Palladium Books® Weekly Update – April 18, 2014

By Kevin Siembieda

Palladium Books Turns Thirty-Three

Honestly, we've been so busy, I don’t know if I would have even thought much about this being Palladium’s 33rd year in business, but I have had several friends post, text and email wishing us a happy 33rd Anniversary, and talking about what an accomplishment that is. Which is very nice, thank you.

I know for most of you, Palladium Books has brought you years of adventure that brings happy memories and a smile to your face when you reflect upon them.

Me too. For me, personally, the story behind Palladium Books is one of joy and triumph – of realizing your dreams and helping others to realize theirs. It’s about friendships and courage, love and camaraderie. How awesome is that? What an incredible 33 year journey it has been.

At a party this past Christmas, a neighbor who was feeling good cheer said to me, “Kevin, I hope you know how lucky you are, because you are living ‘the dream.’” Of course I said, yes, but he pressed the point further. “No. I mean it. You are living ‘the dream.’ Everyone in this house wishes they could own their own business, be their own boss at a job they love, and work with people who aren't just employees, but friends. You are living the dream, man. I hope you know that. You are one lucky guy, Kevin.”

He is absolutely right. I started out a poor kid with a dream and too much chutzpah to realize it might be an impossible one for a kid growing up on the wrong side of the tracks in Detroit. Armed with a ton of conviction, a willingness to do a lot of hard work, and some help from my friends, Palladium Books became a reality, and then a success. A huge success for this niche marketplace. More importantly, Palladium became a place where dreams were turned into books and games. Games and worlds that have been shared with three generations of gamers. And those dreams turned into strange worlds, filled with heroes, monsters, and new vistas to explore.

Traveling across the Palladium Megaverse has brought hours upon hours of adventure, laughter and fun to people around the world. Fun with your own crew of friends and family. Fun that creates memories that last a lifetime. (Hence, those warm and fuzzy feelings when you think about those games and Palladium Books.) Others have been inspired by Palladium to follow their own dreams to be artists, writers, game designers, actors and all manner of creativity. And in some cases, the Megaverse® has helped some of you survive in a real world that had become an ugly and difficult place, and come out of it okay. If that’s not magic, I don’t know what is. And to have been the catalyst for any of that is humbling, rewarding beyond words and simply amazing.

I never imagined our work at Palladium Books would bring so much joy or touch so many other lives in such a positive way. That’s part of the beauty of the role-playing game community, especially the Palladium community. There is that sense of shared joy, wonder and belonging. The sense of being a “band of brothers and sisters.” I guess it makes sense, because even though we may have never met, we've all traveled through the Megaverse® and shared so many experiences. Pretty cool. I, for one, love it. That wasn't something I had planned. It just happened, but I’m glad it did. What a rare gift – what a miracle – I have been given. That we have been given.

Sure, there have been hard times and challenges along the way, but that’s just life. Life can be hard and scary at times. We all face our share of hardship and challenges. It’s how we handle what comes our way and the choices we make that matters. One of those choices is refusing to let the struggles and disappointments crush our spirits. To not let them blind us to the beauty all around us or forget what matters most: our friends and loved ones. They are what will keep you going even in the worst of times. Just their memories and the fun you have shared in gaming and life in general, bring warmth and joy.

So I’m doubly blessed, because I have an army of friends. And I count you, the Palladium fanbase, amongst them. You have brought me decades of laughter, love and camaraderie. I meet people I have never known before and there is an instant bond because you have played my games and tromped through the worlds sprung from my imagination. There is a shared experience between Palladium gamers like no other. A shared experience of fun, laughter and understanding that, on some level, makes us all part of a big, extended family. Incredible.

You may not realize it, but you inspire me — and all of the creators at Palladium Books. We create these worlds and games with you in mind. You are our muse, our motivation and the friends we create these products for. Don’t believe for a minute that you and what you like and want aren't on our minds all the time. Every product we create is done with you in mind. Your excitement and enthusiasm is like adrenaline pumped directly into our veins. Your joy brings us joy. You have made my dream of being an artist, writer and storyteller a reality. And you have made that experience more joyful and incredible than anything I could have imagined when I started this little business 33 years ago.

I apologize if this topic seems indulgent or unusual for a company newsletter or update. This is usually the type of discourse I save for Murmurs from the Megaverse. It’s just that I have been a bit reflective lately. My life has been a wondrous and miraculous journey, and you have all been a big part of that journey. More than that, you have helped to make this journey rewarding and wonderful. You are as much a part of my life as the works of Palladium may be a part of yours. I love that I have you along with me on my amazing journey through life. I have met so many kind and generous people, and made so many wonderful friends because of Palladium Books and gaming, that it boggles my mind.

We may be Palladium Books “Inc.,” but for me, Palladium has never been just about business, making money or our image – it has always been about people. Friends, family and sharing infinite adventures in an ever-expanding Megaverse® filled with fun, laughter and friends. I think I can safely say that EVERYONE at Palladium feels the same. It’s who we are, gaming geeks who love what we do and the people we do it for. That’s why we host the Palladium Open House every few years and do the annual Christmas Surprise Package offer. That’s why when people meet any of us, they are often surprised by “how welcoming” and “down to earth” we are, “just like regular people.” These words are in quotes because that’s what we hear from folks all the time. Truth be told, we’re thrilled you like to play our games and embrace our work. Which leads me to the following . . .

THANK YOU

Thank you are two words that are not said often enough.

On behalf of all of us at Palladium Books, from the staff to our freelancers, I would like to thank you – our fellow gamers and Megaversal travelers – for all of your love and support over the decades.

Thank you for putting up with our late releases. Thank you for being understanding (mostly) and supportive. Thank you for sharing in our dream and giving back to us in ways you probably don’t even realize. Without your support, the dream of Palladium Books would have faded away long ago. We can’t thank you enough.

