This week we have a wide range of game systems with new PDF products. They include, BRP, Savage Worlds, Shadowrun, Cyberpunk, Pathfinder, the OSR, and a couple of unique systems. They also run the gamut of genres from Mecha, fantasy, cyberpunk, modern-day, martial arts, westerns to cartoons.
BRP Mecha
With the huge popularity of Call of Cthulhu, it is sometimes overlooked that the game system for Call of Cthuluhu is based off the Basic Role-Playing System (BRP), which is a generic game system that has also spawned the likes of Stormbringer, Superworld, Ringworld, and Elfquest rpgs. Now we are given the latest setting/genre game to use the BRP rule set and it deals with Mecha, human driven robots of great power done in the anime vein of entertainment. The book promises to allow for "realistic" mechas all the way up to the superheroic giants.
Shaintar: Legends Arise
Epic High Fantasy, that is what this game brings to the Savage Worlds system. This 183 page book gives a group everything it needs to get right into such an exciting fantasy world. For the characters it gives us 11 races, 60 new Edges, expanded magic rules including two new types of magic. For the GM there is a complete setting with information of nations, a timeline of history, new monsters, a streamlined resource/monetary system, advice for running an epic high fantasy game and three adventures to run. Note that this book is the first of two and features rules and gameplay for Novice and Veteran characters; it has everything a group needs to cover those levels but the gameplay will change when the characters hit higher experience and a second book will be forthcoming for those levels.
Shadowrun
This week we have two new releases for Shadowrun. First is Euro War Antiques, a detailed look at how the Euro Wars have affected the world of Shadowrun. Along with a detailed history of the Wars, it also provides dozens of gear left over from the wars that are still in use within the setting. The second offering is their latest Preview of their upcoming 5th edition. #3 takes a look at character generation and also gives up some more background setting info. The preview is still free for those interested in the newest edition.
LotFP Rules & Magic
Lamentations of the Flame Princess made a splash when it was first released. Some loved its approach and some did not like it at all. Controversy followed it to this day. Now the rules are being released in a free PDF so everyone can check out the rules and judge for themselves the merit of the game. It is an OSR "heartbreaker"; it takes the rules of early D&D and adds in some interesting new concepts and rules. This version of the rules is no-art to keep the cost at free, but since the initial artwork was found to be disturbing for some, this version will better suit a wider range of people. If you are curious as to what it is exactly, now is your chance.
Heroes of the West
Pathfinder continues to expand the genres it covers. This supplement provides 8 classes for a Western themed game. The range from the Brave to the Vigilante. If you are looking for a Western genre campaign and your favorite system is Pathfinder, this is a good place to start.
Modern Monks
This is a game that is a "retro-clone" set in the genre of modern-day martial arts. It focuses on providing rules for gritty realism, but also for the over the top video game style martial arts. It comes in two releases. First, the Player's Guide provides complete rules for 6 classes running from level 1 to 20, including new skills and equipment, along with character specialties. It is everything you need to build and run a character. Second, the Game Master Guide goes into how to set up a campaign, along with variations such as a campaign focused on martial arts tournaments or Urban Fantasy. It is interesting that the author decided to base the system on 2E instead of the usual 1E or 3E. However, if you are a fan of martial arts film or the concept of a martial arts campaign intrigues you, this looks like a good book to get.
Cartooner
Toon is an rpg from 1984 in which all the characters are cartoon characters in the vein of Bug Bunny and Looney Tunes. It is a game of wild and wacky fun wherein all the normal tropes of rpgs go out the window all in the name of hilarity. I fondly remember playing the game in the 80s with my group and it really was a lot of fun. Cartooner seeks to be the modern Toon. It all about creating cartoons in the same style. Similar to the original Toon it is a very lite system made to keep things fast, but as a side consequence of this design it is easy to pick up and can even be used as an introductory rpg game. This looks like an excellent change-of-pace game.
Chrome Compilation
While my preference has always been for Shadowrun, I still always think of the Cyberpunk rpg by R Talsorian Games as the more "serious" version of the cyberpunk genre. With their 2020 edition of the game they released many supplements for it. Their Chromebooks added all sorts of gear, cyberware, vehicles and new rules for the game. This week we get Chromebook 1 and Chromebook 2 in one PDF for the download. I might just pick this up and see if I can convert it for my own Shadowrun games. Of course, if you are already a fan of the Cyberpunk rule system then it is already set up for you.
WotC Classic PDFs
XL1 Quest for the Heartstone (Expert)
FOR5 Elves of Evermeet (2E)
PHBR9 The Complete Book of Gnomes & Halflings (2E)
Arms and Equipment Guide (3E)
Adventures
Ruins of Tomorrow - Savage Worlds/Quantum Sliders.
Tomb of the Lich Queen - Savage Worlds/Fantasy and Pathfinder.
Crestview - Pathfinder. Level 2-3.
Tyman's Taunting Tower - Pathfinder. Level 9-12.
Spotlight: Most Interesting PDF of the Week
Dyson's Delves
Dyson Logos has been putting out beautiful maps for some time now. This week we see a collection of his maps, some written up as complete OSR (1E) dungeon delves and some to be statted by a DM themselves. Not only are they nice to look at, but if you are looking to fill out your own campaign world this would be a huge help in that regard. They are also good for when your players go off in a direction you didn't plan for and you need a sudden dungeon lair to throw at them.
