?Class Distinctions: The Magus?, written by Rogan R. Hamby, presents a playable, 20-level core class for use in your Dungeons & Dragons game. This is only an eight-page supplement (three of which are devoted to the outside cover, the inside cover, and the Open Game License), so writer Hamby and editor James Stubbs (who also handled the layout for this supplement) waste no time before diving into this new arcane caster class.

The first page is devoted to describing just what a magus is in terms of the role the class would have in the Dungeons & Dragons game. The writing is sparse yet efficient, and after reading just this one page, readers and players will have a good grasp as to who or what a magus is. The core classes from the Player?s Handbook and even the Expanded Psionics Handbook are mentioned here, and the magus? viewpoints on each of these classes is made quite clear.

The next few pages contain the magus? ?crunch.? The magus is perhaps most like the wizard ? same hit die, both carry spellbooks, etc. ? but as players explore this material further, the unique differences are made evident. In addition to a spellbook, the magus also carries a research tome. The research tome serves as a sort of journal for the magus, but can also be used with the magus? spellcasting. Like a wizard, a magus can learn a spell through research, and when using their research tome in this fashion, they are able to forego a certain amount of spellcasting material components (the amount of which increases as the magus gains levels).

Another feature of the magus and his or her relationship with the research tome is that he or she constantly has general idea as to where the tome is, and at 12th level, the magus can ?scry? the research tome at will.

A magus memorizes spells by embedding the arcane knowledge into their mind. The required amount of memory, measured in units called rotes, increase depending on the level of the spell cast (a magus can cast spells from the sorcerer/wizard spell list). A 0-level spell requires one rote, but to determine the number of rotes required for a higher level spell, multiply the spell level by three. The level progression table for the magus shows how many rotes a magus has available per level, and the rules for how to determine bonus rotes (?A magus gains a bonus number of rotes equal to their Intelligence modifier times the highest level of spell she can cast each time she gains the ability to cast a new level of spell.?) are easy to understand.

At higher levels, the magus can add another spellcaster?s spell list to their own, but it?s not easy. The research must be undertaken personally; a magus cannot simply take spells from the cleric?s or druid?s spell list from another magus? spell book or research tome. There is also the possibility of the magus developing a phobia if the magus isn?t careful.

There is a new spell ? ?recall rote? ? included in this supplement, as well as a few new feats and a new magic item ? the ring of the magi (which functions similarly to a ring of wizardry).

?Class Distinctions: The Magus? is a solid supplement, and packs a fully-playable class into its few pages. Everything from the statistics players will need to play this class to material that will help players and Dungeon Masters incorporate this new class into their existing games is included (with even a sample magus NPC included). The fact that this supplement also recognizes psionics as part of the game is a definite plus.

There is only one noticeable grammatical error, but beyond this simple omission of a space between two different words, this is a solidly built supplement that as a reviewer I enjoyed reading and as a player, I look forward to playing!<br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: I really enjoyed this supplement. The magus is a character class that isn't meant to replace an existing arcane caster (but certainly could), and allows enough flexibility that it can be easily inserted into an existing game or campaign. The writing is efficient, and the layout is spot on. As a fan of psionics, that the psionic classes are mentioned thrilled me even more. The "look" of this supplement is just as good as the material itself; even the cover design immediately speaks to what readers and players will find within this supplement. "Class Distinctions: The Magus" is affordably priced, and highly recommended.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: There is just one grammatical error that I noticed, but beyond this, I found this product to be completely enjoyable and usable.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>