We’re a small group of passionate dreamers dedicated to bringing you the best, most fun and exciting games we know how to make. We aren't perfect – far from it – but our hearts and dreams are always in the right place, because they are with you.

I think this year and the next several are going to be epic. The months ahead will begin to bring you an array of role-playing products and new avenues of adventure. We’ll be supporting old favorites and taking steps into new realms of gaming with products like Robotech® RPG Tactics™. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. You see, we have so many more worlds and adventures to share. If only you knew about the multitude of ideas for new books the Palladium creators and I have been conjuring up for you. We don’t dare tell you about them yet, because they are still the ethereal stuff of dreams and imagination, but as they become real with art and words, we hope you will be thrilled with your continuing journey across the Megaverse. A journey with friends who welcome your company. Game on.

UPDATE: Palladium Fantasy RPG^® 30th Anniversary Hardcover

The Palladium Fantasy®, 2nd Edition Hardcover has been selling like hotcakes! In fact, they've almost caught up to the number of Heroes Unlimited™ hardcovers sold, in a fraction of the time. The pre-orders shipped on schedule and new orders have been shipping out every day. If your book hasn't arrived yet, it should be on your doorstep any day now. If you haven’t ordered your copy yet, don’t wait too long. This is a signed and numbered limited edition, after all. When they are sold out, they are gone! Note: This is the Palladium Fantasy RPG®, Second Edition, all exactly the same as the current printing. It is also sewn and glued. Only $40 while supplies last.

AVAILABLE NOW: Heroes Unlimited^™ 30th Anniversary Hardcover Edition

This nifty Heroes Unlimited™ 30th Anniversary Hardcover is a beauty and a nice addition to any collection. Available now at $40 while supplies last. Destined to be a collector’s item. The old hardcover sells for $200-$350 on the secondary market.

UPDATE: Rifts^® Northern Gun^™ Two

Rifts® Northern Gun™ Two is completely laid out up to page 200. Only 56 pages to go! My apologies that it is not yet finished and at the printer. I was pulled away from working on it part of Monday and all of Tuesday, and I was out sick Wednesday. Sometimes the change in weather gives me a sinus migraine headache that makes it difficult to focus and concentrate. Heck, sometimes it’s even hard to crawl out of bed. The other day was one of those days. I’m back up and working away to finish a book I think will surprise and delight. Yep, 256 pages of crunchy goodness is coming your way! Boy, am I glad NG-2 is just about done. It’s a great resource, but yikes, what a monster.

DON’T FORGET, you can see a Rifts® Northern Gun™ Two Sneak Preview – available free on DriveThruRPG.com. There are also FREE previews on DriveThruRPG.com for Rifts® Northern Gun™ One, Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook, Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms™ (Revised Edition), Rifts® Black Market, Rifts® Lemuria, The Rifter® #65, Dragons and Gods™, Dead Reign™ RPG, Endless Dead™ sourcebook and others, too. Plus we plan to add other sneak previews. Btw, the original Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms World Book is also available as a PDF on DriveThruRPG, for those of you who may be interested. More are coming.

UPDATE: The Rifter^® #66

Alex has done the first pass of editing. Jeff has been inputting the corrections, and Wayne will dive into it next week. Of course, that means The Rifter® #66 will ship in the beginning of May instead of April, but it is coming.

UPDATE: Rifts^® Megaverse^® in Flames^™

I can hardly wait to dive into this book. I think we can crank it out pronto and am still shooting for a May release.

UPDATE: Everything Else

Robotech® RPG Tactics™, other new releases, the 2015 Palladium Open House (May 14-17, 2015), and other things are all moving forward. I’ll have more details on all fronts in next week’s update.

Penguicon, Southfield, Michigan – May 2-4, 2014 – Kevin Siembieda a featured guest

I wanted to mention again that I’m one of the featured guests at Penquicon held at the Westin Hotel in Southfield, Michigan. Palladium will be there with a small booth, too. Penguicon is a not-for-profit, community-run convention for diverse tastes – open source software, science fiction, music, gaming, DIY, and more. There will a masquerade contest, music, lots of fun panels and seminars, a dealers’ room and other good stuff. Check out the website and come on over to join the fun.

Palladium will have a table or two there (Chuck Walton will be there selling art with us), I’m giving four or five panel talks (one on Hollywood and Licensing, one on running RPGs, one on World Building and writing, and I forget the other 1-2, but there’s more). Plus, I will be on a couple other panel talks and key convention events and at the Palladium table to chat and sign autographs. I hope to see some of you ladies and gents at the event. It’s a small convention so it’s much more intimate than the big conventions, so you can spend more time visiting with me and the Palladium crew. Note: This is the LAST convention Palladium and I will be attending until Gen Con Indy!

For more details about Penguicon, go to: http://2014.penguicon.org/

Happy Easter

For those of you who celebrate Easter, I hope it is a beautiful day with family and filled with laughter and the excitement that comes with the rebirth of spring, especially after a long, cold winter like the one we just had. Happy Easter, take care and game on.

– Kevin Siembieda and the Palladium Staff

NEW! Rifts^® World Book 34: Northern Gun^™ Two – May 2014

In final layout. Last few dozen pages are being finished as you read this. The book is huge and filled with page after page of new, exciting source material. Power armor galore, plus hovercycles, body armor, robot drones, amphibious vehicles, combat vehicles, ground vehicles, and other gear, plus gladiators of the Robodome and hints about things to come and NG’s relationship with the Coalition States. EXPANDED from 160 pages to 256 pages. Epic adventure. Order yours today. Ships early May. Waiting to get a date from the printer.

