What do you think about the Silhouette rules?

[Giansolo451]

The first time I knew the Silhouette System was when I was searching a Gundam-like RPG and I bought the first edition of Jovian Chronicles. A very beautiful game with a very beautiful system. It was (and in fact, it is) my prefered roleplaying system. It was a good balance of detail and lightness in rules and I think this balance was partially altered in SilCore (that I bought with both Heavy Gear 3rd and Jovian Chronicles 2nd), where the system became more complex with the new "complexity rating". I hope the system could return to the balance and lightness of the previous edition, with more complexity as optional rules in the main book or in an eventual compendium.

[Kale]

Originally Posted by Giansolo451

The first time I knew the Silhouette System was when I was searching a Gundam-like RPG and I bought the first edition of Jovian Chronicles. A very beautiful game with a very beautiful system. It was (and in fact, it is) my prefered roleplaying system. It was a good balance of detail and lightness in rules and I think this balance was partially altered in SilCore (that I bought with both Heavy Gear 3rd and Jovian Chronicles 2nd), where the system became more complex with the new "complexity rating". I hope the system could return to the balance and lightness of the previous edition, with more complexity as optional rules in the main book or in an eventual compendium.

Yeah, I got into Silhouette with Heavy Gear 2nd Edition and Jovian 1st Edition. By the sounds of things it got a bit confused after that?

[Giansolo451]

Originally Posted by Kale

Yeah, I got into Silhouette with Heavy Gear 2nd Edition and Jovian 1st Edition. By the sounds of things it got a bit confused after that?

Yes, a little bit. Partially because the SilCore became a (wanne be) generic roleplaying system, and partially for some new rules.
In the SilCore the skills aren't linked to a specific stat (and this is very good, more freedom for players and masters), but aside the level there is a complexity rating (in fact, another level) for every skill that players and masters needs to manage beside the threshold for a given test. This is more realistic ("talented" is not the same of "trained"), but if a master hasn't understand it well the game can become more slow. In fact, there are two difficults to manage with DIFFERENT rules to resolve them at the same time. Not the best of life!
I know many master of the SilCore totally ignore the complexity rule, as if it is an optional rule and I hope this will be formalized in the next edition of the Silhouette System in Heavy Gear 4th (and Jovian Chronicles 3rd?).

[Jbuckmaster]

Complexity, if it remains, will be much simpler. I never liked how that was implemented and much prefer not having another layer of problems.

-John

[Giansolo451]

Originally Posted by Jbuckmaster

Complexity, if it remains, will be much simpler. I never liked how that was implemented and much prefer not having another layer of problems.

A very good news! :)

[Kale]

Originally Posted by Jbuckmaster

Complexity, if it remains, will be much simpler. I never liked how that was implemented and much prefer not having another layer of problems.
-John

I don't even understand how it was supposed to work from the above description. If you can't get it across in a paragraph it may be advisable to drop it...

[Jbuckmaster]

I can get what I would like for complexity across in 1 sentence ;)


I can describe the entire system in one to two paragraphs.

-John

Oh, Kale, you going to be at Cal-Con at all?

[jlaakso]

I can't wait to see what you're doing with the 4E. I've been a longtime fan since the original HG book, going through all of your games, but never got it on with SilCore as it just sounded like a mess to me. A new version would be welcome, as the existing rules do have issues, even though I really, really like the basic design of the system. I think it's my groups' favorite, as well, only second to Storyteller.

Do you have any sort of timeframe for HG 4E?

[Jbuckmaster]

Paul is a very busy man and I like to make sure my mechanics are rock solid even before playtesting, so the timeframe for 4e is "when it's done."

-John

[Konig-Wolf]

Originally Posted by jlaakso

I can't wait to see what you're doing with the 4E. I've been a longtime fan since the original HG book, going through all of your games, but never got it on with SilCore as it just sounded like a mess to me. A new version would be welcome, as the existing rules do have issues, even though I really, really like the basic design of the system. I think it's my groups' favorite, as well, only second to Storyteller.

Do you have any sort of timeframe for HG 4E?

Jonas? Hey dude, this is Jeff (Maximilian Xavier) ! I played in your PBEM Jovian Chronicles game, "The White Line"...do you remember? Glad to see your still around my friend.

As for Silhouette, I've loved it since the first moment I layed eyes on Heavy Gear first edition...for me, as a roleplayer who also enjoys tactical game, it's damn near the perfect system...I can explain it quickly and easily to my players, the stats don't get in the way of role-play, and integrating tactical play is a snap.

John, I'm looking forward to the new edition! Get it done, I want to playtest it with my group! ^_^