Post originally by MartinB at 2004-03-09 12:47:05
Converted from Phorums BB System

I really don't get why people keep calling it a "variant players handbook". The main reason, as I see it, is that this was a brilliant marketing term invented by the author to appeal to players who were dissatisfied with D&D. However, IMHO, there is no difference between AU and, say, Wheel of Time, Conan, Star Wars or even Grimm. All give you complete D20 rules that are tied firmly to a specific setting.

And everytime I read a review of AU I'm startled by the many similarites to Wheel of Time, especially concerning character classes and the magic system. Is this just me?

Martin