Okay kids, help me out a bit here. I just bought the
SM2 boxed set from our local EBay equivalent, and I have a few questions regarding it and how it differs from SMP. I did google them both and looked through a bunch of reviews, but couldn't find any satisfactory answers to these questions, so forgive me if there's already a site that talks about this stuff in depth.
Please also bear in mind that I'm still waiting for the boxed set to arrive. I do have a passing familiarity with the ICE system by means of the Rolemaster Express PDF I nabbed from RPGNow (or possibly RPGDriveThru, I forget) when they did that free download thing awhile back, but baby talk regarding rules where necessary please.
OK, firstly (and most importantly), how easy would it be to just drop stuff in from SMP to SM2? I mean, if I have to get a bunch of supplements, I'd prefer to get more recent stuff if possible. Specifically, I'm wondering about SMP Blaster Law. I know someone who I could, ahem, 'borrow' a copy from, and all those detailed attack charts will probably be useful should I get some folks together.
But, I also understand that SM2 lacks detailed spaceship combat rules in the box - would I need to get Star Strike for that, or would one of the Tech Laws be a worthwhile bet? I mean, presumably basic task resolution would be the same as always (d100+bonus, check chart if necessary), so is there anything stopping else me from just putting in whichever systems I like? I guess computer hacking rules will have changed a bit too between '88 and '00, yes?
Actually, talking about Blaster Law, I did get a chance to have a quick look through a while back, and I noticed that you'd actually take a bit less hits damage from the lasers and stuff if naked, than if you were wearing low end futuristic armour. Steel plate seemed to be a pretty good option too. Eh? Or was there something I'm missing? Obviously I didn't get to sit down and really study it.
On that note, (oh man my segues are extra good today) which system is more lethal? And which produces more powerful characters (ie. more skill ranks, greater OB and DB, etc.)? I like low powered lethality, because I'm an arbitrary sort of GM and that makes it easier to justify myself. Hey, how 'bout that skill system? Which version has the most skills? Are most of them 'compatible' - that is, they have obvious analogues cross versions?
Anyway, that's probably enough questions for now. Thanks in advance for any help you care to give, by the way.