2 comments about Star Wars Gamemaster Screen (Star Wars Accessory).

1. Starting with the bad: The lack of a chart listing damage dice for common weapons is a major oversight, particularly considering that the climb and persuasion skills each get their own table here, not to mention two entire tables devoted to how hard it is to break various objects.
   
   I give it points for being a sturdier GM screen than I expected, being made of much thicker cardstock than most screens I've used. I also like that it is shorter than most other screens, making it both easier to peek over and not being an intimidating "wall" between you and your players. The art on the front of the screen is attractive, and the whole thing has a kind of glossy laminate that will help stand up to wear.
   
   I would like to give it three-and-a-half stars, but three isn't quite fair.



2. This installment of the Star Wars GM Screen has great photos and art work but still delivers the information needed to run a game session with minimul book, rule checking.

No comments about Against the Giants: A Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures Huge pack (D&D Miniatures Product).

5 comments about Threats of the Galaxy (Star Wars Accessory).

1. Many helpful stats for the GM to use to create encounters for the players. Many known characters from the movies and books can be found inside along with creatures and droids. New talents inside along with a new talent tree, and a couple new races to play as. Definitely a must buy for the Star Wars enthusiast.



2. I saw this book and had to have it. For I am GM who constantly does things on the fly, and doesnt preplan adventures. Face it, you have no idea where the group is going to go, and I hate "railroading" them. This book is perfect if you need some quick stats or just some random encounters. A lot of Useful info in this book. Only bad thing is that it is very small in pages, and I do not think its worth its full price, even at the discounted prepaid price I got. This book is maybe a 14.99 - 19.99 type book.



3. Highly recommended for GMs. Although players can get a little bit of use out of this book, it will be more of a tool for GMs.



4. Threats of the galaxy is a great collection of information for both villian and hero NPC characters for all eras of the Star Wars galaxy.For the Saga edition of the role playing game.



5. I've just started playing star wars TRPG and this book is very usefull for those starting out.

No comments about Martial Power: A 4th Edition D&D Supplement (D&D Rules Expansion).

No comments about Adventurer's Vault: A Guide to Weapons, Equipment, and Treasure for Your Character (D&D Supplement).

5 comments about D&D Miniatures Game Starter (D&D Miniatures Product).

1. I've been playing D&D (pen and paper and miniatures) for years. When I first started getting into the first DDM (with Aberrations) I was very into it. After a few weeks though, a few game mechanics got very, very dull. The whole "commander" and "command range" thing really bugged me. I always thought the DDM game should emulate, if not precisely, the pen and paper combat experience. It did to a certain degree, but having commanders really took away from that.
   
   In this edition, commanders are gone. Some may not like this- but for me, it's a godsend. Commanders have been replaced by Champions. Champions are "heroes" you could say. There is no command range or bothersome mechanic to them at all. All they do is add abilities to your warband. The days of calculating and measuring "command range" are gone. Good riddance!
   
   Outside of that change, the rest is similar to previous editions. Factions are now more streamlined. I won't go into detail but it works out for the better, and it fits in with WotC theme for 4th Edition D&D. In my opinion, combat encounters more closely reflect the 'real' D&D experience.
   
   Quality is great. Maybe it's just the pack I got; but I was thoroughly impressed with the paint and modeling. Definitely a step-up from previous starters. And it's nice to know what you're getting beforehand. I've heard the set in general is lower quality than previous sets, but this starter is certainly no indication of that.
   
   The starter comes with two battle-maps. I'm not sure yet if I prefer these fold-out maps to the tiles from before, but they're not bad. I'm used to using fold-outs, anyhow...Axis/Allies miniatures did that.
   
   Overall I am very satisfied. If you're on the fence, get the hell off it and pick it up! Shipping was much faster than expected as well. They gave me a delivery estimate of 2 weeks, and it got here in a few days. I'm not complaining! :)



2. My friends and I used to play the pen and paper D&D game as kids, but as adults now, we don't have time to gather for long gaming sessions and read the latest RPG rules. Still having the urge to get some fantasy gaming however, I picked this miniature starter kit a few weeks ago and tried it out on my friends, and I was pleasantly surprised that it was a hit, even with the most skeptical. Not in depth as the full fledged RPG game, but offers some quick and strategic fun.
   
