Monsternomicon or Liber Bestiarus: Any reviews?
- Thread starter Krug
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Kaptain_Kantrip
First Post
I flipped through 'em both yesterday. I liked Liber Beatiarus better. Monsternomicon was cool too, but had a lot of mechanical and gunpowder using monsters in it, so might not be as useful. I think both companies did a great job on their books, though.
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JoeGKushner
Adventurer
My review of Liber is over at D20 Weekly and I haven't gotten the Monsternomicon (yet) but have looked it over several times. Liber handles several high level monsters as well as new playable races and several familiars.
Both books are nice but I favor the Monsternomicon and it is not by much. I like the flavor of the monsters, the size chart and the thought put into the monster, feeling they better fit into my game.
Liber Bestarius is good but has too many monsters that could be "PCs". Which is not a bad thing but not what I was looking for.
Together they make a very interesting tag team.
Liber Bestarius is good but has too many monsters that could be "PCs". Which is not a bad thing but not what I was looking for.
Together they make a very interesting tag team.
Tewligan
First Post
They're both solid monster books, but the Monsternomicon is easily my favorite. Each entry shows the creature's size relative to a human, has various "levels" of knowledge about the creature that characters might have, and has at least one adventure hook. There are very few (if any) dorky creatures. There are some simple templates that can be easily added to a creature, and the art is consistently very good. I've picked up a LOT (too many, probably) of third party d20 monster books, and this one is easily my favorite - if the MM didn't have all the staple creatures, Monsternomicon would probably have it beat as well. I had several solid monster-inspired plots dancing in my head before I was out of the C's. Turn off your computer and go buy this book.
Of course, I don't want to give the impression that Liber Bestiarus isn't worthwhile - it's also a very good book. However, if you're making a one-or-the-other decision, grab Monsternomicon.
Of course, I don't want to give the impression that Liber Bestiarus isn't worthwhile - it's also a very good book. However, if you're making a one-or-the-other decision, grab Monsternomicon.
BigFreekinGoblinoid
First Post
Monsternomicon: Lots of Undead ! SPOILERS
I have both and so far am really enjoying each of them. I don't have any inclination to write a review ( primarily because I'm not experienced at writing reviews ) but would be more than willing to answer any questions for you if you are looking for something particular.
There was an extensive thread posted regarding Liber not too long ago, so I'll limit my comments here to some observations from the Monsternomicon :
- Great artwork ( all B&W ), although some of the art is a bit obscured with detailed shading. Multiple illustrations of many entries.
- Average of 2 pages for each entry allows for detailed background fluff which I really appreciate.
- LOTS of Undead! Undead & Ravenloft fans will really appreciate this book. I'm usually not a big fan of Undead, feeling that they are way overused, but this book contains several that stand out as being truly different. My favorite Undead entry is the "Iron Lich" utilizing a new template for linking undead to constructs ( gaining a +15 to AC ! ). The Iron Lich uses a "soul cage" to capture recently deceased souls and use them to power its spells. Nasty.
- The "steampunk" elements ( constructs & guns ) are much less pervasive than I thought they would be. You can utilize almost all of this book even if you choose not to incorporate these elements into your campaign.
- As HAND oF EVIL mentioned, the "size chart" is especially helpful. Each entry includes a small outline drawing comparing the size of the entry to a Human man. VERY helpful in visualizing the creature beyond the standard size designation of Medium/Large/Huge etc...
- The book is ostensibly written by "Professor Viktor Pendrake",
who includes details from his "personal" experiences with each of these beasties. The flavor text is very entertaining and expands the readers understanding of the creatures ecology and use of special abilities.
- Many new humanoids ( although perhaps less % wise than LB ) Monsternomicon is a MUCH bigger book, while only costing $2.00 more ( $29.95/240 Pages Vs. $27.95/160 Pages respectively ), including many new and creative variations on the regenerating staple, the Troll.
- For you fans of the otherworldly, a new evil outsider race, "The Infernals ( NOT EPIC, but definitely Grand! ) is well detailed with over 12 pages devoted to them. Outsiders are otherwise supposedly very rare to the Iron Kingdoms limited cosmology.
- "Quickplates" are introduced in this book, a series of short monster templates that can be applied to any creature, increasing the CR by 1 or 2.
