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While I've enjoyed everything I've read thus far from 93 Games Studios, this is their first (and so far only) misstep. I agree that the idea of a basic class with limited spellcasting ability is a good idea, the exectution of that idea in Basic Classes: Apprentice comes just short of succeeding.
The general flavor text is more fantasy-oriented than modern, and leads me to believe that it is better suited for those seeking to play tradtional D&D fantasy settings with the D20 Modern rules set, rather than the contemporary occult/horror setting presupposed by the rest of 93 Games Swing conversion line.
The real problem is the talent tress, two of which sem over powered and one underpowered. The Arcane and Divine Talent trees allow a character with an 18 Wisdom to cast 4 o-level spells, 4 1st-level spells, 4 2nd-level spells, and a 3rd-level spell-like ability each day as early as 7th level, or more if you choose to take both Arcane and Divine Talents, which you are explicitly permitted to do (and given that your other talent ree options at that stage are limited to a bonus to Reflex saves or a bonus to one craft skill, who wouldn't?). My 7th-Level Wizard in D&D didn't have it so good. After this, taking a level of Acolyte or Mage seems like a step backwards. The idea is good, but I'd much rather limit a player to 1st-level spells until they take a level in a specialized spellcasting advanced class, as does the Modern Kyuujinjouhoushi: The Mystic Hero from Alternate Realities Publications (flawed as that one may be, but that's another review).
Also, the typographical errors seem more noticeable in this one.
Still, 93 Games Studios does decent work, and if you're running a D20 Modern campaign in the Dark*Matter, Shadow Chasers/Shadow Stalkers, or Urban Arcana settings, you'll find a lot of good material from them<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Disappointing<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Disappointed<br>
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Base Class Apprentice
The Apprentice is an interesting take on allowing people to play wizards in d20 modern at first level. But it does not really allow that too well. I think the class has potential but just fails to give the user it. Or it succeeds with powerful abilities combined with the right stats. Either way the Apprentice has some problems that will be shown here.
The Base Class Apprentice is a PDF by 93 Games Studios. The PDF is only seven pages and more then half of that is really devoted to adds, cover page and other things that do not aid the core idea of the book. The class is really only two and half pages long. The layout could be better as well as the half page is literally half written on and the other half just white space. It does not look that good and a picture or spacing of text; anything would have been better.
The class is set up like any other base class in d20 Modern. It is interesting to note that it does not have the usual odd skill points per level but does give the very nice eight with a good selection of skills. The talent trees I think are either weak or strong and this is a problem. With a high wisdom the character can gain the ability to cast four divine or arcane spells per day of each spell level zero through two and a have third level spell as a spell like ability. That seems really good compared to a bonus to craft writing skills or craft visual arts. The character can also gain spell resistance equal to their level plus five. These are nice abilities and might be a little too much for the base class.
That?s all the book has in it. It does not offer any new spells, feats, or items that an apprentice might make use of. It does not offer advice on how an apprentice loses the apprentice title and becomes something more. And advanced or a prestige class that builds on the apprentices powers and theme would have really done the book some good.
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<b>LIKED</b>: It gives the option of playing a caster earlier<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: It has mechanics problems<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Disappointing<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Disappointed<br>
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I?m a big fan of d20 Modern; I waited eagerly for it to come out, I read the SRD while I was waiting for Amazon to deliver the book, and I read the book again when I got it. Big fan. As such, when I get to review something for d20 Modern, I get kind of excited. Enter Basic Classes: Apprentice, by 93 Game Studios. The idea behind this product (or line of products, I suppose) is that d20 Modern needs more magic, and magic needs to be available from first level (rather than circa fourth level, as the vanilla product is designed). Apprentice introduces a new basic class?the Apprentice?that represents a low-level caster, apprenticed, as it were, to a higher level caster. The Apprentice can be either arcane or divine?or, indeed, both?and gains some rather rudimentary spellcasting ability while advancing up its ten-level progression.
I?ll start with what I liked about this product. The class, itself, seems well-balanced with the other basic classes, and I didn?t really notice any blatant balance issues with it. It gains a few spells by taking specific Talents, and can also gain some magical resistance and crafting ability. The Apprentice is a very skill-heavy class (as I?ve always thought spellcasting classes should be), evidenced by the fact that it gains eight skill points per level, has an a full Talent tree devoted to skill improvement, and almost all of its bonus feats (with the exception of two) are skill-boosting feats.
As for the not-so-good, let me start with what struck me immediately: the writing isn?t very good. The author is prone to spelling mistakes, grammar and syntax errors, muddled language, and somewhat trite prose. It may not matter to some, but I found that it detracted from my overall enjoyment of the product quite a lot. The class, itself, suffers from a specific problem, too. Though this problem is not mechanical in nature (as I?ve said, it seems to be well balanced), it does make the class somewhat less attractive. Simply put, the class doesn?t have much flavor. If you take levels in the Apprentice class, you?re going to get a few spells, or some numerical bonuses. Period, nothing else. I certainly would have liked something a little more interesting from a ?magical? class. Now, granted, this may not be a problem for everyone; the main reason that it bugged me was that, aside from getting a few spells, I couldn?t think of a single compelling reason to take levels in the Apprentice class. And really, if I wanted spells, I?d wait a few levels and go for the superior spellcasting ability of the Mage.
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<b>LIKED</b>: Good balance, and a skill-focused magic-user.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Sloppy presentation and an overall lack of compelling flavor.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Disappointing<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Disappointed<br>
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?Basic Classes: Apprentice? is a seven page product. It contains a full page cover, a full page listing of credits and company information, one page of advertising for other 93 Games Studio products, and the Open Game License occupies one page. That leaves three pages in which to present the apprentice class.
The presentation of this class begins with a ?Background? section. This section is the source for the text available on this products main page at RPGNow.
The class is then described in the typical modern format, including hit die, action points, class skills, skill points, and starting feats. The ?Class Features? which become available over the apprentice?s ten level progression are presented and described. The features include the ability of the apprentice to pursue advancement in four different talent trees; Craftman (3 components), Arcane (4 components), Divine (4 components), and Magical Fortitude (2 components). During the ten level progression the apprentice can pursue advancement in the talents every odd level. In addition, the apprentice gains bonus feats every even level, which must be selected from a list of eligible feats. Finally, this product presents a chart for the class in the standard class format; which includes base attack bonus, each of the three saves, features gained per level, defense bonus, and reputation bonus.
The Arcane and Divine talent trees are the primary sources of excitement for those looking to cast spells with a basic modern class. Those players interested in an arcane caster elect to pursue the Arcane talent tree and those interested in pursuing a divine caster will pursue the Divine talent tree. They each present the opportunity to learn spells with the first three components of their trees. The fourth component allows the apprentice to learn a spell like special ability with either an arcane or divine flavor. These trees provide an interesting set of options to players as they advance in level.
This is an interesting product that allows the more magically inclined modern players to immediately dabble in the magical arts. ?Basic Classes: Apprentice? accomplishes its goal admirably and should inspire some interesting characters in modern campaigns.
To rousing gaming and ample rewards,
I. Perez
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<b>LIKED</b>:
- Interesting components to the talent trees.
- Creative ideas behind the talent trees.
<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>:
<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>
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