I realize it's unusual to review a single issue of a magazine, but I believe that this one holds particular interest for d20 fans, which is why I wanted to call attention to it. Those who don't care about the d20 system probably won't get much out of this review.
I don't have a subscription to Dragon, but since D&D 3e came out I've picked up about a half-dozen issues that caught my attention. For those interested in the potential of the d20 system, this one is arguably the best value for money of any so far. Here's a breakdown of the contents, which will explain why I think that.
The Stars are Right is a preview of the d20 Call of Cthulhu game. As previews go, it doesn't really reveal an awful lot. We get a listing of the table of contents from the book and a couple of monsters (Deep Ones and Spectral Hunters), as well as the information that d20 CoC will be classless (which most people who've been paying any attention to its development should already know). It's a bit annoying that the article opens with the question "How will they handle Sanity checks?" and then doesn't answer it, except to say that they'll be "almost identical to the original game." Overall, not the most promising start to the issue, but just wait; it gets better.
Two-Fisted Pulp Action is a one-page preview for the Pulp Heroes game which will appear in the December issue of Polyhedron. This is the first I'd heard of it, but from what I see here, I'm going to have to search it out. The useful stuff on this page is a list of classes and three sample feats, two of which (Neck Hairs Rise and Steely Gaze) would make great additions to any system. I don't want to give too much away, but the first gives you a chance to avoid being surprised and the second helps with Intimidation checks.
Keep 'em Flying is a one-page preview of Pagan Publishing's Godlike. I found it ironic that Godlike is referred to as "the first serious attempt at developing a supers game for the d20 system." Apparently the authors of the much-maligned Foundation weren't really serious. For those of you looking forward to Godlike's unique system, fear not: Pagan Publishing has not sold out. It will still have its own system alongside the d20 conversion rules, which are no doubt a strategy to increase its market exposure (understandable considering the d20 domination of the market and the fact that Godlike is very much in a niche genre). Anyhow, as far as d20 material goes, there's not much here aside from a couple of hints about how the rules superpowers will work, which is apparently something like a skill-based system with adjustable costs for each power depending on the options and limitations you choose.
What the heck is a d20 system?: Ryan Dancey attempts (yet again) to explain what the d20 system is all about, and define the nuances of the "Open Gaming License" and the "d20 System Trademark License". If you already have an adequate understanding of these, there's nothing really new here, but it does do a decent job of minimizing the legal jargon and explaining what you can and can't do.
All's Fair in Lovecraft and Warcraft is definitely one of the better articles in the issue. It presents practical, detailed and systematic advice on how to use the d20 system in your favorite setting, with lots of examples from TV, movies, comics, literature and computer games. It also mentions in passing that WotC is planning a d20 adaptation of Warcraft III, which was news to me. Now if only someone would write d20 rules for The Longest Journey....
Pattern Weavers contains six pre-fabricated starting characters for the Wheel of Time RPG. The new terminology isn't defined, so the characters aren't much use as an introduction to the game for those that don't already own it, but they do represent a good variety of interesting characters. And the artwork is very nice.
Beasts of the Wheel of Time: As Robert Jordan says in his introduction to this article, most of the creatures in the Wheel of Time core rulebook are exotic monsters. This article presents some of the more mundane wildlife of the setting. Thus there's nothing especially new or exciting here, but what there is, is nicely done. Some of the animals are just repeats from the Monster Manual with setting-specific information, but there are also several different varieties of wild pigs and feral cats, a couple of mountain goats, a new type of bear, a fox, a marsh rat, and several very deadly snakes. The most original critter here is the Shellback, which unfortunately isn't pictured; it isn't clear from the description whether it's supposed to resemble a turtle, an armadillo, or something else.
First Look: Dragonstar actually has far more concrete information about both the setting and the rules of Dragonstar than the free preview module did, and it's all very meaty. There's a full two pages of historical background, and complete rules for creating spellware, together with no fewer than 15 sample spellware enhancements and the feat needed to implant them. (If you're a Spelljammer fan, these rules could easily be adapted for xixchil body manipulation.)
The Black Talon Ss'ressen: I haven't read this one all the way through yet, but it's a very detailed description of a reptilian race from Paradigm Concepts' Arcanis setting. Rules-wise, there are stats for three different subraces of Ss'ressen (Barbed Tail, Flaming Tongue and Venomous Scale), two new clerical domains and the Tail Attack feat. The Holy domain struck me as a bit odd, since it's nothing more than a genericized blend of the Good, Evil, Law and Chaos domains, but while the concept is iffy the execution is not. The Saurian domain is of more questionable value, since it overlaps heavily with the Fire domain.
Black Riders and Bone Horses is an article about cavalry tactics, focusing particularly on the special advantages gained by undead mounts (such as being able to wear heavier barding). The artwork is suitably creepy, and there are a couple of nifty feats for undead mounts: Airy Gallop and Spook Animals. There's also a new creature, the Undead War Elephant. The Ghost Horses mentioned in the article are from Wolfgang Baur's d20 adventure The Gryphon's Legacy, so there are no stats for them, but you could easily make your own with the ghost template from the Monster Manual or the zombie or skeleton templates from the WotC website.
Firearms in Freeport is another of the high points of the issue. There are stats for a half-dozen or so types of blackpowder weapons, with enough diversity to make each one interesting. (Although I think there's a misprint: the Stinger is listed as a medium-sized weapon, but the description clearly states that it was designed to be discreet and easily concealed.) We also get an interesting historical background for firearms in Freeport, complete with a map of the city's first gnomish firearms factory and stats for the inventor who founded it. But the real gem of this article is the misfire table. With a very simple set of rules, Chris Pramas has made fumbles with firearms more varied (and less dangerous to the users) than just "The gun blows up in your hand."
Head-to-Head: Mini Adventures gives capsule reviews of the mini-adventures from AEG and FFG. I haven't read any of these adventures myself, so I can't give my opinion of the fairness of the evaluation, but I will note that Jim Bishop does a decent job of explaining what he did or didn't like, and he has something good to say about almost all of them.
I've gone on rather longer than I expected, but in conclusion what I'm trying to get across is: if you're a d20 fan and don't have this magazine already, it's well worth your trouble to pick it up from your local gaming store, and well worth your money (as much as anything 90 pages long can be).
Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)
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