fifth edition – Eric Watson

DMs Guild Review – Saltmarsh Encounters

A collection of 60 nautically-themed encounters for ship-bound (or ship-adjacent) adventures.

DMs Guild Review – Gunslinger Class Revised

A full level 1-20 player class focused entirely on guns.

A review copy of “Gunslinger Class Revised” was provided by the publisher. Find more DMs Guild Reviews on my website and YouTube channel.

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Designed by: Stratos Fotakis

I’m not a big fan of guns in the real world, but in a fantasy setting I think they’re fun as hell. I’m often drawn to the sharpshooters and dual pistol-wielders in any game or world that offers it. In D&D, adding guns to the mix raises some obvious balance concerns.

Thankfully “Gungslinger Class Revised” does an excellent job creating a balanced new class based entirely around guns for levels 1-20, including seven archetypes and lots of fun trick shots to perform.

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Tabletop Review – Beastlands’ Maelstrom of Monsters

A procedurally generated monster manual with nearly 300 monsters.

A review copy of “Beastlands’ Maelstrom of Monsters” was provided by the publisher. Find more Tabletop Reviews on my website and YouTube channel.

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Designed by: Todd Otto

“Procedurally generated” is a common buzzword (buzzphrase?) in gaming. It basically means content that is more intelligently randomly generated, involving parameters, settings, and algorithms.

“Beastlands’ Maelstrom of Monsters” is a procedurally generated monster manual. The 285 enemies within aren’t even generated until you purchase the PDF, creating a uniquely bizarre concoction of mad-libs Frankenstein monsters that I don’t see any DM wanting to actually use.

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DMs Guild Review – Red Jack: A Gothic Earth Adventure

Investigate a Jack the Ripper-style murder in late 19th century London in this level 1 Gothic Earth adventure.

A review copy of “Red Jack: A Gothic Earth Adventure” was provided by the publisher. Find more DMs Guild Reviews on my website and YouTube channel.

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Designed by: M. T. Black

I’m familiar with Jack the Ripper but less so with the Gothic Earth RPG setting, which was apparently introduced to Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition in the mid 90s. Famous literary characters like Sherlock Holmes exist in this alternate period universe, as does magic and supernatural creatures.

“Red Jack: A Gothic Earth Adventure” takes its major story cues and plot structure from a classic Holmes/Jack the Ripper murder mystery, distilled into a single D&D session for a new level 1 party.

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DMs Guild Review – The Art of War for D&D Players

A comprehensive rules guide and reference for D&D players.

A review copy of “The Art of War for D&D Players” was provided by the publisher. Find more DMs Guild Reviews on my website and YouTube channel.

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Designed by: M. T. Black

The Art of War is one of those classic books that everyone knows about but few have actually read (me included!). The Art of War for D&D Players is organized similarly to the original text on warfare and battlefield management, including quotes from Sun Tzu, providing a highlight reel of rules and information on rule, combat tactics, and recommended player builds.

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DMs Guild Review – That Sinking Feeling

Investigate mysterious shipwrecks that lead to a crooked mining operation in this mini-adventure for 9th level.

A review copy of “That Sinking Feeling” was provided by the publisher. Find more DMs Guild Reviews on my website and YouTube channel.

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Designed by: Peter “Zombie Pete” Aperlo

“That Sinking Feeling” stands out as one of the higher level adventures I’ve reviewed. Designed for a party of 9th level characters, it’s set in the port city of Murran, where the party offers to investigate a recent spat of mysterious shipwrecks. It’s a solid mini-adventure with multiple dungeons, though the plain layout (and grid maps) and minimal presentation are a major step backward.

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DMs Guild Review – The Slayer Class

The Slayer is a monster hunting ranger-rogue player class with five subclass specialties.

A review copy of “The Slayer Class” was provided by the publisher. Find more DMs Guild Reviews on my website and YouTube channel.

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Designed by: Jacob S. Kellogg

Another new player class, and another attempt to remake the oft-lamented ranger. “The Slayer Class” adds a new hunter class that follows the typical route of combining fighter, ranger, and rogue into a single monster-hunting class. Including five subclasses is impressive, but they’re all a bit too short and simple.

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