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One of the distinctive features of the Wizard and Sorcerer classes are familiars. Do you think they're worth taking or not? Are they a much needed extra party member or a 200xp/level time-bomb waiting to go off? Familiars are one of the features of wizards from history and fiction that have...

I like Hoplite Style. I think a feat for a one-handed 1d8/x3 weapon you can set against a charge and throw (or use with reach) is fair, it would be a valuable option in a Greek-style campaign. Is Shaft Strike needed? Isn't it just a case of changing the hold on a weapon (which you can argue is...

I think Raiders is by far the best. There are all sorts of reasons. There's the way the backdrop of the war, and the Beloc/Jones rivalry, powers the story. I think this gives the film a better structure than the other two. The main reason - for me at least - is the sense of the numinous that...

I'm thinking of running a campaign which isn't limited to one world or universe, but instead has the players jumping between worlds and universes. I'm obviously aware of Planescape and the standard D&D Great Wheel cosmology, but am thinking of trying something different. So my questions are...

This is the latest information I can find. In short; it's a slow process, so although wheels are turning, nothing much has happened recently. http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?threadid=105528&highlight=white+wolf+underworld+sony For what it's worth, Underwolf 2 at least demonstrates that...

Particularly in fantasy fiction, with its good vs. evil plotting, there's a need to demonstrate for the reader the evilness of the enemy. This leads to "I am evil" scenes; which often do nothing to further the plot but show the reader just how gratuitously evil the villains are. Care to share...

In terms of books... I think recently there's been a renewed appreciation of "classic" fantasy R. E. Howard, Clark Ashton Smith, Dunsany, with their books being more available than they were. The field is focused less on Tolkien than it was. There's also been a massive boom in young adult and...

Umbran's right. And with the film's demonstration that there is money to be made in fantasy films, prepare for a lot of very bad fantasy movies to follow in LotRs wake. Not that this is a terrible thing, I wouldn't mind a revival of 80s style Sword & Sorcery. There are lots of fantasy...

Could you let on as to what it is? I presume it's something to do with the development of Howard's writing style.

I voted for fellowship. For a variety of reasons: I think it was the closest to the books. And the most cohesive in terms of plot and structure. In spirit it's closest to the Tolkein. I like the aura of menace that gradually builds up. There's a sense of evil that you don't quite get in the...

I recently picked up the first books of a couple of multi-book fantasy series. What struck me when I took my first glance at them was the ritualised apparatus that comes with each novel. At the beginning of the book you get a map of a continent. Sometimes you then get further maps of cities or...

Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm actually not looking to replace the "Vancian" system; but instead to have two forms of arcane magic co-existing side-by-side. That's where my concerns about balance between the two types comes from. Kamikaze Midget and Rulesmaster, I'm very appreciative of...

Could anyone recomend a good spell point system which is balanced in power with the standard fire-and-forget spell slot system? I've heard the Unearthed Arcana is a power-up, is this correct?

I think pseudo-medieval european fantasy is the standard just because it's the easiest set of assumptions to work with. It's also popular from books. You get the full range of kit to use (plate mail, halberds, etc.), people are more exposed to popular images of the period, and the standard...

Your second interpretation is right. Assuming the +1 BAB proviso is met. You can't make a 5' step, draw a weapon, and full attack. But you can move 5', draw a weapon and make an attack.

Two things: (1) Does anyone else think some people are going to get severely burnt by commissioning fantasy trilogies? Lord of the Rings is exceptional in it's draw and that's why it was made the way it was made. It seems like there's a whole line of fantasy trilogies now being drawn up with it...

Psion, could you talk about your dislike of the traits and flaws system a little more? From what I've seen and heard of the system they seem to have designed it so that the disadvantage will count, and that their effect is worse than the advantages. Things like these for the down-side of...

What are the weapon style feats (from Complete Warrior) like? Net and trident, axe and dagger, etc...

Aaron, I just want to say I really liked your review. It was a good read, there are so many multi-volume fantasy series out there I need all the help I can get in sorting out which ones to look at. I look forward to seeing other reviews and hope your not put off by the negative posts. Umbran...

I'd say Improved Trip is broken. An attack after a sucessful trip, an attack as an AoO for your opponent standing up, the prone +4 bonus (and the prone disadvantages), and your opponent having to take a standard action to stand up (losing a full attack), is just too much. It was already powerful...