• 30+ NG power armor suits; an expansive range.
• 30+ suits of M.D.C. body armor.
• 20+ types of “armored clothing.”
• NG robot haulers and drones.
• NG combat vehicles.
• NG amphibious vehicles and watercraft.
• NG hovercycles, aircraft and commercial vehicles.
• NG jet packs, combat gear, and other equipment.
• Robot Gladiator O.C.C. and robot gladiators.
• The Robodome – Robot Gladiatorial Arena.
• Pirates, boats and more.
• Written by Matthew Clements and Kevin Siembieda.
• Interior artwork by Walton, Bradshaw, Manning, Mumah and others.
• Wraparound cover by John Zeleznik.
• 256 pages – $26.95 retail – Cat. No. 888. Softcover ships the first or second week of May. Special Megaverse Insider hardcover edition ships end of May.
• Check out the FREE Sneak Preview on DriveThruRPG.com!

HOT! Rifts^® World Book 33: Northern Gun^™ One – Available Now!

If you are getting NG-2 you’ll want NG-1, even though both titles stand alone. Rifts® Northern Gun™ One is the most tech-filled World Book Palladium has ever produced, and gamers are loving every page of new weapons, robots, power armor, vehicles and NG background.

• In-depth look at Northern Gun, its robots, stores, politics and operations.
• 70+ NG weapons; old and new.
• 27 NG giant combat and exploration robots. Described in detail.
• Many new robot weapon systems and features.
• Notable cities and people of the Ishpeming Republic/Northern Gun and much, much more.
• Wraparound cover by Chuck Walton.
• Written by Matthew Clements, Kevin Siembieda and others.
• 224 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 887 – Available NOW!
• Check out the new FREE Sneak Preview on DriveThruRPG.com!

NEW! The Rifter^® #66 – Ships April

The Rifter® #66 offers a variety of source material, monsters, baddies and information. All wonderful fodder for weaving your own adventures regardless of the setting. Plus great art, news, coming attractions, and more.

Every issue of The Rifter® is an idea factory for players and Game Masters to generate new ideas, and find new avenues of adventure. It provides useful, ready to go, source material you can just drop into your ongoing games. A doorway to new possibilities and numerous Palladium role-playing worlds. And the many new characters, O.C.C.s, powers, magic, weapons, villains, monsters, adventures and ideas for one setting can be easily adapted to any Palladium setting. Every issue has material for Rifts® and at least 2-3 other Palladium game lines.

The Rifter® Number 66 includes:

• Heroes Unlimited™ – Bite of the Snake-Men – by Glen Evans. An HU2 adventure and a new batch of bad guys to battle.
• Splicers® – Bestiary – by Edward Sauerland. A selection of strange creatures, monster creation tables and rules, the Ranger O.C.C. and more. Art by Chuck Walton.
• Rifts® – Black Market: Rise to Power, Part Two – by Max Kautsch. Source material on the Black Market town of Singer, plus notable characters and some Black Market TW weapons.
• Rifts® Phase World®/Three Galaxies™: Space Pirates – by Braden Campbell. The title pretty much says it all: Space Pirates. What more do you need?
• Rifts® Short Story – Skipping Stones – by Brett Caron.
• News, coming attractions, product descriptions and more.
• Heroes Unlimited cover by Amy L. Ashbaugh.
• Art by Allen Manning, Brian Manning, Mike Mumah, Ben Rodriguez, Tanya J. Ramsey and Charles Walton.
• 96 pages – $13.95 retail – Cat. No. 166. Ships end of April, 2014. Please note the increased cover price.

The “Collected” Mechanoid Invasion^® Trilogy – available now

This is the original three Mechanoid Invasion® books published in 1981 and 1982 and first collected in one volume in 1998. The collection is back due to popular demand from YOU. It contains all the material that appeared in the original three Mechanoid Invasion® books plus some background history. This is the game and sourcebooks that launched Palladium Books.

The story of the Mechanoid Invasion® is a tragic one that spans the galaxy and generations of people. The Mechanoid Invasion® starts on a distant planet being colonized by humans, until the Mechanoids arrive. The seemingly alien mechanized monsters intend to strip the planet of all its resources and literally carve it up into pieces and haul it away. The loss of human lives mean nothing to them. Indeed, the Mechanoids seem to delight in capturing, torturing and slaughtering what humans they can find. Can nothing stop the destruction?

The Journey follows the story of human colonists from the doomed planet surviving by living between the walls and tunnels like rats on a ship.

Homeworld carries our story to the Mechnoids’ homeworld in search of answers, but only more mystery, carnage and alien menaces await.

All of the above are contained in this one, 208 page volume. Back in print because YOU demanded it. But this volume is also unique as it gives you a glimpse of Palladium Books from its very beginning. Enjoy.

• 29 Mechanoids and their robot minions.
• 18 human O.C.C.s including combat troops, psychics and others.
• 7 alien races including the insectoid Mechanoid allies, the Dionii.
• All kinds of energy weapons, combat armor, vehicles, spaceships and more.
• Suitable for other Palladium world settings. ALL characters, aliens, ships and gear can be dropped into Rifts®, Phase World®, The Three Galaxies™, Heroes Unlimited™ and other Palladium RPG settings with minimal conversions (i.e. turn S.D.C. for armor and weapons into M.D.C.).
• An S.D.C. setting that is easily converted to M.D.C. environments.
• An 8½x11 softcover edition of the “collected” Mechanoid Invasion® Trilogy.
• Classic recreation of the original white and blue cover by Kevin Siembieda.
• Written and illustrated by Kevin Siembieda.
• Some additional art by William Messner Loebs, Michael Gustovich, and James A. Osten. Maps by Erick Wujcik (as well as some additional text).
• 208 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 400. The first new printing in over a decade. Available now!

NEW! Rifts^® World Book 35: Megaverse^® in Flames^™ – May, 2014

The Minion War spills across Rifts Earth, where demons and infernals hope to recruit allies and use the Rifts as gateways of destruction. Their influence shakes things up across the planet, especially at locations where demons and Deevils already have a strong presence. Demons, Deevils and supernatural beings run rampant and wreak havoc across the world. As soon as NG-2 is finished, we dive into the fast-tracked production of Megaverse® in Flames™ for an April release.

