The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Fiery Dragon Productions, by way of Sword and Sorcery, releases their second collection of fantasy gaming counters. The use of counters can add a lot to a gaming session, especially to one utilizing a system that focuses on tactical options like Third Edition does, and helps bring the action to life. More, it heads off the old arguments about GM subjectivity ("I was NOT in the way of the dragons breath weapon! Prove it!"). Finally, they are a heck of a lot cheaper than metal miniatures, making it extremely easy to assembly a comprehensive collection. Surprisingly, though, outside of Fiery Dragon Productions there is precious little attempt to offer these aids to the consumer. Counter Collection II provides over 400 full-colour counters by artist Claudio Pozas, a talented illustrator. In total, we get some 75 variations, including 8 demons and devils, 13 familiars, 75 PC's, and 12 magical beasts (Manticores, Bulettes, and so on). I love the look on my players' faces when I pull out a dragon counter, which measures about 4" by 3", easily dwarfing their pathetic little characters. Saying the dragon is huge is one thing, showing is entirely another.

While in general I applaud the attempt by Pozas to bring a wide assortment of obscure creatures to the table, I do have a complaint with the selection. I agree it's nice to have counters for familiars (I can't recall ever seeing it done before, actually), but do we really need 8 each of owls and cats? It seems a bit much, when we don't get counters for other familiars a character may wish to have, such as toads or rabbits. On the other hand, there were some brilliant decisions made.

Another complaint, though perhaps just as modest as the prior one, refers to the lack of identification for the creatures. I applaud the idea not to include the name of the monster on the counter itself, keeping some mystery for the players to enjoy, but there should have been some indicator (a number or perhaps a visual cross-reference page) to quickly and painlessly clue the GM in to the identity of the monster. We do get a master list, but it's little more than an inventory and doesn't serve much use as a reference.

In all though, for $14.95, we get a veritable army of counters to enhance our game. I consider that something of a bargain, but Fiery Dragon apparently does not agree with this assessment. So they give us more bang for our buck!

The first Counter Collection had a lengthy adventure included, by the designers decided to change the format a bit here. Instead, we get an assortment of "crunch bits" (where did that stupid expression come from anyway?) to add new options to your game. The 7-page booklet includes four unique magic swords with detailed histories, and 3 Prestige Classes:

* The Gnome Combat Miner is a master at siege craft, are feared tunnel fighters (like the tunnel rats, from Vietnam), and have an uncanny skill to break or tear things down---including magical constructs, like golems.

* Monks of the Brotherhood of the Ideal Form wander the lands, restoring abandoned buildings or broken objects. Through years of training, they can actually "heal" items, talk with inanimate objects, and develop an extra-sensory atunement with the structure any constructed item, be it a building, weapon, or heirloom. I know most players, perhaps understandably attracted to combat skills, will pass on this class, but it has an awful lot of potential. After all, this guy actually has a reason for traipsing about ruins.

*Red Smile Assassin, otherwise known as Death Jesters, is particularly innovative. These killers masquerade as harmless harlequins and entertainers to get close to their prey. Their makeup and costume just happens to serve as an excellent disguise as well. Perplexing, however, was the decision to limit the class to 5 levels. Perhaps the designer was running out of ideas, but certainly there is enough potential here to expand upon the class significantly----minor arcane ability, like stage magic; Feats like Catch Object for juggling; skill with weighted juggling balls (perhaps with explosives or other trick devices) for use as weapons; contortionist and ventriloquist abilities; and so on.

400 well designed counters, 3 decent Prestige Classes, and a collection of unique blades for $14.95 is almost a steal! It reflects Fiery Dragon Productions attention to quality and value, for which they have justifiably earned an enviable reputation within the industry. Counter Collection II will enhance your campaign, and leave you wondering how you ever made do with out them.

