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GURPS Vehicles 2^nd Edition 2^nd Printing

GURPS Vehicles is a 208-page book devoted to a vehicle construction system. The 1^st Edition was published back in 1993. GURPS Vehicles 2^nd Edition is a redesign and much-improved version of the 1st Edition.

So, book strives to serve two purposes. First, it is a comprehensive design system for vehicles of all types and technology. Second, it is a set of rules to use vehicles in the GURPS RPG system. The book does a good job as a vehicle design system. It covers all major technologies and construction options. The main drawback of the construction rules is its complexity. The design process requires a heavy amount of simple mathematics, which can be tedious just for the sheer volume of calculations that are required. Using a spreadsheet (in the design process) is a must on all but the most simple vehicles. Also, the design system has a fair degree of rules to follow, some of which are obscure and difficult to find. So, what does this mean? Well, GURPS Vehicles is a favorite for gearheads (you know who you are). Those who have a lesser interest in the specifics and micro-detail of vehicles will not enjoy the design system.

The vehicle action section of the book covers all the movement and combat rules to use your designs in a campaign. There are basic and advanced rules. The basic rules are more friendly to tabletop role-playing. The advanced rules are very similar a wargame. Both versions work fine, but, overall, seem clumsier than the construction rules. The rules are scattered over two chapters and are a little disorganized. Yet, these rules are very important to complete the GURPS Vehicles system. What good is a design system if there are no rules to use the designs in the game? None, I say.

The end of the book has a small section on maintaining a vehicles and a few sparse ideas on Vehicles in GURPS campaigns. I would have liked more ideas concerning campaigns, but I guess the other rules didn't leave much room for it- even thought it would have been nice.

Overall, not a bad supplement for gamers interested in the details of vehicle construction and operation. There's a lot of rules packed into this book. I'm surprised it works as well as it does considering the complexity of the subject matter. These rules provide a unparalleled degree of detail and options. And, they compare very well with other RPG rules of a similar nature. But, it does take a little determination to design vehicles using these rules. Using a spreadsheet helps to simplify the process, but it still takes time and patience.

So, it this product worth $24.95 of your money? It is if you're interested in this type of stuff. If not, don't bother buying it.

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

GURPS Vehicles 2nd Edition 2nd Printing
Author: David Pulver Category: game Company/Publisher: Steve Jackson Games Line: GURPS Cost: 24.95 Page count: 208 ISBN: 1-55634-325-6 SKU: 6505 Capsule Review by Christopher J. Yoder on 08/31/99. Genre tags: Fantasy Science_fiction Modern_day Historical Horror Far_Future Space Anime Espionage Post-apocalypse Old_West Superhero	GURPS Vehicles 2^nd Edition 2^nd Printing GURPS Vehicles is a 208-page book devoted to a vehicle construction system. The 1^st Edition was published back in 1993. GURPS Vehicles 2^nd Edition is a redesign and much-improved version of the 1st Edition. So, book strives to serve two purposes. First, it is a comprehensive design system for vehicles of all types and technology. Second, it is a set of rules to use vehicles in the GURPS RPG system. The book does a good job as a vehicle design system. It covers all major technologies and construction options. The main drawback of the construction rules is its complexity. The design process requires a heavy amount of simple mathematics, which can be tedious just for the sheer volume of calculations that are required. Using a spreadsheet (in the design process) is a must on all but the most simple vehicles. Also, the design system has a fair degree of rules to follow, some of which are obscure and difficult to find. So, what does this mean? Well, GURPS Vehicles is a favorite for gearheads (you know who you are). Those who have a lesser interest in the specifics and micro-detail of vehicles will not enjoy the design system. The vehicle action section of the book covers all the movement and combat rules to use your designs in a campaign. There are basic and advanced rules. The basic rules are more friendly to tabletop role-playing. The advanced rules are very similar a wargame. Both versions work fine, but, overall, seem clumsier than the construction rules. The rules are scattered over two chapters and are a little disorganized. Yet, these rules are very important to complete the GURPS Vehicles system. What good is a design system if there are no rules to use the designs in the game? None, I say. The end of the book has a small section on maintaining a vehicles and a few sparse ideas on Vehicles in GURPS campaigns. I would have liked more ideas concerning campaigns, but I guess the other rules didn't leave much room for it- even thought it would have been nice. Overall, not a bad supplement for gamers interested in the details of vehicle construction and operation. There's a lot of rules packed into this book. I'm surprised it works as well as it does considering the complexity of the subject matter. These rules provide a unparalleled degree of detail and options. And, they compare very well with other RPG rules of a similar nature. But, it does take a little determination to design vehicles using these rules. Using a spreadsheet helps to simplify the process, but it still takes time and patience. So, it this product worth $24.95 of your money? It is if you're interested in this type of stuff. If not, don't bother buying it. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 4 (Meaty)

GURPS Vehicles 2nd Edition 2nd Printing