Xath
Moder-gator
Title: Battlestar Galactica Corebook
Publisher: Margaret Weiss Productions
Rules
BSG uses the Cortex Rules System, originally created by Jamie Chambers. It’s a fairly innovative system, which uses dice ranging from d2 to d12 in order to accomplish any action in the game. The most interesting aspect of this system is that it is universal for any action in the game. Abilities, skills, and traits are all assigned the same way, and every action from skill checks, ability checks, personal combat, or vehicle combat are accomplished using a basic ability + skill + relevant modifier check. On paper, I really like the look of this system, especially for someone new to RPGs, as it is very simplistic and easy to use. However, if you’re someone who’s used to there being a rule for every situation, be wary. The cortex rules system is a story-oriented system, and hand-waves many rules that are commonly detailed out in other systems. While this has the potential of keeping the game much more fluid, there’s also the potential for many more arguments. For example: In the chapter describing combat, the book states that a turn is three seconds, and that it is possible for many actions to take place in one turn. The book states that the GM and player should be “sensible” about how many actions are possible in a turn, and gives a general cap of three. However, this section is left open-ended enough that a rules-finicky player will try to push to full advantage, especially at higher levels. I would recommend this rules-system to groups who are more focused on campaign and story development than rules and maximizing the potential of the system.
Writing
The Battlestar Galactica Corebook is a fairly easy read. The majority of the text is written in a narrative that is made to seem as though an enlisted crew member of the BSG fleet is explaining the rules verbally to the reader. This is somewhat difficult to understand in sections for one who does not understand the basic differences between the under and elite classes in the universe, but this is quickly remedied by an extensive introduction to the universe. As someone who is unfamiliar with the show, I found the first chapter to be highly informative and well written. After reading it, I was able to understand every other reference I came across in the book. In other chapters, this under-class narrator is highly effective at explaining the rules, the system, and the details of the universe. I never had to re-read a section to comprehend its content, and I felt as though I had a basic understanding of the rules fairly early along in the book. I also couldn’t find textual errors (grammatical or spelling) that could not be chalked up to the idiosyncrasies of the narrator.
Production Value
BSG is a 232-page full-color book with a fairly high production value. The page layout is organized and easy to understand, and the book itself is extremely well edited. The interior art-work is decent, but not “wowing”. Most of the artwork is posed shots or screen-shots from the BSG television show. Original artwork is mostly used to illustrate specific ships or objects, and is effective but not exceptional. The font and color scheme of the cover art stay true to the television show, and photos of the various main characters are placed on a background of red space with a small image of the BSG itself. The only cartography in this book consists of computerized drawings of the interior of ships in various colors that seem more at home in an early 90’s teenage wardrobe than they do in this book. Maps are easy to comprehend in a basic sense, but lack detail of any sort (including passage-ways of how to get from room to room). Though well produced, the book runs at an MSRP of $44.99, fairly pricy for a book of its size.
Publisher: Margaret Weiss Productions
Rules
BSG uses the Cortex Rules System, originally created by Jamie Chambers. It’s a fairly innovative system, which uses dice ranging from d2 to d12 in order to accomplish any action in the game. The most interesting aspect of this system is that it is universal for any action in the game. Abilities, skills, and traits are all assigned the same way, and every action from skill checks, ability checks, personal combat, or vehicle combat are accomplished using a basic ability + skill + relevant modifier check. On paper, I really like the look of this system, especially for someone new to RPGs, as it is very simplistic and easy to use. However, if you’re someone who’s used to there being a rule for every situation, be wary. The cortex rules system is a story-oriented system, and hand-waves many rules that are commonly detailed out in other systems. While this has the potential of keeping the game much more fluid, there’s also the potential for many more arguments. For example: In the chapter describing combat, the book states that a turn is three seconds, and that it is possible for many actions to take place in one turn. The book states that the GM and player should be “sensible” about how many actions are possible in a turn, and gives a general cap of three. However, this section is left open-ended enough that a rules-finicky player will try to push to full advantage, especially at higher levels. I would recommend this rules-system to groups who are more focused on campaign and story development than rules and maximizing the potential of the system.
Writing
The Battlestar Galactica Corebook is a fairly easy read. The majority of the text is written in a narrative that is made to seem as though an enlisted crew member of the BSG fleet is explaining the rules verbally to the reader. This is somewhat difficult to understand in sections for one who does not understand the basic differences between the under and elite classes in the universe, but this is quickly remedied by an extensive introduction to the universe. As someone who is unfamiliar with the show, I found the first chapter to be highly informative and well written. After reading it, I was able to understand every other reference I came across in the book. In other chapters, this under-class narrator is highly effective at explaining the rules, the system, and the details of the universe. I never had to re-read a section to comprehend its content, and I felt as though I had a basic understanding of the rules fairly early along in the book. I also couldn’t find textual errors (grammatical or spelling) that could not be chalked up to the idiosyncrasies of the narrator.
Production Value
BSG is a 232-page full-color book with a fairly high production value. The page layout is organized and easy to understand, and the book itself is extremely well edited. The interior art-work is decent, but not “wowing”. Most of the artwork is posed shots or screen-shots from the BSG television show. Original artwork is mostly used to illustrate specific ships or objects, and is effective but not exceptional. The font and color scheme of the cover art stay true to the television show, and photos of the various main characters are placed on a background of red space with a small image of the BSG itself. The only cartography in this book consists of computerized drawings of the interior of ships in various colors that seem more at home in an early 90’s teenage wardrobe than they do in this book. Maps are easy to comprehend in a basic sense, but lack detail of any sort (including passage-ways of how to get from room to room). Though well produced, the book runs at an MSRP of $44.99, fairly pricy for a book of its size.
