How come no reviews on WOTC Mini handbook

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

One reason might be that a lot of other d20 stuff has come out in recent weeks, a wave second only to the GenCon cycle IMO.

I flipped through the mini handbook at the LGS last week, but did not buy it, as I came home with 3 other books.

edit: deleted something, cuz somebody is cool!

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

I flipped through the miniatures handbook and it looked pretty dang cool.

If I had the money I wouldda picked it up.

 

[trancejeremy]

And yet the review copies keep on flowing. Weird isn't it?

In the old days I never felt comfortable with the idea of my positive review unduly helping a product sell, or my negative review having an undue negative effect. Nowadays ... well, it's hard work to write a good review and I'm not really up to the challenge, I don't think.

IMHO, you should think of them as "thank you" copies. The original EN news site probably helped sell 1000s of copies of products...

 

[trancejeremy]

I'm wondering why they don't send me review copies but send you copies (shrug). I know your the big kahuna and all, but isn't the purposes of review copies, well, reviews?

But mabye I'm just silly...

Have you actually asked WOTC about being put on their review copy list? I can't imagine there are many people more qualified than you.

I recently approached a number of publishers. While most of them ignored me, it was worth a try. (Actually, other than not having security called, it was a lot like trying to get date )

 

[JoeGKushner]

I'm wondering why they don't send me review copies but send you copies (shrug). I know your the big kahuna and all, but isn't the purposes of review copies, well, reviews?

But mabye I'm just silly...

Edit: No time to write a review for things I bought myself, but I will say this: it has some decent RPG material, but it takes up far too little of the book. I would not use the "skirmish" or "mass" combat rules for a D&D game, as they both require you represnt/roll for each creature in the combat instead of as a unit, which to me defeats the purpose of a mass combat system. Despite this, it doesn't seem to require any less conversion than any other mass combat system on the market.

Short take: If you want to play the minis game as an ends, you might buy it.
For playing D&D if you aren't interested in the mini game, the payoff it a little low. In particular, if you are looking for a mass combat system, I recommend Cry Havoc instead.

Pretty much everything Psion states here. I enjoy some of the role playing material but I'm surprised they have another little race of Tyranid looking beasties when we've got the Kython in Book of Vile Darkness.

 

[diaglo]

i never agree with any of Psion's reviews and yet this one is spot on.

the Mini Handbook isn't worth the paper it was printed on if you don't want to get into the mini game market.

and as a Minis freak, to me, it wasn't worth it either. there are much better rules out there.

for this edition i would also recommend Cry Havoc

 

[diaglo]

if you want to play real wargame rules, try Chainmail by Perren & Gygax

 

[Plane Sailing]

if you want to play real wargame rules, try Chainmail by Perren & Gygax

Or for something a little more modern then DBA (DE BELLIS ANTIQUITATIS) is the best ancients wargames rules I've played with. Simple, compelling, fun and quick.

Cheers

 

[MerricB]

the Mini Handbook isn't worth the paper it was printed on if you don't want to get into the mini game market.

Of course, it does have the name MINIATURES HANDBOOK. You think that would alert people to its focus...

The worst thing about the MHb? I think the D&D RPG material is really good (though I might wish for more descriptions for the monsters). However, I know that many, if not most, people will avoid it - and rightfully so - because it is a book about the Miniature game.

Cheers!

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

My take (since I'm not doing a full-blown d20MR review):

The D&D RPG stuff is about 72 of 174 pages. The new class ideas are OK; I like the Healer and Marshall classes (though the healer is a bit underpowered compared to the standard cleric). The Favored Soul is pretty well executed -- though I think the all-good save progression is too generous given the other mechanics. The prestige classes are clever -- the Skullclan Hunter as a neat undead-hunter variant is my favorite.

There are two pages of feats -- the Sudden Metamagic feats are generally broken, but most of the other feats are OK. The whole "swift action" concept needs to be dropped -- we've got enough action types in the game as is.

New spells and magic acount for about 20 pages - -generally decent stuff, except (IMO) that which ties to the broken mechanics.

There are a bunch of new monsters, some of which are pretty neat.

The minis rules are reprinted essentially in full (with terrain cards at the back), which takes up a good chunk of the book.

The mass combat system is a reasonable tactical system for moderate-sized units. It's based on miniatures and requires the count of individual unit members occupying frontage. It's pretty decent for medium-scale tactical battles (though I 'd replace minis with tokens or counters); I haven't looked at Cry Havoc to compare the two systems, but I'm satisfied with the presented system from a wargaming standpoint. From an RPG standpoint, I understand that Cry Havoc's system is even more abstract, which is probably better for the RPG -- choice depends on the flavor of your game.

Overall, there are some decent and fun RPG mechanics. I wouldn't recommend paying full price if the RPG mechanics are your primary reason for getting the book, though, given the relative page counts (I picked it up for $18, which is so-so at best for the content).

If you play the minis game regularly, though, I'd say definitely pick this up.