Marcus Telcontar
May 18th, 2003, 06:47:47 AM
Well, it's not quite a book as such... but..... hey, go with it.
The Dark Side Source book is the roleplayers guide to the Darkside for Wizards of the West Coast, written by Bill Slavicsek and JD Wiker. I will say here that this is a marked improvement of the alsolute CRAP West End Games had, while their absolutly stupid Dark Side powers, and so called facts and figures.
Thank the Force there is source book that makes sense, is logical and straight forward, plus.... it's a very good read! yes, this thing is entertaining, with lots of facts, histories and quite logically set out. The artwork is fantastic, the Star wars info is accurate up to TPM and also fits in with canonical sources. I will admit, I was expecting a WEG fiasco, so I read with very low expectations.
I am surprised to review this book so well.
Now, I do admit somethings did bug me, the worst being the discussions of Dark Side spirits and their inclusion on the Sith timeline. I'm sorry, I cant buy that. However in the scheme of things, it's minor quibble. The rest of the powers and functions of Dark side practitioners are well thought out, there are no huge lists of powers (There's like about 15 - 20 well set out power abilities), with descriptions of equipment, armour, weapons and techniques. There is a whole range of logical Dark Side classes.
But I guess the thing that will facinate the casual reader and not the hard core roleplayer is the histories of all the major characters in the EU and the movies with Dark Side power. Now, excusing the Sith Spirit nonsense, it's excellent. For Exar Kun to Palpatine, with a description of how the Sith arose, what they became, the wars between them and the Jedi, to the eventual demise and finish of the Sith. Palpatine is the last one, it's hinted strongly, tho dark siders will continue to arise.
Characters like Mara Jade, Kyp Durron and Aura Siing are included I may add. The comics from Dark Horse appear to be ignored to the main, which is a GOOD THING!
Did I mention the awesome art work? Yes? Well, I'll mention it again. Drawings of people, arms and places, monsters as well, as well as gorgeous pics from the movies, all put together extremely well.
The writing itself is good, understandable and well set out.
Given my misgivings on a few items that just dont gel (like the Sith Spirits) put aside, this is a book to get, enjoy and learn from. A must for the Star wars fan, be they roleplayer or not. Personally, I'm glad WEG crap is consigned to history and an actual well done source book is here.
9.5 out of 10.
The Dark Side Source book is the roleplayers guide to the Darkside for Wizards of the West Coast, written by Bill Slavicsek and JD Wiker. I will say here that this is a marked improvement of the alsolute CRAP West End Games had, while their absolutly stupid Dark Side powers, and so called facts and figures.
Thank the Force there is source book that makes sense, is logical and straight forward, plus.... it's a very good read! yes, this thing is entertaining, with lots of facts, histories and quite logically set out. The artwork is fantastic, the Star wars info is accurate up to TPM and also fits in with canonical sources. I will admit, I was expecting a WEG fiasco, so I read with very low expectations.
I am surprised to review this book so well.
Now, I do admit somethings did bug me, the worst being the discussions of Dark Side spirits and their inclusion on the Sith timeline. I'm sorry, I cant buy that. However in the scheme of things, it's minor quibble. The rest of the powers and functions of Dark side practitioners are well thought out, there are no huge lists of powers (There's like about 15 - 20 well set out power abilities), with descriptions of equipment, armour, weapons and techniques. There is a whole range of logical Dark Side classes.
But I guess the thing that will facinate the casual reader and not the hard core roleplayer is the histories of all the major characters in the EU and the movies with Dark Side power. Now, excusing the Sith Spirit nonsense, it's excellent. For Exar Kun to Palpatine, with a description of how the Sith arose, what they became, the wars between them and the Jedi, to the eventual demise and finish of the Sith. Palpatine is the last one, it's hinted strongly, tho dark siders will continue to arise.
Characters like Mara Jade, Kyp Durron and Aura Siing are included I may add. The comics from Dark Horse appear to be ignored to the main, which is a GOOD THING!
Did I mention the awesome art work? Yes? Well, I'll mention it again. Drawings of people, arms and places, monsters as well, as well as gorgeous pics from the movies, all put together extremely well.
The writing itself is good, understandable and well set out.
Given my misgivings on a few items that just dont gel (like the Sith Spirits) put aside, this is a book to get, enjoy and learn from. A must for the Star wars fan, be they roleplayer or not. Personally, I'm glad WEG crap is consigned to history and an actual well done source book is here.
9.5 out of 10.