strike roll). The first volley of missiles hit at the end of the second action sequence, the second volley (if fired) at the end of the third, and so on. As long as missiles & attacks remain, continuing fire can be used.
Targets at 1/2 mile to 1 mile range can only be hit by certain mini-missiles. The rules are the same as for the last range, except that TWO attacks, not one are lost. The Continuing fire option is still available, however.
2.08. Why should my character worry about a fall? My armor will take it...
It is a common misconception that persons in body armor (especially M.D.C. armor) are protected from the impact of long falls. After all, falling damage is S.D.C. However, the damage from falling is from the sudden stop at the end, and is from the compression that results from the stop as much as from the surface impacted. As a result, body armor, force fields, or even magical and psionic protections from impact damage (Armor of Ithan, Invulnerability's additional energy field, Psychic Body Field, etc.), do NOT have any affect on reducing the damage from the impact. This was confirmed by the Siembiedas in the March 23, 1999 online chat on the Palladium web page.
2.09. What’s with all these rule changes? They’re slowing combat!
I know what you mean. Recently, Palladium has even gone on record making (as of HU2) a roll with Impact take an action, and saying that PP bonuses don’t apply to RPA/mecha weapons, when originally, the opposite was true for each (and an integral part of the game - without PP bonuses, what differentiates Max Sterling from someone with minimal stats, but the same skills?). Add to these the addition of two attacks per round to RPGs not designed for them (I.E. all the M.D.C. games), power creep and more, and you get a real mess.
The following is a suggestion on how to handle things. Essentially, the current rules, versus a set of fast-play rules (which are actually the ORIGINAL rules, in most cases). Using the latter will generally speed play, and make the game more enjoyable.
| Current, Official (or implied) Rule | Fast Play Rule (Italics = old official rule) |
| 2 attacks + attacks gained from HTH (a) | 1 Attack without HTH, or by HTH taken, especially for mecha/RPA based RPGs (Robotech, Rifts, MacII) |
| HTH applies only to Number of Attacks and actual, physical RPA/Mecha HTH Combat, not to any ranged attacks | HTH bonuses apply to all attacks, save missiles and attacks that fall under the rule for modern W.P., as the rules for all those games actually state. |
| Physical prowess does not apply to RPA/mecha combat except in HTH. (b) | P.P. Applies to all RPA/mecha combat, except guided missiles. |
| Roll with Impact takes an attack.(a) | Roll with Impact does not take an attack if only one attack rolled against, each action. Rolling against multiple attacks takes 1 action for each after the first, unless automatic roll possessed. |
| To get bonuses to hit in RPA/mecha, one has to roll each time a new target or weapon is chosen, versus Read Sensory or Weapons Systems (both if doing both), which takes up an attack when done, singly or combined. | Read Sensory is rolled once, often before the fight begins, and needs rolled in combat only if the first (pre-combat) attempt fails, an ambush eliminates the pre-combat roll, combatants enter a battle in progress, technical problems, or special detection rolls needed. Weapon Systems rolls normally do not require an action, save to make special rolls, like fire-linking weapons, aimed shots, etc. |
| Modern Weapons are -10 for pedestrians to dodge, and no bonuses apply, other than target speed penalties. | Modern Weapons are -10 to dodge, but any and all bonuses apply. (Combination of two rules sets- the -10 revision, and retention of bonuses inferred in HU2) |
| Spells take half your actions in a round for a low-level spell, one full round for a mid-level spell, and 2 rounds for a high-level spell. | Spells take 1 action, +1 action for every 3 levels of the spell (rounding up, for a total of 2-6) |
| Psionic powers take one action, but may have meditation times that can kill minutes (if not the character, from the resulting delay). | Ignore meditation times out of combat. In combat, powers requiring meditation are penalized somehow. (Use 2 attacks, double ISP, etc.) Penalty should be decided before play begins, and be equal for all. |
(a) Note that the disproof of these are in The Magic of Palladium Books, in answers Palladium gave 9-12 years ago to the questions asked then. To this day, it still bewilders me why they insist the current answers are the way it's always been, when they just reprinted LAST YEAR 10-year-old statements that prove otherwise.
