Twilight: 2000
Merc: 2000 Referee's Screen

Review


Title: Twilight: 2000/Merc: 2000 Referee's Screen
Company: GDW
Category: RPG Supplement
Reviewer: Jimmie W. Pursell Jr.

Lock and load, time to rock. This supplement follows the same format as the earlier folio releases from GDW; it contains a three-panel screen and a 16-page booklet.

The screen itself is an array of charts and tables used frequently in Twilight: 2000. It displays Human/animal and vehicle hit location, combat movement, body armor protection, burn damage, and a host of other charts and tables.

While the charts and tables are convenient, the most useful part of the supplement is the expansion booklet. The most dramatic section is the D20 systems update. Though the new system was supposed to bring the game in line with its sister product, Dark Conspiracy, the systems are not identical. To put it simply, the new skill numbers are the total of the skill and governing attributes. This decision simplified the update process, because it is not necessary to change any numbers on the character sheet, simply add the two numbers and note the total next to the skill. For example, a character who formerly had a small arms skill of 5 and a strength of 6, now has a target number of 11.

In addition to the D20 expansion, the supplement also has several long needed rules' additions. The most important one, and the only one I'll mention here, are the skill-based automatic weapons' rules. The design decision made for second edition Twilight: 2000 to remove skill from the automatic fire rules has been called into question by many gamers. For that reason, the guys at GDW modified the system to account for skill. The regular recoil system is used to determine the number of dice rolled, but now a D20 is rolled against an impossible level task to determine whether or not each round hits. To give an idea of the number required, it equates to roughly half of the character's former small arms' skill.

Though the system is a giant leap forward for Twilight: 2000, it has a few problems. The rules section on unskilled use of tasks disagrees with the chart on the subject. In addition, many players will disagree with the small arms target numbers; strength is added to the skill to reach a to hit number. So the stronger you are, the better you shoot? Not!

Though a few gaps and inconsistencies exist, the product as a whole is excellent and a must for Twilight: 2000 referees.

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