Two quick questions for a n00b:

1) What is RAW, I see that acronym thrown around a lot and don't wan tot assume it means what I think it means.

2) I've seen mention that a high STR can add some recoil compensation. I remember this from old school 2nd edition fields of fire, but I have yet to find it in 4th edition, and I figure I'm just missing it.

RAW (Rule As Written) meaning what is the actual meaning of the written rules. Important as a foundation for both playing the game and making house rules. If you do not know how it was intended to work you cannot change it correctly (if you think it needs changing)

The biggest point of contention here is between a narrow focus (looking at each rule in isolation), and a broad focus (where one rule may be used to clarify another).

and for number 2...

It is an optional rule, to be found in the arsenal, page 163.

basically stating that for STR above 5 you get +1 recoil compensation, for STR beyonf 11 you get +2 and i forgot where the +3 and +4 were located *G*

RAW is the rules as written. Just a literal interpretation of them. Often times, this goes to discussions of the intention of the rules also, but that can be separate from what is written.

Excellent, thanks!

With respect to rules, there are times when two paragraphs taken too literally contradict each other, hence you have to combine them for the big picture RAW.

Mind giving an example?

In cases where the RAW contradicts itself are places where I think errata is needed.

Bows , and half the threads on this board.

What part contradicts what other part?

We've gone over this on other threads, I'm not going to rehash here.

PM me then, but I don't think we ever said it completely contradicted another section.

Contrast RAW(rules as written) to RAI(rules as intended). It is generally agreed that it is better (and more fun) to interpret the rules according to the intent of the rules. That said, doing so usually starts an argument lasting several pages about just what the intention of the rules is that only gets solves if a dev chimes in(which is rare, and even that rarely stops the debate entirely).

Ergo RAW is the only solid baseline we have for discussing the rules with other people.