Author: Chris W. McCubbin (vo. 1), Drew Bittner (vol. 2)
Category: game
Company/Publisher: Steve Jackson Games
Cost: $16.95 (US)
Page count: 128 pages
ISBN: 1-55634-193-3 (vol. 1), 1-55634-207-1 (vol. 2)
Capsule Review by Bradford C. Walker on 05/21/98. Genre tags: none

"Longsword +2" is so bloody boring. Gamers deserve something more.

SJ Games delivered.

The book is more than a catalogue of mystic doo-dads. Also covered is the economics of enchantment, buying items with character points, charms and amulets, elixers and powerstones.

The book divides its contents into broad categories. Each chapter deals with a different type. Some are functions- Necromancy and Curses- while others are on form, such as Armor or Weapons. Some of them are the kind of item commonly seen in genre fantasy, such as healing wands or fortified armor. Others are unusual, such as the All-Purpose Identity Paper.

There's enough here to fuel any kind of magic-using campaign for years, and a lot of the items are wonderful examples of intelligent item creation. I recommend this book- and its companion volume- to all who can find it.

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