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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Pinotage" data-source="post: 2716089" data-attributes="member: 15194">The Combat Hero is a short pdf from Sword's Edge Publishing for d20 Modern, and is part of the Roles and Classes line of products. It's written by Fraser Ronald, and presents the Combat Hero, a brave and hardy fighter, which is also a new type of class, the specialized class. Combat Hero is a 8 page pdf, although only 4 of those are dedicated to presenting the mechanics and description of the Combat Hero specialized class. The Combat Hero normally retails for $1. This review was done as part of Crothian's Review Project.Initial Impressions:This pdf, like others from Sword's Edge Publishing, has a professional and fitting layout, with a suitable border to each page. The interior art is done by Dean Martin, and provides an effective contribution to the pdf, and highlights the ideas behind the combat hero as someone who excels in battle. This product comes with a handy OGL file detailing all the open game content, and also full-size images of the two art pieces contained in the product. Overall impression on the layout and presentation is very good, although it was somewhat disappointing to only find 4 pages of content in an 8 page pdf, particularly as it is advertised as having 8 pages.The Details:This pdf starts out by presenting a new type of class, the specialized class, which is the type of class associated with the Combat Hero. A specialized class is supposed to fit between a base class and an advanced class, providing easy entry. I think it's an interesting idea if done right, and given the Combat Hero that's certainly the case. It would be nice to see other examples of how this approach to character development progresses.The Combat Hero, a specialized class, is a class devoted to fighting, brawling, combat, and danger. Characters who take this class will be ready to fight with their fists, firearms or even tables and chairs, always prepared to do what proves necessary to keep allies alive. Like the base classes, the class consists of talent trees and bonus feats, and has a good selection of five talent trees (although most are only two levels deep) to select from, some of them grabbing bits and pieces from other existing talent trees to form new ones. The class is strong for d20 Modern, with a full BAB progression, and d10 for hp. Combined with a good selection of talent trees focused on defense and attack, it makes for a strong class, certainly stronger than the Strong Hero. However, given that the aim is for specialization in low-level games, it succeeds well at that, but might be stronger than other classes for higher level games.Talent trees include Defensive (opportunistic strikes and rolling with damage), Firearms Training (specialized in firearms for added damage and striking capability), Leadership (able to co-ordinate and inspire allies), Powerful (use his or her strength to its fullest potential) and Tough (a talent tree devoted to keeping the Combat Hero alive for longer, and helping him or her recover quicker). The combination of these with the class make for a strong character, specialized in fighting and combat, and particularly surviving. It is well suited to lower level games, although the specialization comes with some additional strength.The pdf concludes with two brief NPCs with short background, that can be used to illustrate the Combat Hero class, or as NPCs in any d20 Modern game.Conclusions:The Combat Hero presents a strong specialized class focused on combat, brawling, and all things physical. The pdf is appealing to look at and reads easily without glaring mistakes apart from a heading for one of the talent trees. The Combat Hero provides a good and interesting, also useful, addition to the d20 Modern game, and I'm sure most will find some use for this class, although I felt it may have been slightly on the strong side. Based on overall presentation, writing, class presentation and background, I'd grade this pdf with four stars.</blockquote>

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