Are you a Dungeons & Dragons fan but wish it had lasers, aliens and intersteller travel? Perhaps, like me you're old enough to remember Treasure Planet being released in cinemas, and wanted to play a game of D&D that would let you unleash your inner 'Robot Louis Stevenson' If so, Spelljammer: Adventures in Space is tailor-made for you.
This expansion from Wizards of the Coast reintroduces the beloved Spelljammer setting, offering a fresh and exhilarating twist on traditional D&D gameplay. Let's embark on a detailed journey through the cosmos to uncover why this product is a must-have for your collection and why you should grab it from Zatu Games.
What is Spelljammer in D&D?
How to play Spelljammer D&D 5e?
New Spelljammer books 2024
Spelljammer ship rules
Spelljammer campaign setting
The Spelljammer Slipcase Set
Spelljammer is an expansive three-book slipcase set that provides everything needed to launch your campaigns into the stars:
The Astral Adventurer’s Guide: This is your comprehensive manual for navigating the Spelljammer universe. It introduces new spacefaring mechanics, six unique player races, and intriguing backgrounds, all designed to immerse players in the vastness of wildspace and the Astral Sea.
Boo’s Astral Menagerie: Acting as a specialised Monster Manual, this book brims with astral creatures, from the whimsical to the terrifying. Expect to encounter Lovecraftian horrors, lunar and solar dragons, and the delight vampirates.
Light of Xaryxis: This adventure module spans 10-12 sessions, taking players from levels 5-8. The narrative kicks off with an assault on the players’ homeworld by Astral Elves, leading to a grandiose quest through space, filled with thrilling battles and cosmic intrigue.
The set even includes a Dungeon Master’s screen, ooooo, I know right!
A Universe of Possibilities
The Astral Adventurer’s Guide introduces six new races that bring a unique flavour to your character creation:
Astral Elves: These celestial beings have honed their abilities in the Astral Plane, offering features like starlight step and astral trance.
Autognomes: Sentient constructs built by gnomes, providing unique resistances and functionalities.
Giff: Muscular, hippo-like humanoids with a love for firearms and a military ethos.
Hadozee: Simian-like creatures capable of gliding and using their feet as hands.
Plasmoids: Amorphous beings with the ability to reshape their bodies and survive in extreme conditions.
Thri-Kreen: Insectoid warriors with telepathic communication and natural camouflage.
Gameplay Mechanics and Adventures
Light of Xaryxis is the highlight of the set, offering a structured yet flexible adventure that propels players into epic spacefaring quests. The storyline begins on a conventional D&D planet and swiftly transitions into the stars, pitting players against formidable Astral Elves and introducing them to asteroid cities and spacefaring vessels.
The Astral Adventurer’s Guide provides essential rules for space travel and combat, emphasising a swashbuckling, action-packed style.
While some may find the mechanics a bit simplified, this approach keeps the gameplay fast-paced and thrilling. However, the lore provided is broad rather than deep, offering a framework that encourages DMs to fill in the gaps with their own creativity.
Art and Presentation
The visual presentation of Spelljammer is nothing short of stunning. The artwork captures the vibrant, chaotic energy of wildspace, with cosmic vistas and fantastical creatures that leap off the page.
The included DM screen is pretty spicy and has all the useful stats you need for functional aspects of the game, providing quick access to crucial information and the artwork on it is both beautiful and sets the right scene for a space pirates adventure.
Criticisms and Considerations
The three books are relatively short, each around 64 pages, which might leave some players wanting more detailed lore and mechanics. The simplified rules for space travel and ship maintenance might not satisfy those seeking a more granular and realistic system. However, for many, the streamlined approach enhances the overall fun and accessibility of the game.
To be honest I love the ship mechanics, so much so that after 3 attempts to find the right mechanics for ships in Roll Britannia, I have settled on these official rules to be the best set to use (ignoring the space travel part our pirate adventure).
Spelljammer is a pretty exciting addition to the D&D universe, offering a perfect blend of fantasy and sci-fi.Its vibrant races, imaginative creatures, and engaging adventure make it a standout product for any D&D collection. If you're ready to take your campaign to the stars, consider purchasing this set from Zatu Games, known for their excellent prices and top-notch service.
So why not embrace the chaos of wildspace, battle vampirates, and explore the endless possibilities of the Astral Sea with Spelljammer: Adventures in Space. It’s time to set sail for the stars and embark on an adventure like no other!
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