By Steven Creech, Exec. Chairman d20 Magazine Rack
Sizing Up the Target
The Complete Guide to T-Rex is written Joseph Goodman and illustrated by Tim Burgand. Published by Goodman Games, this 32-page supplement examines the Tyrannosaurus Rex in detail and carries a price of $11.00.
First Blood
Current scientific theory holds that the dinosaurs were warm-blooded, or endothermic, and this book follows that line of belief. A T-rex continues to gain size and mass as it grows older (much like a dragon). Their very nature serves as a limiting factor to their longevity ensuring that only the rare individual lives over 400 years and becomes a Tyrant Master.
Social structure and family groups are discussed next. T-rex society is an enigma in that while then tend to be solitary creatures, there is a strong family bond and an even stronger loyalty to their mated. A T-rex selects a mate for life and will extract cruel vengeance upon anyone who injures or kills that mate. The hierarchal structure of T-rex society begins with family, then extends to clan, and ultimately makes up a dynasty. Tyrannosaur dynasties are the most powerful organizations in the prehistoric world.
Combat strategies, hunting techniques and the latent psionic powers of tyrant masters are up next. A T-rex can be brought down if swarmed by a sufficient number of smaller creatures capable of inflicting damage. If a tyrannosaur is lucky enough to avoid injury and death, he may eventually develop psionic abilities through sheer force of will alone. These tyrant masters are the true rulers of the lands.
Of course, a book on tyrannosaurs would not be complete without new feats to surprise your players. Both psionic and non-psionic feats are laid out. My favorites include Cyclone Tail Slap, Gulp’N’Swallow and Thunder Quake.
The remainder of the book shows how to apply and utilize tyrannosaurs in a campaign setting. There are adventure hooks for both fantasy and Broncosaurus Rex settings. There are also rules for creating a T-rex dynasty complete with the stats of two individual tyrannosaur rulers.
Critical Hits
Who doesn’t love dinosaurs? This book takes an already powerful and formidable creature and ups the ante even more. The inclusion of psionics is certainly a strong bonus and one that is bound to throw players off-balance.
Critical Misses
Many of the sections are brief and only have a general information rather than going into deep specifics. For example, when discussing combat between two tyrannosaurs, there could have easily been more than just the single small paragraph. What techniques would typically be used? What are the more common tactics used during combat? This is a book that could have easily been 48 pages instead.
Coup de Grace
The Complete Guide to T-rex does a very good job at giving GMs new options for a very commonly liked monster. It is the best in the Complete Guide line to date. GMs should be able to make valuable use from this book. It’s a recommended buy for anyone who likes using dinosaurs in their campaign and certainly, in my opinion, worth the money.
To see the graded evaluation of this product and to leave comments that the reviewer will respond to, go to Fast Tracks at www.d20zines.com.
