the arcanum 2nd edition stand alone fantasy rpg system adventure d & d

Description

the arcanum 2nd edition stand alone fantasy rpg system adventure d & d. Condition is "Used". Shipped with USPS Priority Mail Envelope. This book is used; some signs of wear, minor creases on the back.
The Arcanum
is a
role-playing game
by
BardGames
. Like many
early published systems
, it closely followed the tropes of
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons
andother contemporary games, such as
Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game
.The game is set in an Atlantis of the Antidiluvian Age, 10,000 to 12,000 yearsBCE, in a mythological land similar to Earth.
Arcanum can be used as anadjunct to your own fantasy-roleplaying game--it's a great source of conceptsand ideas--or as a standalone system, with just a few tweaks.
The greatest strength is the array of charactertypes: 32 classes and over a half-dozen races. Everything is close to the"classic D&D" standard, but distinctive enough to offer someinteresting and unexpected twists.
The mechanics are quite simple: a basic d20 rollfor most results, armor subtracts from damage, etc. Fans of detailedcombat-tweaking and complex maneuvers will be disappointed here, but I'm notamong them.
One standout feature is that spellcasters (otherwisequite strong despite their lack of armor, given their ability to select spellsat casting time--no "memorizing") have a unique handicap in combatsituations. In direct, face-to-face confrontations, they can't fire anythingmore than 1st-level spells. This encourages them to stay out of the line offire and let the warriors and physical combatants step forward. Teamwork is thekey to a successful combat scene.
The spell lists are brief, but cover most of thecommon effects you've seen in other games (magic bolt, darkness, charms, etc.).And with so many classes, there are NINE TYPES of magic to choosefrom--including some dual-classes that combine aspects of two differentschools. (Where else can you find a Monk class separate from the Martial Artistand the Mystic?)
Arcanum probably strikes many modern gamers asdated, and this book alone isn't enough to flesh out a complete world withmonsters, NPCs, etc. But a lot of the concepts are solid, and the core focus onsimplicity and balance is commendable.
Enjoy this rare classic!