Werewolf: The Apocalypse

For the first time players this book is great. It has everything you need to run a new rpg adventure. If you have the 2nd edition you do not need this book, but it does have a clearer and more organized layout than the second edition. There are also some claifications on gifts and new combat rules, but nothing that makes it worth more than $10-15 if you already have 2nd edition.

For those who enjoy epic level battles where the little guy rises to power and glory only through a constant struggle against overwhelming odds, Werewolf will deliver that in spades. For those who enjoy the mixture of intense combat and deep spiritual reverence, Werewolf will deliver that in spades. And for those who wish to understand and appreciate the contrast between being man and wolf, Werewolf is the one for you.None of the other White Wolf games can deliver the above, without truly playing outside their intended mood. Werewolf is a game of horror - of loosing your loved ones to horrific monsters; of failing in your duty to protect the Earth; and of betraying the trust that others (werewolf, spirit, and mortal alike) place in you. Take the phenominal powers bestowed upon you and decide whether it is time to unleash your fury on your enemies, or gently share your wisdom with the next generation.Feel the fear of despiration. See your foes all around you. The world crumbles as the last memories of your ancestors drifts away like whisps of fog. When will YOU rage?

I wanted to start playing an RPG with my friends. I heard Dungeons & Dragons was way too complicated so a friend suggested Werewolf.My friends and I have been playing every Thursday for about a month now and we're having a -blast-. This book really helped us beginners flesh out our first characters, and taught the history of the Garou (what the werewolves call themselves).I'd say my only complaint is that some of the art wasn't all that great, but there is also a lot of good art. So that didn't affect my star rating.I'd suggest getting the Werewolf Player's Guide as well, as it gets into a little more detail than this book. And don't forget to hit the local game shop to get a set of D-10 dice!

So we are to expect a lot from this book, and it does certainly satisfied my expectations. It has great artwork, with lots of info on everything in the Garou Nation and the Apocalypse. As a storyteller, I strongly recommend this book in order to use werewolf for or against players. Also a werewolf chronicle might proove great fun if the players are adequate.

I agree that this 3rd edition is not a complete redue of the 2nd but it adds desperately needed changes: subtle but important rules changes (esp in the combat section), drastically improved artwork and an update of the situations presented by White Wolf in their ever changing world. Ex: With the destruction of the Sept of the Snow Leopard in Tibet, the Stargazers are pulling their small numbers back to the east to attempt to save their tribe, becoming more a part of the Beast Courts in the east than of the more 'western' tribes.The new rules include those things introduced in the Vampire 3rd like different catagories of damage (bashing/lethal/aggrivated), fine tuning the combat system (which needed it) and adding/replacing new gifts and fetishes (I haven't gone through the rituals section to see if they added anything there.)I do not agree that it is a waste of money. If you are new to the game, pick up this 3rd ed. If you have played before, leave the expanded information on cosmology and history to the vast number of suppliments that treat those subjects in detail (Rage Across the Heavens, Guardians of the Caerns, Croatan Song, the Mage suppliment Spirit Ways, etc). This book improves combat, adds more details and options for pack tactics and totem interaction plus much more.For those of you who don't know much about the Werewolf genre it is the best gaming background I've ever experienced in an RPG; leaving itself open to give something to everyone- bloodthirsty combat, intense emotional turmoil, spiritual beauty, and what it all boils down to-characters who belong to a society whose underlying goal is something good, to defend life, creativity and beauty, even though they are loosing the war. Hack n' Slashers (roll-players), Pure Roleplayers and Storytellers of all genres (horror, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, tragedy, and more) can all find something to share in the Werewolf universe.