Now I just want to check that all the "Tradecraft" sections (other than those that specifically call out movies etc) is real-world info? It seems to be, but not being as familiar as I should be with the genre/trade I don't want to make too many assumptions.
It is. Nothing fabricated in there at all.
It was really the Tradecraft section that I was commenting wasn't a 'reading' section, the WoF stuff flows nicely and gives a good introduction to someone who's only experience of it is conversations on this very board (and it's predecessors) having never played the cardgame or read the fiction. While I'm still not sure if I'll run the setting, it's cemented in my mind that I'll pick up the support .pdf's for more background info anyway (assuming they have more background info - if entirely mechanical stuff I'd pick it up anyway for looting).
They'll have both.
The rules section I found somehow dissappointing, though I think that's less a reflection on the product, and more to do with my overblown expectactions. A section for gear would've been nice, even if it was only translating some of the real-world and prominent WoF gadgets into examples - not so much for me, but as a convenient thing to show my players (or indeed other beginning groups) who are still a little confused on the gadget system.
We're planning a gadget article for S&P, and may yet produce a gadget supplement. It's strong enough on its own that it doesn't really work as part of a compendium like this.
I'm not quite sure the comparatively massive amount of Melee feats in the book are really in their proper home, as they don't seem the sort of thing 'proper' spies should concentrate on - though with my players preferring melee over ranged a lot of the time I can't say I'm unhappy to see them.
The Nine Tiger Dynasty is a huge source of melee and unarmed goodness, which is why they wound up in there.
I'm in a bit of an awkward position here, as I don't want to give away too much of the book in my ramblings, as I'm painfully aware that most don't have it yet. My overall feeling is positive, and I'm pretty sure that for the Rules section alone this'll be one of the books that I lug to sessions regardless of setting.
Glad to hear it, and thanks for not spoiling the book for everyone else. We're still a bit out from the mass release.
NB: Looks really well edited, I've yet to find any editing gaffs or even spelling errors in the book - it's more polished than most large companies have managed.
Thanks! That's personally quite gratifying.
I think I'll have to put together an actual review now that I've had some time to process the book.
Please. We could really use some reviews, especially any that migrate out to ENWorld, RPGNet, and other places.
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