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Rating: 
Summary: "Skills & Powers" for d20
Review: Ever since 3e came out, people have asked about a "Skills & Powers" book for d20 as there was in AD&D.Unofficially, this is it. While there is no prestige classes in this book, there are 15 new core classes. However, it would be a rare thing to see much diversity in character classes in a straight BESM campaign (Magic Girls and Mecha are two ships that will not meet in the night). However, the way the book intervenes its new rules with established d20 is excellent. With many new abilities, and showing the relative power level of the various class abilities in BESM, 3e, and d20 Modern, it is a DM's and Rules Lawyer's dream come true. If you think sorcerers need sprucing up, then definitely buy this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Not quite a d20 book
Review: I really wanted to like this book, I really did. However, the ad copy and what the book is capable of are two completely different things. This book does not entirely break down d20, in fact the section on such rules is almost an after thought. Those experienced with the d20 system will be surprised to find mechanics that are completely different from those you are familiar with... most with no explination for the changes. The combat system causes the biggest "what the heck?" moment. It is wildly different from normal d20. What is worse is that it feels relatively obvious that it was written by someone with a poor understanding of the d20 dynamics. As such, this book can hardly be plugged straight into any d20 setting like it claims. Now, it does have some good parts, and those familiar with Tri-Stat might like its spin on the d20 mechanics. However, those looking for an addition to a current or existing campaign should look elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: Who let this get published??
Review: Maybe I'm spoiled by other d20 and White Wolf products, but this unholy kludge of d20 and classic BESM is nearly incoherent. They've shoehorned levels onto a system that wasn't designed to use it, they way the stats interact isn't very smooth, and half the standard d20 feats don't work right anyway--they have to be replaced with other character features. Combat is resolved with opposed skill checks instead of the d20-standard attack roll vs. Armor Class. This isn't d20--this is somthing that's trying to look superfically like d20.
We've never even played the original BESM, but my gaming group agreed unanimously to use it instead of this product. Take my advice--buy the Revised Second Edition instead. The Tri-Stat system is easy to learn and the game is ten times more coherent than BESM d20.
Rating:
Summary: Who let this get published??
Review: Maybe I'm spoiled by other d20 and White Wolf products, but this unholy kludge of d20 and classic BESM is nearly incoherent. They've shoehorned levels onto a system that wasn't designed to use it, they way the stats interact isn't very smooth, and half the standard d20 feats don't work right anyway--they have to be replaced with other character features. Combat is resolved with opposed skill checks instead of the d20-standard attack roll vs. Armor Class. This isn't d20--this is somthing that's trying to look superfically like d20.
We've never even played the original BESM, but my gaming group agreed unanimously to use it instead of this product. Take my advice--buy the Revised Second Edition instead. The Tri-Stat system is easy to learn and the game is ten times more coherent than BESM d20.
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