What's compatible with what?

Legend is exactly the same as Mongoose RQ2, save that it has all the Gloranthan references taken out (and maybe some of the magic systems too).

RQ6 is Loz and my update to MRQ2, with refined rule changes and a proper bestiary, wrapped up in a comprehensive, all-in-one book. There's some skill name changes and a lot of magic revisions.

Elric. Do you mean Chaosium Elric or Mongoose Elric of Melnibone?

Hawkmoon. Mongoose Hawkmoon was originally written for MRQ1. It can still be used with Legend but requires a bit of work.

MRQ2 and Legend are the closest in terms of compatibility. Legend is basically MRQ2 with Glorantha references removed, and a small amount of rules cleanup.

RQ6 is an evolution of MRQ2, with a significant amount of rules cleanup performed.

"Elric!" is a blend of earlier-RuneQuest and Call of Cthulhu rules systems. Notably, it has different magic systems and randomized armor point values.

They're all BRP-based, D100 systems so they're not really miles apart from one another - though, I've never read Hawkmoon. It probably bears the closest resemblance to Elric.

The different iterations of fantasy-flavored BRP are about as cross-compatible between each other as the different iterations of TSR-era D&D and its simulacra.

So basically it's all much of a muchness.

Pretty much. A couple fine points:

There are two main strains of "Elric". One was the game "Elric!" that was put out by Chaosium to replace their "Stormbringer" 1e-4e , and then just to confuse things, they eventually issued a new edition also titled "Stormbringer" (5e). This is the game that K Petersen refers to.

It's also the game that forms the basis of Ben Monroe's "Magic World."

The other "Elric" is Mongoose's "Elric of Melnibone", with two editions, based on MRQ I and MRQ II/Legend. So AFAIK it doesn't have the random armor system, and Elric II is claimed to be the closest to the source material of all the various Elrics and Stormbringers.

The biggest difference between all these things is, not surprisingly, how magic works. There are conceptual and mechanical overlaps, but also variation. E.g. the Chaosium "Elric!" branch has a bunch of spells that you cast in a straightforward manner using a sort of spell point system, as well as summoning. I think the other Elric/SB games generally just use summoning. Meanwhile, RQ/Legend has a few other magic systems.

The other big difference is how hit points and armor work. In the "Elric!" branch, there's only general hit points, with special effects depending on whether you take a lot of damage in one blow (major wounds), or go below a certain threshold. Also, armor is worn as a single "panoply" that absorbs variable damage. Combined, these mechanics give a sort of effect of hit locations, without actually tracking them.

In the other branches, you have hit points and armor per location. I believe all the non-Chaosium versions (other then OpenQuest, which wasn't raised in the OP) have no general hit points. Lose enough points to one location, and you suffer some effect. Lose a bunch all at once, and you may suffer a worse effect.

Oh, yeah, there are also rules for "alignment" or "elan" or [mumble], representing how closely aligned you are with the three main cosmic forces. These vary in mechanics and effect across branches, too, although I'm only familiar with the "Elric!" branch's handling.

There, what's sort of interesting is that gaining points in alignment to one force doesn't necessarily cost you points in another.

Quote from: Elliot Wilen;634587Oh, yeah, there are also rules for "alignment" or "elan" or [mumble], representing how closely aligned you are with the three main cosmic forces. These vary in mechanics and effect across branches, too, although I'm only familiar with the "Elric!" branch's handling.

There, what's sort of interesting is that gaining points in alignment to one force doesn't necessarily cost you points in another.

This is the Allegiance system present in the new Magic World RPG, which is basically a cleaned-up, de-Moorcockified version of Chaosium's Elric!. Simpler than RQ6 with only one magic system, it's a good choice for BRP fantasy.

Ben Monroe (zomben here and over at RPGnet) is a great guy and I wish him all the success in the world with the new Magic World RPG.

That being said, though, there is a bit of a glut going on in the "BRP fantasy" department. Nothing even close to d20 levels, mind, but between Legend, RQ6, Openquest and Magic World (not counting BRP core and/or BRP Classic Fantasy, or older and out-of-print editions of Runequest and Stormbringer), this is already an embarassment of riches. Still, it's working for old school D&D, isn't it? ANd like old school D&D, cross-compatibility might be the key here.

Of those listed, "Elric!" is easily the best.

Such a mess of versions!

I just realized I only played one version of Elric, and have no clue which one it was.

The game mechanics did seem almost the same as Call of Cthulu though.



The armor DR as a rolled value can be a great mechanic compared to flat DR.

Depends if you prefer combat to be more chaotic or predictable.

I played Chaosium Stormbringer - which basically amounted to 'be a sorcerer and win.'

Summoned demons were outrageous.

Does the new Elric tackle this?

Quote from: One Horse Town;634779I played Chaosium Stormbringer - which basically amounted to 'be a sorcerer and win.'

Summoned demons were outrageous.

Does the new Elric tackle this?

I think the Elric!/SB5e system inherits the 4e demon rules; it's still possible to make an outrageously powerful weapon, etc.

Mongoose EoM is a different beast entirely. TBH I've hardly read the books as they are so badly laid out. Hawkmoon is better with (I think) a more coherent magic system. I think I'll have another look this evening.

Also, you left out Darcsydes' Corum supplement. FWIW, here is my rundown of the different editions. It doesn't really answer your compatibility question, although I'd just mix and match and expect things to break anyway (1e SB is broken, as you've noted).

For magic - I prefer Elric!/SB5e with the Bronze Grimoire supplement.
For combat - the same, though it won't have the fancy manouvers of MRQ2/Legend/RQ6.

Note that Hawkmoon and 1e EoM are MRQ 1st edition, which wasn't highly thought of.

Quote from: Bill;634777The armor DR as a rolled value can be a great mechanic compared to flat DR. Depends if you prefer combat to be more chaotic or predictable.

Eh, it's a functional mechanic if you prefer a more abstracted combat. Many flat-DR versions of BRP include randomized hit locations, HP per location, and results for damage exceeding HP per location. These factors add "the chaos" that flat DR does not include.

Quote from: K Peterson;634801Eh, it's a functional mechanic if you prefer a more abstracted combat. Many flat-DR versions of BRP include randomized hit locations, HP per location, and results for damage exceeding HP per location. These factors add "the chaos" that flat DR does not include.

That sounds mechanically sound, but a lot of crunch.