Huge Changes to a Classic System
Written: Jan 20 '01 (Updated Jan 20 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Beautiful Book,
Easy to Pick up.
Cons: Feel too simple in some ways,
3 books needed to play
The Bottom Line: If you like RPG's then you'll love this, but as an experienced D&D fan you may have problems.
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| Radishcat's Full Review: Players Handbook :D&D 3ed D20 Books |
This is the fourth edition of the Dungeons and Dragons game, and with the dissapearance of the the original Dungeons and Dragons it can finally drop the title "Advanced".
It's a big hardcover book, and very visually attractive. All the pages are in full colour, and the text is wrapped around the pictures, which are in a much more realistic style than in previous editions. The beginning of chapter art is especially excellent. There are more practical visuals as well, illustrating the different sizes of the PC(player character) and what exactly all the different weapons look like. I'd give this book a 5 for looks.
Character creation is similar to how it was in the last edition, roll attributes, chose race and class then allocate skills etc. and develop background. There are significant changes lurking under this familiar framework that experienced players won't like. Attribute rolling now gives away higher scores more of the time, and overpowered characters are a real possibility. It's possible to play any combination of race and class that you want.
Non-weapon proficiencies are replaced by skills, and a new ablilty: The Feat (a powerful skill that you get few of) is added. Armour now requires a skill to wear (that comes free with relevant classes) and there are far more class abilities.
Combat is reduced to one number(the attack bonus) being added to the roll of a D20 and getting higher than the armour class of the defender. Armour class starts at 10 and is increased by armour and dexterity. Saving throws operate on a similar system.
The magic system is functional, and all the spell's you'll need are in the back of the book(sorted alphabetically rather than by level).
These may sound confusing if you've never played, but it's a simple system really, and this will cause some resentment from older players. However the system is versatile and easy to use and when used to it they should be all right.
The only problem being, once you've got this you'll still need the Dungeon Master's guide and the Monstrous Manual to actually play.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Radishcat
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Reviews written: 1
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