[RPG]: Exalted Storyteller's Companion, reviewed by Gary N. Mengle (3/4)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/9/9176.phtml

Gary N. Mengle's Summary:

A worthwhile addition to the Exalted line, and a neccessity for any Exalted GM.

Go to the full review for more information.

Post originally by adamsmith at 2003-04-01 13:21:01
Converted from Phorums BB System

...you don't plan to pick up any other Exalted supplements. The companion, for me, is the weakest addition to the Exalted line, and because I also have the Dragon Blooded and Lunar hardbacks, as well as the Games of Divinity, it is never used.

Post originally by JdRavnos at 2003-04-01 13:51:59
Converted from Phorums BB System

Yeah, but one of the hardbacks (Sideral) aren't released yet, and at thirty dollars a pop they can be expensive if all you plan to run the other exalted as NPCs. The ST companion gives a fair idea of how to use them and what type of charms they have (though I do think the Abyssal section was a bit vague, probably purposely, but as ST resource that isn't probably the best idea). I think both Lunars and Dragonblooded are valuable resources, but if you just got the game and not sure you want to lay down big bucks for the basic info on Abyssals, Sideral, Lunars and Dragonblooded then get the ST Companion.

Post originally by Skywalker at 2003-04-01 17:05:09
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I see the ST Companion is the ugly duckling of the Exalted line. It astounds me that people's memories are so short that with hindsight and further releases everyone has decied to turn their back on it and bitch about it.

However, I think the ST Companion is a great addition to the Exalted line.

When it was released it provided much needed information immediately after the release of the main book. There was a time when there were no fat splats. Rather than filling the ST Companion full of fluff or waiting until those supplments came out (some up to 2 to 3 years later), WW decided to give chunky amounts of information on all substantial areas of the setting not covered in the main rulebook. This is greatly appreciated and a fantastic idea IMO.

Also the ST Companion continues to be a great resource especially for those that don't wish to dish out lots of money on the 5 books (coming in at a total of around US $110) that it covers. Further it continues to be a nice summary of the fat splats that can be useful to give to players with its high rate of information with low spoilers (compared to the fat splats).

Ah well...

Post originally by Horza at 2003-04-02 11:09:13
Converted from Phorums BB System

I'd have to disagree with this statement. Pick up your ST's Companion and read the section on the Dragon Blooded... go ahead, I'll wait.

Now where is the infomation contained within (such as Realm naming structures and coming of age parties) duplicated in the DB hardback?

Answer: It's not.

I'll admit the same is not so true for the Lunars and (as far as I am aware) the Abyssals. But none the less the book is very useful even now, and answers some questions that are not answered anywhere else.