Messageboard Golem
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Weird Wars monster manual
Horrors of Weird War Two
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JoeGKushner
Adventurer
Horrors of Weird War Two brings not only over one hundred new monsters to the d20 system, but adventure seeds and a mini adventure to get things rolling.
The book is laid out in alphabetical order with the name, stat block, background information, combat notes and an adventure seed. This allows the GM to look over the creature, see where it hails from in terms of point of origin, and get an idea of how best to use it.
In many cases, these creatures are the direct results of the German scientists brushes with death. Take for example the Animated Dead, a dead Nazi supported by clockwork mechanisms. Not undead but made from the dead, the Axis Stich is similar to a flesh golem with weapons placed directly into the creature’s body. Of course where would we be without explosive zombies, undead animated and packed with explosives?
The undead aren’t the only ones that shine in this book though.
Want something more strangely? How about the Axis Ape? These intelligent apes may not be up to most human intelligence levels, but they make fierce melee opponents. Of course there are some variants like the Axis Ape where it’s a human with an ape brain and everyone’s favorite, hailing right from the Grim and Evil show, the Ape with Human Brain. Now we’re talking!
All in all, there is a lot to like about this book. There are some creatures from various mythologies, folklore, literature, and other sources that insure that no matter what type of Weird War you’re trying to play in, you’ve got a monster for it.
The adventure, The Secret of the Caves, boasts a full-page map with some caves and a race against the Nazi party. It’s a short romp but a fun one.
The art ranges from okay to good. Chris Appel does a great cover while Marcio Fiorito, Brad McDevitt, Steve Bryant, David Day and Keith DeCesare work the interiors. The problem though is the same as the first Monster Manual suffered. Too crowded. Instead of even spacing or good use of white space, everything is crushed together making the book feel crowded and overworked.
Another negative is that for some reason, there is no listing of creatures by CR. Now perhaps I’m missing something, but this should be a basic listing in any monster collection. Also missing are notes for racial traits for those creatures that advance by class, like the Adaro. No racial traits, no favored class.
For the price, I’m a little conflicted. It’s not a standard 128 page book so the $25 price tag isn’t outrageous, but on the other hand, there are hard covers out there larger than 128 pages for $25. Let your wallet be your guide.
In terms of appropriateness, many of these creatures could be used in a d20 Modern campaign or a standard fantasy campaign. Take the Papuan Dragon, it’s a big lizard but fits into most genres pretty easily due to its basic nature. With the movie Willard coming out soon, some GMs may want to utilize the Rat Pack in honor of said cheesiness in a d20 Modern game.
If you’re looking for some strange monsters to add to your d20 Modern campaign or want some exotic creatures for the old fantasy settings, then Horrors of Weird War II can help you out. If you’re already playing Weird War II then this should be a mandatory book on your shelf.
The book is laid out in alphabetical order with the name, stat block, background information, combat notes and an adventure seed. This allows the GM to look over the creature, see where it hails from in terms of point of origin, and get an idea of how best to use it.
In many cases, these creatures are the direct results of the German scientists brushes with death. Take for example the Animated Dead, a dead Nazi supported by clockwork mechanisms. Not undead but made from the dead, the Axis Stich is similar to a flesh golem with weapons placed directly into the creature’s body. Of course where would we be without explosive zombies, undead animated and packed with explosives?
The undead aren’t the only ones that shine in this book though.
Want something more strangely? How about the Axis Ape? These intelligent apes may not be up to most human intelligence levels, but they make fierce melee opponents. Of course there are some variants like the Axis Ape where it’s a human with an ape brain and everyone’s favorite, hailing right from the Grim and Evil show, the Ape with Human Brain. Now we’re talking!
All in all, there is a lot to like about this book. There are some creatures from various mythologies, folklore, literature, and other sources that insure that no matter what type of Weird War you’re trying to play in, you’ve got a monster for it.
The adventure, The Secret of the Caves, boasts a full-page map with some caves and a race against the Nazi party. It’s a short romp but a fun one.
The art ranges from okay to good. Chris Appel does a great cover while Marcio Fiorito, Brad McDevitt, Steve Bryant, David Day and Keith DeCesare work the interiors. The problem though is the same as the first Monster Manual suffered. Too crowded. Instead of even spacing or good use of white space, everything is crushed together making the book feel crowded and overworked.