• Demon plagues and mystic blights.
• Soulmancy and Blood Magic revealed.
• Magical and demonic weapons and war machines.
• Demonic armies, strongholds and places of evil.
• Hell Pits and Rune Forges.
• Many Demon Lords, their minions and plans.
• Calgary, the Kingdom of Monsters; in detail.
• Ciudad de Diablo, Harpies’ Island and other notable Hell holes on Earth.
• Lord Doom, Pain and other demonic leaders.
• Horune treachery, Dimension Stormers and other villains.
• Notable demonic generals, mercenaries, people and places.
• Battleground: Earth – as demons and infernals amass their legions.
• Global chaos and the places most dramatically affected by the Demon Plagues.
• Epic battles and adventure ideas galore.
• Written by Carl Gleba. Part of the Minion War “Crossover” series.
• 192 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 876. May, 2014.

NEW! Dead Reign^™ Sourcebook 5: Graveyard Earth^™ – Ships May or June

When the dead rise and communications and power grids collapse, nothing matters except your own survival. But what about the rest of the world? What’s happening in other places? Has any government survived? Is anyplace safe?

Dead Reign™ Graveyard Earth™ tries to answer those questions and others. And in doing so, provides gamers and G.M.s with more fuel for adventure.

• Zombie World Tour – How the Wave and the Zombie Apocalypse has played out across the globe.
• A Thousand Miles of Dead – Getting home from abroad in a world of zombies.
• American military forces overseas and their journey home.
• Alternative campaign settings and Random Campaign Setting tables.
• Random Encounters by Region and Random Survivor Leaders.
• Level of Zombie Threat table. Zombies and exposure to the elements.
• Walled cities and other Alternative Safe Havens.
• Car problems, aircraft landing conditions and encounters on the road and by sea.
• Written by Matthew Clements. Cover by E.M. Gist.
• 48-64 pages – $12.95 retail (tentative) – Cat. No. 235. Ships May or June 2014. In final development. Final page count and date of release yet to be determined.

NEW! Heroes Unlimited^™ 30th Anniversary Hardcover Edition – only $40 while supplies last – available now

The Heroes Unlimited™ RPG turns 30 years old this year. To celebrate, Palladium is releasing a special, commemorative, Heroes Unlimited™ 30th Anniversary Hardcover, for only $40. Available now. The original HU2 hardcover sold for $50 and has since become a collector’s item that sells for $200-$350 on the secondary market.

To preserve the value of the “original” Heroes Unlimited™ Gold Hardcover Edition, we have made the HU2 30th Anniversary Edition as visibly different (and cool) looking on the outside as possible. The material used for the cover is different (not leatherette), the color is a lighter shade of blue, and although the cover is imprinted in gold foil, it features artwork depicting a superhero and the words “Special 30th Anniversary Edition.” Even the spine is different looking, and the end sheets are red and without art. The red, white and blue combination represents the United States of America, the birthplace of superhero comic books, and the colors of costumed heroes.

All the elements described above should make the Heroes Unlimited™ 30th Anniversary Hardcover impossible to mistake for the original HU2 signed and numbered HC edition. We have kept the price an unprecedented, low $40 for a hardcover Gold Edition of this size. We want to give Heroes Unlimited™ fans a crack at purchasing one before the price skyrockets on the secondary collectors’ market. Enjoy and game on!

• Limited to 400 signed and numbered copies.
• Signed and numbered on the credits page by Kevin Siembieda and the Palladium staff. We’ll try to get an artist or two to sign as well.
• Blue fabric cover with gold foil imprinting. A completely new and different cover than the original HU2 Gold Edition.
• Interior pages are exactly the same as the original HU2 HC and the current softcover edition.
• Create any type of hero and superhuman – aliens and mutants to super-soldiers, martial artists, mages and Mega-Heroes.
• 100+ super abilities, plus scores of sub-powers.
• 100+ magic spells plus Enchanted (Magical) Weapons and Objects.
• 40+ psionic abilities.
• Super-Vehicles, high-tech hardware, in-depth characters and more.
• Written by Kevin Siembieda. Cover art by Michael Wilson.
• 352 pages – ONLY $40 retail from Palladium Books only – Cat. No. 5000HC. Available NOW! Order yours today. Note: The price is only $40 to celebrate the proud event of HU2's 30th Anniversary and make sure the hardcover is accessible to our core fan base. Enjoy.
• A complete role-playing game with many sourcebooks.
• Heroes Unlimited™ – celebrating 30 years of heroic adventure.

NEW! Palladium Fantasy RPG^®, 2nd Edition, 30th Anniversary Hardcover Edition – only $40 while supplies last – Available now – Second Edition Rules

It didn't seem fair to offer a Heroes Unlimited™ Hardcover Edition and not one for Palladium Fantasy®, has released a Palladium Fantasy® Special 30th Anniversary Hardcover. The Palladium Fantasy RPG® was released in June of 1983, so technically, the Fantasy Game is still 30 years old until June.

The original Crimson Edition hardcover sold for $50 and has since become a collector’s item that sells for $250-$400 on the secondary market. The special, commemorative, 30th Anniversary Hardcover sells for only $40.

To preserve the value of the “original” Palladium Fantasy RPG® Crimson Edition Hardcover, we have made the 30th Anniversary Edition as visibly different looking on the outside as possible. The material used for the cover is a brown leatherette imprinted with “Elemental Green” foil, different art on the cover, and the words “Special 30th Anniversary Edition.” Even the spine is different looking and the end sheets are without artwork.

All the elements described above should make the Palladium Fantasy RPG® 30th Anniversary Hardcover impossible to mistake for the original signed and numbered HC edition. The price is $40 (while supplies last), low for a limited edition of its size. We want to give Fantasy fans a crack at purchasing one before the price skyrockets on the secondary collectors’ market.

