I recently reviewed the campaign setting book for Iron Kingdoms: Requiem, a Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition supplement for the Privateer Press fantasy world. Since I already covered the main rules, that cover is monochromatic this time, and I will take a look at the rest today.
Card Decks
Cards are generally unnecessary, but then again, they are handy reference items. Not only can you view your spell list and use the cards to indicate what is prepared, but you also get quick reference notes for requirements and effects so less thumbing through the rules is needed. It can streamline the game a lot.
The spell deck is a massive box of cards for all the classes and subclasses in the campaign setting book. There are separate backs for each class, and one set can cover an entire party if no one duplicated classes. Each card shows the basic information for each spell. On the downside, these are more like sports cards than playing cards. I don't care for the surface finish, and the corners should be more rounded to cope with use. Additionally, after opening the box and sorting the decks by class since they were all just inserted alphabetically with duplicate spells all together, the stack didn't fit easily into the original box for storage. I give this a B average. A for utility and value, C for usability and durability.
The Mechanika Deck uses the same card stock, but it makes more sense here because each item has gorgeous unique art. The other side has descriptions of the items, their effects in game, prerequisite components, and more. Useful for anyone using warjacks or mechanikal gizmos. I give this an A grade overall, no doubt about it.
The Iron Kingdoms setting requires its own foes to feel right and fit the atmosphere, so before we move on to the Monsternomicon, I should discuss the monster cards. These are again the same card stock, but it feels right to look at stats on something that feels like a sports card. Then again, these will be handled a lot, too. Details are continued on the back, and if you use these, you will probably use them heavily. I would prefer at least slightly rounded corners, and a linen finish like playing cards would enhance usability despite the loss in artistic detail. Another B grade here. Nonetheless, these are pretty comprehensive, and much cheaper than the Monsternomicon. Do we need the book at all?
Monsternomicon
Every adventure needs challenges, and sometimes the best challenges are meat piñatas the players hit until the experience points fall out. Since this is tied into a tabletop skirmish game, fighting is even more a major part of many possible adventures. Since this world differs from the typical D&D setting, the monsters need to reflect that, so this book fills that role.
Like the official Dungeons & Dragons supplement Volo's Guide to Monsters, this is written as an in-world book from the perspective of a character who lives in the setting. Each monster not only includes the monster statistics on the cards, but also descriptions of the monsters, their effects on observers, their habitats, etc. so unless the game master is already thoroughly immersed in the setting, the book is definitely a valuable addition.
The artwork, layout, and overall quality are good, as is the campaign setting book, but Privateer Press is already experienced in making durable rulebooks for their skirmish game, so this is no surprise. If you want to play in this setting, the Monsternomicon definitely earns an A grade. The only thing it might be missing is the inclusion of multiple ribbons for easy Game Master reference, but hey, I already have those cards.
Legend of the Witchfire
I have not yet tried running this adventure, but I have a fair amount of experience as a DM now, both homebrew and module, so I'm still willing to say this looks like a good starter adventure. It introduces the setting, offers a variety of scenarios for combat and skill checks, and ways to adjust it to fit the group of players at the table. There are enough ways to give a sense of urgency and consequence to keep the party engaged with the story, too. $20 seems a bit steep for a paperback, but it looks quite self-contained with stat blocks for enemies, great art, good layout, solid writing, and everything else you would want to play an adventure. This supplement and the core rulebook alone would be all you need to explore the setting completely. The Monsternomicon and cards are all optional if you want to build something after this story concludes. This gets another A.
Maps
The poster of the Iron Kingdoms is completely unnecessary for the game, but who doesn't love maps? I need a poster frame for this.
For running a game, the smaller map tiles on thin cardstock look very useful. If you prefer a wet-erase grid as pictured in this post, you don't need these cards, but these are versatile enough to work in any setting. I'd drop it to a B just because the card is thin.
Conclusion
Groups need at least one copy of the campaign setting book for the game master, and ideally one per player as well. Next in importance is probably the adventure module with its self-contained story and monsters. After that, the Monsternomicon. Everything else is more situational, but can make the game run better if used properly. Just don't forget that everything here is also a supplement to the core Dungeons and Dragons game, so you will also need the Player's Handbook and Dungeon Master's Guide.
Dungeons and Dragons is an expensive game, but a good role playing game can last for years and lets you create stories you will remember for a lifetime. This supplement offers a whole new world to explore on top of the opportunities in the base game. These accessories vary in importance, but nothing strikes me as deficient, or even merely mediocre. This is a good product line overall.
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