Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="trancejeremy" data-source="post: 2009738" data-attributes="member: 924">Mercenaries is yet another in the series of 1 word d20 sourcebooks (previous in the series was "Evil", "Gods", "Monsters", "Dungeon"), which tend to consist of various stuff about the name of the book and were around 128 pages/$20, and rather cheaply printed. Mercenaries is something of a departure in both terms of quality, size, and subject. For one, the physical quality is much higher, using fairly heavy paper with background images on it, and featuring excellent artwork inside. It's bigger, both in terms of page count (256) and price ($30). And lastly, while it's nominally on "Mercenaries", in truth, it's closer to being almost an add-on to the Player's Handbook. Really, it reminds me of the old "Unearthed Arcana" from TSR for 1st edition AD&D - essentially a grab bag of stuff.The first chapter introduces several (9) new races. There's a race of rat people (the Aradan). There's a race of angel-like people (Ashemi). There's a race of devil-like people (the Bael). There's a mysterious race of people who always wear cloaks (Darlocks, er, I mean Dralloks). There's 2 reptile races, a bear-ish race, and a race that just likes to kill people for the fun of it.Some attempt is made to fit the title and supposed subject of the book (Mercenaries), but it's somewhat half-hearted.The second chapter introduces several (10!) new core classes. I like core classes. I like them a lot. So this aspect of the book should be appealing to me. But several of the classes seem somewhat marginal or badly done.The first class is the Alchemist. (Of course, you'd expect an Alchemist class in a book called "Mercenaries". (That's sarcasm)). I have no idea how this thing would work in play, as I haven't tried it, and have no intention of. Doesn't seem bad, just not really PC orientated. My problems with it are mostly because how it's brew potion ability works. It's a bit un-wieldly and it has balance problems. Essentially, the Alchemist gets to make potions. Lots of them. They're not magical, but they do duplicate magical spells that would defy the laws of physics. Ultimately, how powerful the Alchemist is is largely determined by how much and how many potions he can carry. For instance, a 1st level Alchemist might be able to make dozens and dozens of inflict light wounds elixirs.The Guardian is something of a combination of fighter and wizard. This is one of the dubious (IMHO) classes because it can be acheived just by multiclassing a figher and a wizard. I don't mind , in fact I like, different core classes, but usually ones that offer something different. Not just a mix of two classes. The title of the class also is a bit odd (IMHO). The Guardian can cast spells with somatic components in light armor without a problem, but any heavier armor still has the usual penalties. Otherwise it's pretty much exactly like a Fighter/Wizard combined. The Guerilla is something of a specialized fighter - one aimed at stealth. It's something of a ranger-like class - it has the track feat at first level, as well as species enemy.The Hunter is something of an alternate Ranger. I generally like it, but I think it's perhaps a bit overpowered. It has the best BAB progression, d10 for HD, 4 skill points per level, and a ton of special abilities. On the downside, it's only proficient in light armor.  Where I think it's overpowered is it's sneak attack ability - it seems to get +1d8 of damage. The usual +1d6 progression seems more fitting (and actually occurs once in the table, though is presumably a typo). But other than that, I like it. (I like the similar "Stalker" from the Sovereign Stone campaign setting book better)The Legionnaire is essentially a fighter who is really really good at fighting in armor. The only really notable thing about this class is the double entendre potential of some of it's special abilities. The Mercenary Ranger is essentially an alternate version of the Ranger. It's a lot more flexible, having lots of optional abilities that can be picked. The Myrmidon is another combination of wizard and fighter. It's a lot like the Guardian, only with a different spell list and their spells do not have somatic components, so they can cast spells in armor without a problem. This class at least makes sense to me - it's not simply just a combination of wizard and fighter like the "Guardian" is. I do have a quibble with the name of this. It seems like they picked it out of thin air, without a reason. Myrmidons were Achilles' personal guard, if I remember correctly. Anyway, it seems a bit, weak, actually. It's essentially like a Bard, only with fewer skill points per level, and only one great save. OTOH, it had a slightly better hit dice, and several bonus feats. So all in all, it's not bad.The Nomad is something of an odd beast. It's a lot like the Rogue, I think. I'm not sure if there's a typo or not.  It gets 8 (x4) skill points at first level, but at later levels, it gets only 4 skill points. It gets a d6 for hit dice, but this increases to a d12 at level 16.   