(b) Alternatively, one could possibly argue that (despite the Rifts and Macross II rules saying otherwise), the addition of HTH and P.P. bonuses to mecha combat might only apply to Robotech mecha, because of the inherent symbiotic nature between a Protoculture/Robotechnology mecha and its pilot, as described in the RPG (and to a lesser extent, all other Robotech sources). A secondary case could be made that it might apply to Macross II as well, from the inherently high technology of that setting compared to Rifts.
2.10. What do you mean, "Save versus Pain"? Or "Wards"??? What are all the Palladium system save types?
The compiled list of save types are as follows. "Unless otherwise stated" means that most saves of this type may be different, from additional strength given to the magic type, due to a higher-level caster.
Saves modified by P.E. bonus:
* the O.C.C.s specializing in these types of magic list base save as 14 for Ward Magic, and 16 for Circle Magic, as does the list of saves in the section on magic terms, while the general save area in the PFRPG and other books list the smaller numbers. The larger numbers are correct, or you may choose to say they apply to the magic of mages who pick up those magic types as secondary forms of magic (like adult dragons).
Saves modified by M.E. bonus:
Horror Factor is like a save, but is dependent on the actual H.F. rating of the viewed creature. It's not an official rule, but many people allow repeated exposures (and made checks) to a specific creature type's HF to mollify, even eliminate, the check, and/or allow M.E. bonus.
3.01. What is the Palladium Fantasy RPG?
The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game (PFRPG) is a traditional fantasy game. Players choose from a variety of races, ranging from the "standards" such as humans, elves, dwarves, orcs, gnomes, etc.; to more exotic races such as wolfen and changelings. Character classes range from the men of arms (mercenaries, knights, palladins, etc.) and standard users of magic (wizard), clergy (priest); to more unusual magic-users such as the summoner (circle magic), diabolist (wards), and mind mage (psionics; not really magic).
3.02. What changes are there between the 1st and the 2nd Editions?
3.03. How do you handle characters who switch classes?
Detailed rules for switching classes are provided on page 10 of the (2nd Edition) Adventures on the High Seas.
3.04. Whatever happened to those little pamphlet supplements for weapons, castles, etc.?
After a decade of being replaced by compiled books (which actually left out one whole book, and parts of others), they have been re-released in 2002, with new cover art (and i hope new graphics inside, as well). As of 1 June 2002, two were released, the third was at the printer, and a fourth scheduled for a 10 July release.
In reality, they were never actually supplements to the Palladium Fantasy RPG, predating it by 1-3 years (though the weapons were done in what would become the standard Palladium system).
3.05. What is the "sexual deviations" table?
The Sexual Deviation table is a subsection of the Neurosis insanity table that was included in early printings of the Palladium RPG. Ironically, it was written by a psychologist. It was removed from later printings for several reasons, ranging from the reclassification of Homosexuality as not being an insanity, to the total unsuitability of many of the rest for a role-playing environment (such as pedophilia, etc.). Maryann has specifically asked that this table not be presented here, so I have pulled it in my revision. If you want to play (or be) a depraved psychopath, go buy White Wolf's Black Dog games products.
3.06. How do I handle P.B. for changelings?
Always a issue open to spirited debate. However, the following appears to be the correct interpretation.
The P.B. stat reflects only the NATURAL beauty of the character. The character can have any P.B. he wishes when transformed. However, the maximum P.B. must be one that the character has seen before on a member of the race being imitated. In other words, if a changeling has seen an elf with P.B. 25, he can mimic an elf with similar P.B. (Different features, but up to P.B. 25). However, unless the changeling has seen a human with such god-like looks, they cannot choose a human form with such high P.B. Several N.P.C. changelings that have appeared in various sources seem to have the ability to shape their P.B. into anything they desire, but considering the travel most changelings do to protect their identity, they most likely built a repertoire of persons with low and high P.B. to work from.
