Maybe that can be stated somewhere in the book or on the back cover. Then you just have to get the people to believe it.
MDC
The first E critical should sort that out
Criticals though are a *huge* selling point for RM. I can fairly confidently state that there is no other game that even comes close in terms of the graphic realism that those complex (and often entertaining) tables bring to the game. My (new to the game) players' favourite is the 100 E heat - "All that remains are charred bits of teeth and bone." Maybe some choice quotes along the lines of: "Other RPG: You hit for 12 damage. Rolemaster: You hit for 12 damage, and your vicious slash to the foe's weapon arm causes an additional 3 hits per round bleeding damage and -10 to all actions."
In my mind I'm seeing a video promo like this -
[A front room gaming group. one player looks to be asleep, another texting. The clock on the mantle ticks loudly. All dialogue deadpan monotone, filled with silence and pauses.]
Player: I roll a 17.
GM: You hit. roll some damage.
Player: 8 plus 4... that's 12
GM: The orc dies.
[Cross fade to a much more animated group, all the players watching the combat, clearly interested]
Player: I roll a total of 156
GM: The orc is nimble and has a shield. 50 defense, 10 cover for attacking through the confined space of the doorway.
Player: (looking it up in the book): 96... 96... that's 12 hits and a C critical. (rolls dice). Sweet - 82 (the other players sit back, thinking their job has been done)
GM: Your wild swing scores a deep gash scross the orc's chest - but he's wearing chest armour so instead of opening up his chest cavity, you simply nick his shoulder, he's bleeding for 2 hits per round and cannot parry for 2 rounds. He roars in anger and swings his mace at your head! What's your defense?
[Fade to motivational message. Until one is thought of: "RoleMaster - the roleplaying game of champions"]
Heck, if I had a video camera I'd film it myself at the roleplaying club on Thursday and set it going all viral
N.B. if you're thinking of any videos try and get Felicia Day - she is a) hot, b) geeky, c) into roleplaying, d) likes doing things online
edit - oops - he can't be stunned *and* swing his mace in anger - so changed it to an Unable to Parry result. Disclaimer - all hit tables and critical results 100% made up. I'm a GM. I'm allowed to do that. So there.