Merc Supplement 1: In Country

Merc Supplement 1: In Country is a supplement published by Fantasy Games Unlimited (FGU) in 1983 for the modern combat role-playing game Merc.

Publication history

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FGU published the modern-day mercenary combat role-playing game Merc in 1981. Two years later, FGU published Merc Supplement 1: In Country, a 28-page softcover supplement written by Paul D. Baader, Lawrence Sangee, and Walter Mark.[1]

Despite the title "Supplement 1", no further supplements were ever published.[2]

Contents

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Merc Supplement 1: In Country adds more detail to the original Merc rules, both to add more options to the game — poison, airborne operations, rappelling, vehicle malfunctions — and to add more realism, such as placing some restrictions on small arms fire, medkits and walkie-talkies.[3]

Reception

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In Imagine, Paul Cockburn thought the audience for Merc and Supplement 1 was limited, saying, "Merc is clearly designed for the gun nut, the sort of role-player who likes to know just how much of a mess his assault rifle will make of a 'soft' target [...] The book is dedicated to 'Mad' Mike Hoare, (Mercenary Extraordinaire) - and I'm sure he'll be delighted."[4]

In the January–February 1984 edition of Different Worlds (Issue 32), William A. Barton reviewed both the original game of Merc and Supplement 1, and thought the price was "just a bit steep for those not thoroughly committed to modern merc role-playing." But he concluded, "If you do decide on Merc, go the extra five buckls for Supplement 1, too."[3]

References

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  1. ^ Schick, Lawrence (1991). Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games. Prometheus Books. p. 254. ISBN 0-87975-653-5.
  2. ^ "MERC: A Modern Role Playing Game of Counter Insurgency". rpggeek.com. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
  3. ^ a b Barton, William A. (September–October 1984). "Game Reviews". Different Worlds. No. 32. Chaosium. pp. 35–37.
  4. ^ Cockburn, Paul (December 1983). "Game Reviews". Imagine (review) (9). TSR Hobbies (UK), Ltd.: 42.