Book of Artifacts

by David Zeb Cook

Part of the core rules to the AD&D second edition game system, this book provides detailed information on magical items and how to make them. Ages 12 and up. All players and game masters. Illustrations, some in color.

Genres: Role Playing Games, Gaming, Fantasy, Dungeons and Dragons, Games

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

David "Zeb" Cook is an American game designer best known for his work at TSR, Inc., where he was employed for over fifteen years. Cook grew up on a farm in Iowa where his father worked as a farmer and a college professor. In junior high school, Cook playing wargames such as Avalon Hill's Blitzkrieg and Afrika Korps. "I was primarily a wargamer, but there wasn't any role-playing available then," although in college, he was introduced to the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game through the University of Iowa gaming club. Cook earned his B.A. in English (with a Theater minor) in 1977. He married his high school sweetheart, Helen, with whom he had one son, Ian. Cook became a high school teacher in Milligan, Nebraska, where his students gave him his nickname of "Zeb"; the name derives from his signature, which is dominated by a stroke resembling a 'Z'.

Reviews

[Juho Pohjalainen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many of the artifacts in this book are pretty imaginitive and interesting, but on the whole it's largely made obsolete by Encyclopedia Magica. Some additional rules and guidelines about creating, recharging, and handling magic items are still useful, though.

[Malum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does what it says on the tin: details a bunch of artifacts for use in your game, some being more interesting than others.

As a side bonus, it also has information on magical item creation and recharging.

[Arthur B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usefully expands the artifact concept for 2E AD&D from the more bare-bones treatment of the subject in 1E. Full review: https://refereeingandreflection.wordp...

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, another book that is helpful in the game. It's got useful ideas not to mention interesting ideas, and it's also a ball to read. Magic items galore and you really have to fight the temptation to use them...some can really unbalance a game. But boy is it still fun.

[Abraham Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book of 2nd edition dnd artifacts