Here's the quick and dirty background, Erik:  The 2008 "Handbook" was just something Markconz did.  It was never endorsed by any group.  It just took off on its own.

He built it from the official rules, plus the "change docs" I put together.  Originally, the change docs were supposed to be a summary of potential changes with a summary of the debate to date.  It's purpose was so that new people would have a single document they could look at to "catch up" on the debates and discussion.  The reason that was desirable was two-fold:  1) board regulars don't want to rehash every debate every time someone new joins, and 2) new people who think they have some great idea that will solve some perceived flaw can see when it has been discussed and why the prevailing opinion(s) are what they are.  The second was most important to me because when someone brings a cool, shiny idea it's hard for them to comprehend that it may have been hashed out in great detail before.  When it gets a negative response, the reaction is almost always "well, you guys are just close-minded and I don't want to hang out here."

However, somewhere along the way the "change docs" transformed from a "summary of proposed changes that might work" to "these are the collected suggestions of the Epicomms community" which was never the intent.  Markconz including them in his incorporated book cemented that perception.


The current "handbook" project is solely the official changes and rules in an integrated document.  Nothing in it will be experimental, house rules, NetEA rules, or EpicUK rules.  It is strictly official and the plan, by JJ, is to post it on the GW website as the official GW/SG ruleset.

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Neal

Perfect! Splendid!

(And maybe a thanks to Mcz for doing that... Asitmaybeforcedtheissue,right?)

Having a legal document would do wonders to Epic's credibility (something I've tried to spot-light earlier).
Problem is... If doing it by way of JJ/SG/GW we can't have it printed as per Raiders. Which then is a major problem again... 'Cause there's no way the private citizen can produce a viable and pleasing to look at document at home.

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It would be nice to get lightspeed,
so far we can only reach slight speed.- Erik M
092b85658e746a91d343e53509d357744e56f641

Yes, Markconz was helpful in forcing the issue and getting the 2008 errata/FAQ done.

A lot of people feel the same way about having a hard-copy book.  I've checked with Kinko's and other printers.  Most will print publicly available PDFs.  A one-shot print, perfect bound, is going to be more expensive than buying a mass-produced rulebook, but it can be done.  Also, other binding options aren't as slick, but they are cheaper - comb or spiral bound.

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Neal

That's printer service on a personal basis. I'm talking about an actual available rulebook. ÃÂ

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It would be nice to get lightspeed,
so far we can only reach slight speed.- Erik M
092b85658e746a91d343e53509d357744e56f641

I was afraid of that...