#Palladium Rifts

[savagerifts]

Coalition IAR-2 Abolisher Robot

Originally released on p. 35 of Rifts Sourcebook 1

The Abolisher, Infantry Assault Robot (IAR-2), is another giant vehicle that is part of the Coalition States' military forces. Unlike the UAR-1 Enforcer, which is designed specifically to combat ground troops in an urban/city environment, the Abolisher is a frontline infantry unit with long-range capabilities and heavy firepower for obliterating enemy troops. The focus of its armaments is anti-robot and anti-tank, hence the six heavy cannons bristling around what appears to be the head. The rim of cannons has given the 30 foot (9 m) robot the nickname 'Thorn Head."

The heavily armored bot is a massive, humanoid shaped, all terrain assault vehicle designed to withstand heavy bombardment. However, in keeping with the frightening Death's Head motif, the Abolisher is designed to look like a massive skull with arms and legs. The two eyes are infra-red and conventional light searchlights for night assaults. The upper skull body can rotate 360 degrees and is operated by a five-man crew. Two soldiers are gunners operating three cannons each, the pilot and the copilot/communications engineer (either the pilot or copilot can fire the small, forward facing, dual laser turret) and the top hatch gunner, usually a SAMAS.

The big guns are devastating weapons that can blast an enemy from all sides simultaneously. The robot's arms and hands are powerful and lethal in hand to hand confrontations (can rotate 180 degrees at the shoulders). On top of the behemoth is a Gunner's Hatch which allows a SAMAS or soldier to perch himself on the head and fire at the enemy from the top of the robot. An inner hatch locks automatically, preventing the enemy from easy access should the top gunner be killed; the inner hatch can only be opened by one of the pilots.

The only real disadvantage to the 30 foot (9 m) giant is that its incredible weight and large size reduce its speed and maneuvering capabilities. Although great in the field as an outer perimeter defense or as an infantry assault unit (tank with arms and legs), its speed and size make it an easy target (hence the heavy armor). Unless one wishes to destroy a city, the bot is not well suited for city conflicts. Its weapons are too powerful for use in the city, able to demolish an S.D.C. skyscraper in mere moments, and its size and bulk makes maneuvering through narrow streets difficult. Still, it is excellent for city defense, being able to be placed wherever needed, and ideal for infantry combat.

IAR-2 Abolisher: Size 9 (Huge), Crew 5+2, Strength d12+10, Toughness 60 (36), Pace 14+d10 (70 MPH)

Notes: MDC Armor, Shoulder STS-Cluster -4 to hit and 24 Hardness.

Weapons:

6 x C-144 Auto-Cannons (Spaced 360 degrees around the crown of the bot; Range 100/200/400, 5d12+5 Mega Damage, AP 12, RoF 1)

Anti-Personnel Lasers (belly gun)

Black Market Cost: 80 Million credits, Rarity -4

[legionofmyth]

Rifts Dimension Book 7: Megaverse Builder - O.C.C.s & Critters

New challenges and allies await in Rifts Dimension Book 7: Megaverse Builder! 🚀 Watch our overview of the latest O.C.C.s and monsters that will revolutionize your gameplay. Ready to level up? #RiftsRPG #TabletopGaming #CharacterCreation

Rifts Ultimate Edition Rifts Dimension Book 2: Phase World Rifts Dimension Book 7: Megaverse Builder Unlock the potential of your Rifts campaigns with our detailed overview of the new and updated Occupational Character Classes (O.C.C.) and monsters introduced in Rifts Dimension Book 7: Megaverse Builder by Palladium Books. This video breaks down each O.C.C., providing insights into their skills,…

[salad-juice-enjoyer]

If I was designing an RPG where you head seperate psionics and magic systems, I would simply not give the magical energy points a name that contains "psychic".

[haaaaaaaaaaaave-you-met-ted]

Rifts Adventure Guide Cover Art by John Zeleznik

[vintagerpg]

Rifts of horror! This week on the Vintage RPG Podcast, we look at Beyond the Supernatural (1987), Palladium’s horror RPG that anticipates a bunch of mechanics and lore that would be important for Rifts and the Megaversal system. Richard Corben on the cover, Steve Bissette doing tons of interiors, this books is worth it for the art alone.