   Firstly, I was surprised at the quality and value of the starter kit. It comes with everything you need, like nicely painted miniatures, nice stat cards describing your miniatures abilities, dice, damage counters, full color rulebook and colorful maps, at such an affordable price. The rulebook was easy to understand and we quickly tried out the quick battle, and then moved on to the standard rules. My first friend I played it with didn't have any D&D experience, but he had no problems learning. The second friend I showed the game, had D&D experience, although from way back from the 2nd edition days, was able to pick up the game rules even quicker.
   
   I found out online that this starter kit is a new version using the updated rulebook, called the Dungeons of Dread rulebook, which is the same name as the booster pack that was released at the same time as this new edition of the starter kit. This new rulebook streamlines the game and makes it faster and easier to learn. This starter kit has new stat cards that are designed with the new rules. As a benefit, these news rules tie the miniature game closer to the upcoming new 4th edition version of D&D role playing game. I don't play the RPG game myself, but having had a lot of fun with the miniature games, I've been thinking of looking into it.
   
   My friends and I got addicted and looking to expand our armies (called warbands), we eventually bought some booster packs from the Dungeons of Dread booster set, which come with the updated stat cards to use with the new rulebook. If you buy any booster packs pre-Dungeons of Dread, you can download updated stat cards at the publishers website, Wizards of the Coast. As of this writing, Desert of Desolation and Night Below boosters have their stat cards are available online, with Unhallowed to be available sometime in May/June 2008. It was announced that all the older expansions will have updated stat cards in the future as well.
   
   If you've been waiting like I have, this is a great time to jump in with the new rules and a nice set of miniatures. You don't need a lot of space to play so and it's easy to carry around. I've also heard of veteran collectors buying multiple copies of this starter pack as the miniatures only are available in this starter pack and not in any booster pack, and since they have some nice abilities, they are very worthy to have multiples of, if creating your own custom-built warband.
   
   The only negative I see is that I could see myself getting tired of this and maybe wanting to move into something more in-depth like something from Games Workshop, like the classic Warhammer 40k series or popular Lord of the Rings miniature game, both which offer deeper rules but also more time commitment. But for right now, this is suiting my friends and I well. This could be also good gateway to the more advanced games I just mentioned, or perhaps into the wonderful D&D RPG game itself.



3. This is the first miniature set I ever purchased. The minis are really fine, there are 4 maps on two big paper (front and reverse side) and a little book with all the rules to start playing.
   I suggest to everyone who wants begin to play.



4. After many different expansions, the D&D miniatures comes to a new edition. There is necessity for this? I think so, after 13 expansion booster packs, two actualizations, the game was in necessity of a new edition. Now, the combats run much more smoothly, with more balanced creatures, new ways of forming your warbands (rules like Factions adds more of D&D lore to the game), and the compatibility with the new D&D 4º Edition. The minis have all great looks, and do their job, being it D&D minis or Roleplaying. The site of wizards have the actualized rules to download, and they are updating the old expansions (although, I wish they could do it with haste).
   A great way of enter in the world of D&D Minis!



5. A great gift, playability for kids and adults. The advanced rules can let adults throw in some tactics. The basic rules work great for kids (mine and 6 and 8) and provide a great excuse for some basic math practice. Well quality package, definitely recommended.

5 comments about Player's Handbook: Core Rulebook I (Dungeons & Dragons, Edition 3.5).

1. Being a new book, the price was great. I saved money over buying it in the store. Even after the shipping, which was well handled, I had this book in just a few days, and now I am using this book every day.
   
   As for the item itself, if you have an interest in D&D you must get this book. It is a must for any D&D player. And on top of the endless supply of information this book provides, it also has great art to go with it. I found this book in itself fun.



