Probably the most important thing when creating a new edition of any setting or system is what’s new compared to the currently available version. To prove to fans that it’s worth their time to upgrade to the new version, you have to make that new version desirable. When it came to Mercenary Breed 2.0, there was a lot of room to expand. In fact, the current edition really laid the groundwork for this 2nd edition, which is a considerable expansion of the setting and its basic concepts. Here’s a look at what’s new.
For those coming into this book after utilizing the previous core setting guide, you may be wondering what’s been added to Mercenary Breed. Instead of just offering an expansion supplement to the existing core setting guide, everything has been looked at, expanded, revised, improved, and renewed to create what we believe is the ultimate guide for building awesome sci-fi action and adventure settings and campaigns. Here’s a brief look at some of the changes:
- Renown has become Reputation.
- New Hindrances and Edges.
- Additional character races.
- Full descriptions of equipment.
- A look at how to create settings and campaigns within different sci-fi genres.
- Archetypes are presented for use within those different genres.
- A look at creating different mission themes.
- A look at altering your campaigns for specific sci-fi genre flavors.
- A collection of Tech Backgrounds.
- An expanded guide to the Argo Galaxy and how to create your own.
- New Savage Tales.
- And of course, a large sci-fi bestiary.
A new question may arise: Does this render my previous core setting guide obsolete? It does not. Instead, Mercenary Breed 2.0 expands on what was already presented and adds A LOT more options. The only change that needs to be made is the term Renown has been replaced by Reputation (this is explained in Character Creation).
One thing to note is that the core concept of Mercenary Breed as a toolkit for building a setting along with providing the framework for a setting has not changed. It is designed to provide the tools necessary to create extraordinary adventures within a sci-fi setting without confining the players and GM to a defined technology level or setting design. To do this requires a lot more tools and options than previously provided. These concepts may have been discussed before, but little was provided to accommodate it. Mercenary Breed 2.0 aims to remedy this by giving both players and GMs the ability to mix and match the options provided as they please, along with adding their own, to create whatever type of setting and campaign they desire. If you don’t want to create your own setting or campaign, check-out the Hastilion Expanse campaign or the upcoming Twilight Continuum, both available from Mystical Throne Entertainment.
Stay tuned for preview #1 in 1 or 2 weeks.
