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There appears to be multiple files for this product - and some of the scans are very rough indeed. However, the 'Christian Fasy’ version appears to be the cleanest and, presumably, would be the one used for any Print-on-Demand copy.
For many Chanpions fans, this is the favourite edition as it expands the third edition into a more universal system, while maintaining compatibility with the past. The previous edition's layout style is also maintained which aids in making the game feel more accessible as a game than later editions. Some may find elements of the rules more refined in later editions, however the system itself is inherently crunchy so accessibility probably trumps refinement every time. Moreover, those who master it tend to love it - so who is to argue?
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Presentation
This is a 60 page supplement for Hero 6th edition. It is laid out in two columns and the content is primarily character sheets along with some additional information on the characters. The layout is clean and, thanks to the use of the standards, familiar. The book is eell-editted and easy to read.
Content
Despite the title, this is basically a book of complete characters for use in a Champions game. The interesting part is these characters are based on familiar characters with the names changed. We get a character in a battle suit called "Armored Billionaire", "Perfect Aim Man" who can kill by throwing just about anything, and a martial artist called "Patriotic Shield Boy Scout".
The characters are interesting and if the names don't give away who they might have used for inspiration, the powers certainly do. These are well-designed versions of some very popular heroes who are likely to be familiar to anyone who has read a comic or seen a superhero movie in the last fifteen years.
Evaluation
The goal of this project is to give new players a starting point for new characters. If they can identify a movie here, then there's a good chance it appears here. There are more than 25 popular character concepts here and it would be easy to either play one as is or to use it as a starting point.
This book really delivers exactly what it promises: easy to use and play characters for Champions 6th edition.
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Presentation\
This is available in pDF and as a print-on-demand softcover. The book is 32 pages in two-column format using the standard Champions character sheet as the key presentation element. The editing is very good.
Content
This isn't really a book of templates; it's a book of complete characters. These could be used as pre-gens for a game or they could be used as a starting point for characters with similar powers.
There are twenty-five characters in here, a few of which are more experienced (powerful) versions of characters also listed in this book. The characters in this book have terrible names like Jade Fury Brute, Arachnid Man, and Transparent Lass. Most of them are, once you read their powers, pretty clearly famous characters from movies and comic books.
Evaluation
The title of the book is awful as are the names of most of the heroes which can make this whole thing seem sub-par. The issue is that these aren't really templates and the names are selected to not infringe on trademarks.
This is a well done product. The powers are well-designed and, for the most part, the characters are easily recognizable. If you were running a game for new players, this would be a great resource for pre-generated characters they would find at least some familiarity with.
This is really a pretty good primer on character creation as well as a good resource for pre-gens
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Although you could make the case for later editions being more comprehensive, this is the most accessible version of the game I have seen. One can imagine that this book - with its improved layout and presentation from 1st/2nd ed and in a single formatted book - was what many Champions fans recall from the 1980s.
While it refers to the 'Hero System', it wasn’t trying to compete with GURPS (which was published after) as a universal system and is more focussed on pure superhero roleplaying. There are no massive lists of skills, no itemisation of Perks and Talents and a much slimmer list of Powers too. These are are, nevertheless, very customisable and broad ranging so there is still a lot of the trademark ‘build any character’ aspects which fans loved. It is also a lot quicker to generate a character - defaulting to 100 points spending. Obviously, this would mean it was less compatible with modern iterations of the game (generally defaulting to 400 points).
However, it is a shame this wasn’t chosen to be released as a POD. It has a much cleaner scan than the 4th edition and, to me, seems a lot more playable.
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This is a great collection of mini-templates for all kinds of characters, well organized and quite extensive. I am enjoying this greatly.
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What a terrible scan. Ugly, and difficult to read. I feel ripped off.
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IDK how I wound up with 3rd-Ed. anything, but here I am. Still, while I plan on getting 4th-Ed., this Bestiary is fantastic. The alyout and feel reminds me very much of RoleMaster. It contains just about every animal you can imagine, most of which are so analogous as not to warrant their own entries, making it much easier to find what you're looking for.
If you enjoy RoleMaster, this book should be easy to navigate.
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HERO is one of the best systems out there and I've cannibalized it for my CoC, Chill, and other horror games for decades, so this is awesome. Very much in-line with Hero Fantasy (and the Companions) and just as worth the price. I just bought this a week ago and, were this a book and not a PDF, it would already be dog-eared.
Neither love nor hate the SAN/stress system but do love everything else (so far, still reading).
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One of the early crossovers in tabletop gaming .It was fun back in the day .
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There are few systems that can do what I want, and Hero is simply top-tier when it comes to flexibility, depth and allowing any type of game the GM is willing to put the work into. Yes, there will be some work, this system is complex and packed with options.
The book is massive, and my only regret is that you cannot get this book in hardcover & color anymore. You may find book 2 in hardcover if you look hard.
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Great update. The scan is good compared to the age of the product and even includes the 1st adventure.
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First, the game.
Champions 4e is in my opinion the best edition. It is the most complete since it has the entire Hero System book with it. It also avoids being over saturated the way 5e and 6e does.
Second, we discuss the POD.
It’s not very good. It’s pixelated. Not just the art. All of the print is pixelated making the text blurry. It still works and will allow you to get this older game for a reasonable price.
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This is a well-researched reference and setting book covering the Victorian Era. It reminds me of the HERO Settings book I grew up reading. If you enjoy Steampunk or playing by gaslight this is for you. If you’re like me, and you love the high drama of this era, popularized by Detective Stories like Enola and Sherlock Homes or Moriarty you will find much of interest in this book. Perhaps, you’re looking to run a good old monster of the week or something more cross genre like Penny Dreadful or League of Extraordinary Gentleman, this work will guide you. Do you like the 1999 Mummy? If you want to run or play a game built around any of those ideas, you have found the right source.
The book thoroughly covers the Victorian Era Including famous people, Organization and Conspiracies. It covers London of the era in detail, including locations for adventure and exploration. It also has all the useful Hero System information of how to create Victorian Characters, the Victorian Monsters those characters will face, and a lengthy list of campaigns made easy using this book. Perhaps you want your players to face an Anfac on the High Moorse of Scotland, cross blades with Spring-Heeled Jack or just meet a time traveler and his time machine from some unknowable future this book has all that and more.
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Not an easy read but great content nonetheless. Edwards capture the essence of the hero rpgs with a touch of his own style.
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