The Complete Book of Villains (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition)

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Summary: One of the most useful tools TSR has ever produced . . .
Review: . . . in or out of AD&D. I say that because, although I don't DM anymore, I still use this book. The title is a bit deceiving-- although it's useful for creating villains, it can be used equally well for creating any sort of NPC, and almost as well for creating characters in any other role-playing system or none at all! This book takes characters off the paper and into flesh with a helpful system and ideas for creating backgrounds, motives, resources available, organizations, and abilities. One of the most useful guides for a DM.

Rating:
Summary: oh yeah baby
Review: Don't be fooled by the title. Although this book definately focuses on villains, there are tons of plain ol' good ideas in here that apply equally well to neutral or even good organizations and individuals. ANY focal organization or individual in your campaign can be truly fleshed out with some of the ideas presented herein. As always, you'll get more out of this reference if you contribute some of your own uniqueness to it. It makes a fantastic springboard for your own imagination to run rampant.

Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: One of the most useful tools TSR has ever produced . . .
Review: Have a good story plot but want to throw some extra spice and give an older villan new spice or need one right a way this book is good for all dms who want to go beyond the Monster Manuals

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Summary: Good way to get some Villans
Review: Have a good story plot but want to throw some extra spice and give an older villan new spice or need one right a way this book is good for all dms who want to go beyond the Monster Manuals

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Summary: Marvelous resourse to jump-start one's creativity!
Review: I found myself using this book over and over again in order to gain interesting hints on how to flesh out believable villains and other bogies. It gives clear, readily usable, and concise tactics of creation of everything starting with the antagonists and finishing with their dinner habits. Can be used in any system.

Rating:
Summary: Good for ANY Gaming system
Review: This book is useful for a GM in ANY system. Like the "Campaign Sourcebook and Catacomb Guide," it provides methods useful in any campaign, in any RPG. It focuses on designing villains who are memorable, engaging, and realistic. And it does a *very* good job of teaching you how to do so.

If you want a campaign with villains that just suck your players right in and get them seriously wanting to take on the villain for his own evil rather than the rewards they can get, you should buy this book.

Rating:
Summary: Good for ANY Gaming system
Review: This book is useful for a GM in ANY system. Like the "Campaign Sourcebook and Catacomb Guide," it provides methods useful in any campaign, in any RPG. It focuses on designing villains who are memorable, engaging, and realistic. And it does a *very* good job of teaching you how to do so.

If you want a campaign with villains that just suck your players right in and get them seriously wanting to take on the villain for his own evil rather than the rewards they can get, you should buy this book.