Customer Reviews

Warriors: A Comprehensive D20 Sourcebook for Fantasy Role-Playing Games

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
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Warriors is one of those d20 references that's actually a reference. Written by veterans who know their stuff, it's obvious that there's a strong historical context winding its way through the information provided throughout. And of course, that information is about everybody's favorite NPC class, the warrior.

Okay, so warriors aren't everybody's favorite NPC class. In fact, they're usually glossed over as [bad] fighters. Their role has never clearly been defined -- the DMG's explanation of the warrior class leaves them open to interpretation. Warriors aims to change that.

The artwork in the book varies greatly, from obvious black and white clipart to extremely cartoony (the executioner on p. 21 being the most egregious example).

The book begins with an Introduction to warriors in general and a reference to a new innovation, the subtype. The subtype idea is a means of defining an NPC without making them overly powerful. They are not like the old 2nd Edition kits (thank goodness!) but they do help delineate the skills and feats of say, a longbowman vs. a shortbowman. Warriors also claims to have reprinted previously published material from the Experts book. However, there are numerous (and after the first few times, annoying) references to go read the Experts book for more information. Warriors also mentions that it's meant to be 3.5 compatible, but that the conversion might not be perfect (it isn't). It rounds out the introduction with a description of medieval armies that helps set the sometimes gritty tone of the book. Unlike the Experts book, Warriors is largely open game content.

The prestige classes chapter details a wide variety, including Aerial Cavalryman, Beast Rider, Charioteer, Combat Engineer, Dueling Master, Executioner, Forester, Gladiator, Marine, Mechanist Infantry, Militia Leader, Mountaineer, Nomadic Cavalryman, Sheriff, Watchman, and Zealot. Warriors is strongest when it hews closely to the historical archetypes of warriors and is weaker when it ranges into the fantasy genre. Each prestige class is accompanied by an example of the class, helpful to DMs and players alike who know what prestige class they want but wouldn't recognize it by name.

The next chapter details warrior subtypes. Subtypes are sort of a poor man's occupations from d20 Modern. In fact, they are quite similar, if a bit more detailed, than occupations. I like the idea -- it helps round out the warrior class and provide alternatives without requiring the levels of a prestige class. Thus, there are longbow subtypes, artillerist subtypes, etc. Each subtype gets a special benefit, usually a class skill -- just like d20 Modern occupations. Unlike the occupations, each subtype comes with suggested equipment and feats it can substitute. The subtypes also include non-military versions, like the bandit and barkeep. Incidentally, this book's subtypes is an excellent complement to Mercenaries: Born of Blood.

The skill chapter goes into exquisite detail about everything from Craft (artifice) to the rune-carving Craft (Koftgari). Warriors keeps the new skills to a minimum, offering Operate Device, Signaling, Smell, Taste, and Torture. Duh -- why didn't anyone else think of the Smell and Taste skills when we have Listen and Spot? One of the best chapters in the book.

The feats chapter details relatively bland feats, including a bunch of aerial combat feats and some feats specific to prestige classes/subtypes.

The equipment chapter is a study in contrasts: fantasy equipment is mixed in with exotic weapons and armor from other cultures. Thus we have the chakram, khandar, and pata mixed in with the assault mechanist armor (in essence, power armor). This is one of those situations where the book overextends itself a bit -- armor of this type is best left to books like D20 Mecha (where is D20 Mecha, anyway?). It also includes rules on making high technology weapons and transportation, including balloons and dirigibles. It even explains how gunpowder is made.

The spells chapter is primarily dominated by battle runes, which are used by zealots. These battle runes are not remarkable -- they're just a variant of material components. Some of the spells have a middle-Eastern feel to them (like eye of Shiva and searing sands). The spell, transformation of Jebus, seems like a juiced up version of Tenser's transformation.

The magic items chapter ranges all over the place, from (armor, claw, boots, cloak, etc.) of the beast to more exotic items like the bow of Rama, dwarven firewagon, table of Ezekiel and thunderbolt of Hirtadhvaj. Someone did their homework.

The monsters appendix is unexceptional. It has three monsters in total, the primary focus being the Narasinhai. They're a anthropomorphic lion race. We've seen it before.

The third appendix details sample characters, useful for dropping NPCs that use the Warriors rules right into the game. A sorely needed attribute that takes a LOT of work to create -- I speak from personal experience.

The last three appendices are excellent. They detail chariot warfare, elephant warfare and heraldry. Each appendix is short but descriptive and summarizes all the information you need to know in a succinct fashion.

While the text and artwork may be at times uneven, Warriors achieves its goal -- it fleshes out the warrior NPC class with enough ideas that it can easily be applied to PCs. It works best when applied as a straight historical interpretation of the D20 system and is less effective when it veers off into fantasy elements that are obviously favorites of the authors. Warriors is an excellent sourcebook that provides breadth and depth to a long-ignored NPC class.

After having received a copy of Skirmisher's first D20 publication, Experts, I'd really been looking forward to seeing Warriors released. I wasn't disappointed. Similar to Experts, the Warriors supplement takes on the challenge of fleshing out the D20 Warrior NPC character from a relatively shallow "extra" to richly developed characters with unique specializations, skillsets and experience to contribute to a D&D campaign. It also presents a number of new prestige classes that may be of great interest to players looking for a distinctive and well thought-out character concept. Drawing extensively from historical warrior models, as well as classic fantasy profiles, the book presents scores of Warrior sub-classes, each with it's unique place in a medieval/fantasy society, and a wealth of skills and support material to make these specialists formidable allies or opponents in their own right instead of cardboard characters used to decorate a campaign. The text is easy to read and comprehend and the layout is pleasant to the eye. A great resource book, heavy on substance, and one of the few D20 resource books you're likely to use again and again.