4.01. What is After The Bomb? What was the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles RPG?
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles RPG (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Other Strangeness, TMNT) was a modern mystery/action game based around the (original) TMNT comics. (NOTE: The cartoons, live action show, action figures and (to a lesser extent) movies are the "kiddified" TMNT, while the game is based on the comics, which are much more "gritty" and adult.) Players choose an animal type, and use Bio-E (Biological Energy) to give the character more human-like features, as well as powers relating to the type of animal chosen. Due to circumstances, the TMNT RPG has been discontinued by Palladium (see below), but its legacy will live on at Palladium in the form of the After The Bomb RPG.
After the Bomb was originally a dark-future mutant animal setting, tied to the TMNT RPG. With the demise of the TMNT license, the TMNT connections were removed, and the setting modernized, while being combined with the rule changes that had been planned for the 2nd eedition of TMNT. Plus, Palladium still sells all the After the Bomb supplements from the TMNT era.
4.02. Where do I find X mutant animal?
The following is updated for the After The Bomb RPG. As one can see, a lot of zoo animals listed in the TMNT Main Book didn't make the conversion to After the Bomb, but will hopefully be converted in later products. Also, it is hoped that revised versions of the "Mutants" books will be done as well, as older TMNT products were never updated to Revised level, let alone the new After the Bomb RPG. It is also divided into categories by animal type (Invertebrates, Birds, Amphibians & Reptiles, Mammals and other types). Others will be subdivided by their status, such as the Dinosaurs & Cenozioc lifeforms mutated as a result of time travel, and the throwbacks & purebreds that don't necessarily resemble their true ancestral species. Some of these animals will be listed in two categories.
Current Products: Discontinued Products: AtB After the Bomb RPG TMNT T.M.N.T. Main Book MDU Mutants Down Under TDT Transdimensional T.M.N.T. MiA Mutants in Avalon TT Truckin' Turtles MiO Mutants in Orbit MoPB The Magic of Palladium Books #1 MotY Mutants of the Yucatan (and the reprinted compilation of MOP) RH Road Hogs Insects & Invertebates, Mutant These are pets, mounts and Mutant monsters, not player character types. Animal Book & Page Animal Book & Page ====== =========== ====== =========== Ant (pet) MiA 21 Earwig, Mars Mutant MiO 50 Ant, Bulldog (riding) MDU 10 Fly, Drone/Riding MDU 10-11 Ant, Mars Mutant MiO 44 Fly, Mars Mutant MiO 52 Bee, Domesticated MIA 21-22 Fly, Bluebottle Bristle MiO 53 Bee, Mars Mutant MiO 46 Grasshopper, riding MDU 11 Beetle, Ladybird MiA 23 Hornet/Wasp MiA 23 Beetle, Mars Mutant MiO 47 Praying Mantis, Mars MiO 54 Butterfly & Caterpillar MiA 22-23 Snail/Slug, Riding MiA 19-20 Cockroach, Mars Mutant MiO 49 Snail/Slug, Monster MiA 20 Dragonfly MiA 23 Spider, Wolf (riding) MDU 11 Birds Animal Book & Page Animal Book & Page ====== =========== ====== =========== Birds of Prey AtB 81-82 Hummingbird RH 6 Eagle, Falcon, Hawk, etc. Kookaburra MDU 14 Budgie, Parakeet