Critter Encounters: Bugged Out

Bugger Out is the first product in the new Critter Encounters line. The PDF is fairly short, weighing in at 11 pages. The encounters focus on battling giant ants that are setting up a colony under a small town that the characters are passing by.
It’s a relatively simple affair in that the party’s catch is that people are directly asking them for help.

In terms of production values, art is handled by Jesse Mohn and cartography by Ed Bourelle. Maps include the lower level of the alchemical lab that’s been invaded by the ants and the lower level where the young queen dwells. Options are presented for stronger and weaker parties that generally rely on adjusting encounter numbers or swapping out specific monsters.

The bad? It’s a little uninspired. The combats have a little bite to them thanks to the hazards and the new alchemical bits are nice but it doesn’t scream “use me now.” Might be the sheet utility factor of the size of the product. The good are the hazards, alchemical acid and fire and most useful, counters for the ants. Of course the maps by Ed are fantastic but to get the miniature used sized maps, it’s a separate product.

The encounters are perfectly suitable for a quick encounter when the GM is low on prep time.