Whilst I am a hard core fan of this setting, I wary of buying this boxed set. At a hefty $100 it is far more than my meager means can afford. On top of that, I am some what worried about the disorganization that I have heard plaguing it. So, with this in mind, should I wait? I am more than willing to try it, but do not want to buy what maybe a bit of an albitross for me at the moment. Anyone have any thoughts to share on this? I suspect I may be getting a gift card or two for Christmas, I may actaully have some funds to get it.

Well, there are some disorganisation problems, but at the end of the day I'm not really sure that FFG can do much about them. Are they going to rewrite the main book and give it away free? Seems unlikely. Or a totally updated version? Again, unlikely and if they did that, it won't happen for some time. The thing I've found is you can work out the rules, it just takes a bit of effort - re-reading the rules, reading the forums, reading the errata. Once you get a hang of the rules, it does seem like a pretty good system/game. So I wouldn't use this as a reason to wait, especially if you have a group of players ready to go. On the other hand, if right now it's a financial strain for you, then that's probably the most important consideration and therefore it's probably a good idea to wait and, as you say, see what gift cards you get over Christmas.

I'd agree. There are actually only "a few" core rules in the system (the dice mechanic, the stance mechanic, skills, character creation, stress and fatigue, turn order) that you actually need to get your head round and those same mecahnics then permeate through out the rest of the game.

The rule book could be better at describing some of those, but I only had some confusion/questions over reaction traits and equilibrium really and that's because it wasn't defined in the rules (but has been defined in the errata). You need to take some time to sit down and read the rules and re-read them and cross reference different parts in places because the one thing the rule book is missing is ample examples.

The majority of the answers to a lot of peoples questions were in there, people were just having problems finding them and those that weren't have more or less been included in the FAQ

I now feel I have the rules pretty much nailed down and can run the system pretty happily.

The bigger question surely has to be do you have a group ready to try it out and will you get that group together over the Xmas break anyway?

If money is tight and in all liklihood you'll not be playing until the new year anyway, then wait until the new year to buy it, but don't hang around waiting for FFG to re-write the rule book; it's not that bad, the major problem with it is lack of examples to confirm understanding on the readers party, IMO....

...but that's what this forum is for!

"Cut your hair and get a job, and shower while your at it you lazy, dirty hippy" *old an voice*. I think we all know the feeling of being broke *hug*. It's a great game and once you get over the hurdel of the horribly written core rulebook (ind you the 3 other book are top notch) the rules themselves are great, fun and fast, I haven't enjoyed game mastering this much in years. But yer if you can get a voucher or two for xmas then that is an idea, I'll have my players chip in a few bucks, that might be the way to go for you too since its a pretty heafty investment spreading it out a little might be an idea.

heptat said:

On the other hand, this is a great opportunity for a 'player manual'. They could reformat the current rules, add in the errata, and publish a player only mini-book with an extra set of basic action cards and maybe a minimal dice set. Win-Win.

I strongly recommend finding a group of players who are also interested in it (you may already have them) and asking them whether they would be interested in co-purchasing it.

I think for far too long, many of us hardcore GM's have purchased the lion's share of games and entertained our friends. We do it because it's fun but it's also an investiment out of our pocket.

I own dozens of games and hundreds of books. A collection over the past 20 years. I shudder to think how much I've spent on games myself.

So I don't see it as much of an imposition that our friends (the players) share the cost of the game, with the understanding that the GM will be keeping the stuff. With 4 people (3 players and 1 GM) sharing the cost: $25 a person is trivial at that point.

I wouldn't worry about the disorganization of the rules. Grokking the rules may take more than one read through, but after that, I doubt you'll be referring to the book much. The Living Index helps greatly in the meantime if you need to look something up and can't remember which section you saw it in and a couple of people have made up some nice quick reference sheets. Personally, I didn't find much in the FAQ that changed my understanding of the rules, but between it and the Index, you're probably set.

If you end up with the funds, I don't think you'll regret your purchase.

NezziR said:

+1. On a side note; I just ran an impromptu session with only my dice and some pencil & paper. Characters were fast (3's in everything, 4 in two "primary characteristics for their player type" + a smattering of skills depending on their "career." Again, no cards: no career cards, no action cards, no play aids, no GM aids, no trackers, nothing. Just the dice.

Went beautifully and got two more people interested in the full game. This game is totally runnable via the dice only; but the other components really do add value overall. But it is possible to play with just paper, pencil and the new dice.

I didn't have a very hard time reading the rulebook. It's just that there are things spread out through it, instead of in just one easy spot. I haven't read any errata, nor have I read any FAQ on the forums, and I got the game enough to run a successful demo at my LGS. I'd recommend just reading the whole rulebook (not necessarily in one sitting).

Well with release of the PDF versions, I at least can get the books. I'd rather have physical ones but at the price of 25.00 US it isn't that bad.