AtB 84 Magpie MiA 14 Cassowary MDU 13 Owl AtB 83 Chicken AtB 101-103 Parrot AtB 86-87 Buzzard RH 6 Pigeon AtB 88-89 Condor RH 6 Pigeon, Passenger AtB 89 Coot MiA 11 Peacock MiA 15 Crow AtB 85 Perchers, Songbirds AtB 87-88 Diatrymon (extinct bird) TDT 26 Puffin MiA 16 Duck AtB 86 Roadrunner RH 7 Emu MDU 14 Sparrow, etc. AtB 90-91 Flamingo MotY 12 Swallow MiA 18 Game Birds AtB 88 Swan MiA 18 Partridge, Grouse, Quail, etc. Toucan MotY 20 Goose AtB 86 Turkey AtB 91 Gulls, Sea Birds AtB 90 Vulture RH 7 Heron MiA 14 Woodpecker MiA 19 Amphibians & Reptiles (not including Dinosaurs) Animal Book & Page Animal Book & Page ====== =========== ====== =========== Alligator AtB 77 Iguana MotY 14 Armadillo Lizard MoPB 7 Komodo Dragon MDU 18 Boa Constrictor MotY 17 Lizard RH 8 Bushmaster MotY 18 Newt MiA 14 Chameleon RH 9 Rattlesnake MotY 18 Crocodile AtB 77 Sea Turtle RH 12 Emerald Tree Boa MotY 17 Slow-Worm MiA 17 Fer-de-Lance MotY 18 Snake MDU 22 Frilled Lizard MDU 16 Thorny Devil (Moloch) MDU 24 Frog AtB 112-113 Turtle AtB 138 Gila Monster RH 9 Wallace's Flying Frog MoPB 7-8 Goanna MDU 16 Extinct Animals Mesozoic Era (dinosaur era) Cenozoic Era (Mammalian Era) Animal Book & Page Animal Book & Page ====== =========== ====== =========== Allosauroid (Throwback) AtB 103-104 Argentadon (bird) TDT 26 Allosauroid (true dino) TDT 17-19 Diatrymon(flightless bird)TDT 26 Ankylosauroid TDT 19 Glyptodon TDT 26 Brontosauroid TDT 20 Hominidon TDT 16 Dromaeosauroid TDT 20 Hyaenodon TDT 27 Duckoid TDT 21 Mastodon/Mammoth TDT 27 Hypsilophoid TDT 22 Megatherion (Giant Sloth) TDT 28 Pachycephaloid TDT 22 Paraceratherion TDT 28 Pterasoid TDT 23 Smilodon & Thylacosmilus TDT 29 Saurinoid TDT 24 Thylodon TDT 29 Stegosauroid TDT 23 Triceratops TDT 25 Pigeon, Passenger AtB 89 Tyrannosoid TDT 25 Mammals, Marsupial & Monotreme Animal Book & Page Animal Book & Page ====== =========== ====== =========== Bandicoot MDU 14 Rock Wallaby MDU 22 Cuscus MDU 14 Spiny Anteater (Echidna) MDU 23 Greater Glider MDU 16 Squirrel AtB 134-135 Honey Possum MDU 17 Tasmanian Devil MDU 23 Kangaroo MDU 17 Thylacosmilus (extinct) TDT 29 Koala MDU 18 Thylodon (extinct) TDT 29 Marsupial Mole MDU 19 Tree Kangaroo MDU 24 Mulgara MDU 19 Tree Porcupine MotY 21 Native Cat (Tiger Cat) MDU 19 Tree-Climbing Anteater MotY 20 Numbat (Banded Anteater) MDU 20 Wallaroo MDU 25 Opossum AtB 124 Water Opossum (Australian)MoPB 8 Platypus MDU 20 Water Opossum (Mexican) MotY 21 Possum (Phalanger) MDU 21 Wombat MDU 25 Rat Kangaroo (Bettong) MDU 21 Mammals, Placental Animal Book & Page Animal Book & Page ====== =========== ====== =========== Aardvark TMNT 29 Leopard AtB 108-109 Ape: Gorilla & Orangutan TMNT 29 Lion AtB 107 Ape: Chimpanzee AtB 104 Manatee MotY 15 Armadillo AtB 78 Margay MotY 12 Baboon TMNT 30 Marten AtB 121 Badger AtB 78 Mink AtB 121 Bat AtB 79 Mole AtB 121-122 Bear AtB 80 Monkey AtB 122 Beaver AtB 80 Moose AtB 122-123 Buffalo AtB 99-100 Mountain Lion AtB 109 Camel AtB 92 Muskrat AtB 123-124 Cat, Domestic AtB 110-112 Otter AtB 126 Cat, Wild (Bobcat/Lynx) AtB 108 Paca (Agoutis) MotY 16 Cheetah TMNT 38 Packrat RH 11 Chipmunk AtB 105 Pigs, Boars, etc. AtB 135-137 Coati RH 7 Pika TT 31 Cow/Bull AtB 98-101 Porcupine AtB 125-126 Coyote TMNT 35 Prairie Dog RH 12 