GURPS Social Engineering

[Kromm]

Make you buy the book?
Oh no, I could not do that!
That is the book's job.

— Some hack

Wow, GURPS Social Engineering has only been available from e23 for a few hours and already my announcement has been scooped a couple of times. Such is the the power of word of mouth, memes, propaganda, and plain old advertising. Which are, of course, but a few of the topics that Bill Stoddard explores in his latest work.

Ever felt that the rules should give "face time" the same loving detail as face-punching, or preferred deception and manipulation to picking locks and planting bombs, or simply wanted more out of your PC's points in social skills? If so, this one's for you! From little white lies to getting elected (wait . . .), from sugary-sweet romance to starting fights, Social Engineering organizes and rationalizes everything ever written for social interactions in GURPS, adds tons of new options, and demonstrates how to use it all in play. Topics include social advantages (like Rank and Status), disadvantages (such as Odious Personal Habits), and skills; their applications, both expected and extraordinary; and how to square it all with GM intent and player approach. In true GURPS tradition, the advice crosses genre boundaries, and even pushes past the human factor to account for the superhuman and the nonhuman. If people actually talk in your games, you need this book.

That isn't hyperbole, either. This is an 88-page monster. Everything is here. If you don't believe me, then take a look at the preview. Why yes, that index does have entries for economic monopolies, truth drugs, and taunting . . .