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100% Crunch: Zombies $5.99
Average Rating:4.7 / 5
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100% Crunch: Zombies
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100% Crunch: Zombies
Publisher: Raging Swan Press
by Thilo G. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 11/26/2012 03:11:57

This pdf is 39 pages long, 1 page front cover, 1 page advertisement, 2 pages of editorial, 1 page ToC/foreword, 1 page SRD, 1 page advice on how to read statblocks for novice DMs and 1 page back cover, leaving us with a total of 31 pages of content, so let's check this out!

After providing us with a nice tale of zombies by CR, we are introduced to tools of the trade for creating zombies - i.e. a step-to-step application and explanation of using the zombie-template as well as sample XP-values for given CRs etc. before we are introduced to essentially simple templates you can utilize to further add twists to the shambling undead: Fast Zombies (at CR+0), for example, are not staggered or as slow and can attack ferociously indeed - at the expense of lacking the trademark resiliency of their slower brethren. Of course, a template for Juju Zombies is given as well, as is one to create Plague Zombies, shambling undead that propagate via the disease zombie rot and burst when destroyed - can you say zombie plague with me?

A total of 14 different simple templates further expands your options, ranging from many-armed Mudra-zombies to brain-eating zombies (Brains, Brains, I won't lie - I'll eat their brains 'till they zombify...), exploding and alchemical variants, zombies that are hosts to different types of deadly swarms - the variety is here and in contrast to the first 100% Crunch-installment, I consider the templates more versatile and, while iconic, less been there, done that: Kudos, especially for the inclusion of the akata-spawned void zombie! (Of course, underequipped zombies, yellow musk zombies etc. are also here, just so you know.)

After that, we get comprehensive lists of suitable base-creatures to apply the templates to, organized by CR and racial HD as well as bestiary-source, organizing the resulting zombies in CRs spanning the gamut from CR 1/4 to CR 9 - and that's before you inflict all these joyous modifications on the undead!

And after this, we're off to the statblocks, which are also organized by CR for your convenience - which include zombie horses, apocalypse zombies (with plague, braineating and extra belligerent tracking skills..), elephant zombies, acid shark zombies (!!!! only the lasers are missing...) and even a variety od draconic zombies and zombified outsiders, which should go well with any death-cult or demon-worshipping (Orcus tolerates no failures!).

Conclusion: Editing and formatting are up to the stellar standard of near-perfection I've come to expect from Raging Swan Press. Layout adheres to RSP'S crisp and elegant 2-column b/w-standard and the pdf comes in two versions - one optimized for screen-use and one made for being printed out. Both pdfs are printer-friendly and fully bookmarked and the b/w-artworks are nice. How to rate this? Essentially, the 100%--crunch line is a godsend for beleaguered DMs lacking time. As those of you regularly following my reviews might know, I'm not a big fan of splatty books - and yet, this collection of zombie-stats and easily applicable templates, its supremely easy way of organizing the core-sources as well as the flawless stats practically require the verdict I'll give this pdf - 5 stars. Now if you REALLY want to utilize this book to the farthest reaches of its potential, be sure o get the STELLAR "So what's that Zombie like, anyways?" and perhaps "Dungeon Dressing: Corpses" for their victims and revel in the nice potential synergies between the three products, which are by no means required, but can make these pdfs rock even more.

Endzeitgeist out.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
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100% Crunch: Zombies
Publisher: Raging Swan Press
by Joshua G. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 10/28/2012 05:27:30

So, second up in the 100% Crunch series are Zombies. Benefiting from the very idea that a zombie's physical requirements for being a dangerous creation are very similar to the skeleton's the lists within this book are going to see some familiar races from the last installment in this series. But in no way does that necessarily detract from the cool factor. Having just finished the Skeletons tome shortly before delving into this one, I was like a kid skipping straight to the CR list to see what goodies would catch my eye this time...and to my ultimate delight the T-Rex was there. Also a Pit Fiend, an Ice Linnorm and a freaking Whale....oh the sheer bizarreness for zombieness this collection brings to the table.

So, for those not yet familiar with the series, the 100% Crunch line seeks to tackle some of the classics we all know and love, and not only streamline them down for time beleaguered Gms everywhere, but expand upon the stock we have all been using. Let's face it, as far as zombies go for the most part we're all picturing a shuffling humanoid, doing its thing trying to eat...but why does it have to be humanoid? Why can't it be a Dragon Turtle? Or a Girallon? Why, because most of us don't have the time to delve into the math of applying the template for zombie to a mass amount of cool races, that's why. And that is where this series is really kicking in to high gear.

A CR list with the offerings broken down by their levels of badassed-ness, the full zombie template presented here for sake of ease and completion. A variety of alternate zombie templates that should be familiar to most anyone, again here for the sake of completion. A handy listing of creatures from the three bestiaries, broken down by which book they can be found within and their CR/HD ratings, that would be perfect for zombification...and then a mass avalanche of zombie statblocks. Yeah, this book handles your zombie needs as a GM.

And, while we're discussing what all this pdf includes, there is a small section of lines that ALMOST borders on the concept of fluff. And it is those lines that I want to thank Julian Neale for the most, as these lines discuss the concepts of how one might go about getting their hands on certain bodies to use for zombification...bodies not of the norm, like perhaps planetars and such. A few races are suggested for their talents in planar travel, and the idea of them “harvesting” battlefields of various planes and worlds sparked an entire organization within my campaign world that even now rolls around in the back of my head. The ultimate grave robbers, trafficking in rare and unusual bodies. I love when a book sparks a thought that wont go away.

Editing and format are as to be expected from an excellent publisher like Raging Swan, and the layout adheres to the dual column format, with bookmarks and linked TOC. I can find nothing to complain about in terms of this product other than that I want MORE!

The 100% Crunch series continues with a second excellent entry, and has again earned a 5 star rating. Well worth the price of admission folks, the sheer amount of time you'll save as a GM demands this product be a part of your arsenal. Combine this with the excellent So What's the Zombie Like Anyway and you have the recipe for one seriously memorable horde of flesh hungry undeath to unleash on your PCs.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
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