(Revised) Dice and Dramatics: a D20 Guide to Better Role-Playing by Ben Mowbray and published by Ultramyth. It is a seventy four-page product (seventy after covers and OGL) with a simple and easy enough to read layout. The art is not the best but it is on theme and interesting. Two versions are provided, the full version and a printer friendly version (which, oddly, keeps the art in).

It is a book of advice for role-playing, it uses the OGL?s races, classes and alignment to frame the advice but the majority of it is still useful for any game (though Chapter 4: New Spells and Equipment is obviously geared to D20 but it is only 13 pages of the whole).

The book starts with an introduction laying out the aim of the book, in a nutshell, to improve roleplaying. Chapter 1 follows and looks at the various OGL classes, giving suggestion of how each might act and giving suggestions on how to personalize them to a player. Various reminders of the important things in a character background a player might want to consider as roleplaying hooks. Hints for things that can be done to improve roleplay and a few random table to spur ideas. Nothing terribly new or innovative here, but good useful material all the same.

Chapter 2 is advice on role-playing in game, how to use knowledge of the game to improve roleplaying and how to avoid using meta-game knowledge to the detriment of the game. Additionally, tricks to encourage roleplaying and suggestions of things that might be interesting to roleplay (casting spells, using skills).

Chapter 3 deals with the classic OGL races and gives suggestions on roleplaying ideas and hooks for the standard PC races as well as for several monster races and the effects of templates.

Chapter 4 is new equipment and magic, including a considerable amount of clothing with which to personalize the look of a character. The magic is most useful low level (often cosmetic) effects, some very amusing things.

Chapter 5 is helpful advice for the DM without whose assistance roleplaying will often be difficult. Useful reminders, know your players, know the characters. Advice on setting the scene, using props and music to reinforce a mood and other good ideas. Solid, helpful information and discussion.

If you primarily enjoy the roleplaying aspect of RPGs, you will find some useful tools and ideas here to enhance your experience.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>