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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JoeGKushner" data-source="post: 2009824" data-attributes="member: 1129">Encyclopedia of WeaponryEdited by Christoffer TrossenPublished by Fast Forward Entertainment128 b & w pages$19.994 StarsThe Encyclopedia of Weaponry is a book of weapons based on historical use.  It’s a nice idea, one we’ve seen used by Palladium books for years and the wait for an actual d20 product is finally over.The book starts off with the introduction of gunpowder weapons and some skills and feats to take advantage of ‘em.  It’s a nice touch, but if you’ve already got a long running campaign, it’s just some nice icing on the cake that the rest of the book presents.  Most GMs shouldn’t have too hard a time integrating this material either as variant rules or to help supplement their own house rules if they’re not using any official material.After that, it’s right into the weapons, based on alphabetical order.  Each weapon starts with name, appearance, historical origin, races likely to use it, magic version, history of magic version, and game stats.Now the appearance is nice because outside of the illustration, always to the left of the description, it’s good to read about the variants with the weapon.  This covers what materials went into making it, as well as common types that were in use.  The fantasy races is a nice touch as it provides the GM a brief idea of how these items might wind up in their own fantasy campaigns.The mix provides a nice range of what you’d expect like ballista,catapult, claymore, heavy spiked flail, lurerne hammer, and other standards, some of which have seen print before in one version or another in books like Bastion Press’ Arms & Armor.  Then there are some more unique weapons like the Manople, a gauntlet sword, the pistol shield, tooth spear, talwar, and throwing knife.  A nice mix all and all and one that’s sure to add some flavor to any campaign that they’re in.  For me, I’ll be adding some of the more exotic weapons to finally have some miniatures that have some stats to their weapons now.The nice thing about the book is that appendix I, Tables, collects all the information into a couple of pages, broken down by weapon type (simple, martial, melee), and size with game stats listed out for easy reference.The problem, for me at least, starts with the magic versions.  We have a nice touch of very high powered weapons and some medium powered ones but that’s not the problem.  The problem, for me at least, is in many cases, half the page is taken up with a single magic item.  Nice if I was looking for a book of fantastic and unique magic items, but terrible if I’m looking for a comprehensive listing of weapons.  Can’t speak for others, but I personally would’ve wanted either more historical information or more ideas on how to incorporate these weapons into the different races.  Sure, it’s nice to know that a berdiche is used by elves most, but why?  Do I really need a half a page of information for Evelyn’s Keep, a berdiche of charming that gives the user five feats and a host of other abilities?  No…  I might need some information on how a unit of elven guards that were laughed at for not following their brothers in the use of blade song saved the royal family once and from that one deed encouraged all noble units to wield this type of weapon.  Or I could just bust out my Warhammer High Elves armies and go, “There, that’s why!”Some of the values also seem off.  While it’s nice to read the extended history of Foe Crusher, a +3 two handed hammer, I don’t see why it’s over 80K market value.  Perhaps a column for real value and perceived value is needed here?  I would’ve also liked to see something that provides the Caster’s Cost in experience points and gold pieces.Less of a problem is the descriptions.  Take the two-handed executioner’s sword.  The description isn’t detailing an executioner’s sword, it’s providing information on a greatsword or old style two-handed sword and an executioner’s sword.  Well and good but what’s the game difference?  In addition, there are some questionable attributes given to some of the weapons.  For example, why is the two-handed executioner’s sword a double weapon?  Is it a two handed weapon or a double weapon?  The Charkram has a critical range of 17-20 and does x4 damage?  I know that a certain television show made it popular but the title of the specific weapon, Gabrielle’s Revenge, a +3 Vorpal Charkram of Death with enough powers to choke a horse, should be enough of a tribute without making a standard version too powerful.  Even when I agree with some of the material, like the haladie, a double-headed knife, being a double weapon, what rules govern it?  It’s a one handed weapon with two-heads so is it really a double weapon?  Could a person using two of these get two extra attacks?Despite some questionable rules, there is much here to enjoy.  The large amount of gunpowder weapons, siege weapons and the combination types makes the book an enjoyable read.  The writing is a little unclear at times, but it’s a good book to have on the shelf if you have the extra money.</blockquote>

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