2. I recently bought this product for use playing Dungeons & Dragons with my friends. The book is extremely well-written and even though D&D can become very immersed in technical rules at times, the book does an excellent job of explaining everything from creating your first character (and his/her background, characteristics, physical features, etc) to an entire list of spells and their descriptions. Updated for play using version 3.5 rules, so you'll be up-to-date with everything new. The book is littered with colorful and well-done drawings of the material which ranges from visual depictions of weapons and armors to individual races and classes.
   Whether you're new to the game or an experienced veteran looking for the basics, the Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook is an excellent choice to get into the game.



3. Dungeons and Dragons is still the best and most popular table top role-playing game on the market today. My only complaint about this book and the game in general is the sheer volume of companion books you have to get in order to play the game. It'd be nice for them to break down one day and make a good all-in-one product for a change.



4. Really it doesn't need reviews by me, there are plenty. If you're ordering it you've probably already held one and you know what it does and what is in it.
   All I can really say is that Amazon shipped it out fast, UPS (or who ever delivered it) got it here in 2 days, regular shipping, and it was in perfect condition.



5. This is the say all end all when it comes to D&D. With character creation, detailed explanations of combat, skills, feats, and an impressive starting spell library, this book is a must for all players.
   
   If you're new, this is a wonderful text to get a feel for the game. As reference material, I give it an A+ (yes, even for Dungeon Masters).

5 comments about Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides) (Prima Official Game Guides).

1. First let me say that the omissions noted by the other reviewers are correct. A detailed index to the quests would be helpful. I've have had to thumb through the various quests within a general category to find the side quest I'm solving. Once you are on a major category, like the Mages Guild stuff, the manual trundles right along, quest after quest, and you can follow them in order as you proceed, with no need for an index, just a book marker. The trick is to stay off random side quests that someone in the game requests. Just say no. Stick to the main categorical quests and the manual can be your best friend.
   
   If you get duped into a solving a random quest while solving individual quests under a general category, there is plenty of online help for locating random quests; one site provides a detailed world map. My old friend google helped me find them.
   
   So, why buy this laboriously-written manual?
   
   First of all, it's beautifully illustrated, well-written, and almost devilishly detailed. To locate a random quest - I should have said `no' to the bugger -- I go to a website which is nicely indexed, and follow the walk-through. Usually, the Prima version when I find it is more complete and helpful than the on-line walk-through.
   
   The world map the game itself provides (Play Station 3) is helpful, as well as its individual maps. The game provides pointers on the map to follow and also on its compass when your role-playing hombre is trudging through hill and dale.
   
   From my experience, I have found the manual well-worth purchasing. I recommend buying it, and am giving it five stars.
   
   Someone put tons of work into this manual, a work of love, and should be financially compensated, this at the very least.



2. This book provides helpful maps and walk thrus for all missions. It's easy to use too so if you get stuck on a part of the game it won't take you long to find the answer to your problem. It was well worth the very reasonable price I paid for it.



3. Just yesterday I received my copy of this Prima guide from Amazon. I've not had much time to look at it but I did want to mention right away that my copy does indeed have the missing maps that some buyers did not get. When I ordered the book I went ahead and downloaded and printed the missing pages from Prima's website, but this turned out to be unnecessary!
   
   Maybe I got lucky, or else they've corrected the mistake and the newer editions have all the maps.
   
   Can't comment on the content just yet, but the book itself is beautifully illustrated and of high quality.



4. This is an excellent guide and I would like to point out my book does have the map section printed out at the end of the book, awsome!



5. I don't know how I could play the game without this gotta have book. It has helped me get through a lot of the quests and gates and gives you a detailed, play by play instruction on the main quest that keeps you from dying too may times. Great book... A must have for the game.

5 comments about Dungeons of Dread booster (D&D Miniatures Product).

1. My friends and I just recently got hooked into the wonderful world of D&D miniature gaming. We got the D&D miniature Starter Kit that came with the new revised rules (called Dungeons of Dread rulebook), and we had a blast. After having so much fun with the starter kit, we decided to buy some boosters and we picked up several of these Dungeons of Dread packs and really liked them.
   
   What's nice about the Dungeons of Dread boosters is that they come with updated stat cards that use the new rules, so you can immediately play them with your starter kit (if you bought the recent version). These new stat cards are in full color and look better than the old stat cards, and apparently they will tie the game closer to the new 4th edition D&D RPG game. I don't play the RPG game, but I may plan to in the future.
   