[alphamecha-mkii]

Rifter #70 Cover Art - Super SAMAS vs Dragon by Chuck Walton

[dragoneer99]

Marian’s Ultimate TTRPG Recommendation Post

So I’m sick to fuck of everyone twisting every god damn thing to shove it into dungeons and dragons. This post is as detailed as I can get for alternatives you can seek out, as I’m a big fan of a diverse range of tabletop games.

First, for new players who are easily intimidated by large rulesets, or veterans who just prefer a lightweight system, I highly recommend most apocalypse hacks, white wolf games (despite my opinions on their writing), or just using the fate system. If you’re a fan of KSBD, you could try out the Broken Worlds system (just pledge 1$ to the patreon.) You can also try Exalted if you really enjoy Wuxia, or just take the fate system and build your own world. If you like percy jackson, consider looking at the Scion books. If you like vampires, werewolves and witches, white wolf has you covered on all three.

If you want MORE detail, especially with regards to customization, I would recommend Palladium Fantasy or Rifts. Exhaustive in their lore, both the lore AND the ruleset highly encourage individual customization and building the character YOU want to play. I would also encourage Abaddon’s other works, like Lancer and ICON, lancer for the mech nerds and icon for the epic fantasy nerds.

If there’s any type of IP you really enjoy in the fantasy or sci-fi worlds, there is usually a tabletop RPG! Cyberpunk itself has one, as well as Lord of the Rings (The One Ring ttrpg is what you want to look for), pretty much all Warhammer properties, Star Wars, AND Star Trek all have their own ttrpgs. You just have to look for them.

If superheroes and such are more your thing, both Marvel and DC have made TTRPG systems before, although they’re somewhat outdated now. I’d recommend Champions or Heroes Unlimited for rules-heavy, and Mutants and Masterminds for rules-light.

[xccentriktigress]

"Ah, my friend - you're a gentleman, and a scholar, and a fine judge of scantily-clad women."

Darren to Brian, RIFTS: Sonic Boom - Chapter 3

[casside-sionnach]

The Coalition States is a genocidal human supremacist power of North America in the the dystopian post-apocalyptic future of Palladium's Rifts roleplaying game.

[savagerifts]

Wolfen

Originally release in Palladium Fantasy TTRPG and converted into Rifts on page 86 of the Rifts Conversion Book 1.

The most civilized and powerful of the three canine races is the Wolfen. The wolfen were a fierce warrior people divided into 13 warring tribes. Their constant infighting and their insistence on clinging to barbaric warrior ways, held them back for centuries. However, in the last few decades the wolfen tribes have united and have quickly grown into a well organized, disciplined and orderly society. They still hold to the ways of the warrior, but have developed into a sophisticated military machine, extremely reminiscent of the ancient Romans of Earth.

~ Text from Pg 86 of Rifts Conversion Book 1

Wolfen

Code of Honor (Hindrance) [-2]: Wolfen society places great importance on honor, justice and rule of law.

D-Bee [-2]: They are treated with hostility by human supremacists, distrusted by commoners, spurned everywhere, and have no rights except in the most cosmopolitan areas. They should expect frequent trouble and violence, depending on the crowd and situation, and Reactions of others typically starts at Unfriendly, or Hostile for human supremacists. Failed social checks with Hostile parties often result in violence. 

Nonstandard Build [-2]: The species has proportions which make common equipment problematic. Armor and clothing must be custom-tailored at triple normal cost. Glitter Boy armor (and the Framework) and most human power armor is not an option. Wolfen take a -2 on Trait rolls to use equipment designed for humans.

Size +1 [+1]:

Bite [+2]: Strength +d6 damage.

Enhanced Senses [+1]: +1 Bonus to Notice checks that rely on sense of smell and hearing.

Enhanced Strength [+2]: Strength is increased by i die-type and the Wolfen’s maximum strength is d12+1.

Darkvision [+1]: The species can see in the dark, ignoring all illumination penalties.

Born to Warfare [+1]: The Wolfen begins with a d4 in Fighting.