Coypu MiA 12 Pronghorn RH 10 Deer AtB 105 Rabbit AtB 126 Dingo MDU 15 Raccoon AtB 129 Disk-Winged Bat MotY 8 Rhinoceros TMNT 43 Dog, Domestic AtB 95-98 Ringtail RH 11 Dolphin RH 8 Rodent AtB 129-132 Donkey RH 8 Sea Lion RH 12 Elephant AtB 106-107 Sheep AtB 132-133 Elk AtB 105 Shire Horse MiA 16 False Vampire Bat MotY 9 Skunk AtB 134 Felines (general info) AtB 107-112 Sloth MotY 16 Fisherman Bat MotY 10 Squirrel AtB 134-135 Fox AtB 93-94 Tapir MotY 19 Giant Anteater MotY 13 Tree Kangaroo MDU 24 Giant Armadillo MotY 13 Tree Porcupine MotY 21 Goat AtB 113-114 Tree-Climbing Anteater MotY 20 Goat, Spider-Goat AtB 114-116 True Seal RH 13 Hedgehog MiA 13 Vampire Bat MotY 10 Hippopotomus TMNT 40 Walrus RH 13 Horse AtB 116-118 Water-Vole MiA 18 Human AtB 119-121 Weasel, Ferret AtB 139-140 Jaguar AtB 108-109 Whale RH 13 Jaguarondi MotY 11 Wolf AtB 94 Kinkajous MotY 14 Wolverine AtB 140 Other Animals (playable as characters) Animal Book & Page ====== =========== Octopus RH 9 Pig, Flying AtB 138 Pig-People AtB 137-138 Rabbit, Pleasure Bunnies AtB 127-128
4.03. Why did Palladium drop the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles license? What happened to the planned Second Edition?
This is from an open letter by Kevin Siembieda, as posted on the Palladium web site in January 2000:
"Saying good-bye to the Ninja Turtles is like saying farewell to an old friend. So it is with a touch of sadness that I must announce Palladium Books' decision to let go of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles role-playing game license.
I know this news will disappoint many fans, particularly those who have been anxiously anticipating the release of the Second Edition of the Ninja Turtle RPG. There will be no Second Edition or any new T.M.N.T. product from Palladium.
A tiny handful of distraught fans on-line, have suggested Palladium does not care about our fans, because if we did, we would come out with T.M.N.T., 2nd Edition no matter what. If only it were that simple and easy. What these folks do not understand is that Palladium and Mirage (the T.M.N.T. people) have been keeping the game-line afloat for the last several years because we care.
At its peak, Palladium Books was selling over 4,000 copies of the T.M.N.T. game every month! Nearly 200,000 copies of the basic rule book, alone, have been sold since we first released it in the fall of 1985. The late 1980's also saw the black and white comic book outselling many color comics, with sales (I believe) of over 100,000 copies an issue. In fact, the explosive success of the T.M.N.T. comic book helped give birth to the "independent" comic book publishing industry, as hundreds of other creators began to "self-publish" their own comics and form new companies. The success of the Ninja Turtles encouraged hundreds of new entrepreneurs to take a chance, and it created a level of excitement that the comic book industry had not seen in decades (at the time, other than a few tiny, independent publishers, there was only Marvel and DC).
Meanwhile, role-playing was experiencing its own "boom" time, and with carefully executed licenses like the Ninja Turtles® and Robotech®, Palladium Books was quickly recognized as one of the top publishers of RPGs.
