13 True Ways

by Rob Heinsoo, Jonathan Tweet, Robin D. Laws

Genres: Role Playing Games, Fantasy, Gaming

256 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2014

Reviews

[Michael Burnam-Fink · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm conflicted about 13th Age, I really am. On the one hand, it's almost my ideal fantasy RPG system, keeping the designed tightness of D&D 4e while dropping the most finicky parts of the tactical battle system. Classes in 13th Age are a fast 10 levels, with unique talents and powers, none of the "screw it, just play a cleric" mess of D&D 3.x. But I've never managed to run a campaign of it that's lasted more than 3 sessions. And while the map may look like generic fantasy, the world is very different, with flying islands, giant beasts, demigodly icons that walk with the PCs, and the end of an Age at hand.

13 True Ways extends the 13th Age core with six new classes, including the jack of all trades druid and super cool occultist. The commander and monk feel more like misses, though, and the chaos mage's core mechanic of not knowing what spells he's casting until the round before seems like a recipe for boring delay of game.

The book rounds out the setting, with descriptions of the major cities, lots of rumors, a whole new collection of devils to serve as tough nemesis, and some example NPCs and locations. It's imaginative, but I don't feel inspired to run this game, so much as impressed at the cleverness of the designers. Who knows, maybe one day.

[Garrett Henke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second corebook for 13th Age, 13 True Ways continues on with their asymmetrical classes and then some. The six new classes in this book are an absolute blast to play and are each filled with mechanics that are stylish and exciting. Taking the level of gonzo up a notch, 13 True Ways makes the game even more over the top thus further separating itself from traditional D&D.