Second Edition rules. There has been some confusion among fans as to whether this hardcover edition is First or Second Edition rules. It is SECOND Edition rules, exactly the same as the current material in the softcover book.

• Limited to 450 signed and numbered copies.
• Signed and numbered by Kevin Siembieda and the Palladium staff.
• Brown leatherette cover with Elemental Green foil imprinting. A completely different cover than the original Crimson Edition.
• Interior pages are exactly the same as the current softcover.
• 30+ different Fantasy O.C.C.s – Mind Mage, Diabolist, Druid, Wizard, Palladin, Ranger, Thief, Assassin, and more.
• 300+ magic spells.
• 60+ magic wards and 50 magic circles.
• Psionic abilities and psychic characters.
• Demons, magic items, weapons, world background and more.
• Written by Kevin Siembieda.
• The Palladium Fantasy hardcover is exactly the same as the ‘current’ printing of the softcover edition; Second Edition rules.
• 336 pages – ONLY $40 retail from Palladium Books only – Cat. No. 4500HC – available now. Sorry, this product is not available in stores. Note: The price is only $40 to celebrate the proud event of Palladium Fantasy’s 30 years of continuous publication and make sure the hardcover is accessible to our core fan base. Enjoy.
• A complete role-playing game with many sourcebooks.
• Palladium Fantasy® – celebrating 30 years of wonder.

RECENT RELEASE: The Rifter^® #65 – Available now

The Rifter® #65 is all about the secrets of power. In some cases, dark secrets: 60 new Necromancy spells and magic for Rifts® and other settings, the power of the Soul Merchant for BTS™, rising to power within the Black Market for Rifts®, a Chaos Earth® short story, and for Heroes Unlimited™, a band of superhumans, robotics and gadgets. Plus news, coming attractions, and more.

Every issue of The Rifter® is an idea factory for players and Game Masters to generate new ideas, and find new avenues of adventure. It provides useful, ready to go, source material you can just drop into your ongoing games. A doorway to new possibilities and numerous Palladium role-playing worlds. And the many new characters, O.C.C.s, powers, magic, weapons, villains, monsters, adventures and ideas for one setting can be easily adapted to any Palladium setting. Every issue has material for Rifts® and at least 2-3 other Palladium game lines.

The Rifter® Number 65 includes:

• Heroes Unlimited™ – Contemporary High-Tech Robotics and Gadgets – by David F. Smith. Bionics, robots and more.
• Heroes Unlimited™ – Once More unto the Breach – by Alex Tulloch. A band of super-beings and their motives.
• Beyond the Supernatural™ – Hollow Road Adventure – by Anthony Uyl. Evil takes unexpected forms in the pursuit of power. An adventure in which the players will discover that the local townsfolk can be just as evil as the Supernatural in their pursuit of power.
• Rifts® – Black Market – Rise to Power, Part One – by Max Kautsch. Source material on the Black Market and one Faction’s bid for power.
• Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy® and other settings – Necromancy – 60 Spells – by Eric Siems. 60 spells plus Necromantic magic items, the Dread Knight O.C.C., Spirit Caller O.C.C., and Bone Merchant NPC.
• Rifts® Chaos Earth® Short Story – Chaos Eve – by Shawn Merrow.
• News, coming attractions, product descriptions and more.
• Heroes Unlimited cover by Charles Walton.
• 96 pages – $11.95 retail – Cat. No. 165. Available now.

RECENT RELEASE: Dead Reign^™ Sourcebook 4: Fear the Reaper^™ – Available now!

Like knights mounted on motorcycles, the Road Reapers travel the wasteland that Earth has become, searching for survivors, fighting zombies and waging war against the Death Cults that threaten all mankind.

This epic sourcebook explores the nature of heroes and heroism in the Zombie Apocalypse. It contains the secrets of the fabled Road Reapers, their structure, leadership, missions and purpose, as well as gear and combat notes. Plus a horrifying new zombie known as the Terror Zombie, plus Floaters (zombies in water) and which zombies can swim. Survival is one thing. Can you keep your humanity and be a hero?

• Comprehensive background on the legendary Road Reapers™ – zombie hunters and heroes of the Zombie Apocalypse.
• The Road Reaper Way of Life: Living and fighting on the road.
• Road Reaper missions, strategies and tactics.
• The Road Reapers’ Code – a guide to being a Road Reaper and hero.
• Structure and organization of Road Reaper units.
• Road Reaper areas of specialty and bonus skills.
• Road Reaper Specializations like the Ex-Con, Road Captain, Scout and Fix-It Man.
• More zombie-killing advice from Brad Ashley, the notorious leader of the Road Reapers and author of the Road Reapers’ Survival Guide.
• Notable weapons and gear used by the Road Reapers.
• Stats for snowmobiles and boats.
• Combat notes and optional character tables.
• Terror Zombie, an amalgamation of horror fused to a Mock Zombie.
• Zombies in water and which ones can swim!
• Many adventure ideas and random tables.
• Written by Matthew Clements.
• 48 pages – $12.95 retail – Cat. No. 234. Available now!

NEW! Robotech^®: Expeditionary Force Marines Sourcebook One

– Formerly titled ‘UEEF Marines’

Robotech®: Expeditionary Force Marines is a sourcebook that we know will wow and please Robotech® fans.

• New mecha and weapons.
• Aliens and space adventure.
• Written by Irvin Jackson.
• 160 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 553 – Spring release.

Robotech^® RPG Tactics^™ – Coming Spring 2014

This is the game Robotech® fans have wanted for decades.

Robotech® RPG Tactics™ is a fast-paced, tabletop combat game that captures the action and adventure of the Robotech® anime. Two or more players can engage in small squad skirmishes or scale up to massive battles. Relive the clashes of the First Robotech War, engage in stand-alone tactical games, or use the dynamic game pieces to enhance your Robotech® RPG experience. Or simply collect your favorite mecha from an expanding range of top-notch game pieces.

