[RPG]: Advanced d20 Magic, reviewed by Elton Robb (5/4)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/11/11812.phtml

Elton Robb's Summary:

Advanced d20 Magic is the latest book from Guardians of Order for their BESM d20 line. The cover shows an aged wizard much like Merlin or Gandalf; a young teenaged kid that could be studying at a fictious magic school ala Harry Potter, and a female Dervish.

Go to the full review for more information.

[WillyPete]

I'm not at all sure from your review, but the Fatigue Saves you mention seem to make it darn near impossible to succeed at some of these Saving Throws...
Is this supposed to be one of those "Your Wizard throws his Spell for the day, and then passes out" systems?
Or, do the modifiers enable him to make the saves that much more easily?

I also don't get what makes the Druid so imbalanced, just that you mention it a couple of time in your review...

[Michelle Lyons]

Originally Posted by WillyPete

I'm not at all sure from your review, but the Fatigue Saves you mention seem to make it darn near impossible to succeed at some of these Saving Throws...
Is this supposed to be one of those "Your Wizard throws his Spell for the day, and then passes out" systems?
Or, do the modifiers enable him to make the saves that much more easily?

I also don't get what makes the Druid so imbalanced, just that you mention it a couple of time in your review...

The base classes are given bonuses to spellcasting DCs that increase over levels, for regular D20. For using BESM d20, there are modifiers in the form of how many levels of Dynamic Sorcery you have, etc. Also, using Rituals, Incantations, Investments, etc. reduces the DC of the spell. All the listed DCs are for silent, motionless spells with no material components (foci) that are cast in one standard action. Naturally, this means that the DCs for some high level spells look outrageous. By choosing a longer period of time, though, with an Incantation, a Focus, and throwing some XP in there to boot, you can reduce a spell's DC down to a reasonable level for a higher level caster to get away with.

But yes, the modifiers enable the caster to make the saves more easily. This system also ensures, though, that you're not going to end up making every one, and you will wear yourself out if you continue casting powerful spells.

[Elton Robb]

Originally Posted by WillyPete

I also don't get what makes the Druid so imbalanced, just that you mention it a couple of time in your review...

Since Michelle Lyons had done a good job of answering your first question, I'll answer the second.

What makes the Druid imbalanced and insane is simple. It's the wildshape ability and the ability to cast spells. I really think this makes them overpowered over all the other classes as to how Dungeons and Dragons is usually played. I read several playtest reports on certain modules on how they act during a battle.

Based on these reports, Druids fill a lot of roles that make the other classes superfulous during battle. In a strict, sword and sorcery environment, they really don't fit and should not be allowed in that sort of gaming environment.

[WillyPete]

Okay, thanks, I guess...
Trouble is, I have NO idea what you're talking about! :->
Is this 'wildshape' ability in standard AD&D somewhere, or is this unique to D20 BESM?
What is it about this ability that makes other classes 'superfluous'?
And, how do you arrive at the notion that they don't belong in a 'Swords and Sorcery' environment?
Just curious...

[Elton Robb]

Originally Posted by WillyPete

Okay, thanks, I guess...
Trouble is, I have NO idea what you're talking about! :->
Is this 'wildshape' ability in standard AD&D somewhere, or is this unique to D20 BESM?
What is it about this ability that makes other classes 'superfluous'?
And, how do you arrive at the notion that they don't belong in a 'Swords and Sorcery' environment?
Just curious...

Oh. You don't play 3rd edition, do you?

Let me find you a good link.

http://p096.ezboard.com/fnecromancer...topicID=39.top

This is the report of one DM's running of Maze of Zayene and it shows how effective the 3rd Edition druid is with wildshaping.

[WillyPete]

I own it, I've skimmed it, I've even played it long enough to get my Gnomish Wizard all the way up to 2nd level, but I've far from Memorized the thing...
And I've never had a character go above 8th level, with most of them dying well before reaching 4th...
So, if this is one of those, "Yeah, once they reach 10th level, they're virtually unstoppable!" things, you're not getting any sympathy from THIS quarter!

I'll go check out the link, though...
Thanks!

[WillyPete]

Just clicked the Link, and got a message saying that it was recently deleted...
Oh well... Thanks, anyways!

[Elton Robb]

No problem, WillyPete. I just hope you get the time to playtest a Druid.