[legionofmyth]

Rifts Dimension Book 7: Megaverse Builder - Creating New Dimensions

Ever dreamt of creating your own dimension? 🌌 Dive into our latest video on crafting new dimensions with Rifts Dimension Book 7: Megaverse Builder by Palladium Books. Unlock the secrets to dimensional mastery and bring your imagination to life! #RiftsRPG #WorldBuilding #MegaverseBuilder

Rifts Ultimate Edition Rifts Dimension Book 2: Phase World Rifts Dimension Book 7: Megaverse Builder Dive into the boundless realms of creativity with our comprehensive guide on crafting new dimensions in Rifts Dimension Book 7: Megaverse Builder by Palladium Books. This video offers a step-by-step walkthrough on using the intricate rules and guidelines for dimension creation, ensuring your next…

[gore-grin]

Might start a new rifts campaign soon so working on a new character

[haaaaaaaaaaaave-you-met-ted]

Rifts Coalition Wars Book 3: Sorcerers' Revenge Cover Art by Dave Dorman

[bisonickevin]

Tonight is the session 4 (Again!) of Savage Rifts Gunmetal Soul. In the aftermath of the battle at Nitro, will they take an offer of justice or will they seek purity of purpose?

Join us Monday nights at 8pm Eastern on https://twitch.tv/StarkRavingRiley as we seek to find the Key.

[masterofthewarcry]

Sorry one more question: do you think Odysseus trying to kill Diomedes during the slaughter drives a rift between Odysseus and Telemachus since Diomedes has been an almost father figure to Telemachus? Do you think Diomedes kind of tries to laugh it off as a "oh he's done that before" kind of thing in reference to the Palladium heist in the Little Iliad? If so, do you think that would make the situation better or worse? So really three questions sorry

i think Odysseus tries to kill Diomedes BEFORE the slaughter. like, the moment Diomedes pulls him aside and is like 'odysseus I know its you I can see through your disguise', Odysseus is ready to kill. He immediately assumes Diomedes is here to marry Penelope, and Diomedes has to fend him off while he explains that he originally came to Ithaca for HIM not to contend for Penelope's hand, and that he's been doing his best to protect her and Telemachus WITHOUT having to marry her because he couldn't do that to Odysseus. Marrying Penelope would have been admitting that Odysseus was likely dead, which would have killed both Diomedes and Penelope.

and after Odysseus realizes that Diomedes has been keeping his household seat open for him and helping his wife fend off the suitors the best he can and raising Telemachus, the anger dissipates because you don't do that for someone you don't love. I think Odysseus never really understood how much Diomedes cared for him until that moment and its a little overwhelming and maybe a few tears are shed and the fighting turns more into hugging and maybe they smooch.

so, for me, Telemachus never finds out that Odysseus tried to kill Diomedes. they keep it between themselves, because it was really intimate and vulnerable and not something that either of them would ever really talk about aloud to anyone.

[vintagerpg]

Way back, before I started doing this, I bought like four feet of Palladium books in an eBay lot for next to nothing. It was ridiculous and possibly the very worst way to try to interface with Rifts. A single Rifts book is overwhelming on its own. Two dozen is just static blasting at top volume. I picked about half a foot of books with the best art and sold the rest on eBay. Adventures on the High Seas (1996) was among the ones I sold. But last year, I saw a copy on eBay for five bucks and I bought it again. I had zero memory of the contents of the book, I did this based entirely on the Martin McKenna cover alone. It’s a mighty fine cover.

Looking at this one again, it’s actually good. I don’t think I had any other books from the 2E Palladium Fantasy line aside of the core rules, but if they are all like this one, then it is a pretty strong line, and much improved over the older stuff. It’s well organized and the details on the many islands all make me want to dip in and read a bit whenever I flip through. The majority of the book is islands and ports, with particular detail paid to the isle of the cyclopses, which is cool, because I like cyclopi. There is a big section on ships, too, but that seems secondary. There are a bunch of new classes too, none but Pirate and Sailor seeming particularly themed to oceangoing adventures, but whatever. More is More in Palladia.

Art’s pretty great throughout. Scott Johnson does the lion’s share. There are interiors by Martin McKenna, Wayne Breaux and Peter Simon as well, but no clear credits (Johnson’s got a super obvious signature, though).