Middle Earth Role Playing, Second Edition (MERP #2001) [Paperback]

S. Coleman Charlton (Author), Peter C. Fenlon (Author), Angus McBride (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Iron Crown Enterprises (ICE); 2nd edition (July 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558061916
• ISBN-13: 978-1558061910
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #355,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great combat, weak magic, December 29, 2007

By 

Robert (Manchester, NH, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Middle Earth Role Playing, Second Edition (MERP #2001) (Paperback)

Among my circle of geeky friends, this was our favorite system after AD&D. This is a simplified version of the RoleMaster system, but I prefer MERP. Rolemaster adds complexity, such as separate results tables for each individual weapon, which only slows gameplay. MERP uses one result table for each type of weapon, e.g., cutting or crushing, with modifiers for the individual weapon.

The bloody and imaginative "critical hit" tables are a blast. The whole system makes it more fun to play a warrior or thief than a magic using character. Magic users are woefully under-powered and the spells lack the imagination of the combat and skills system. Magic characters select "Spell Lists" rather than individual spells as in D&D. Each list consists of ten themed spells (e.g., fire), but first level characters can only use the first and weakest spell. At each level, they gain access to the next spell and the earlier spells become more powerful. Sounds promising, right? It isn't. A first level wizard who selects Fire Law is only able to boil one cubic foot of inanimate liquid. I kid you not. The full Rolemaster rules only add more unimaginative and underpowered spell lists.

That said, we had a lot of fun hacking our way through Shelob's Lair and the other adventures. And we adopted the critical tables for D&D.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is my favorite RPG system, a complete masterpiece!, January 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Middle Earth Role Playing, Second Edition (MERP #2001) (Paperback)

This is one of the most comprehensive and realistic RPG systems I've encountered. I love it, and not just because it lets you adventure in the amazing realms of Middle-earth. The system is detailed and difficult to get to grips with at first but it is certainly worth the effort.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, splendid!, September 21, 2007

By 

Drizzt Du' Urden - See all my reviews

This review is from: Middle Earth Role Playing, Second Edition (MERP #2001) (Paperback)

I finally figured out this game! It took me a while but I did it! What a great system! Plenty of races to choose from and very in touch with Tolkiens world. I now fully recommend it to all roleplayers! Bravo! Bravissimo!