This 10 page PDF (13 with front cover, Credits & OGC declaration) provides a fully-fleshed out group of 4 NPCs, each of whom are part of a SAS (UK Special Air Service) Patrol, 12 Patrol in this case, for use in D20 modern campaigns. Information is provided on how to use 12 Patrol in a campaign. Each character description includes a stat block, two lists of common possessions, one kitted for when the character is operating ?in the field?, and one in plain clothes/undercover missions. Also provided are a number of role-playing blurbs for each character, a story hook is provided for each character, providing reasons why they might be involved with the PC?s, Also included are notes on Personality, Aptitude, Failing, Goal, Motivation, some sample quotes, and also notes on the type of tactics the character would employ in a standard combat, a long range engagement, a short-range engagement, and a melee battle.
The four NPC?s are T. James Mackay, the multi-lingual survival specialist, and commander of 12 Patrol (Smart Hero 2/Fast Hero 3/Soldier 2/Infiltrator2/Gunslinger 2: CR 11.) Next is Staff Sgt. Jack Lewis, the hard drinking 12 Patrol ?Shooter? (Fast Hero 3/Dedicated Hero 2/Gunslinger 1/Soldier 4; CR 10.) Ready for inspection next, is Sgt. August MacDonald, the blunt, gregarious Scout for 12 Patrol (Dedicated Hero 3/Fast Hero 2/Infiltrator 2/Soldier 3; CR 10.) Rounding out 12 patrol is Sgt. Daniel Allen, the nigh-arrogant and religion grounded 12 patrol medic (Dedicated Hero 3/ Smart Hero 2/Soldier 2/Field Medic 3; CR 10.) All of 12 Patrol are highly competent, as befits Special Forces members, so the GM will want to be careful to not overshadow the PCs.
As in other Teams products by DQG; the NPC?s have well drawn personalities and include hooks for including them in your campaign.
Also included are stats for several uncommon and in some cases, newly adopted weapons. The Colt Canada C7A1 & C8A1 (Canadian M16 variants, adopted by UK forces), the HK53A1 (a cut down version of the German HK33 assault rifle, basically an over-gunned SMG that fires the 5.56 NATO rifle round). The Heckler & Koch MP7 PDW (Personal Defense Weapon), a very new (I hadn?t heard of it, and I lurves me some Gun Porn) subcompact automatic used by 2nd line troops, vehicle crews and other personnel who don?t carry assault rifles. It entered production in 2001, British MP units adopted it in 2005, and it was just adopted by German troops. It fires 4.6x30mm HK ammo, a special low-impulse, high-velocity ammunition, capable of penetration of current military body armor and helmets at ranges of 100 meters and beyond. Last is the Sig Sauer P228 auto-loader, a compact version of Sig?s fine P226 automatic pistol. There are no illustrations of the weapons, which is a minor failing, especially with regards to the MP7 and HK53, as most people will never have heard of nor seen them, even closet Gun Pron lovers like myself.
The PDF is laid out in a two columns with a comfortable amount of whitespace; however, a sans serif is used throughout for the body text, which appears to be Arial or a similar font, which makes extensive reading a bit tiresome. The header uses a red texture over a set of ?3d? bars, with a similar bar graphic for the footer of each page. Each character section is highlighted by a grey button done with a pillow emboss which is both pleasing and makes for quick referencing. As this was the screen version, I don?t know if the header and footer graphics are included in the print version, if they are, they will suck up quite a bit of ink. The art is fairly sparse, each character has a line-art head shot, one of which looks oddly disproportionate and off. Also included are a couple pieces of stock art. The cover features a gray swoosh above a montage of military/espionage stock photos, and looks ok. Overall the layout and graphics are passable, but didn?t provide a cohesive feel to me.
Overall, this is a good product, providing D20 Modern GM?s with a believable squad of SAS Operators (though they could have been made to feel a bit more characteristically ?British?). They can be readily used by a GM, with little work, either as a group or individually. I recommend it to GM?s running a SpecOps type of campaign.
<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: Character failings and motivation RP blurbs.
<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Serif font used as body text. No Gun Pron Pics!<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br><BR>[THIS REVIEW WAS EDITED]<BR>
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