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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JeffB" data-source="post: 2008405" data-attributes="member: 518">OK..I must warn you folks..This NOT a "technical" review. Although I enjoy writing those types of reviews this is basically a "feel" review I did over on the boards. For what it's worth here it is:I got my copy this morning..I've read some parts word by word, and glanced over other stuff that immediately caught my eye..So far I have to say VERRRRY Good!I had the Planescape box set (and the MC's) and always loved it, but as an old school DM (in some circles known as the "old geezer" or "old fart" DM), I just mined it for ideas, and small "demi-plane type treks ala early Ravenloft or some of the classic mods (X2 Castle Amber, Q1 Queen of the Demonweb Pits, etc). But I always loved the presentation and style, if not for actual gaming use, at least for entertainment.Here are some of my thoughts...1) The new MotP is a bit different, but in a good way. Perhaps one of the best things I like is the style of writing; to me it's quite plain to see that it's mostly written by an "old time" ex-TSR staffer. The book "reads" better than the other 3E products by such writers as Tweet, Reynolds, and Wyatt (no offense guys..just my personal preferences). Monte Cook and Skip Williams have the "old TSR writing style, but most of the newer folk do not. I've alway liked Jeff Grubb, and though I know some other authors worked on MotP as well, this book feels very "personal"..like it was written just for me. Most of the WOTC 3E products read like a Stock Earnings report.2) The new MotP has some of the "Planescape feel", but in a different way..sort of like watching a "behind the scenes" look at Planescape. It not only tells you "how it is", but "how it's done" If that makes sense. Kind of like a Director describing HOW he made the movie, without telling you every scene word for word.3) I love the "plane construction kit" mentality. Not onlyn does it give you the "core cosmology", but also how to go about doing your own thing..even if it's just a little side-trek to a demi-plane for a few hours..unless of course..time is static on that particular demi-plane and then you could....blah, blah, blah 4) It's got little blurbs on most of the old 1E Demon Princes/Devils. I never had any of PS items that even mentioned Demogorgon (I assumed they existed in the PS line somewhere? correct?), or Juiblex. Even my fave fungi-girl Zuggtmoy is mentioned.5) Cool art..Not all of it, but most of it is very cool. Once again, Wayne Reynolds shows me that he (more than any other 3E artist) can mesh old-style D&D art w/ 3E "freshness" and not have it look like the folks who might be waiting in line Saturday night to get into that hot,new exclusive L.A. Dance Club. I also felt that Arnie Swekel's art was much improved from his work in the DMG & PHB.6) A gold mine of adventure hooks. Lot's of cool stuff to borrow even if not strictly for a planar campaign. I LOVE books like this. Magic Of Faerun was the same exact way. I said I wouldn't buy it (MAGofFaerun), but when I read it at the store, I just had to have it..there's TONS of good stuff hiding in it, even if you don't want all the "stats". MotP is in the same mold.6) THEY GOT RID OF ALL THOSE STUPID COLLEGE-RULE PAPER LINES!!! WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!Yes, I know they did that in Monsters of Faerun, and the PsiHB, but It's much more noticeable in MotP than in MoF, and I don't own the Psi book..so there...  I don't usually get hyped up about books that I won't use directly, and especially w/ the varying quality of writing w/ WOTC 3E products. But I must say, that the past 4 items I have bought (FRCS, MAGofFaerun, Nightfang Spire, and now MotP)along with the recent issues of DUNGEON mag, have been stellar. They have defintely renewed my faith in WOTC, and I'm psyched more than ever to get my 3E campaign rolling again (My group had abandoned 3E for older versions of the game in the past few months).</blockquote>

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