Alien Invaders 1: The Taxob-Zhin
From: Ronin Arts
Reviewed by: Ron McClung
Alien Invaders 1: The Taxob-Zhin is a new Mutants & Masterminds d20 PDF Supplement from Michael Hammes & Ronin Arts.
I am familiar with d20 and have only glanced at Mutants & Masterminds (M&M) briefly. I have heard so many good things about M&M, I was intrigued even though I do not traditionally play super hero games. Ronin Art’s Alien Invaders 1: The Taxob-Zhin is the first installment in a new series of PDF’s for M&M Superlink. Each of the PDFs in this series introduces a new alien species complete with background information, statistics, combat tactics, and suggestions for using it in a M&M Superlink campaign. These aliens are written up for GM use, but information is provided if the GM wishes to make the Taxob-Zhin available as player heroes.
From page #2:
“The few Taxob-Zhin that remain are the remnants of a once prolific and advanced race of trans-dimensional aliens that destroyed their home world in their relentless drive for technology.”
Content: Taxob-Zhin are an intelligent race of photosynthetic amphibious aliens whose most prominent physical features are their three quad-jointed arms, three legs, and three frog-like eyes (pg 2) . The cover is an incredible well-drawn depiction of this create, and it is rather fearsome looking. They have sharp, thorn-like claws that emerge from the tops of the wrists and feet and averages between five and five-and-a-half feet in height. Despite their shorter and slighter nature, the average Taxob-Zhin is as strong and robust as the average human.
Their origin is yet another story of environmental irresponsibility on a once plush, paradise-like world. In the end, the entire race was nearly wiped out by an industrial accident involving a vicious virus – all save a small cult of anti-technology zealots. (Nightmare of Green Peace and PETA being the only surviving humans runs shivers down my spine…we would be doomed!) Although the author sets them up as a trans-dimensional race, it does supply alternative origins if the GM does not want to bring in dimensional travel into his campaign.
Using The Taxob-Zhin In Your Campaign gives the reader ideas on how to bring this race into their M&M campaign, whether it be Grim & Gritty or Four-Color. The Four-Color approach makes them intergalactic and interdimensional ecoterrorists while the Grim & Gritty allows for more dimensions in their pursuit to stop technology from destroying worlds. In the end, however, it is totally up the GM on how to handle the Taxob-Zhin in their campaign.
The author then supplies two character sheets for the typical Taxob-Zhin – one a Shaman, the other a Warrior. More on those later. Following these is a short description of combat tactics of each, as well as rules on playing Taxob-Zhin as a player race. Closing out the e-book is a description of their primary device, the Transdimensional Conduit, as well as a description of their weakness – total darkness.
From page #2:
“… the first installment in a new series of PDF’s for M&M Superlink.”
System: The two characters supplied are both Power Level 10. The Shamans are gifted with powers of Plant Control and Super Wisdom. The Warriors, loyal bodyguards of the shaman, have Super Strength.
Layout: This is a sharp-looking, well laid-out PDF. The background is not too overwhelming but it definitely sets it apart from other PDFs. The single piece of artwork in the alien drawing is quality work. I like a good picture of a creature like this so I can just hold it up to my players and say, “You see something like this…”
In conclusion, this is a good PDF for fans of M&M , and with a little conversion work, can be used by any d20 fan. The alien is reasonably original and versatile for use in most any sci-fi or super hero plot line. I look forward to more works in this series.
For more details on Michael Hammes and their new Mutants & Masterminds d20 PDF Supplement “Alien Invaders 1: The Taxob-Zhin” check them out at their website http://www.roninarts.com/ and at all of your local game stores.
Alien Invaders 1: The Taxob-Zhin
From: Ronin Arts
Type of Game:Mutants & Masterminds d20 PDF Supplement
Written by Michael Hammes
Illustrated by Bradley K. MCDevitt
Production by Philip Reed
Number of Pages: 10
Game Components Included: One PDF Sourcebook
Game Components Not Included:Mutants & Masterminds d20 Core Rulebook
Retail Price: $ 2,50 (US)
Item Number: pjr175
Website: http://www.roninarts.com/
Reviewed by: Ron McClung