Another negative is that for some reason, there is no listing of creatures by CR. Now perhaps I’m missing something, but this should be a basic listing in any monster collection. Also missing are notes for racial traits for those creatures that advance by class, like the Adaro. No racial traits, no favored class.
For the price, I’m a little conflicted. It’s not a standard 128 page book so the $25 price tag isn’t outrageous, but on the other hand, there are hard covers out there larger than 128 pages for $25. Let your wallet be your guide.
In terms of appropriateness, many of these creatures could be used in a d20 Modern campaign or a standard fantasy campaign. Take the Papuan Dragon, it’s a big lizard but fits into most genres pretty easily due to its basic nature. With the movie Willard coming out soon, some GMs may want to utilize the Rat Pack in honor of said cheesiness in a d20 Modern game.
If you’re looking for some strange monsters to add to your d20 Modern campaign or want some exotic creatures for the old fantasy settings, then Horrors of Weird War II can help you out. If you’re already playing Weird War II then this should be a mandatory book on your shelf.
Messageboard Golem
First Post
By Steven Creech, Exec. Chairman d20 Magazine Rack
Sizing Up the Target
Horrors of Weird War Two is a collection of suitable creatures and monsters for the Weird War II campaign setting. Developed by a large contingent of designers from Pinnacle Entertainment Group, this 144-page perfect bound book retails from $25.00.
First Blood
The book contains a wide diversity of creatures ranging from good to evil. All are done up in standard MM format entry with good descriptions and a section containing adventure seeds. The monster types are equally diverse, but a substantial number of them has a humanoid form regardless of the their actual type. Additionally, there is a ten page adventure to run your gaming soldiers through.
Critical Hits
Rather than just coming up with a book of monsters, Pinnalce has made an effort to work both World War II pseudohistory and actual mythos into each monster entry. Such entries include: the American Super Soldier, Black Annis, Curse of Frankenstein, Doctor X, Ghost of the Red Baron, Grendel, Kamikazee Spirit, Kill-Roy, Paul Revere, Scaratrooper and he Upturned. Additionally, there are a couple of undead boats to vex players with.
Critical Misses
I was a bit disappointed in the quality of the artwork. The previous Weird Wars books prominently feature vintage photographs from World War II. Given Photoshop and other imaging technology, it would have been very cool to have doctored photos depicting the monsters as though they really existed. At the very least, the undead ships would have been better as photographs of a German U-boat and a ship that would suitably double as the H.M.S. Sapphire.
Coup de Grace
While not the best creature book available, Horrors of Weird War Two fits its designated niche nicely. Gamers who play the standard fantasy game will get limited use without heavily modifying a good share of them. d20Modern or even Forbidden Kingdoms players will get good use from this book in addition to the Weird Wars crowd. It is a respectable book but fits a restricted genre in gaming. It’s not for everyone.
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.
Sizing Up the Target
Horrors of Weird War Two is a collection of suitable creatures and monsters for the Weird War II campaign setting. Developed by a large contingent of designers from Pinnacle Entertainment Group, this 144-page perfect bound book retails from $25.00.
First Blood
The book contains a wide diversity of creatures ranging from good to evil. All are done up in standard MM format entry with good descriptions and a section containing adventure seeds. The monster types are equally diverse, but a substantial number of them has a humanoid form regardless of the their actual type. Additionally, there is a ten page adventure to run your gaming soldiers through.
Critical Hits
Rather than just coming up with a book of monsters, Pinnalce has made an effort to work both World War II pseudohistory and actual mythos into each monster entry. Such entries include: the American Super Soldier, Black Annis, Curse of Frankenstein, Doctor X, Ghost of the Red Baron, Grendel, Kamikazee Spirit, Kill-Roy, Paul Revere, Scaratrooper and he Upturned. Additionally, there are a couple of undead boats to vex players with.
Critical Misses
I was a bit disappointed in the quality of the artwork. The previous Weird Wars books prominently feature vintage photographs from World War II. Given Photoshop and other imaging technology, it would have been very cool to have doctored photos depicting the monsters as though they really existed. At the very least, the undead ships would have been better as photographs of a German U-boat and a ship that would suitably double as the H.M.S. Sapphire.
Coup de Grace
While not the best creature book available, Horrors of Weird War Two fits its designated niche nicely. Gamers who play the standard fantasy game will get limited use without heavily modifying a good share of them. d20Modern or even Forbidden Kingdoms players will get good use from this book in addition to the Weird Wars crowd. It is a respectable book but fits a restricted genre in gaming. It’s not for everyone.
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.
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