OK, tell me it gets better.
I'm about 50 pages into Palladium Fantasy, so far, I have a few complaints. To wit, what is UP with the organization? Why aren't all my character generation rules in one place? Seems like they're scattered throughout the 336 pages of the book. You get your abilities right up front, and a basic process. Then alignment, then a chapter on how to roleplay? then the combat, THEN OCCs, Races and xp progression tables are at the back? What?
Also, yeah, why are there three pages on alignment when alignment appears to have absolutely no game function whatsover? Shouldn't there just be a chapter on "developing your character's personality" or something?
Finally, in the combat chapter, is the best organization he could think of to put it in alpha order of terms? It kinda jumps all over.
That is all my whine
However, I would like clarification of the "Death Blow" rules. Does it mean you can chose to make any roll of natural 19 or 20 a death blow by surrendering your next combat action? Or do you have to specifically say you're going for a death blow before you roll to hit?
Oh, and another explanation? What is the rule procedure for dodge. All the book explicitly states is that it takes a combat action to dodge. I assume it's a roll against the opponents attack roll. Any bonuses on that? and can you use it if you failed to parry?
Incidentally, now that I understand SDC, I'm not as against it. I like it better than the 5 wound levels in LOTR. However, is there also a "megadamage" or something like that? Probably that doesn't apply to Fantasy, but could I get that explained?