Review of Rifter # 3: Everybody's Kung Fu Fighting
Rifter Article by Wayne Smith
Summary
These are quick conversion rules for using N&S styles with Palladium's other games. This article rates 5 out of 10 possible stars.
General Review
I've already commented long ago on the accuracy of these. Having done several intense and detailed comparisons and studies of the martial art styles in N&S, I have come to the conclusion
that the number of skills required in the above excerpt are on the low end. My results indicate that non-Exclusive styles cost the equivalent of three Basic skill programs (which average 5 skills)
and Exclusive styles cost the equivalent of five Basic skill programs (for totals of 15 skills and 25 skills respectively). Thai Kick Boxing and 'Ninjitsu,' despite their higher "martial art style" cost
(i.e. Two martial arts) aren't affected because the power level of the styles isn't significantly higher than Exclusive styles. On the other hand, non-N&S characters often receive fewer skills than
their N&S counterparts, so the skill equivalencies could be cut by 1/3 of the skills needed (10 and 16 skills respectively), but this would apply to OCC/Other skills, with Secondary skills being
considered � skill for purchase purposes. However, I should also point out that the "power"/skill equivalency of the various martial art styles changes which styles are Exclusive and which are
not. I use the following replacement for determining Exclusive/non-Exclusive styles:
The following Revised Ninjas & Superspies and Mystic China martial arts are not Exclusive: Aikido, An Yin, Ba Gua, Bak Mei, Bok Pai, Ch'a Ch'uan, Chao Ta, Chi Hsuan Men, Chin-Na,
Choy-Li-Fut, Gui Long, Han Yu, Hsing-I, Lee Kwan Choo, Li Chia, Liang Hsiung, Mien Chuan, Moo Gi Gong, Pao Pat Mei, Sankukai Karate, Shan Tung, Shih Ba Ban Wu Yi, Snake Style, Tai
Chi Chuan, Taido, Tang Su, Te, Tong Lun, Triad Assassin, Yu Sool, and Zanji Shinjinken Ryu
The following martial art styles are considered Exclusive (meaning they must be the first style learned by the character): Drunken Style, Fong Ngan, Fu Chiao Pai, Hsien Hsia*, Hwarang Do,
Isshin Ryu, Jujutsu, Kuo-Ch'uan, Kyokushinkai, Monkey Style, Ninjutsu, Pao Chih, Shao Lin, Sumo, Tae Kwon Do, Thai Kick Boxing, Tien Hsueh, Wu Shu Tsung**, Wui Wing Chun, and
Xing Chiao.
*Note: Hsien Hsia, if taken, can be the only martial art learned by that character.
**Wu Shu Tsung is listed in its description as being a requirement for Chinese espionage agents. This note should either be removed, or a reasonable solution should be found which would
make the style available for espionage agent O.C.C.s ( I recommend additional loss of skill programs).
This revised system results in a much more balanced approach to equating martial art styles with skills and their availability.
Other than that, there's no real problems with this article.
Overall Review
Appearance: Technically only two pages long, a full page pic and the article itself. Not much to comment on here.
Artwork: Nice pic by Wilson.
Structure: Not much too it. Fluff text, then game mechanics, then intro to next articles.
Editing: Not a problem here, not enough material to really bother looking for dotted i's and crossed t's.
Continuity: Other than the low cost for learning full blown MA styles, this article does a fair job.