Mecha vs Mecha. Take command of the fighting forces of the United Earth Defense Force (UEDF) valiantly defending Earth from alien annihilation. Or lead the massive clone armies of the Zentraedi Armada to recover an alien artifact of immense power and enslave humankind.

Robotech^® RPG Tactics^™ Box Set – Cat. No. 55100

• Brought to you by Palladium Books®, created with Ninja Division (the creative minds behind Soda Pop Miniatures and Cipher Studios).
• Full color, softcover rule book; wraparound cover and lots of new, color artwork.
• 24 Battle Dice, 12 UEDF and 12 Zentraedi.
• 40 color game cards (unit cards, etc.).
• 4x VF-1A Valkyries (in Fighter, Guardian, and Battloid modes).
• 1x VF-1J "Officer" in all three modes.
• 4x Destroids: 2 Tomahawks and 2 Defenders.
• 12x Regult Zentraedi Battlepods.
• 1x Glaug Officer's Battlepod.
• 1x Quel-Regult Recon Battlepod.
• 1x Quel-Gulnau Recovery Pod.
• 1/285th scale, high quality, multi-pose plastic game pieces (40mm to 70mm tall). World-class sculpts from sculptors around the world.
• Game rules use D6.
• Turn-based system of play.
• Scalable from small squad skirmishes to mass battles. Can accommodate two to several players.
• Combat is fast and designed to emulate the anime action.
• Measuring tape required to determine targets and distance.
• Small parts and some assembly required. Game pieces come unpainted.
• Release Date: An exact date is yet to be determined; Spring 2014.
• $99.95 retail price – Cat. No. 55100 (Main Box Game).

The First Six Robotech^® RPG Tactics^™ Expansion Packs

The first six expansion packs will be available to retail at the same time as the main box game. Here are the “official” SKUs and retail prices.

UEDF Valkyrie Wing

Build your fleet of Earth defenders with the Valkyrie Veritech Fighter; six figures total.

• 2 Valkyries in Fighter mode.
• 2 Valkyries in Guardian mode.
• 2 Valkyries in Battloid mode.
• Multiple heads for making the VF-1A and VF-1J.
• Plastic game pieces. Assembly and painting required.
• Not a toy. Small parts, not suitable for children under the age of 13.
• Cat. No. 55201 – $36.95 retail. Note: Pricing and content may be subject to some minor changes, but that is NOT anticipated.

UEDF Tomahawk/Defender Destroids

Expand your Destroid squad with these formidable walking tanks; four figures total.

• 2 Tomahawk Destroids – the main battle tank of Destroids, brimming with powerful particle beam cannons for arms, and wielding a battery of missiles and an array of other weapons.
• 2 Defender Destroids – a long-range, anti-aircraft juggernaut capable of shooting down incoming Zentraedi Battlepods and Gnerl Fighters.
• Plastic game pieces. Models require assembly and painting.
• Not a toy. Small parts, choking hazard. Not recommended for children under the age of 13. Adult supervision advised.
• Cat. No. 55202 – $32.95 retail. Note: Pricing and content may be subject to some minor changes, but that is NOT anticipated.

UEDF Spartan/Phalanx Destroids

Add some long range power and up-close punch to your army with these valuable Destroids; four figures total.

• 2 Spartan Destroids – civil defense, riot control and deadly in hand to hand combat.
• 2 Phalanx Destroids – a walking, long-range missile artillery unit.
• Plastic game pieces. Models require assembly and painting.
• Not a toy. Small parts, choking hazard. Not recommended for children under the age of 13. Adult supervision advised.
• Cat. No. 55203 – $32.95 retail. Note: Pricing and content may be subject to some minor changes, but that is NOT anticipated.

Zentraedi Regult Battlepods

Expand your Zentraedi forces with their main infantry battle mecha; six figures total.

• 6 Regult Tactical Battlepods – the lightning quick Regults, armed with a pair of particle cannons and auto-cannons, attack in wave after wave.
• Plastic game pieces. Models require assembly and painting.
• Not a toy. Small parts, choking hazard. Not recommended for children under the age of 13. Adult supervision advised.
• Cat. No. 55401 – $36.95 retail. Note: Pricing and content may be subject to some minor changes, but that is NOT anticipated.

Zentraedi Artillery Battlepods

Give your Zentraedi legion greater firepower with these artillery and support Battlepods; four figures total.

• 4 Zentraedi Support Battlepods, each of which can be made into any of the following:
  Gluuhaug-Regult – Light Artillery Battlepod
  Serauhaug-Regult – Heavy Artillery Battlepod
  Telnesta-Regult – Experimental Particle Beam Battlepod
  Four figures total.
• Plastic game pieces. Models require assembly and painting.
• Not a toy. Small parts, choking hazard. Not recommended for children under the age of 13. Adult supervision advised.
• Cat. No. 55402 – $36.95 retail. Note: Pricing and content may be subject to some minor changes, but that is NOT anticipated.

Zentraedi Glaug Command Pack

This diverse pack provides your Zentraedi forces with greater tactical capabilities; three figures total.

• 1 Glaug Officer’s Battlepod – the fast and deadly mecha of Zentraedi field leaders.
• 1 Quel-Regult Scout Battlepod – the stealthy eyes and ears of your Zentraedi battle force; electronic warfare capabilities.
• 1 Quel-Gulnau Recovery Pod – enhances the Glaug’s ability to bring in Battlepod reinforcements. Note: This figure has NEVER before been offered by any company.
• Plastic game pieces. Models require assembly and painting.
• Not a toy. Small parts, choking hazard. Not suitable for children under the age of 13. Adult supervision advised.
• Cat. No. 55403 – $36.95 retail. Note: Pricing and content may be subject to some minor changes, but that is NOT anticipated at this time.

