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Arcana
Unearthed's DM's Screen and Player's Guide is a set of a 32 page book
with a low-profile three panel screen, with some added charts and tables
on the inside cover of the 32 page book (called the Player's Reference
Card). The Guide is mostly uninspiring character sheets (11 bland sheets
for each of the Arcana Unearthed classes, plus a "back side"
for feats and skills) and the Open Game License and an ad for the Diamond
Throne. Not that the other fifteen pages of stuff (not counting the
credits and table of contents, that is) is bad, I just hoped for more.
The Guide
features ideas and archetypes for using Arcana Unearthed characters,
converting spells over to the Arcana Unearthed style (for both 3.0 and
3.5 was a nice touch), and discussions on the Arcana Unearthed races
and viewpoints. This was the nicest part of the book, having some roleplaying
ideas that could be handed to hard-pressed referees looking to expand
their player's roleplaying habits.
At first
inspection, the Player's Reference Card and DM's Screen balance well,
and once the referee moves pass the awkward low screen, it should be
smooth sailing into the campaign mindset. Until the referee looks back
over and sees that the player's are trying to calulate the DCs for things
that the referee should have in front of her.
The Reference
Card has DC charts for several skills, alchemy, balance, climb, handle
animal, search, intimidate and others. While this may seem fine, some
player's may try to abuse this by becoming "Card Lawyers"
when presented with a few challenges, instead of roleplaying it. Another
problem with the Card is that the 32-page guide is stapled to it, and
there are two charts (spellcraft and handle animal) that span the spine
of the book, making it awkward to read the charts at a glance.
The DM's
Screen also has its share of "huh?" items, items that would
have been better suited for the player's Card. Weapons and armor charts
appear on the DM's Screen where having more DC charts would have made
better sense. It's not bad, if the referee just hoards the screen and
card to themselves.
Overall,
the Arcana Unearthed DM's Screen and Player's Guide isn't a bad product,
just a toolkit for those trying to branch off into the new material
from Arcana Unearthed. Several D20 System players should be able with
this kit to better come to grips with what may have been a hard product
to grasp (Arcana Unearthed) and possible take some new ides to their
own gaming table (like converting racial levels for their home-brewed
races).
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