Publisher: Troll Lord Games
Introduction
In this review, I will give you an overview of the Castles & Crusades Player Archive, a supplement that collects and organizes all the character classes from the core rulebook, the Adventurer’s Backpack, and some from Amazing Adventures, into one convenient volume. I will also tell you about the rules for multiclassing, enhanced classes, and switching classes, that allow you to create characters that combine the abilities and features of different classes. I will also share my opinion on the quality and usefulness of the book, and whether it is worth buying for fans of Castles & Crusades.
What is Castles & Crusades?
Castles & Crusades is a classic fantasy role-playing game that combines the simplicity and elegance of old-school gaming with the modern design sensibilities and flexibility of new-school gaming. The game is based on the SIEGE engine, which uses only one type of die (the d20) and a single mechanic (the challenge check) to resolve all actions and conflicts. The game is easy to learn, fast to play, and adaptable to any genre or setting.
What is the Player Archive?
The Player Archive is a supplement that collects and organizes all the character classes from the core rulebook, the Adventurer’s Backpack, and some from Amazing Adventures, into one convenient volume. The book also includes rules for multiclassing, enhanced classes, and switching classes, allowing players to create characters that combine the abilities and features of different classes. The book is a handy reference for players who want to have all the options at their fingertips, without having to flip through multiple books.
What are the character classes?
The book covers 28 character classes, ranging from the traditional (fighter, cleric, wizard) to the exotic (illusionist, runemark, assassin). Each class has a description, a table of level progression, a list of abilities and features, and some optional rules for customization. The book also has a chapter on multiclassing, which explains how to create characters that have levels in more than one class, and how to balance their abilities and drawbacks. The book also has a chapter on enhanced classes, which are variants of existing classes that have some extra benefits and limitations. For example, the archer is an enhanced fighter that specializes in ranged combat, but has less armor and weapon options. The book also has a chapter on switching classes, which allows characters to change their class during the course of the game, either by choice or by necessity.
How is the book written and formatted?
The book is well-written and formatted, with clear headings, tables, and illustrations. The book follows the same style and layout as the core rulebook and other supplements, making it easy to read and use. The book also has an index and a table of contents for quick reference. The book has 144 pages in total.
What are the pros and cons of the book?
The pros of the book are:
- It offers a lot of variety and customization options for character creation and development
- It simplifies and organizes all the character classes in one place
- It maintains the simplicity and elegance of the game system
- It is compatible with other supplements and settings
The cons of the book are:
- It does not introduce any new character classes or features
- It may be redundant for players who already own all the other books
- It may be overwhelming for new or casual players who prefer simpler characters
Who should buy this book?
This book is a must-have for fans of Castles & Crusades who want to explore the full potential of their characters. The book offers a lot of variety and customization options for character creation and development, while maintaining the simplicity and elegance of the game system. The book is also useful for players who want to have all the classes in one place, without having to flip through multiple books.
However, this book may not be necessary for players who already own all the other books that contain the character classes. This book does not introduce any new character classes or features, so it may be redundant for some players. This book may also not be suitable for new or casual players who prefer simpler characters or less options.
Conclusion
The Castles & Crusades Player Archive is a useful and comprehensive supplement for Castles & Crusades players who want to have all the options at their fingertips. The book collects and organizes all the character classes from the core rulebook, the Adventurer’s Backpack, and some from Amazing Adventures, into one convenient volume. The book also includes rules for multiclassing, enhanced classes, and switching classes, allowing players to create characters that combine the abilities and features of different classes. The book is well-written and formatted, with clear headings, tables, and illustrations. The book is a must-have for fans of Castles & Crusades who want to explore the full potential of their characters. However, the book may not be necessary for players who already own all the other books that contain the character classes, or for players who prefer simpler characters or less options.
Castles & Crusades Player Archive on DrivethruRpg
