Customer Reviews

Big Damn Heroes Handbook (Serenity Role Playing Game)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I enjoyed the BDHH. It is obvious that the BDHH was written by fans of Firefly and the Serenity RPG (SRPG).

The BDHH was packed with useful, practical information on how to enhance the SRPG experience.

The BDHH was actually equally designed for players and for the aspiring GM.

It has some clarifications on rules for the SRPG, but mostly the BDHH has a series of optional new gaming and meta-gaming material to supplement the SRPG. For example, there are sections on creating hero backgrounds, how the party meets, creating scenarios, and the obligatory section on new skills, talents, complications, etc.

There are also portions on how to make the SRPG more compatible with the evolving Cortex(tm) RPG system. This is the root system that the SRPG is based on, similar to the OGL for d20 or Chaosium's Basic RPG system.

If you liked the SRPG system and are looking for ways to expand it then you will also like the BDHH. That said, truth in lending, the BDHH is in no way, shape, or form necessary for playing, enjoying, or participating in many a varied and fun SRPG campaign.

If you liked Firefly and the Serenity movie and this is going to be your first purchase in the world of SRPG then I would just pull my hat down and mosey on to buying something else.

In service,

Rich
[...]

This has a lot of extra information that adds onto the already great Serenity RPG. It has a lot of added character information and also added ships and information on running the game. It also includes modified combat rules that make combat run smoother and easier. This really is a must have if you're already playing the Serenity RPG.

Supporting cast write up was great. Found the optional Character generation methods possibly interesting, especially if enforcing more balanced character creation is an issue.

Did not like the incredably large amount of space spent on mechanics for enforcing training wheels on poor roleplayers. I don't think mechanics will turn a roll-player into a role-player.

Section of additional assetts and complications was pretty good.

Really was hoping for more resources, ie static location write-ups, maps, maybe more ships and crews.

I do not play other cortex games, so bringing the original rules into compliance is probably mostly lost on me.

One rule mod I find intriging and may try to use is using die values for assetts and complications with a balanced generation model.

Overall glad I have it, but it should have had more atmospere and less gutter guards (bowling feferrance)for lousy roleplayers.

Lets face it, there are only two real players left in the pencil & paper RPG ring. With a combination of superb writing, design, and big name titles and systems to work with. Wizards of the Coast; with Hasbro's DEEP pockets, can get it done because they've got the name 'Dungeons & Dragons' to put on their products. And Fantasy Flight Games Pulls no punches with Warhammer (40k and fantasy role play). Both have exceptional production quality, amazing writing and design departments that make game supplements fun and easy. How can anyone else survive when these two companies keeping upping the bar with each release? the answer is Simple: design a system so easy to use, and game so fun to play that you cant help but be intrigued. THEN meet the production quality of the big players, writing that stays true to Serenity, and use a design layout that's tried and true. MWP impressed me from cover to cover with this supplement! I realize MWp is a small operation and they have a number of projects to work with, but my only problem is the sheer amount of time it takes to get a new product on the shelves.

This is an excellent resource for those that play Serenity. It brings the rules up to date with the new rules introduced in the Cortex source book. It simplifies some combat actions, standardizes assets and offers options on how to handle the skill groups and specialties. A must have for any serious Serenity player.