From: rwmira01@vlsi.louisville.edu (Rob Miracle (Non-priv))
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp
Subject: Ok Here goes: Re: anyone posting a REVIEW: ? for Bard's Handbook?
Date: 13 Apr 92 17:01:14 GMT
Article-I.D.: vlsi.rwmira01.51.703184473
Organization: Computing & Telecommunications, University of Louisville

In article <1992Apr6.122903.54231@cc.usu.edu> sl7sg@cc.usu.edu writes:

>        If somebody is so inclined, that has purchased and read the book, would
>they post a formal REVIEW?  examining everything from artwork, writing, and
>content?  I would do it, but I cannot afford the book right now (quarter just
>started, text book money...)

You asked for it......

I purchased the 6th book in the Complete whatever Handbook Series this 
weekend, entitled: The Complete Bards Handbook.  Before I get into the meat 
of this review, let me say, that I have been generally pleased with the 
books to date, even with their errors and contridictions.  I currently own 
the Fighter, Wizard, Psionic, and Bard books, but have read and used the 
Cleric and Thief books.

I think the CBHB is the best of the series so far.  You can almost completly 
generate a character from the book.  It includes all the bard progression 
tables from the Players Handbook, including a Saving throw matrix, current 
proficiencies gained to date by level etc.  This is real handy for 
generating NPCs.

They have the various kits, including kits based on demi-human races.  You 
can play a Halfling Wistler or an Elven Minstral.  The kits are ok, though 
some would be hard to use for PCs (Jester for example).  Most of the kits, 
are a little more powerful than a straight from the PHB character.  Most 
notably are the 3 to 4 extra non-weapon proficiencies that the kit gets.  
The drawbacks didn't really seem to balance out.  This particular piece
isn't as bad as I make it sound though.

Included in the book are discussions and charts for different bard 
functions, such as playing the the streets, in a bar, for a king, etc.  They 
include the size of the audience, the money earned etc.  Each of the bardic 
abilities is covered in detail about what they can and cant do.  One of the 
things I liked was the discussion about the Pick Pocket roll.  This 
information would be useful for thieves as well.  They go over things such 
as unbuckeling a buckle, slight of hand tricks, etc.  Pretty well done.

They give a good chart for handling the Musical Instrument proficiency.  In 
here, the more slots you spend, a) the better you get with a particular 
insturment, and b) the more related insturments you get.  For 5 slots, you 
can get all the string insturments.  Three slots gets you all the plucked 
string insturments, 2 gets you all the various Lute type insturments, etc.
They have pictures of many instrurments from the Glockenspiel to the Lute.  

The book also offers an alternate magic casting system for bards.  For 
bards, their verbal components can be sung, and the somatic can be played.  
Material is stored in a special pouch and is consumed during the use, but 
does not have to be minipulated by the character.  Kind of a nice touch.  
This is of course optional.

Finally, there was some discussion on 1st edition bards included, though I 
havent really tried to digest it yet.

The artwork is reasonably good.  I didn't see any real editing blunders, but 
I have only read it once and haven't tried to play it yet.

If you play 2nd edition Bards, this is a must get book!

Rob Miracle
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