This article originally appeared in d20 Weekly
The Complete Guide to Wererats
Published by Goodman Games
Written by Keith Baker
32-page B&W softcover; $11.00
The Complete Guide to Wererats is the latest in Goodman Games' line of sourcebooks designed to explore the nuances of our favorite monsters. As such, the line comes in direct competition with Mongoose Publishing's Slayers Guides.
The book begins with an excellent cover painting of a wererat squatting on a roof with a dragonrat hybrid, which sets a nice tone and atmosphere for the book. We know immediately we're going to be immersed in something dark, gritty, and seedy, just as one would expect for lycanthropes derived from rats. The interior artwork is about average in quality, but pains have obviously been made to make them relevant to the text.
Layout is basic and free of distractions or unnecessary embellishments. This is important for such a small book, where less valuable space can be wasted on frivolities. The book is divided into a number of short, concise headings relating to a very specific topic that are easy to read and reference at a moment's notice. This makes the book quite handy during game play.
Editing, as is usual for a Goodman Games' release, is excellent. Author Keith Baker, who won the Wizards of the Coast campaign setting competition, is a very strong writer with evocative prose, an excellent grasp of d20 System mechanics, and a host of truly imaginative ideas. The latter is of utmost importance in making wererats distinct . . .
This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.
Article publication date: April 30, 2003
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