I don't mind taking a look, but a quick question: is it a set of rules that needs critique, or some kind of background / campaign setting, or both?

Ash

Though the setting is the modern world, so not so much of that. Really it's a toolkit for running games with mythic Weapons.

Tim Gray
Silver Branch Games
www.silverbranch.co.uk

Tim,

Just a couple of quick items:

- I think the Magic section should be put in the NPC/GM section. Clearly you want the focus to be on the Arsenal, but with the magic section where it is, it's too much of a tempting option for PCs...

- Arsenal is just begging for a "create a weapon" section, with cool semi-crunchy bits to allow players and GMs to make the weapon of their dreams without being too overbalanced. I dig that items are mostly a make it feel right thing, but I think people will want the crunch, or at least guidelines to creating weapons.

- I think the image you have on the back cover is much stronger than your front cover, but that's purely a taster's choice thing...

- Settings! I think a couple of mini-settings would be cool, to demonstrate the ideas you've got! I've got one or two, if you need...

- Explore the Anime style a bit more, I think... You've got the game run lid-on, when for Anime style, you'd probably want to run it lid-off. Heck, maybe that and the flavor of description would be enough to turn it into an Anime style game?

Okay, I think that's it for now! I'm hoping this stuff helps.

Buddha

Oh, I'd like to see a section on creating your own custom weapons too (and maybe even walking through how one of the listed ones was created).

Sorry that I took so long to reply, I was just snowed down with other things :)

I like the look of the game a lot, and a lot of the advice was brilliant. I especially liked the references to Alan Garner, who rocks, and the line from "You know my name" which is now stuck in my head *again* :)

However I couldn't help but feel that maybe the setting was a little too hands off? I think you were trying very hard to keep things generic, but that made it feel unfocussed in places. To me the idea of the young-teen or pre-teen campaign was by far the most interesting, especially with a mysterious mentor mananan mac lir as a guide and instigator, but the descriptions of the weapons, and the sorts of powers they manifest didn't seem right for that.

For example you make a point of mentioning the idea of a 'Giant' power that made you big, rejecting it for Boost Brawn, and yet 2 pages later the 'Giant' power is there, complete with size boost to 7 feet. Similarly you caution against powers that are too cinematic, but then have flight and note how cinematic it is.

What I am saying (I think) is that it might be very nice to pick one of the campaign types and focus on it more, tailoring the weapon descriptions, powers, and even the tone of the NUGGET rules towards that. For example for a child oriented campaign you might re-cast the bigger powers, leave out the damage details for guns, and give more details on the child-friendly manifestations of the weapons.

Other comments : I agree with Jonathon on the Magic section, I think it should come between Arsenal and Demons. Also I wouldn't have the Virtue and Flaw optional, just make it part of the rules.

http://www.solipsist-rpg.com/

Only just spotted David's. (Drat the lack of thread subscription.)

The thing with the Giant power is an error left over from an earlier version. Well spotted!

Magic ended up where it is because it has the explanation for a power available to Weapons. Previously it was with the NPCs as you suggest. Will have to think about that one again.

I'll look through the points properly when I set some Arsenal revision time.

Tim Gray
Silver Branch Games
www.silverbranch.co.uk

Anyone else agree? I do have that image of a spear by The Forge (the art people) in both colour and b+w. It'd be possible to completely change the front cover to be based on that instead - probably a white base with it centred.

I do like the image in itself; but I also like having the urban and people elements. Here's the existing cover for comparison.

Tim Gray
Silver Branch Games
www.silverbranch.co.uk

and the composition is stronger. You could tweak the 2nd to be more dynamic though. Depends what feel you want to convey.

-Matt

Realms Publishing

I like the crackling spear, and I'd put that on the cover.

You could use the other one on the back. I'd be tempted to have the city skyline at the bottom of the back page and the chick-illo higher up the page next to a pull quote from some gaming luminary.

A white front cover blending to black on the back could work in my fuzzy mind.

Anyway, the spear is really striking and with a strong logo your boook would look f'in A.

Dangit, now *I* want to start doodling cool weapons :( Mind if I take a crack at a few pics when I get a spare moment? I'll stop by and give you first refusal if I create anything I think is usable.

Ash

I totally agree with everyone else. I was underwhelmed by the original cover and the spear is much much better.

http://www.solipsist-rpg.com/

I'm moving to get this out now, aiming to get a trial copy from Lulu soon and then hopefully release it so it hits IPR before the end of March (in pre-order at least) - and PDF outlets too of course.

So if anyone has anything to add please speak up!

Have tried a cover version with spear on front and cityscape moved to back - I think it's OK but I need to see it in proof. Magic section moved. Working through other bits. Will definitely add brief Weapon creation guidelines.

I think the GM section might be a rehash of text I've used in other products, just for a brief skim of some useful tips for readers who aren't familiar with them. Suggestions for Arsenal-specific points welcome!

Tim Gray
Silver Branch Games
www.silverbranch.co.uk

Or at least ordered a proof copy from Lulu, which hopefully won't require many changes at this stage. It's been a bit of an odd beast - yet again, the perils of stretching the process out over a long period (when it was supposed to be short and quick).

Tim Gray
Silver Branch Games
www.silverbranch.co.uk