The Scout is yet another alternate (somewhat) Ranger, though perhaps something of a Ranger/Rogue mix. At first glance, it looks a lot like the Scout classes from Pinnacle (one in Deadlands d20, one in Weird Wars), but it's not quite. Seems solid enough. Much more useful in a setting with firearms, since it's primary special ability is like the Rogue's sneak attack, only it works only with missile weapons.The last class is the Tattoo Mage. Basically, by tatooing itself, it gains magical abilities. This is one of those classes that is different enough from the core classes that I can't tell how it works without actually playing it or having one in my game.Most of the classes are indeed variant fighters or rangers or a mix of one of those, so I guess they do somewhat fit the title of this book. But I still think it feels more like the classes section of "Unearthed Arcana" than a book on the subject of Mercenaries. The next chapter is on skills. It's pretty short, and just goes into new ways of using old skills. It does introduce the concept of "Dragontechnics" as a skill. Essentially, it's the fantasy version of explosives. I don't really like it much. I did like the new uses for old skills bit.Chapter 4 is new feats. Lots and lots of them. 76 by my count. Mostly general feats, but a few fighter ones and 1 magical one.Chapter 5 is something of an odd beast. It's called "Description", and has a few pages about Mercenaries. Then it goes into some new gods (gods of Mercenaries and such). It then ends with tables for physical info on the races introduced in chapter one. Like I said, somewhat odd to put that there. Chapter 6 is new equipment. Starts off with starting money the new classes get, then talks a bit about availability and exchange rates. Then several new weapons are introduced (along with a table reprinting most of the weapons from the PHB). Also the specifics of "Dragontechnics" are introduced here. Seems way to modern in feel than what early explosives were like, from mentioning suicide bombers and having specialized explosives designed to open doors.There's 2 new types or qualities of weapons (like masterwork). The first is 'laminated', which is like the so called "Damascus Steel", in which the metal is sort of folded, and ends up looking somewhat like wood (and is much much sharper).  The second is a bit of a stretch, and is "serated", like a ginzu knife. Some of the new weapons are over the top. Most notably the Flamberge and Claymore. Basically, they're swords bigger (and more damaging) than the Greatsword. Bah. Chapter 7 is on spells. First off, it prints a list of spells for the new classes, as well as spell lists from AEG name books for the various other classes. Then it goes into the new spells from this product. 55 by my count. Some are for the new classes (mostly Myrmidon - the Guardian uses existing Wizard spells)Chapter 8 is actually on Mercenaries. The title of the chapter says so. The first bit is on recruiting them, then there is a bit about morale. Lastly, there's a fairly simple system for quick Skirmish level combat (well, maybe a bit higher than skirmish level, few dozen or so). It reminds me of the rules from the old Birthright setting - basically you group units into groups of 10 or so, and roll only one attack for them.  Lastly there's some tables for random character generation and a table for adventure ideas. The latter are often pretty lame ideas. Chapter 9, about 25 pages, consists of types of mercenary companies, and samples of them. This seems to be filler. Basically, it's a generic type of mercenary, then a couple specific examples of an individual in prose and their stats (which never seem to use the classes in this book, even when the character archetype seems to indicate it should). I would have liked to have seen some full fledged mercenary companies here.Chapter 10, about 30 pages, is full of Prestige Classes. 23 of them by my count. Some, like the Skirmisher, Man at Arms, 5th Column, Partisan, Personal Champion seem pretty dubious. Others, like the Legacy, seem okay and fairly original. Most are eh, though honestly, I'm not a huge prestige class fan. Chapter 11 is on magic items, and is pretty short. It's also pretty forgetable.Chapter 12 is on monsters. Nothing spectacular. Lots of slightly different humanoids, like the Banshee Troll, Desert Orc, Ridge Goblin, and other variants of orcs and goblins (though without orc or goblin in the title). Lastly, there's an index.Ultimately, this book is useful, but only in the way Dragon magazine is sometimes useful. Rather than being a book on Mercenaries, it's mish-mash loosely tied in with mercenaries. I'm somewhat disappointed, as I've run Mercenary campaigns in other game systems (Traveller and Star Wars) and was hoping for something of a fantasy version of GDW's old Mercenary Supplement for Traveller. That basically had most the rules for running a mercenary game, how mercenary companies work, plus sample mercenary campaigns. I would give it a D+, but the excellent art by one of my favorite ex-WEG artist Storn Cook, long time industry veteran Liz Danforth (used to work for GDW!), and some people I hadn't heard of brings it up (especially Michael Phillippi - the kind of art that makes you say, "Damn, that's good").  At any rate, don't believe the description of the product here - this is not a sourcebook for mercenary campaigns!. At best, it's a sourcebook for mercenary characters and their hiring.  Big difference.</blockquote>

Verification