Gamma World is one of the oldest paper-and-pencil role-playing games, first published in 1978 during the ascendancy of Dungeons & Dragons. Detailing a loony, post-apocalyptic future of mutant badgers and excessively dangerous weapons, Gamma World was the radioactive country cousin of D&D.
There have been half a dozen editions over the years, and now comes number seven: a slick boxed set marketed as D&D Gamma World and based on the current version of the Dungeons & Dragons rules set.
The old-school nuclear Armageddon has been replaced by a 21st Century disaster. In the new backstory, our world ends in 2012 when the Large Hadron Collider causes dozens of parallel universes to collapse in upon each other, creating a combined reality. But there are still mutant badgers.
What's in the Box: A 160-page rulebook that covers character creation, combat, monsters, tips for game masters and a sample adventure. Two double-sided battle maps. Two sheets of character and creature tokens. Character sheets. A deck of 80 Alpha Mutation and Omega Tech cards, plus an 8-card booster pack.
First Impressions: At its core, this is a stripped-down version of 4th Edition D&D. That's not a criticism, merely an observation. As a fan of 4E, I'm happy to see that--a few notable changes aside--I can pretty much jump in and play.
Character creation is intentionally quick. As heroes max out at 10th Level (as opposed to D&D's thirty levels), it's clear that you're not intended to enjoy a long, happy career. No magical healing + notoriously undependable future technology = rolling up a new mutant. Fortunately, the character sheet walks you right through the process.
There are no feats in the trim rules set, and skills have been reduced to a mere ten. (One of which is "Conspiracy.") There are no action points or healing surges.
Races and classes are replaced by "origins": everything from Android to Yeti. Each character gets two, randomly-determined origins. While some of the options seem very specific--Rat Swarm, for instance--the game encourages creativity in the way they combine. (One given example is a Seismic/Hawkoid re-skinned into a gargoyle.)
One controversial aspect of this edition of Gamma World is the introduction of collectible cards. In addition to the powers granted by their origins, characters draw from a deck of Alpha Mutation cards that represent temporary abilities. Similarly, loot comes in the form of Omega Tech cards that describe futuristic hardware. While the Mutations are replaced after each encounter, Tech cards can potentially carry over...assuming that they don't break, run out of ammo or explode. Skillful characters can salvage broken Tech into permanent gear.
The components are excellent; there's a lot of value in the box. The token sheets are made of heavy cardboard and punch out easily. I'm not a big fan of chits in tabletop role-playing games, but given the unlikelihood of Gamma World-specific miniatures being produced, it's nice to see that every one of the 25 monsters detailed in the core rulebook is represented by multiple tokens.
The Final Word: I haven't had a chance to play it yet, but this new version of Gamma World looks like a good time. The rules are loosey-goosey and the emphasis is on random wackiness. It should be a fun change of pace from your weekly dungeon crawl.
Hi!
This Saturday we are doing the World-Wide Game day for the new Gamma World editon. Starting at
1pm, each participant will recieve two packs of GW boosters to use in the session at no charge.
the 31st of October, starting at 1pm, will be the Scars of Mirrodin World Wide Game Day. Format is
Constructed Standard, and no charge for entry. We'll do two tournament, having space and promo
cards for 60 people total. Dont forget you can faction your deck by haing at least 10 faction cards in
the deck. The two highest placing faction decks for each faction will recieve a faction-specific promo.
On 20 Nov, we are doing a Silent Auction/Flea Market here at the store from 1pm to 8pm. More details
as I work them out.
David Thiel wrote a review of the New Gamma world, check it out. It will be on the blog and the FB
page later tonight.
Deathwatch is out and it looks pretty cool. Course, space marine character armored is about 2.1
meters in height, no stealth expected.
The new starter boxes for Warmachine are out as well.
Still got 4 bags of shipping peanuts, please come and get 'em, i dont want to throw them away.
Special Orders:
CHA COC Mansions of Madness (c.fairfield)
FFG WW Series 4 Airplanes (A-L) (p.hall)
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New Stuff:
RolePlaying:
DCG Folio Series: Stones River $19.95
FFG Deathwatch WH40K RPG Core Book $59.95
FFG Deathwatch GM;s Toolkit $19.95
IPG PF KOL World Guide $12.99
IPG PF KOL All Hands on Deck! $12.99
IPG PF KOL The Hidden Threat $12.99
S2P SW Strike Force 7 $19.99
WOC D&D RPG Dice Set $12.99
WOC D&D ESS Rules Compendium $19.95
WOC D&D CMG Lords of Madness $21.99
WOC D&D GW Gamma World RPG Box $39.99
Card Games:
FFG COC LCG Wailer Below AP $14.95
IPG Knock Down, Drag Out $14.99
FFG GOT LCG Kings of the Storm Exp $29.95
FFG GOT LCG Mountains o/t Moon CP $14.95 *2
FFG COC LCG Domain Statue $19.95 *2
FFG COC LCG Screams from Within AP $14.95 *2
OOC Lifeboat Exp #1 Cannabalism $5.00
OOC Lifeboat Exp #2 Cannabalism $5.00
Miniatures:
PIP WM CG Battlegroup Box Set MK II Plastic $49.99
PIP WM PT Battlegroup Box Set MK II Plastic $49.99
PIP WM KH Battlegroup Box Set MK II Plastic $49.99
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RPR DH Exotic Idol $21.99
RPR DH Mi-Sher Dervish Warrior $3.99
RPR DH Classics Dark Elves $8.99
RPR DH Dead Man's Chest $6.99
RPR Mousling Heroes $24.99
RPR Halloween Mouslings $7.49
HeroClix:
WZK DC HC Classics Batman vs Two Face BP $6.95
WZK DC HC Classics Batman vs Joker BP $6.95
WZK DC HC Classics Batman Arkham Escape MP $14.95
Magazines:
GAW White Dwarf Mag #368 $9.00
Books:
OSP Fortifications Egypt 3000-1780BC $18.95
OSP MAA Frederick the Greats Allies $17.95
OSP MAA Chinese Warlord Armies 1911-1930 $17.95
OSP MAA WWII Soviet Armed Forces (1) $17.95
BoardGames:
MFG Lemming Mafia $35.00
ZMG Kings & Things $70.00
Restock:
LOO Fluxx
ASM Jungle Speed