The mass market exploitation of the Turtles created hundreds of licensed products worldwide. That was cool, and made the original creators, Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, some serious money. Toy manufacturers, the film studio, the TV cartoon people and scores of others made millions of dollars as the Ninja Turtles became a pop culture phenomenon -- the Pokemon of their day. There were three movies, a long-running TV cartoon, a zillion action figures and toys, comic books, coloring books, and clothes for little kids, to name just a few of the 150+ licenses that once existed. A huge success by any standard. And it could not have happened to two nicer guys, 'cuz Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird are the best!
Ah, but you know how you always hear how everything (especially fame and success) comes with a price? Well, it is true. On one hand, the T.M.N.T. folks got to see their creation become an international mega-hit, with millions upon millions of children falling in love with the Ninja Turtles, bringing joy and fun to them all.
On the other hand, the successful "mass marketing" killed the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the comic book and role-playing game markets where they first took off. Weird, but true. You see, the Turtles were what I refer to as, "kiddified." The once gritty, satirical, hard-hitting Turtles became cuddly, fun-loving, pizza-swirling heroes to little kids -- ages 3-10 -- and joined the ranks of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and the Smurfs! While this made them a viable mass market property, it hurt them in the small, specialized market of role-playing. Basically, no self-respecting teenager or pre-teen wanted anything to do with the Ninja Turtles. Why? Because they had become "little kid stuff." It didn't matter that the role-playing game (and b/w comic book) was the same gritty, butt-kicking, imaginative and fun game it had always been. The Turtles were taboo to the teen market.
Role-playing sales plummeted overnight, from 4000+ copies a month to 1,200. A short time later sales fell to less than 100 copies a month. And sourcebooks ... forget about them.
No matter what we or Mirage did, nothing helped the RPG sales. We kept delaying the Second Edition T.M.N.T. game in a futile attempt to promote, hype and build excitement. We spent over $20,000 on promotional advertisements that appeared in Marvel Comics and offered the first 600 people to respond, a free copy of the current T.M.N.T. game. We sent out 600 copies, but saw no increase in sales. We hyped it up on-line, in The Rifter, at conventions, etc., to no avail. After nearly three years of hype we had 30 advanced mail orders for the Second Edition compared to 300 for Rifts Canada after only six months of hype. To make matters worse, half our distributors were not interested in carrying the Second Edition, and the other half were only willing to "try" a tiny amount. Despite our best attempts and advertising dollars (not counting the few thousand spent on the cover and interior artwork, some of which appears in this issue), few seemed to want it. To do T.M.N.T. Second Edition was throwing good money after bad. For Palladium Books, at least, the day of the Ninja Turtles had come to an end.
What drives me crazy is that to this very day I hear from gamers everywhere who first discovered role-playing games because they tried the Ninja Turtle RPG. Even more maddening is the fact that most of them absolutely love the game, and many still even play it! And why not?! It was (is) a truly GREAT game and loads of fun!! I think it's one of game designer/writer, Erick Wujcik's, crowning achievements. Not to mention the fact that it helped spread Palladium's universal game system (one set of basic rules, a Megaverse of adventure) to thousands of new gamers. Well, we had plenty of good years, got to know a couple of great guys in Kev and Pete (Gary, Jim, and Eric too). Furthermore, I'm proud to know that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness RPG ranks as one of the best selling role-playing games of all time. And we had a blast doing it. Eastman and Laird recognized our expertise and let us run with it. They were always friendly, imaginative, helpful and cooperative even after they became millionaires. I'm telling you, these guys are the best!
I want to make it clear that the good folks at Mirage Studios were willing to renew our license for another two years. It was Palladium Books who declined and asked to terminate the license. Sad and disappointing as it may be, it is just time for us to let the Ninja Turtles go and pursue other, new realms of adventure. Sorry.
We wish Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Gary Richardson, Jim Lawson and all the fine people at Mirage a bright and happy future. Thanks everybody, it has been a grand 15 years working with you. I guess we'll just watch the next 15 years of the Turtles' success from the back seat instead of the front.
5.01. What was the Robotech RPG?
The Robotech RPG was a role-playing game based on the Harmony Gold animated television series, Robotech. Game supplements cover the Macross, Southern Cross, and Invid Invasion portions of the animated series, as well as the Sentinels. Characters can be human, Zentraedi, or a Sentinel race. Character classes include the Veritech and Destroid pilot. Campaign settings include Macross, Southern Cross, Invid Invasion, and the Sentinels.
