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Ultra-Modern Firearms (A Resource for "Millennium's End" and all other Contemporary Role-playing Games) By Charles Ryan

This resource is a facts-based companion to the Millennium's End game. I already had "Edge of the Sword vol.1: Compendium of Modern Firearms" put out by R. Talsorian Games (by Kevin Dockey), so I wasn't sure whether I should pick this up or not. In truth, the material covered is much the same, and if you've got one, you probably won't need the other.

It's a very smoothly done book, though, and I'm quite impressed with Chameleon Eclectic's work on this one. Most the books I've seen in this line are very, very nice. It almost helps me forget that they also put out the "Babylon Project." which, in my mind, was over-designed, and underwritten.

This book is little else than a listing of all sorts of firearms, complete with a description of the major features and pros and cons, if applicable. The weapon types are Pistols, Sub-machineguns, Assault Rifles, Rifles, Machine Gins, Ammunition, and Sighting Devices

Each section has a few pages of text on the history and use of the weapon type in question. Then, the weapons are listed in alphabetical order by manufacturer and weapon name. Included with each weapon entry is a picture of the weapon, a small table listing the weapon caliber, length, weight, and magazine size. There is no indication of whether the weight is with the weapon loaded or unloaded, though. There is also included a couple of paragraphs on the history, the uses, and the pros and cons of the weapon.

In addition, the book has a features index in the front with which you can outfit your characters with the best weapon based on their perceived needs. There's also a load of tables in the rear of the book that cover the more detailed information for each weapon--information like firing rate, number of hands required, effective range, action type (manual, automatic, semi-automatic, etc), ammunition type, and number of bullets in the magazine. Good information for once you're stocked.

There's also a listing of countries, and the favorite weapons of the agencies within those countries... always good for ferreting out where that sniper really came from...

The only thing I really missed in this book was information on grenades, grenade launchers and heavy artillery. But that's a small omission compared to what's actually in the book. The cover of the book claims there is information on over 300 weapons, and I wouldn't be surprised.

This book is a steal. If you can find it, it's useable with almost any game system, and worth it, especially if your PCs are trigger-happy.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Ultra Modern Firearms
Author: Charles Ryan Category: game Company/Publisher: Chameleon Eclectic Line: Millennium's End Cost: 24.00 Page count: 174 ISBN: 0-9628748-4-1 Capsule Review by Jason W. Tice on 03/22/00. Genre tags: Modern_day Espionage	Ultra-Modern Firearms (A Resource for "Millennium's End" and all other Contemporary Role-playing Games) By Charles Ryan This resource is a facts-based companion to the Millennium's End game. I already had "Edge of the Sword vol.1: Compendium of Modern Firearms" put out by R. Talsorian Games (by Kevin Dockey), so I wasn't sure whether I should pick this up or not. In truth, the material covered is much the same, and if you've got one, you probably won't need the other. It's a very smoothly done book, though, and I'm quite impressed with Chameleon Eclectic's work on this one. Most the books I've seen in this line are very, very nice. It almost helps me forget that they also put out the "Babylon Project." which, in my mind, was over-designed, and underwritten. This book is little else than a listing of all sorts of firearms, complete with a description of the major features and pros and cons, if applicable. The weapon types are Pistols, Sub-machineguns, Assault Rifles, Rifles, Machine Gins, Ammunition, and Sighting Devices Each section has a few pages of text on the history and use of the weapon type in question. Then, the weapons are listed in alphabetical order by manufacturer and weapon name. Included with each weapon entry is a picture of the weapon, a small table listing the weapon caliber, length, weight, and magazine size. There is no indication of whether the weight is with the weapon loaded or unloaded, though. There is also included a couple of paragraphs on the history, the uses, and the pros and cons of the weapon. In addition, the book has a features index in the front with which you can outfit your characters with the best weapon based on their perceived needs. There's also a load of tables in the rear of the book that cover the more detailed information for each weapon--information like firing rate, number of hands required, effective range, action type (manual, automatic, semi-automatic, etc), ammunition type, and number of bullets in the magazine. Good information for once you're stocked. There's also a listing of countries, and the favorite weapons of the agencies within those countries... always good for ferreting out where that sniper really came from... The only thing I really missed in this book was information on grenades, grenade launchers and heavy artillery. But that's a small omission compared to what's actually in the book. The cover of the book claims there is information on over 300 weapons, and I wouldn't be surprised. This book is a steal. If you can find it, it's useable with almost any game system, and worth it, especially if your PCs are trigger-happy. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Ultra Modern Firearms