- A few new Prestige Classes ( including the "Monster Hunter" - now why didn't I think of THAT ? ) and a few pages devoted to the Iron Kingdoms setting round out the book. I would have liked to have seen some encounter tables by ecology for help using these beasties in my Campaign, but perhaps this will be included in the setting sourcebook coming out next.
OK - getting lengthy here - I might as well register to be a reviewer. .. What the hell - I'll give it a 4.5, only missing a perfect 5 because of some minor details incluing formatting/font stuff like the occasional "handwriting" is very hard to read without a microscope. This is not a playtest review BTW, so hopefully everything will be game balanced as it appears to be.
Joe
Edited for spelling
Krug said:
I have both and so far am really enjoying each of them. I don't have any inclination to write a review ( primarily because I'm not experienced at writing reviews ) but would be more than willing to answer any questions for you if you are looking for something particular.
There was an extensive thread posted regarding Liber not too long ago, so I'll limit my comments here to some observations from the Monsternomicon :
- Great artwork ( all B&W ), although some of the art is a bit obscured with detailed shading. Multiple illustrations of many entries.
- Average of 2 pages for each entry allows for detailed background fluff which I really appreciate.
- LOTS of Undead! Undead & Ravenloft fans will really appreciate this book. I'm usually not a big fan of Undead, feeling that they are way overused, but this book contains several that stand out as being truly different. My favorite Undead entry is the "Iron Lich" utilizing a new template for linking undead to constructs ( gaining a +15 to AC ! ). The Iron Lich uses a "soul cage" to capture recently deceased souls and use them to power its spells. Nasty.
- The "steampunk" elements ( constructs & guns ) are much less pervasive than I thought they would be. You can utilize almost all of this book even if you choose not to incorporate these elements into your campaign.
- As HAND oF EVIL mentioned, the "size chart" is especially helpful. Each entry includes a small outline drawing comparing the size of the entry to a Human man. VERY helpful in visualizing the creature beyond the standard size designation of Medium/Large/Huge etc...
- The book is ostensibly written by "Professor Viktor Pendrake",
who includes details from his "personal" experiences with each of these beasties. The flavor text is very entertaining and expands the readers understanding of the creatures ecology and use of special abilities.
- Many new humanoids ( although perhaps less % wise than LB ) Monsternomicon is a MUCH bigger book, while only costing $2.00 more ( $29.95/240 Pages Vs. $27.95/160 Pages respectively ), including many new and creative variations on the regenerating staple, the Troll.
- For you fans of the otherworldly, a new evil outsider race, "The Infernals ( NOT EPIC, but definitely Grand! ) is well detailed with over 12 pages devoted to them. Outsiders are otherwise supposedly very rare to the Iron Kingdoms limited cosmology.
- "Quickplates" are introduced in this book, a series of short monster templates that can be applied to any creature, increasing the CR by 1 or 2.
- A few new Prestige Classes ( including the "Monster Hunter" - now why didn't I think of THAT ? ) and a few pages devoted to the Iron Kingdoms setting round out the book. I would have liked to have seen some encounter tables by ecology for help using these beasties in my Campaign, but perhaps this will be included in the setting sourcebook coming out next.
OK - getting lengthy here - I might as well register to be a reviewer. .. What the hell - I'll give it a 4.5, only missing a perfect 5 because of some minor details incluing formatting/font stuff like the occasional "handwriting" is very hard to read without a microscope. This is not a playtest review BTW, so hopefully everything will be game balanced as it appears to be.
Joe
Edited for spelling
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ColonelHardisson
What? Me Worry?
I don't have either. I flipped through the Monsternomicon, and now I want it so bad I can't see straight. Budgetary concerns hinder me, though...ah well. Just have to wait for that lottery win I'm plannin.' 
Samurai
Adventurer
Only about 12 of the 100+ monsters have a mechanical aspect, and even some of those are still usable in a less technological setting. I agree that Monsternomicon is one of the best d20 monster books yet made! The creatures are inventive, beautifully illustrated, and each one includes a plot hook or 2 and detailed info as to what is known about them on a Legend Lore check. These should be standard for any monster book from now on! A big thumbs up, Privateer Press has done a great job again!
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