B/X Companion - Becker vs. Barrataria

So I know I'm late to the party here, and lots has already been said about this, but I just got my copy yesterday. I'm reading through it now and plan to post a review soon. Just wanted to give everyone a heads' up. I understand that Mr. Becker is sold out of these and is awaiting a second print run. If you can pick this up and are a fan of Moldvay/Cook or Labyrinth Lord, definitely pick it up.

So far, I have to say that it far outshines the version put out by Barrataria Games, which is too much of a move towards AD&D, includes a few too many d20-isms (such as adventuring kits for equipment), and is FAR too tied to Barrataria's campaign setting. That's not to denigrate their effort in any way; I own it and rather enjoy it;it's got some good stuff and would work well and serves a very worthwhile purpose as a Labyrinth Lord supplement. And while it is tied to Barrataria's campaign setting, these elements are easily divorced from the rules therein, so it's definitely and eminently usable in a generic sense. But it doesn't have that free and open feel that the original B/X rules had, and as a "true to the source" Companion effort, Mr. Becker's far outshines what is out there to date.

Detailed review forthcoming.

Comments

  1. Timothy S. BrannanOctober 13, 2010 at 10:56 AM

    Awesome.
    I love the B/X Companion and think it is a great bit of work.

    ReplyDelete
  2. JBOctober 13, 2010 at 11:49 PM

    Thank you for the kind words...I'm glad you enjoyed the book! I was very pleased with how it turned out.
    : )

    ReplyDelete

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