[RPG]: Big Eyes Small Mouth (BESM) Third Edition, reviewed by C.W.Richeson (5/4)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/12/12712.phtml

Christopher W. Richeson's Summary:

<i>Big Eyes Small Mouth Third Edition</i> provides for all of your anime needs with a robust effects-based system and easy to use mechanics.

Go to the full review for more information.

[Samaritan]

I'm curious... for those of us trying to decide between additions, can you provide any kind of comparison between BESM 2nd (revised), and this new edition?

Otherwise, excellent review!

[Zephrosyne]

First of all, I would like to say that you did a very nice job with the review. It was pretty comprehensive. I don't know if it is appropriate to ask questions about a particular mechanic or not. If it isn't appropriate, just tell me and don't worry about answering. I noticed that you mentioned that Force Field cost 3 points per level and provides 10 points of armor per level purchased. You also mentioned that Armor cost 2 points per level. How much armor/protection does one get per level of the Armor power? Also, does the game give examples of damage from environmental hazards such as falling, fire, cold, electricity, radiation, etc.? Once again, nice review.

[Wulf Corbett]

Am I correct in thinking, from the description, that this is now a full-size book, rather than the Trade Paperback sized previous editions?

Wulf

[C.W.Richeson]

Originally Posted by Samaritan

I'm curious... for those of us trying to decide between additions, can you provide any kind of comparison between BESM 2nd (revised), and this new edition?

I've never seen revised, but I've played 2nd edition. I would say that 3rd edition is more detailed, like Tri-Stat dX, than 2nd edition. You'll be modifying every power you purchase in some way. However, the Keeping It Simple sidebars would help a GM customize 3rd edition to make it a lighter game. I see this game as requiring more up front work for a GM than 2nd edition did, the price of customization.

I would also say that some of the balance issues from 2nd edition have been alleviated, though it's still a game which requires an active GM paying attention to what the players are building.

Otherwise, excellent review!

Thanks!

[C.W.Richeson]

Originally Posted by Wulf Corbett

Am I correct in thinking, from the description, that this is now a full-size book, rather than the Trade Paperback sized previous editions?

That is correct, this is a full sized RPG.

[C.W.Richeson]

Originally Posted by Zephrosyne

First of all, I would like to say that you did a very nice job with the review. It was pretty comprehensive. I don't know if it is appropriate to ask questions about a particular mechanic or not. If it isn't appropriate, just tell me and don't worry about answering. I noticed that you mentioned that Force Field cost 3 points per level and provides 10 points of armor per level purchased. You also mentioned that Armor cost 2 points per level. How much armor/protection does one get per level of the Armor power? Also, does the game give examples of damage from environmental hazards such as falling, fire, cold, electricity, radiation, etc.? Once again, nice review.

Force Field is 3 points per level and grants 4 armor per level (my review said 3 points of armor, whoops).

Armour is 2 points per level and grants 2 points of armor per level.

So, Force Field is slightly more efficient but is ablative (it weakens with every attack until it fails).

Rules for Falling are presented. There are no rules for environmental damage, my gut reaction is that the GM just treats it as a Weapon attack and eyeballs the damage level.

[trechriron]

Awesome review!

Thanks,

[C.W.Richeson]

Many thanks to graeyWolf for pointing out a small math error in calculating the cost for the example Weapon power.

"A level 5 Weapon might represent a sword, so a Level 5 Drain: Soul 2 Psychic weapon (perhaps an evil lightsaber) weighs in at (5 x 2) = 6 + 2 + 6 = 14 points."

Should be:

"A level 5 Weapon might represent a sword, so a Level 5 Drain: Soul 2 Psychic weapon (perhaps an evil lightsaber) weighs in at (5 x 2) = 10 + 2 + 6 = 18 points. "

Good eye, graeyWolf!

[graeyWolf]

"Intelligent Slime", you say....