Thursday, November 19, 2020

Review: Enchiridion of the Computarchs

 


Why Buy: IF you think the Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC) derived setting you're using needs more options for it's "spell caster" or active computer user class (coughMutantCrawlClassicsShamancough) this book is perfect.

What you get:

  • ALL NEW stuff in 97 pages, 8 1/2 by 11, color cover, black & white interior
  • 41 NEW programs/spells/wetware/etc.
    • spanning 67 pages of results tables
  • Table for using with the Mutant Crawl Classic's Shaman
  • new critical fail tables & rules
  • Rules for Intrusion Countermeasure (ICE)
  • A new alternate attribute burn, "Burndown"
  • "Programmer Provenance" rules i.e. DCC mercurial magic table for the techies

My two cents: I'm currently running a series of Mutant Crawl Classics adventures and will start using this book immediately with/for shaman characters. For the modest price I think it's a great value given how much use it'll see.

Where to buy: drivethrurpg.com (non-affiliate link) Print on demand is available

Thursday, September 3, 2020

Review: How To Write Adventure Modules That Don’t Suck


Why Buy: IF you are actively interested in improving your ability to run table-top rpg sessions or as the title suggests writing scenarios for publication.

What you get:
  • 156 pg hardcover book with stitched in bookmark
  • 25 Articles from industry professionals
    • Each has an "about the author" paragraph
    • 24 of the articles have example encounters/scenarios showing you so it's not rhetoric
      • Most of them are ready out-of-the-box to be used in common fantasy rpgs
  • Physically the binding, cover, and paper quality are all good and heavy. Official weight 1.81 lbs
  • If you buy from the link below you get a pdf copy free as standard.
My two cents: I've read it front to back and I'm happy to have it to refer back to in the future. See also "Why Buy" above.

Where to buy:  Goodman Games (non-affiliate link)

Monday, May 11, 2020

Review: Advanced Labyrinth Lord


Why buy: If you are looking for a one-book osr-retroclone that captures some of the original late 70's/early 80's feel Advance Labyrinth Lord is a good solid choice.
  • Classic attributes and saving throws
  • Descending armor class
  • Race-as-class AND race-and-class options
    • 7 races
    • 10 classes
  • 1 to-hit matrix/table for all of the classes and 1 for monsters
  • 53 pages of spells for Clerics, Druids, Illusionists, and Magic-Users
  • 78 pages of Monsters
    • Monsters each have a "Hoard Class" for rolling random treasure
  • The physical copy (see picture above)
    • color hardcover and black & white interior
    • good quality paper with no ink bleed problems in the copy I received