Robotech^® Macross^® Saga Sourcebook – New Size

Available now – 8½ x 11 size

All the famous mecha and action of Robotech® starts here with the Macross® Saga when an alien armada enters Earth orbit. They have come to reclaim a lost spacecraft that crash-landed on Earth 10 years earlier. A space fortress that Earth’s protectors have rebuilt into their own flagship against alien invasion. The resulting conflict gives birth to heroes and becomes the stuff of legend, but the Earth will never be the same. Robotech® The Macross® Saga Sourcebook is now available as an 8½ x 11 inch sourcebook.

Note: This is the setting for Robotech® RPG Tactics™, so if you’re looking for more information about the mecha, Earth’s defenders, the Zentraedi invaders, and Macross Saga setting, this is the book for you. Epic adventure awaits.

A Robotech® Role-Playing Game Sourcebook:

• Transformable Veritech Fighters known as Valkyries take to the sky to defend the Earth.
• Destroids, giant walking tanks, are among Earth’s front-line defenders.
• The SDF-1 and Earth air, ground and space combat vehicles.
• Zentraedi mecha, powered armor suits, and select spacecraft.
• The Zentraedi warriors, their war machines and culture.
• Notable characters from the TV series statted out.
• Quick Character Creation Tables enable you to make Macross characters in 15 minutes or less.
• New skills and M.O.S. skill bundles.
• The Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® RPG “rule book” is needed to play (Cat. No. 550 or 550HC).
• 128 pages – $16.95 – Cat. No. 551 – standard 8½ x 11 size – Available now.

BACK IN PRINT! Heroes Unlimited^™ RPG, 2nd Edition

If you love playing smart games with heroic super beings in possession of strange and wondrous powers or technology, then Heroes Unlimited™ is the role-playing game for you. This RPG has unleashed the superheroes inside gamers for three decades and counting.

Heroes Unlimited™ RPG is probably most famous for rules and abilities that enable you to play ALL types of heroes while capturing the feel of comic books, and for being a thinking-gamer’s setting. All of this adds up to super-fun and epic comic book-style adventure.

• 11 Archetypes or Categories of Heroes, and another dozen subcategories including Crazy Heroes, those empowered by magical artifacts, Immortals, geniuses, and heroes without any super abilities whatsoever.
• 100+ super abilities, plus scores of sub-powers.
• 100+ magic spells plus Enchanted (Magical) Weapons and Objects.
• 40+ Psionic abilities.
• Super-Vehicles, high-tech hardware, in-depth characters and more.
• Create any type of hero and superhuman – aliens and mutants to super-soldiers, martial artists, mages and Mega-Heroes.
• Cover by comic book legendary artist, Jim Steranko.
• Interior Artwork by Ramon Perez, Scott Johnson, Mark Dudley, Paulo Parente, Kevin Long, Mike Gustovich and others.
• Written by Kevin Siembieda.
• A complete role-playing game with many sourcebooks.
• Heroes Unlimited™ – celebrating 30 years of heroic adventure.
• 352 pages – $26.95 retail – Cat. No. 500 – Available now!

Just a few notable Heroes Unlimited^™ Sourcebooks:

Instantly expand your playing experience with these and other HU2 sourcebooks.

• Villains Unlimited™ – 80+ villains, rules for creating secret organizations, gadgets, adventure ideas and more.
• Heroes Unlimited™ G.M.’s Guide – with 10 complete adventures, additional and optional rules, many random tables, 70 more magic spells, new vehicles and equipment, the law, G.M. tips and more.
• Powers Unlimited™ One – New powers galore! 120+ Minor Super Abilities, 45+ Major Abilities, 20 more psionic powers and more.
• Powers Unlimited™ Two – 11 new power categories and many sub-set types of heroes, symbiotes, weaknesses, and more.
• Powers Unlimited™ Three – 130 more new powers. ‘Nuff said.
• Heroes of the Megaverse® – A sourcebook that enables you to bring your heroes and supermen (and any of the HU2 sourcebook characters, powers and material) into the Rifts® and/or Phase World®/Three Galaxies™ settings, plus new powers, heroes, superhuman creation tables, and more.
• And other sourcebooks.

BACK IN PRINT – Dragons & Gods^™ – for Rifts^® & Palladium Fantasy^® – Available now

We sold out during the Christmas season, but this fun book, suitable for use in Rifts® (complete with M.D.C. stat notes) as well as the Palladium Fantasy RPG®, is so popular that we did a full reprint of it.

This is the 3rd printing of a dynamic sourcebook filled with big ideas and insightful rules for creating gods and their followers as well as presenting an array of deities and dragons. The dragon section provides insight to how Palladium Dragons think and function. Great artwork, too. Co-written with Erick Wujcik. With the Minion War™ soon to erupt on Rifts® Earth via Megaverse® in Flames™, you may find a book about dragons and gods to be a very useful sourcebook.

This expansive sourcebook presents detailed information about the mythical dragons and gods common to the Palladium Fantasy® world, but contains notes for use in Rifts® and is easily adapted to the Rifts® setting. It includes sections about Dragonwright, the Gods of Taut, Elementals, Demon Lords, dragons, and the forces of light and dark. Suitable for use with the Palladium Fantasy RPG®, Rifts®, Heroes Unlimited™, and Beyond the Supernatural™, or any fantasy game.

• 14 dragons, including the Hydra, Lo-Dox and others.
• 40+ Gods complete with minions, magic weapons & worshipers.
• 20 Demonic Lords, their goals, enemies and powers.
• Elementals and Creatures of Light.
• Deific powers of the gods and how they use them.
• Rune and Holy Weapons. Magic items made from dragons.
• Information on Alien Intelligences and other god-like beings.
• Written by Kevin Siembieda and Erick Wujcik.
• $24.95 retail – 232 pages – Cat. No. 451. Available now.