5.02. What discrepancies are there between the RPG and the series?
The largest discrepancies are two-fold: Firstly, the RPG claims (in Invid Invasion) that the Invid returned some years after the Regis' departure, contradicting both letter and spirit of the last episode, providing an artificial reason not to end the role-playing campaign when the show ends. It is this liberty that has drawn the most fire from fans (though others have accommodated it into their campaigns).
Elsewhere, (in The Sentinels) Siembieda takes liberties with the number of ships that supposedly departed with the SDF-3 to Tyrol. According to all the known Sentinels reference material, the SDF-3 was supposed to be alone. However, Siembieda seems to be attempting to address problems in Macek's version of the Sentinels; one ship leaves, and hundreds (fully crewed) return. Likewise, he has the REF spend an indeterminate time sweeping the Galaxy clean of the Regent's Invid, where in the outlines for the Sentinels TV show, the REF was to have returned not long after the capture of the Invid's home-world.
One minor fault is that the Robotech Master's home world is Tyrol (also spelled "Tirol"), which orbits the giant planet Fantoma. The RPG somehow managed to swap the two names. The probable reason may be the reference to the Masters' home world in the Sentinels' video as "the moon of Fantoma" (which it is, because it orbits Fantoma), which was taken at Palladium to be like the reference to the planet Endor in "Return of the Jedi" as "The Moon of Endor", because of its small size.
Another thing that irks some fans of the original Southern Cross series, is that the Battloids were so different from their original designs. The GMP Battloid of the RPG was the REP Battloid in the anime, and all of the other Battloids (SC and EBSIS) were assigned to the wrong forces - some were not even Battloids at all, but power armor! However, in Robotech, we never see Battloids being used in any manner that would assign them to any given part of the SC, and most we do not see in action at all, and their brief appearances are easily missed. Assignation of some of these designs to the EBSIS (a Palladium invention, though a fairly logical one for its time of origin) served to give a purpose for these unused designs.
The biggest anime to RPG goofs are as follows:
|
Macross goofs: |
|
| RPG Version | What it really was in the Japanese shows |
| Lancer One Space Fighter | The Oberth Class space destroyer, which is several hundred feet long! Multiply all M.D./M.D.C. numbers by 25 for a more accurate description. Crew is around 100, and ship capable of interplanetary flights. Anti-UWG forces hijacked one of these, used it to destroy another that was being used to evacuate Mars Base (how Riber died), which was in turn destroyed by Gloval in a third (his first space command). This happened around the time of the flashbacks we see of Claudia and Roy on Macross Island in "A Rainy Night" (ca. 2007-2008). The Miranda and Circe were POSSIBLY of this class, or of the one below. |
| Daedalus and Prometheus | Ships like them were shown in space in the first few episodes before the fold accident and later when Dolza attacked. It is probable these ships had artificial gravity and contra-grav capability to allow them to reach orbit under their own power to help defend Earth, as well as ferry supplies to the Oberths, ARMDs, and the SDF-1, none of which were intended to ever land on Earth after launch. |
| The UF-14 fighter | Actually belonged to the forces fighting AGAINST the United Earth Government! Real Name: Karyovin. Note, also, that the "Falcon" fighter was really named "Dragon", but due to how the kana were written in the art books used by Palladium as a source, it was very easy for the name to be misread. |
|
Southern Cross goofs: |
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| RPG Version | What it really was in the Japanese shows |
| G.M.P. Battloid | R.E.P. Recon Battloid (Also used by T.C.) |
| T.C. Recon Battloid | T.C.* Combat Battloid, Officer-style head |
| C.D.U. Battloid (Heavy) | T.C.* Combat Battloid, NCO-style head |
| C.D.U. Battloid (Light) | T.C.* Combat Battloid, Enlisted-style head |
| Cosmic Unit Battloid | |