Starting Rifts

[AzeathTaikar]

Me and my friends were looking at getting into Rifts. We went to the site and we see all these books and we just got lost. What do we need to start. Its just three of us and we have NO idea where to start or what we need. Any help would be great!

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I don't know how experienced you are, so I'll say this: RIFTS is a great setting with not so good mechanics. Can be loads of fun, though!

1) If you are experienced, you may find yourself better off using RIFTS as a campaign setting and using the mechanics of a game you know and like.

2) For playing RIFTS proper, you'll need the core book of course. I personally enjoy the RIFTS Conversion guide, but that's for converting non-RIFTS Palladium products into RIFTS. Starting out, pick a couple of books that apply to the area in which you wish to adventure, and go from there. Many of the books are region specific, and a goodly number of them focus on North America. Mercenaries was cool.

3) Don't expect balance. RIFTS doesn't have any. Character classes- called OCCs- range from guys in power armor who could solo an Abrams to homeless wanderers.

 

[SkidAce]

Pick up a copy of Rifts Ultimate Edition (RUE). Its the current version of rules tweaks etc.

Then pick up a WORLDBOOK of an area you may be interested in adventuring in.

I prefer starting people off with "New West" and "Atlantis". The RUE has plenty of world info in it though.

 

[SkidAce]

Ohh..and you can find the worldbooks used in a lot of places, saves cash until you commit. Which you probably will.

 

[Nytmare]

Yeah, I'm all for playing Rifts where the game is limited to the core book and one of the world books. New West, NGR, and Japan were probably my favorites, though I haven't really looked at the game since like 2000.

 

[scourger]

As suggested, start with the core rule book. I also like Machinations of Doom, as it is a combination graphic novel and sourcebook. It even has pregenerated characters if you want to take that shortcut.