1 comments about Elric of Melnibone: Bright Shadows of Melnibone.

1. A wonderful addition to the fantasy genre by a burgeoning young author. Charles Green brings his imagination and life experience to bear in this pleasant feast for the imagination and senses.

2 comments about Toolbox.

1. A very useful book for the harried DND 3.0 GM.
   IF you like charts for when you are stymied for an idea, this is it. A plethora of data-packed D20 charts for NPC's, cities, towns, encounters (a little weak there - I am waiting for the book of encounter tables from Necromancer Games)
   (I am not sure if it is compatible with 3.5, though as I am just buying the new books)



2. AEG's D20 Toolbox is, literally, a book of tables. These tables cover everything from wilderness encounters to what type of tree you might find in a tropical forest or even what type of NPC a character will randomly encounter in a castle - all of the little details a DM might not initially think of but that might be necessary to create. The tables can either be used directly (DM rolls 1d20 as the players wander a castle to determine which NPC they encounter) or to help inspire a DM during the design process. In either case, the tables are extremely useful, and active DMs will time-and-again find this book to be one of the most valuable in their library.
   
   The only flaw in this book is that not all of the tables are properly explained. For example: a table detailing herbs that can be found in a specific region does not give game-term explanations for what the herbs can be used for (EX: Table 1-17 has Milkweed listed as #17. What sort of potions can milkweed be used for? Is it a poison? The DM will have to do additional research to find out). If these details had been supplied, I would have given the product five stars.

5 comments about Magic the Gathering: Official Encyclopedia: The Complete Card Guide, vol 3.

1. This book was a great help to search for a deck of Magic cards.Its cool you should buy it.



2. Full color photos and errata on every card... a must



3. This book has all the information you could possibly need, is very interesting, is complete, and has wonderful pictures. This book is great!

   GET IT




4. Just finished the review below...since when an erratum for every card was good? Errata are the behind-the-scenes changes in the rules - how is that good? It only complicates the game. Also, I've noticed that with every volume the amount of info steadily decreases:the first volume held images of well over 2000 cards from Third and Fourth Ed., Arabian Nights, Antiquities, Legends, Ice Age, The Dark, Fallen Empires, Alliances, and who knows what else. It was jam packed with an out-of-order chronology, the banned cards, lots of strats and card info. The second volume was thirty percent smaller - 1300 cards from Weatherlight, Visions, Fifth Ed., and Portal. It was bleaker, smaller, less enthralling. Now, THIS volume features 900 cards from four small expansions - they didn't even wait for the block to be over. Some of illustrations are botched or ill-colored, and the text on the best cards... Of course, if you want some sort of help choosing or organizing your M:TG cards, you will need this, but, believe me, this is not a diamond in the rough.



5. Seems like it's getting thinner and thinner each volume. They should publish it later (until they have enough cards to fill-in). But then as a serious MTG collector, it's still a must to have.

3 comments about Forgotten Realms Book of Lairs (AD&D 2nd Ed, Forgotten Realms).

1. Here it is, the DM's Bible... over 70 mini-adventures for all levels, all places, and all play styles, arranged by creature type. This book is the saving grace for DM's blessed with those players who love to do their own thing and wander off into the wilderness of the Forgotten Realms. So, when the encounter dice read "Bhaergala," and you say, "Uhhh..." here's the ideal way to handle it! The adventures are all well-written, original, and intense. One of TSR's finest, highest recommendation.



2. This book is a great supplement for any campaign. It contains dozens of minitature scenarios each focused on a particular Forgotten Realms monster. The scenarios are vague enough that they can be usually be fit into any realms location but contain enough plot bits that you should be able to wing it if you have to. Whenever I'm running short on time and need to come up with an adventure quick, this book is indispensible.



3. This AD&D (2nd edition) Forgotten Realms book is an excellent resource for any Dungeon Master (DM) running an AD&D campaign, especially one set in the Forgotten Realms. The book contains some 35 (if I counted correctly) mini-adventures, all entirely self-contained, that a DM can slip into an existing campaign, perhaps as a chance encounter while the party is traveling. The mini-adventures range in party difficulty level from 1st level up to 16th level, and range from outdoor to indoor adventures, including any different terrains.
   
   So, if you are a DM, running an Forgotten Realms campaign, then this is an excellent resource for you to get, one that you will find yourself using throughout the years. I highly recommend this book.

No comments about Dungeon Crawl Classics 25 (Dungeon Crawl Classi).

5 comments about Dungeon Master's Screen (Dungeons & Dragons, 3rd Edition).

1. Had it out for one game, but ending up putting it away as I never refered to it. Would have to nice to have XP charts, ability bonus, Quick NPC stat charts, etc.



2. I bought this screen and found it useful for a couple of things: It does act as a literal screen, offering the DM some privacy. That's important so the players can be surprised. It does have some decent art on the outside. The fantasy art kind of helps the players be in the "D&D mood" nicely. But I'll tell you something, Easley could made those pictures 100 times better. He is a phenominal artist; those pictures are not up to his potential. One amusing thing is all the characters on the DMs screen are from the core books. Tordek, Ember, etc. So if you grew to like those characters as I did, they are there in action.

