This article originally appeared in Pyramid #28

Pyramid Pick

Pirates and Privateers

Published by West End Games
Written by Tim O'Brien
$18.00
I had heard good things about this book before I received it, and I have to say that the buzz on the streets was correct. The new Star Wars: Pirates & Privateers is a great book for many different kinds of campaigns. You might wonder why at first, but trust me it's worth a read if you are a Star Wars gamer. Let me break down the book chapter by chapter.

The first chapter, Pirates & Privateers, explains the difference between pirates and privateers, namely that privateers are pirates who are sanctioned by a specific government or faction, and the basics of how the Rebel Alliance uses privateers against the Empire. Chapter Two, Raiding, really provides the meat for any pirate or privateer game. It discusses the mindset of a pirate crew, terminology, tactics, actions, rumors and ship's rules. The flavor here is excellent. The third chapter, The Raider's Life, continues the sentiment, discussing lifestyle, ranks, rewards, pirates' honor, and the like.

The fourth chapter is useful for any type of Star Wars game, discussing plunder and equipment. It spends time talking about galactic currency and precious cargo. It also provides you with new forms of useful equipment, including sensor decoys, comm jammers, and baffled drives for your starships, various stun weapons including the amazing shotgun-type Deck-sweeper, thermite gel explosives (on a personal note, may I add that smuggling 10 tons of . . .

This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.



Article publication date: March 23, 1998

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