Post originally by Arthur Reyes at 2003-03-27 12:42:01
Converted from Phorums BB System

I played RQ for many years, so I'd like to comment.

Occupations:
HM has many more occupations than RQ because a) there are more skills which are less broadly defined, and b) almost every profession found in a medievel world has been listed. The rules do not suggest restrictions on occupation other than from a social perspective. If the players are all unguilded freemen, then they SHOULD be restricted in their selection.

I failed to mention in my review that HM3 also has an optional point based character creation system, and some professions are worth more points. For example, Ratcatcher = 3pts, Knight/Bailiff = 20 pts.

Combat:
The initiative system is very different, as there is no modifiers for size & weapon length. Whereas RQ defined initiative solely on who attacks first, HM differs in that initiative represents the combatant's overall battle experience.

HM does not have segmented combat rounds, although I have found a set of houserules that do this very well, based on movement rate. (reminiscent of car wars, oddly enough) Aside from initiative, attack/defend/hit location/damage routines are all the same, though HM is more detailed in some respects.

RQ limitations: (especially for Glorantha)
Some work would need to be done to make HM handle the epic levels that are normal for Glorantha, especially magic levels. Harn Religion and Magic does not have nearly the same number or spells, nor power. Although I haven't given much thought to the conversion process, I believe it would be easy, with all the work being focused on converting RQ spell-damage levels. This very topic came up recently on harnforum at : http://www.harnforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=1732

Because all skills are limited to 100+Skill Base, and combat skills are reduced because of encumbrance, you will generally not see the problem that plagues (IMO) powerful RQ characters: where combat is a furious activity for several rounds, without anyone getting an edge, then someone explodes spectacularly with limbs flying in every direction.