   Like others have mentioned, these boosters do recycle some miniatures from older booster sets so veteran collectors may be unhappy about this, but this was done to help new players so they won't have to search to find old booster sets, which go back as far as 15 expansions back. As a new player, I think this is great way to introduce players into the game.
   
   I also bought some boosters from the older series like Desert of Desolation, Night Below and Unhallowed, so I was able to compare the quality of the minis. I thought Dungeons of Dread overall had a better consistency in quality and paint job than Desert of Desolation. While both Desert of Desolation and Dungeons of Dread has some mediocre minis, I found Dungeons of Dread to a bit better. Night Below however seemed the worst, while not horrible, it was not as good as Dungeons of Dread or Desert of Desolation. Unhallowed however, was the best with consistently good paint jobs and the minis tended to be larger.
   
   Important: one thing to be aware is that if you buy older booster sets (anything pre-Dungeons of Dread), is that the packaged stat cards were designed to be used with the original (now called "vintage") rules. But fear not, you can go online to the publishers website, Wizards of the Coast, and download the updated stat cards in PDF format for printing. As of this writing, only Desert of Desolation and Night Below have been updated. Unhallowed will be updated in May/June 2008. The other booster sets will be available later.
   
   So if you're new to D&D miniature gaming, I think these are great introduction, and overall I've been pretty happy with them. They use the newer stat rules that help to streamline gameplay, so it's a great time to jump in and learn the game.



2. The latest D&D miniatures release is so-so. Some of the miniatures are pretty nice, such as a young red dragon, a vrock, and an ettin; all of which were too expensive to buy from previous sets, and the sculpts and paint are good.
   Other miniatures are horrible in not only concept, but the sculpt and paint is just staggeringly bad. The hydra is no longer a multi-headed dragon like creature, instead it has reverted to the medieval representation and looks like a gaggle of snakes had a superglue accident. While I could get over the change to the appearance the sculpt of the hydra is slightly less well done than the 1982 bendable version TSR put out, and the paint job of muted green with a dab of muddy yellow is less than stellar.
   
   There are a lot of good miniatures in the set for RPG purposes, and the new DDM rules are actually pretty good. Spiders, hook horror, drow, dire wolf, etc. The main gripe I have is the sculpts for many of the miniatures are really horrible. The new grick is...I don't have the words for how bad it is.
   The griffon, while a decent piece, is monochromatic. The troglodyte is not only a solid grey color, but almost looks like it is curled into the fetal position, since they didn't make the weapon or tail separate from the body.
   
   The new bulette is very nice looking, but the dire wolf no longer has spines, and the magma brute doesn't even have a discernible head. The new hag is wonderful looking, but neither the gnoll or orc are even close to the sharpness of the ones from Night Below.
   
   [...]
   
   Still love D&D, just don't think this was their best effort.



3. I was looking for something to add to my order to recieve the free shipping and saw this item at a 40 % discount from what I would have to spend at my local hobbie store. It filled my needs wonderfully. Thanks.



4. The figures in the new booster have greater detail and more accurate paint jobs than in previous packs. I've had good success in getting new figures in each pack. The creativity of design is fun to see - armor and shields have terrific detail and patterns, wings are better textured and even the ugliest beasts have vivid color and character depth.
   
   Particularly good, in my amateur opinion, are the Angel of Valor, Ascendant Hellsword, and the Bugbear Headreaver (holding a reaved head, of course). Even the orc raider has a battered shield.
   
   The new packaging makes it easier to get everything out, but it is extremely difficult to open the boxes without completely mangling them.



5. D&D miniatures have a new look. And I don't like that look. They are using a new glossier paint scheme. I find it to be very fake enamel-like paint. What happened? I also found the sculpts on this set to be uninspiring. And this is the first full set for the 2E mini rules and for the 4E RPG rules. Yet there are no dragonborns but plenty of tieflings. Odd. Overall, I would say to order individual minis that you want from various places instead of getting a random booster.

No comments about Pyramid of Shadows (Dungeons & Dragons, Adventure H3).