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Post by jaypeel on Jan 6, 2020 14:24:02 GMT
Hi all, general question. Never really played any 5150, but looking to get into some sci fi, but after reading star punk dreams would like to really start a cyberpunk game. Trying to decide which ruleset to buy. I have played 2HDC, WHL, High Moon. I have tried out the "new" battle board mechanics, at first didn't like them and the streamlined rules, but lately older and lazier me had another go at them They seem to work great for quick set up and take down, plus I like the addition of the new battle board to movement rules. So which title should I buy to start with? 5150 urban renewal, Back alley, or new 5150 maiden voyage for most cyber feel? thanks
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Post by atomicfloozy on Jan 6, 2020 17:48:39 GMT
Well, you could be like me and buy all of them. I guess the real answer is that it depends on the style you are looking for in your games. I am currently using the 5150 No Limits series of rules with the core rules being Maiden Voyage. The main reason is for the versatility of the rules. In Star Punk Dreams, my character is a muscle-for-hire operative who has encounters in many different urban settings. In some encounters the battle board is a must as I don't have the terrain for multi-story arcologies. In my own Cool Coolie games, I have access to space travel. Most Cyberpunk RPGs also had space supplements. Before the Battle Board to Table Top rules, I was using the table top movement rules from 5150 Missions when I wanted to use terrain, like an open street market or the neighborhood around a night club. Back Alleys and Bright Ligts is a good option if you know the bulk of your encounters will cover a lot of ground, especially if your characters are constantly having to deal with gangs. This game uses city tiles to quickly build a small section of a city. Without mentioning Battle Board, when action occurs you will need to either use a battle board or lay out terrain to represent your location on a city tile. Since the primary focus of this game is a portion of the city heavily populated by aliens, it has various alien races, a method for building your own aliens and rules for psykers. The full title of Urban Renewal is 5150 New Beginnings Urban Renewal. It is a newer edition of New Beginnings which incorporated the Professions mechanic and introduced a more detailed description of New Hope City and its transit system. New Beginnings were the rules I used for Pearl's Plight. The best part about Urban Renewal (in my opinion) was the supplement New Hope City PI which focused on solving cases. I love the entire 5150 series. They aren't just games, but they are also toolboxes for building games. As a quick example, did you know that the original New Beginnings had floor plans of buildings and guidelines on constructing building interiors?
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Post by atomicfloozy on Jan 6, 2020 17:58:11 GMT
Oh, one more thing to consider is playing time. Encounters in both the No Limits series and Back Alleys Bright Lights play quickly, while the encounters in Urban Renewal will take longer to play.
Hope my ramblings help.
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Post by Ed the Two Hour Wargames Guy on Jan 6, 2020 23:26:54 GMT
Good question. Good thing is they are all pretty much compatible. I'd go with No Limits Maiden Voyage to start and if you wanted more of a Bladerunner feel tack on New Hope City PI but Maiden Voyage would be my choice.
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Post by shoshen on Jan 6, 2020 23:34:39 GMT
I second the No Limits Maiden Voyage. Sounds like your cup of tea.
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