Counter Collection II
Counter Collection II Playtest Review by Andrew Hind on 22/02/02 Style: 5 (Excellent!) Substance: 4 (Meaty) Picking up where Counter Collection I left off, providing a huge variety of beautiful gaming counters---and some nifty resources---for an affordable price Product: Counter Collection II Author: Michael Johnstone (editor) Category: Counters Collection Company/Publisher: Fiery Dragon Productions/Sword and Sorcery Line: Counter Collection Cost: $14.95 Page count: 8 8 counter sheets Year published: 2002 ISBN: NA SKU: WW16041 Comp copy?: no Playtest Review by Andrew Hind on 22/02/02 Genre tags: Fantasy	Fiery Dragon Productions, by way of Sword and Sorcery, releases their second collection of fantasy gaming counters. The use of counters can add a lot to a gaming session, especially to one utilizing a system that focuses on tactical options like Third Edition does, and helps bring the action to life. More, it heads off the old arguments about GM subjectivity ("I was NOT in the way of the dragons breath weapon! Prove it!"). Finally, they are a heck of a lot cheaper than metal miniatures, making it extremely easy to assembly a comprehensive collection. Surprisingly, though, outside of Fiery Dragon Productions there is precious little attempt to offer these aids to the consumer. Counter Collection II provides over 400 full-colour counters by artist Claudio Pozas, a talented illustrator. In total, we get some 75 variations, including 8 demons and devils, 13 familiars, 75 PC's, and 12 magical beasts (Manticores, Bulettes, and so on). I love the look on my players' faces when I pull out a dragon counter, which measures about 4" by 3", easily dwarfing their pathetic little characters. Saying the dragon is huge is one thing, showing is entirely another. While in general I applaud the attempt by Pozas to bring a wide assortment of obscure creatures to the table, I do have a complaint with the selection. I agree it's nice to have counters for familiars (I can't recall ever seeing it done before, actually), but do we really need 8 each of owls and cats? It seems a bit much, when we don't get counters for other familiars a character may wish to have, such as toads or rabbits. On the other hand, there were some brilliant decisions made. Another complaint, though perhaps just as modest as the prior one, refers to the lack of identification for the creatures. I applaud the idea not to include the name of the monster on the counter itself, keeping some mystery for the players to enjoy, but there should have been some indicator (a number or perhaps a visual cross-reference page) to quickly and painlessly clue the GM in to the identity of the monster. We do get a master list, but it's little more than an inventory and doesn't serve much use as a reference. In all though, for $14.95, we get a veritable army of counters to enhance our game. I consider that something of a bargain, but Fiery Dragon apparently does not agree with this assessment. So they give us more bang for our buck! The first Counter Collection had a lengthy adventure included, by the designers decided to change the format a bit here. Instead, we get an assortment of "crunch bits" (where did that stupid expression come from anyway?) to add new options to your game. The 7-page booklet includes four unique magic swords with detailed histories, and 3 Prestige Classes: * The Gnome Combat Miner is a master at siege craft, are feared tunnel fighters (like the tunnel rats, from Vietnam), and have an uncanny skill to break or tear things down---including magical constructs, like golems. * Monks of the Brotherhood of the Ideal Form wander the lands, restoring abandoned buildings or broken objects. Through years of training, they can actually "heal" items, talk with inanimate objects, and develop an extra-sensory atunement with the structure any constructed item, be it a building, weapon, or heirloom. I know most players, perhaps understandably attracted to combat skills, will pass on this class, but it has an awful lot of potential. After all, this guy actually has a reason for traipsing about ruins. *Red Smile Assassin, otherwise known as Death Jesters, is particularly innovative. These killers masquerade as harmless harlequins and entertainers to get close to their prey. Their makeup and costume just happens to serve as an excellent disguise as well. Perplexing, however, was the decision to limit the class to 5 levels. Perhaps the designer was running out of ideas, but certainly there is enough potential here to expand upon the class significantly----minor arcane ability, like stage magic; Feats like Catch Object for juggling; skill with weighted juggling balls (perhaps with explosives or other trick devices) for use as weapons; contortionist and ventriloquist abilities; and so on. 400 well designed counters, 3 decent Prestige Classes, and a collection of unique blades for $14.95 is almost a steal! It reflects Fiery Dragon Productions attention to quality and value, for which they have justifiably earned an enviable reputation within the industry. Counter Collection II will enhance your campaign, and leave you wondering how you ever made do with out them.