Publisher: Troll Lord Games
Introduction
In this review, I will share my thoughts on Castles & Crusades Classic Monsters & Treasure 2nd Printing, a book that contains over 200 monsters and treasures from the classic era of fantasy role-playing games. I will also explain how this book is compatible with the Castles & Crusades system, as well as other old-school revival (OSR) games. I will highlight some of the features and benefits of this book, as well as some of the drawbacks and limitations. Finally, I will give my overall rating and recommendation for this book.
What is Castles & Crusades Classic Monsters & Treasure 2nd Printing?
Castles & Crusades Classic Monsters & Treasure 2nd Printing is a collection of monsters and treasures that were originally published in the first edition of Dungeons & Dragons and its supplements. The book updates and revises these monsters and treasures for the Castles & Crusades system, which is a modern version of the old-school rules. The book contains descriptions, statistics, combat tactics, and treasure for each monster, as well as rules for creating your own monsters, awarding treasure, magic item creation, poisons, and more. The book is written by Stephen Chenault and Davis Chenault, with illustrations by Peter Bradley and Jason Walton. The cover art by Sarah Walker features a fierce dragon guarding its hoard.
Why should you buy this book?
If you are a fan of classic fantasy role-playing games, you might enjoy this book for several reasons:
- It offers a great variety of monsters and treasures to use in your adventures, from the familiar to the obscure. You will find dragons, giants, goblins, orcs, skeletons, zombies, vampires, werewolves, demons, devils, angels, elementals, golems, mimics, gelatinous cubes, beholders, mind flayers, and many more. You will also find swords, axes, bows, armor, shields, rings, wands, potions, scrolls, rods, staves, gems, jewels, coins, and more.
- It is compatible with the Castles & Crusades Players Handbook, which is the only other book you need to play the game. The book uses the same rules and mechanics as the Players Handbook, such as attributes, classes, races, skills, spells, saving throws, combat rounds, etc. The book also provides conversion notes for other OSR games.
- It is well-written and organized. The language is clear and concise. The layout is attractive and easy to read. The illustrations are black-and-white but detailed and evocative. The cover art is colorful and eye-catching.
- It is nostalgic and faithful to the original sources. The book preserves the flavor and spirit of the classic monsters and treasures. It does not change or modify them too much. It also includes some trivia and history about the origins and influences of these monsters and treasures.
What are some of the drawbacks and limitations of this book?
This book is not perfect. It has some drawbacks and limitations that you should be aware of before buying it:
- It is not very original or innovative. The book does not introduce any new or unique monsters or treasures. It mostly reuses and recycles existing ones from previous editions or sources. If you are looking for something fresh or different in your fantasy role-playing games, this book might not satisfy you.
- It is not very balanced or consistent. The book does not follow any strict guidelines or standards for creating or adjusting monsters or treasures. Some monsters are too weak or too strong for their challenge rating (CR). Some treasures are too common or too rare for their value or rarity. Some items are too powerful or too useless for their level or function.
- It is not very comprehensive or complete. The book does not cover all the possible monsters or treasures that exist in the fantasy genre. It only includes those that were published in the first edition of Dungeons & Dragons and its supplements. There are many more monsters and treasures that were created or adapted in later editions or sources that are not included in this book.
Conclusion
Castles & Crusades Classic Monsters & Treasure 2nd Printing is a great resource for Castle Keepers who want to add some variety and challenge to their adventures. It is also a nostalgic trip down memory lane for those who grew up with the original monster books. Whether you are looking for a new monster to surprise your players or a classic treasure to reward them this book has something for you.
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