From: v057qkmm@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (BABBLING SAGE)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc
Subject: Re: Let's talk REAL sci-Fi systems
Keywords: The best
Date: 10 Sep 92 23:52:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

In article <j+6y!zd@rpi.edu>, cleggp@aix.rpi.edu (Paul Jason Clegg) writes...
>In article <BuC6KL.Fpw@acsu.buffalo.edu> v057qkmm@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (Bluerazor) writes:
>>
>>	Ok, I'm going to objectively compare Battlelords to those OTHER 
>>so-called Sci-fi game systems out there. So listen up gamers, and flame
>>away!! I'm going to be brutally honest.
> 
>Oh boy, this is going to be a FUN thread!

	I hope so.

> 
>>	Battlelords has twelve of the COOLEST races you'd ever want to play,
>>and they are all original, not based on some hokey elven lore!!!! I don't
>>know about you, but I'd rather play my first level Mutzachan any day than
>>some "elven decker" or "Ork". Leave the elves to D&D, I want ALIENS!
> 
>Au contrare.  Firstly, "Coolest" is a relative term.  Secondly, Star
>Frontiers Alpha Dawn had the Vrusk, Dralasite and Yazirian races, which
>I still think are the "coolest" and best developed races I've seen to date.

	Matter of opinion I suppose. Anyhow I said twelve OF the coolest.
not the twelve coolest. Who knows?

> 
>>	Battlelords has the best combat system of any Sci-Fi system on the
>>market, bar none. I have fifty dollars that says so. No other system 
>>simulates discharge combat so realistically. Its quick, efficient, and 
>>deadly. It's not like some systems where you roll 30d6 and fail to do any
>>damage. What kind of system is that, Yahtzee?? And theres none of these 
> 
>I rather liked Twilight:  2000 (at least, 1st edition) for its combat system.
>Quick, accurate, and deadly, while still retaining simplicity.  I ONCE
>calculated the damage done by a 40mm HE grenade that hit an enemy in the
>head.  It was not nice.  I had two of six characters put out of action by
>simple shots to the arms, from pistol fire.  And no one walks around like
>a veritable tank in armor from hell.

	grenade to the head: quite fatal in most cases. helmet can save
you, if its a hi-tech device.
	Pistol shots to arm: critical hits to can cause unconsciouness;
	so this is a definite possibility.
	Armor from hell: It's high tech, and it costs a lot. And your enemies
will have it too.

> 
>>	Battlelords now has the LARGEST, most complete equipment manual
>>ever compiled, Lock 'N Load. It has over 2000 pieces of equipment, fully
> 
>I don't doubt it.  However, I have one complaint already:  I had been
>led to believe that Simms' main idea behind BattleLords was to keep 
>everything in one book, "so that people don't have to buy tons of
>accessories".  And if he would have put as much effort in making a 
>COMPLETE set of rules as he has for equipment, I wouldn't be complaining
>at ALL at this point.
> 

	You CAN play the game without LockNLoad. It's a supplement.
	No one said there wouldn't be any support material!

>>	Battlelords doesn't have "spells" or "magic" or "mana". Sure, you
>>can play characters with psychic powers who can generate matrices... but
>>you wont be turning anyone to goo by rolling d6s. Leave mages out with
>>that hokey elven lore.
> 
>Only four races have access to these "psychic" powers of yours; and their
>abilities are restricted to your character race.  There is no option; there
>are no "Chatilian Non-Empaths".  Players of these characters are forced to
>give up 1/2 their XP to further their "psychic" abilities.  You end up 
>with the "AD&D Class Problem".

	Hmmm.. dont want psychic powers? Dont play a MC race. And if you
do want them and youre a non-MC, try Latent Extraction.

> 
>>	No space combat system? Of course not - its still under development 
>>because when its released it will be the BEST. Can't fit it into a 250-page
>>rulebook which already explains the basics.
> 
>And no "Real" vehicle rules, no "real" computers rules, no "real" robot rules.
>What kind of sci-fi game are you going to have without AT LEAST working
>computer and robot rule systems?  I wouldn't DARE put out a sci-fi game
>that didn't have complete rules conventions for AT LEAST computers...

	Well, admittedly the vehicle rules are a patch. Computer rules
are foun in LockNLoad, and only for body computers. And robots are also
a patch. However, two points:

	1> Most people add something of their own to a game. Most GMs can
improvise rules and background, and there is no game which can completely 
cover every situation.
	2> Again, the vehicles and robots wouldnt fit. expect all of those
things in a supplement.

> 
>>	So go ahead, try toget that fifty bucks. Show Me a better combat
>>system. Oh and by the way it has to be a published game. 
>>
>You can send the check to:
> 
>Paul Clegg
>1003 Buck
>RPI
>Troy, New York
>12180-3590
> 
>(Better yet, just ask Simms for my home address...)

Bluerazor