This book provided me comprehensive information for developing scenarios in an extremely usable and enjoyable format. The text was crisp and so were the numerous graphics. The easy to use formatting got me quickly to the key personalia , weapons and skill sets that I was interested in. Very highly recommend this as a D20 source book.

I reviewed a book called Experts last year which I thought was a really great sourcebook for NPC's. When I saw Skirmisher was releasing another NPC sourcebook, I snatched it up right away.

The first thing I noticed was the cover. It has a very striking and beautiful painted cover. With regards to art and design, the developers have made great strides since Experts. There is a ton of original art, and the layout is very clean and easy to read.

I was originally worried that this book might be too similar to some other books that cover similar topics such as "Sword and Fist". Happily, there is almost NO similarity. "Warriors" doesn't mess around invent stupid non-sensical character types. All the prestige classes and sub-types are based on real military units. This doesn't mean that there is no magic or fantasy, it just means it is implemented in a rational way. I think history buffs will really get a kick out of this book because it is so well researched. Want to add some infantry men, artillerists, marines, etc to your game? Warriors will help you had dimension to your warrior NPCs. Highly Recommended.

Great for the DM who wants to add an intense level of immersion to their armies that is largely absent from most D&D books.

From the fleshing out of supply trains, families, merchants, and other tag-alongs to armies, to the specialized soldiers themselves: beast riders, airborn mount riders, to the town sherrif: a foe more dangerous than most magical creatures due to his intense knowledge of the area and pull with the local populace, this book can make your campaigns feel real in the eyes of the players.

I have always been slightly dissatisfied with the feeling that you have to include half of the monster manual in your missions, making the players feel like they are visiting a circus, rather than interacting with societies of people. This book allows variations of characters and abilities that populate your world with a variety of realistic people, without resorting to too many different races and magical creatures.

Somehow, the knowledge that the army besieging you is constructing a trebuchet outside of your archers' range is more chilling than the presence of their wizards. This book allows a wide variety of information and statistics for all manner of military and outdoor specialists and tools.

Also, the interesting and unique prestige classes are great for the true role-player character, who wants a realistic living character, rather than the usual ultra-powered munchkin.

As a webmaster for a gaming company, I come across many supplements for gaming - and not just D&D. This one is a keeper, as it will come in handy during many gaming nights.

It builds on the NPC Warrior character in 3.0/3.5 (but it is easily downgraded for use with 2.0, if necessary..), adding needed subtypes and prestige classes. With this book and the Gm's handbook, a GM can turn a hoard of Ogres into a well thought out army for player characters to battle and plan against.

Subtypes are a rather neat and innovative idea, where the subtype template is overlaid onto the Warrior class. They can even be extended to PC characters, creating some very useful skill sets and focused characters. (My personal favorites? Beast Rider, Bartender, and Thug.)

The new Prestige Classes are thought out well also, changing standard fighters into a downright honest army. With classes like Beast Driver (transport troops!), Marine, and Combat Engineer, a DM can spend literally days creating NPC and armies that have character.

There are some pretty darn neat skills and feats in the book as well. My personal favorite skill, Airship Making (Craft) even includes difficulty, raw materials, and cost needed to make a handful of standard ships. (And yeah, they have a Bartender Profession!) A feat that I plan on using from now on, Anticipatory Shot is a nice skill to give an assassin-type character.

The book is extremely well thought out from cover to cover, and even includes some history on how armies of the past have been setup. And while some of it may seem confusing at first - like why any Bartending references exist in the book - it becomes clear that an army was more then just a hundred fighters. They needed scouts, rangers, and other support members to sustain them. (Show me a fighter that does not like to drink!) And I didn't even get into the Spells, Equipment, Magic Items, and Fighting Monsters that are in the end of the book.

All in all, if you're DM-ing and plan on having your player characters come up against an army, you absolutely need this book. If you're a player that wants to have a fighter, but be something MORE, then you need this book. `Nuff said.

basically i was handed this book at GenCon 2003 by the great guys at the Skirmisher Games booth.

wow.

"post a review of it somewhere for us, good or bad."

wow. a company that isn't afraid of some bad feedback.

i have only good things to say about this book and wish
the d20 companies would use it as a benchmark for
other products. good classes, good balance on mechanics,
and good art.

as a playtester for dnd (both edition 3 and 3.5) this is one
of the finest supplements i've seen: i'll actually use it.

As an inexperienced "gamer" I am please to say that I was able to use the book and not look totally out-of-it. I have never participated in a role playing game before and Warriors made my first experience lots of fun. It is well written, informative and the artwork is exceptional. Well put together book....Great fun.

This is the most significant d20 book I have seen, and if people only buy one this year this should be it. The subject matter is handled very well, and the art is appropriate and appealing.

The wizards at Skirmisher Publishing have done it again. This thime they are the "Experts" when it comes to expanding WOTC's D&D 3rd ed.
Warriors is yet another great way to expand your hum drum gaming experience. If these guys keep up the quality of their products, the sky is the limit. Can't wait for the next awesome book by these guys. Keep up the good work!!!