BRP Mecha
With the huge popularity of Call of Cthulhu, it is sometimes overlooked that the game system for Call of Cthuluhu is based off the Basic Role-Playing System (BRP), which is a generic game system that has also spawned the likes of Stormbringer, Superworld, Ringworld, and Elfquest rpgs. Now we are given the latest setting/genre game to use the BRP rule set and it deals with Mecha, human driven robots of great power done in the anime vein of entertainment. The book promises to allow for "realistic" mechas all the way up to the superheroic giants.
Shaintar: Legends Arise
Epic High Fantasy, that is what this game brings to the Savage Worlds system. This 183 page book gives a group everything it needs to get right into such an exciting fantasy world. For the characters it gives us 11 races, 60 new Edges, expanded magic rules including two new types of magic. For the GM there is a complete setting with information of nations, a timeline of history, new monsters, a streamlined resource/monetary system, advice for running an epic high fantasy game and three adventures to run. Note that this book is the first of two and features rules and gameplay for Novice and Veteran characters; it has everything a group needs to cover those levels but the gameplay will change when the characters hit higher experience and a second book will be forthcoming for those levels.
Shadowrun
This week we have two new releases for Shadowrun. First is Euro War Antiques, a detailed look at how the Euro Wars have affected the world of Shadowrun. Along with a detailed history of the Wars, it also provides dozens of gear left over from the wars that are still in use within the setting. The second offering is their latest Preview of their upcoming 5th edition. #3 takes a look at character generation and also gives up some more background setting info. The preview is still free for those interested in the newest edition.
LotFP Rules & Magic
Lamentations of the Flame Princess made a splash when it was first released. Some loved its approach and some did not like it at all. Controversy followed it to this day. Now the rules are being released in a free PDF so everyone can check out the rules and judge for themselves the merit of the game. It is an OSR "heartbreaker"; it takes the rules of early D&D and adds in some interesting new concepts and rules. This version of the rules is no-art to keep the cost at free, but since the initial artwork was found to be disturbing for some, this version will better suit a wider range of people. If you are curious as to what it is exactly, now is your chance.
Heroes of the West
Pathfinder continues to expand the genres it covers. This supplement provides 8 classes for a Western themed game. The range from the Brave to the Vigilante. If you are looking for a Western genre campaign and your favorite system is Pathfinder, this is a good place to start.
Modern Monks
This is a game that is a "retro-clone" set in the genre of modern-day martial arts. It focuses on providing rules for gritty realism, but also for the over the top video game style martial arts. It comes in two releases. First, the Player's Guide provides complete rules for 6 classes running from level 1 to 20, including new skills and equipment, along with character specialties. It is everything you need to build and run a character. Second, the Game Master Guide goes into how to set up a campaign, along with variations such as a campaign focused on martial arts tournaments or Urban Fantasy. It is interesting that the author decided to base the system on 2E instead of the usual 1E or 3E. However, if you are a fan of martial arts film or the concept of a martial arts campaign intrigues you, this looks like a good book to get.
Cartooner
Toon is an rpg from 1984 in which all the characters are cartoon characters in the vein of Bug Bunny and Looney Tunes. It is a game of wild and wacky fun wherein all the normal tropes of rpgs go out the window all in the name of hilarity. I fondly remember playing the game in the 80s with my group and it really was a lot of fun. Cartooner seeks to be the modern Toon. It all about creating cartoons in the same style. Similar to the original Toon it is a very lite system made to keep things fast, but as a side consequence of this design it is easy to pick up and can even be used as an introductory rpg game. This looks like an excellent change-of-pace game.
Chrome Compilation
While my preference has always been for Shadowrun, I still always think of the Cyberpunk rpg by R Talsorian Games as the more "serious" version of the cyberpunk genre. With their 2020 edition of the game they released many supplements for it. Their Chromebooks added all sorts of gear, cyberware, vehicles and new rules for the game. This week we get Chromebook 1 and Chromebook 2 in one PDF for the download. I might just pick this up and see if I can convert it for my own Shadowrun games. Of course, if you are already a fan of the Cyberpunk rule system then it is already set up for you.
WotC Classic PDFs
XL1 Quest for the Heartstone (Expert)
FOR5 Elves of Evermeet (2E)
PHBR9 The Complete Book of Gnomes & Halflings (2E)
Arms and Equipment Guide (3E)
Adventures
Ruins of Tomorrow - Savage Worlds/Quantum Sliders.
Tomb of the Lich Queen - Savage Worlds/Fantasy and Pathfinder.
Crestview - Pathfinder. Level 2-3.
Tyman's Taunting Tower - Pathfinder. Level 9-12.
Spotlight: Most Interesting PDF of the Week
Dyson's Delves
Dyson Logos has been putting out beautiful maps for some time now. This week we see a collection of his maps, some written up as complete OSR (1E) dungeon delves and some to be statted by a DM themselves. Not only are they nice to look at, but if you are looking to fill out your own campaign world this would be a huge help in that regard. They are also good for when your players go off in a direction you didn't plan for and you need a sudden dungeon lair to throw at them.
Adventures and maps set under the earth for old-school fantasy roleplaying games (OSR games).
Dyson's Delves contains over 140 pages of maps and adventures featuring the unique mapping style of Dyson Logos.
Five full adventures fill out the beginning of the book, followed by 44 additional dungeon maps each with a page for the GM to key and make notes about each dungeon.
The adventures in this volume are:
- Dyson's Delve - an 11 level crawl that takes characters from level 1 to level 6
- The Charmed Grotto - a subterranean adventure for characters levels 5 to 8
- Ruins of the Gorgon - a smaller adventure for level 4 characters
- The Worm's Gullet - award-winning adventure for levels 4-6
- Erdea Manor - massive four-level crawl for levels 3-6
