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In a world where superhuman powers can be given to anyone apparently at random, inevitably many will use their abilities for personal gain rather than the good of others. However, in a world where superhumans are the darlings of the media and most of society, there are easier ways to do this than becoming supervillains. Enter the Elites, mercenaries capable of taking out tank divisions single-handed, and paid commensurate to their power. This is the theory behind Aberrant: Elites, the latest supplement for White Wolf's game of relatively believable superhumans, concerning these characters and their organizations.

After an introduction about a nova being disillusioned about the glamour of superhuman combat, the first chapter gives an overview of DeVries, the market leader in all kinds of nova-for-hire services, from mercenaries to escorts. Chapter One: The DeVries Agency gives it enough detail to count as a power group in the Aberrant setting, complete with internal conflicts and dangling plotlines. For example, its second in command is considering a move away while its leader is expecting their child. It also includes a not very subtle dig at the camp qualities of masked heroes and villains, with DeVries Elites' styles being designed for them by a nova who listens to Judy Garland and Ethel Murman...

Chapter Two: Other Elite Agencies introduces the Argus Agency, who foresee trouble and do something about it (like Evan Dorkin's joke about the only psychic hotline he'd believe being one that called him), the combat force Janissaries, the security service Peacekeepers Inc. and the information analysts and computer hackers NovaCom. Each is sketched in with enough detail to use them as antagonists or as the basis for an elite game, including statistics for a small number of their members.

Chapter Three: Elite Life is the meat of the book, information on how to use elites in game, from setting up an agency to dealing with combat shock. The ideas on nova combat and the confusion it may cause are solid. It doesn't dwell on numbers, but instead on the effects it will have on the characters as people. It also covers other forms of elite agencies, such private investigators and even escort services. I would be surprised to see a game being based on nova escorts, but it is another example of Aberrant's satirical take on the superhero genre.

Devices introduced in Chapter Four: Elite Technology include nanotech, a revolutionary science that is currently controlled in the game world by one mercenary, but which could in theory revolutionise the world entirely if ever revealed.

Chapter Five: Global Hotspots gives the elites something to do. A brief rundown of areas of conflict in 2012 (occasionally 2011), it suggests ways to get elite characters into trouble in geopolitical situations they don't understand. Note the date: There is no material here that could not easily have been set in 2008, the game's initial setting.

In terms of style, the art is quite sparse, mainly character portraits, and the layout is the Aberrant standard, a mix of clearly readable text and in-character documents. The typesetting is generally good, with few typos. As anyone who read my review of Aberrant: The Directive can guess, I was also particularly glad that the writers of Aberrant: Elites know the difference between British and English.

In all, Aberrant: Elites adds colour to the Aberrant world, with additional groups and interests, conflicts, threats and conspiracies to interest and endanger nova characters. while it may be of most interest to those considering an elite-based game, it will add much-needed depth to the novas for hire in any game.

Style: 3 (Average)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Aberrant: Elites
Author: John Cavalinno, Steve Kenson, Suzannah Mandel, James Stewart. Additional material: Kraig Blackwelder, John Chambers, Kate Williamson Category: game Company/Publisher: White Wolf Line: Aberrant Cost: $14.95 Page count: 96 ISBN: 1-56504-692-7 SKU: WW8506 Capsule Review by Craig Oxbrow on 07/26/00. Genre tags: Science fiction Modern day Espionage Conspiracy Superhero	In a world where superhuman powers can be given to anyone apparently at random, inevitably many will use their abilities for personal gain rather than the good of others. However, in a world where superhumans are the darlings of the media and most of society, there are easier ways to do this than becoming supervillains. Enter the Elites, mercenaries capable of taking out tank divisions single-handed, and paid commensurate to their power. This is the theory behind Aberrant: Elites, the latest supplement for White Wolf's game of relatively believable superhumans, concerning these characters and their organizations. After an introduction about a nova being disillusioned about the glamour of superhuman combat, the first chapter gives an overview of DeVries, the market leader in all kinds of nova-for-hire services, from mercenaries to escorts. Chapter One: The DeVries Agency gives it enough detail to count as a power group in the Aberrant setting, complete with internal conflicts and dangling plotlines. For example, its second in command is considering a move away while its leader is expecting their child. It also includes a not very subtle dig at the camp qualities of masked heroes and villains, with DeVries Elites' styles being designed for them by a nova who listens to Judy Garland and Ethel Murman... Chapter Two: Other Elite Agencies introduces the Argus Agency, who foresee trouble and do something about it (like Evan Dorkin's joke about the only psychic hotline he'd believe being one that called him), the combat force Janissaries, the security service Peacekeepers Inc. and the information analysts and computer hackers NovaCom. Each is sketched in with enough detail to use them as antagonists or as the basis for an elite game, including statistics for a small number of their members. Chapter Three: Elite Life is the meat of the book, information on how to use elites in game, from setting up an agency to dealing with combat shock. The ideas on nova combat and the confusion it may cause are solid. It doesn't dwell on numbers, but instead on the effects it will have on the characters as people. It also covers other forms of elite agencies, such private investigators and even escort services. I would be surprised to see a game being based on nova escorts, but it is another example of Aberrant's satirical take on the superhero genre. Devices introduced in Chapter Four: Elite Technology include nanotech, a revolutionary science that is currently controlled in the game world by one mercenary, but which could in theory revolutionise the world entirely if ever revealed. Chapter Five: Global Hotspots gives the elites something to do. A brief rundown of areas of conflict in 2012 (occasionally 2011), it suggests ways to get elite characters into trouble in geopolitical situations they don't understand. Note the date: There is no material here that could not easily have been set in 2008, the game's initial setting. In terms of style, the art is quite sparse, mainly character portraits, and the layout is the Aberrant standard, a mix of clearly readable text and in-character documents. The typesetting is generally good, with few typos. As anyone who read my review of Aberrant: The Directive can guess, I was also particularly glad that the writers of Aberrant: Elites know the difference between British and English. In all, Aberrant: Elites adds colour to the Aberrant world, with additional groups and interests, conflicts, threats and conspiracies to interest and endanger nova characters. while it may be of most interest to those considering an elite-based game, it will add much-needed depth to the novas for hire in any game. Style: 3 (Average) Substance: 4 (Meaty)