   The charts inside are decent. I wound up making my own charts on my computer, and paper-clipping them on the inside of the screen. Basically I played about five games with my players, noted what information I was constantly searching for, and made my own info sheets. What was the barbarians new hit and damage with a two-handed weapon when he rages again? You get the idea. That setup has worked really well.

   If you want a DM's screen this one is good, but I suggest tailoring it for your specific needs. Another plus is WotC didn't go crazy on the price of this item, unlike some of the class books which go for [price] each! This product could have gotten 4 or 5 stars if it were physically sturdier, laminated, had Easley's best art, and if were made to hold whatever info you want, by using clips, or whatever.




3. I never really understood the DM screen. to me it was useless but its very informative for beginers who dont know the rules very well.



4. Our group found this product very nearly entirely useless. A poorly executed design plus the accompanying amateurish artwork makes this item a sore thumb in the WOTC product line.
   It should be noted here that I am a longtime DM and player of D&D in all of its incarnations (1st through 3rd, over 20 years) and a great fan of the latest edition, and most of the products WOTC have released. This however, is a huge exception. Just save your money and make your own.



5. I just picked up the latest DM screen and was totally disappointed. The good: there are some useful tables and having the screen in front of you should save a you a little time. The bad: the screen is not made from sturdy card stock, it's barely more than plastic coated paper (Yes, the thing is covered in plastic - but it's not like you think. The plastic is added as a coating to paper to make it more rigid and glossy, it does not serve as any sort of protection), the screen sags and does not stand up as nicely as the older heavy cardboard screens. Seem like WotC was more interested in cutting costs with this one then putting out a useful tool. Too bad, most of the new products have been pretty good. I guess everyone makes mistakes.

1 comments about Mutants & Masterminds 2nd Edition: Beginner's Guide (d20 Hero Roleplaying Game Supplement).

1. This abbreviated version of rules for the Mutants & Masterminds superhero role-playing game gives all the basics to start playing at about 1/4 the price of the hardcover Player's Handbook.
   
   Besides a low price, strong points include an efficient introduction to character creation (4 pages), a quick overview of "game play" (combat), a couple of adventure simulations to help learn the rules, and great character sheets for the members of the teen superhero team Next Gen. The characters are Firepower (human torch), Bolt (electricity projector), Megastar (cosmic energy superman), Nereid (water-based shape-shifter), Seven (super mage), and Sonic (sound blaster). While these character sheets include everything you need to know about the heroes during the sample adventures, you'll have to buy the M&M Player's Handbook to create your own heroes from the full lists of feats and powers.
   
   On the negative side, the comic-book story running throughout the guide is not very interesting in terms of story or art, and doesn't really help learn the game.
   
   Overall, I think the guide accomplishes its purpose at a great price. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a quick way to learn the basics or introduce the game to a friend who's unfamiliar with pen-and-paper role-playing games.

No comments about GameMastery Module: Guardians Of Dragonfall (Gamemastery Module).

3 comments about *OP Laws of Ascension Unlimited Edition (Mind's Eye Theatre).

1. This book is the best Minds Eye theatre book I have read yet. WHile it does have some minor problems in it, overall it is simply beautiful, though i HIGHLY suggest any prospective players or buyers also get a copy of mage Revised, and a copy of the Tradition book they plan to play in. Great work, White Wolf, it was wort the wait.



2. A great book. I was intoduced to LARP role playing through Laws of the Acension, and I havn't looked back. The book can be a bit confuseing for new player who hasn't ever played either table top or LARP before. Perticulary if you're a table top player trying to make the switch to LARP. It's not easy. But if you read the book, and have a freind or two near by who can help you out with character creation, then it's a great buy. I wouldn't suggest it for a new player who can't ask his or her freinds about it.

   But if you know your stuff, and if you find mages interesting, and you want somthing other then Vampier intruge and Werewolf blood baths, try Mage, it's not only a great mix (if you want a blood bath, then you can have one, if you want a socail game then by all means try it) but the best part about mage is it's flexability. Mage allows player to play almost whatever they choose, and if your into crossover game with other types of supernaturals, then mage is great for that too.

   So if your a newbie, I'd try somthing diffrent, however, if you know your LARP and you want a change of pace, try Laws of Ascension. It's fun and truly interesting.




3. I started out LARPing with Laws of the Night -- the Vampire game. But after a while, I found Vampire to be too simple for my needs. So I decided to try out Mage and then I was blown away.

   Mage has the power, the intrigue, the danger and complexity that Vampire had been missing. Instead of taking the same powers that everyone else has, you can create your own Effects. Sure, as an ST this gives me tons more work to do, but it's all worth it. Now players have more room to create more interesting characters and they have more power to make changes (as opposed to having some centuries old elder boss then around).

   I highly recommend this game to anyone who is looking for something more in a LARP game.

No comments about GURPS WWII: Weird War II.