Rules Modifications

This section deals with modifications to the Palladium Rules system, some by myself, some as a result of publication in the Rifter®, and some by another long time Rifts® GM, Edward May (Sir Tenzan). Other than those published in the Rifterv none of the changes are official or supported or endorsed by Palladium Games. Most of the changes stem from inconsistances in the game or my percieved unworkability of the rules as they stand.

Combat Rules Modifications

This section is divided into 3 parts, two of which I've devolved onto sub-Pages. The first two parts are alternate rules for modifying or replacing the MDC system. Part one is my original rules modification from circa 2000, whilst the second is a modified version of Edward May's rules (including a link to the original shuld you wish to use that instead).

MDC Modification :- Ratio Change, Armour Rating, Critical Hits
MDC Replacement :- The Damage Capacity System (includes Armour Rating and Critical Hit rules)

Range Combat - Maximum Effective Range

All characters and most NPC's now have a range combat skill, one of Rogue, Infantry, Special Forces or Sniper. These are described in full in Rifter 11 but a synopsis is on the skills page.

The range indicated in the Rifts® rule and source books for non-hand to hand combat weapons is the maximum effective range, ie the limit at which a shot from the weapon can hit and still inflict the stated damage. The chance of actually hitting with a weapon is based upon the range of the target in relation to the maximum effective range and the type of attack made by the attacker. These are detailed below

Range	Modifiers
0-25%	None. All bonuses for Aimed or Burst apply. Called shots take 2 attacks for aim bonus to apply.
26%-50%	All Aimed and Called shots take 2 attacks otherwise no Aimed shot bonus and -3 to strike. All other range attacks are at -6 to strike (making bursts -5).
51-100%	All Aimed and Called shots take 3 attacks. If only 2 attacks are used, called shots are not possible and aimed shots are -9 to strike (including +3 aim bonus). All other range attacks are at -12 to strike (making bursts -11).
101-150%	Single shot or long burst weapons only. All Aimed and Called shots take 3 attacks and even then are at -3 to strike (including +3 aim bonus) Long burst weapons are at -15 to strike (including +1 burst bonus) Reduce all damage by 50% and burst by 1 multiplier
151%-200%	Single shot weapons only. All Aimed and Called shots take 4 attacks and even then are at -8 to strike (including +3 aim bonus) Damage inflicted is only 10% of listed (roll and divide by 10)

Weapons capable of firing pulse bursts use a single attack and count as aimed attacks for the purpose of determining bonuses.

In addition to the penalties listed additional penalties for light level, visibility, and weather conditions may apply.

These penalties apply to all hand held and arm mounted weapons except mini-missiles! This is true for all Infantry, Cyborgs, Power Armour, Robots, and some vehicle mounted weapons. Main body mounted, shoulder mounted, and turreted weapons controlled by a firing computer are automatically compensated. At ranges greater than 100% use the table below.

101-150%	All Aimed and Called shots take 2 attacks and even then are at -3 to strike (including +3 aim bonus) Burst weapons are at -6 to strike (including +1 burst bonus) Reduce all damage by 50% and burst by 1 multiplier
151%-200%	Single shot weapons only. All Aimed and Called Shots take 3 attacks and even then are at -8 to strike (including +3 aim bonus) Damage inflicted is only 10% of listed (roll and divide by 10)

If two weapons can normally be fired at a single target for an enhanced affect then a separate strike roll is made for each weapon at ranges greater than 100%.

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The Legal Bit
Rifts®, Megaverse®, and Rifts Books® are registered trademarks owned and licensed by Kevin Siembieda and rifts Books, Inc.
© 2002 Kevin Siembieda; © 2002 Palladium Books®, All rights reserved world wide.
No part of this work may be reproduced in part or whole, in any form or by any means, without permission from the publisher.
All incidents, situations, institutions, governments and people are fictional and any similarity to characters or persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.