The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Gaming populace, meet the Sunrunners. They are the survivors of the Brood attack and occupation of their homeworld, Barat-Tuul. They are a proud people, hardy frontiersmen, and denied their homeworld. So, they did what any space refugees on the Forward Frontier would do. They turned to a life of hardened mercenaries who are equally respected and feared as pilots. Gathering in their few remaining ships, the Sunrunners were born.

The Sunrunners are an independent power in the Silent Death universe, not powerful enough to be counted among the 12, but not quite weak enough not to noticed. They are primarily found in the regions of the Forward Frontier, hiring themselves out as mercenaries in order to support themselves and fufill their primary goal - to someday retake their homeworld of Barat-Tuul from the Brood.

This book details the history, policies and capabilities of the Sunrunners. It includes information about their customs and tactics - chiefly, victory or death.

It also introduces a number of new weapon systems and equipment to the Silent Death universe. There are EMP Cannons, which can disable a fighter without destroying it; Stinger Torpedos, which deliever EMP blasts; Flak Weapons, Venters, and more.

You also get the details on the specialist ships utilized by the Sunrunners - the Avenger, the Wavecutter, the Havok, the Castastrophe, the Windjammer, and the Spider. Each fills a niche for the fighter wings of the Sunrunners.

There is information provided on some of the Worlds of the Frontier, as well as details on the Sunrunner fighter wings that are often found working for and defending those worlds. The info on the fighter wings gives lot of fluff that really gives you insight about the Sunrunners, and what makes them an interesting and deadly group. You can also find some details about fighter and pirate groups operating in the Frontier - which could be friend or foe to the Sunrunners, all depending on who is (or isn't) paying the bills.

To top everything off, there are a dozen scenarios and tips for campaign. Given the relative small size of the Sunrunners military, it is possible to conduct a campaign featuring one of the surviving carriers. The scenarios range from the ordinary engage-and-destroy to some challenging multi-battle missions.

The layout is standard for Silent Death books: two column text with sidebars for flavor text and examples. As usual, the art is enough to set the tone, but not over-powering.

The Sunrunners are a welcome addition to the Silent Death universe. This book provides all you need to play with them and integrate them in your games of Silent Death. And, hopefully, under your command, they might just reclaim their homeworld from the Brood.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Silent Death Forces: Sunrunners
Author: M. Blaze Miskulin Category: Wargame Supplement Company/Publisher: ICE Cost: 12.00 Page count: 80 ISBN: 1-55806-237-8 Capsule Review by Robert E. Allen III on 10/18/98. Genre tags: Science_fiction Far_Future Space Post-apocalypse	Gaming populace, meet the Sunrunners. They are the survivors of the Brood attack and occupation of their homeworld, Barat-Tuul. They are a proud people, hardy frontiersmen, and denied their homeworld. So, they did what any space refugees on the Forward Frontier would do. They turned to a life of hardened mercenaries who are equally respected and feared as pilots. Gathering in their few remaining ships, the Sunrunners were born. The Sunrunners are an independent power in the Silent Death universe, not powerful enough to be counted among the 12, but not quite weak enough not to noticed. They are primarily found in the regions of the Forward Frontier, hiring themselves out as mercenaries in order to support themselves and fufill their primary goal - to someday retake their homeworld of Barat-Tuul from the Brood. This book details the history, policies and capabilities of the Sunrunners. It includes information about their customs and tactics - chiefly, victory or death. It also introduces a number of new weapon systems and equipment to the Silent Death universe. There are EMP Cannons, which can disable a fighter without destroying it; Stinger Torpedos, which deliever EMP blasts; Flak Weapons, Venters, and more. You also get the details on the specialist ships utilized by the Sunrunners - the Avenger, the Wavecutter, the Havok, the Castastrophe, the Windjammer, and the Spider. Each fills a niche for the fighter wings of the Sunrunners. There is information provided on some of the Worlds of the Frontier, as well as details on the Sunrunner fighter wings that are often found working for and defending those worlds. The info on the fighter wings gives lot of fluff that really gives you insight about the Sunrunners, and what makes them an interesting and deadly group. You can also find some details about fighter and pirate groups operating in the Frontier - which could be friend or foe to the Sunrunners, all depending on who is (or isn't) paying the bills. To top everything off, there are a dozen scenarios and tips for campaign. Given the relative small size of the Sunrunners military, it is possible to conduct a campaign featuring one of the surviving carriers. The scenarios range from the ordinary engage-and-destroy to some challenging multi-battle missions. The layout is standard for Silent Death books: two column text with sidebars for flavor text and examples. As usual, the art is enough to set the tone, but not over-powering. The Sunrunners are a welcome addition to the Silent Death universe. This book provides all you need to play with them and integrate them in your games of Silent Death. And, hopefully, under your command, they might just reclaim their homeworld from the Brood. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Silent Death Forces: Sunrunners