BACK IN PRINT – Rifts^® World Book 18: Mystic Russia^™ – Available now

This book is rich in monsters and magic based on Russian mythology and superstition. Rifts Russia is a land unlike anywhere else. The wilderness abounds with mischievous spirits, shape-changers and demons unique to Russia (including a comprehensive look at Necromancy).

• 28 Russian demons & spirits.
• Nature and Spoiling Magic. Over 100 new spells.
• Living Fire Magic, Bone Magic & Necromancy.
• Russian Gypsies, their secrets and magic weapon maker.
• Sovietski tanks, war machines and more world info.
• Written by Kevin Siembieda. Cover by Zeleznik.
• $20.95 – 176 pages – Cat. No. 833. Available now.

BACK IN PRINT – The Rifter^® #50 – Special Anniversary Issue – Available now

The Rifter® #50 remains in high demand because it contains all kinds of official source material from many of Palladium’s most popular writers. Back in print because you demand it.

• Official Phase World/Three Galaxies source material – The Free World Council by Braden Campbell.
• Official Rifts® Comic Strip by Madman Mike Leonard. It is a short, but memorable four page comic.
• Official Heroes Unlimited™ source material by Mark Oberle. A look at fame, glory and heroic legacies.
• Official Nightbane® source material by Irvin Jackson. The Mortificants O.C.C., also known as the Death Caller. A sort of modern-day Necromancer.
• Official Chaos Earth® source material – Psychics by Jason Richards. Includes three new Chaos Earth® psychic O.C.C.s.
• Official Splicers® source material by Brandon Aten and Matthew Orr. Includes three new Splicer O.C.C.s (the Gardener, the Tormentor and the Geneticist) and their Bio-Armor and Bio-Enhancments. Art by Chuck Walton.
• Official Palladium Fantasy RPG® – Zodiac rules and a type of Elven magic for it, by Carl Gleba.
• Rifts® Treasure Trove Logic Problem by Julius Rosenstein.
• Rifts® – Optional Construction and Vehicle Rules by Greg Diaczyk.
• Ninja & Superspies™ – Expanded Combat Rules by Taylor White.
• FINAL CHAPTER of the Hammer of the Forge! By M.G. Cannon.
• News, coming attractions, product descriptions and more.
• Cover by Charles Walton.
• 128 pages – $14.95 retail – Cat. No. 150 – Available now!

Gen Con Indy – August 14-17, 2014

Gen Con Indy is going to be the premier convention event for Palladium Books this year. A large booth, special display, a ton of product including Robotech® RPG Tactics™, and all our role-playing games and sourcebooks, art prints, original art, and all kinds of good stuff. There will also be many Palladium creators available at the booth throughout the convention to chat and sign autographs, including writers Brandon Aten, Matthew Clements, Carl Gleba, Carmen Bellaire, Mark Oberle (tentative), me (Kevin Siembieda), Palladium staffers like Wayne Smith and Jeff Burke, and artists including Nick Bradshaw, Mike Leonard, Chuck Walton, and others. And it looks like there will be 70+ Palladium Books RPG events in the official Gen Con program. My heartfelt thanks to the Megaversal Ambassadors spearheading this project, as well as the Game Masters volunteering to run so many events for our many game lines. Awesome.

Palladium Books Gen Con Highlights:

• 70+ RPG gaming events in a dedicated area. More than 3x the number of games ever at a Gen Con. Sign up when you can and make us look good.
• Large exhibitor booth and special display.
• Robotech® RPG Tactics™ products and demos.
• Role-playing game products galore: Rifts®, Robotech®, Splicers®, Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited™, Nightbane®, Dead Reign™, Beyond the Supernatural™, Ninjas and Superspies™, After the Bomb® and all the rest.
• Special edition books, prints and original artwork.
• Get autographs, chat and have a blast.
• Palladium creators already committed to appear: Kevin Siembieda, Wayne Smith (editor), Jeff Burke (artist & staffer), Chuck Walton (artist), Nick Bradshaw (artist), Mike Leonard (artist), Brandon Aten (writer), Matthew Clements (writer), Carl Gleba (writer), NMI (online admin and MA), Gary Miller (MA Coordinator and the Palladium Onsite Gaming Event Coordinator at Gen Con), and others are likely to be added; subject to changes and addition.

PDF downloads from DriveThruRPG.com

This is a great resource for getting out of print Palladium titles and other select books. We’ve made 90 titles available as PDF digital downloads from DriveThruRPG.com. This is a great way to try Palladium products and get access to out of print RPG source material. Some notable titles include:

• The Rifter® #49-52 recently added – available now.
• Splicers® RPG.
• Beyond the Supernatural™ RPG, First Edition Rules.
• Boxed Nightmares™ for BTS, First Edition Rules.
• Nightbane® Book Four: Shadows of Light™.
• The Mechanoids® RPG and The Mechanoid Invasion® RPG Trilogy.
• Palladium Fantasy RPG®, First Edition Rules and select 1st Edition sourcebooks.
• After the Bomb® RPG and sourcebooks.
• The Rifter® issues 1-52.
• The Best of The Rifter®.
• Deluxe Revised RECON® RPG and Advanced RECON® Sourcebook.
• And more – go to DriveThruRPG.com and check ‘em out.

© Copyright 2014 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.

Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Palladium Books®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, Phase World®, Nightbane®, Megaverse®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Coalition Wars®, Chaos Earth®, and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. RPG Tactics™, Beyond the Supernatural, Coalition States, Dead Reign, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, Minion War, Mysteries of Magic, SAMAS, Thundercloud Galaxy, Three Galaxies, Vampire Kingdoms, and other published book titles, names, slogans and likenesses are trademarks of Palladium Books Inc., and Kevin Siembieda.

Robotech® and Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® are Registered Trademarks of Harmony Gold USA, Inc.

This press release may be reprinted, reposted, linked and shared for the sole purpose of advertising, promotion and sales solicitation.