SLA good reading
Posted: March 18th, 2008, 20:03
There's about half a dozen SLA books out there, and they're a bit of a minefield. Since Joose has bought a couple I thought I'd put up a vague description/review of them and which ones should be avoided by players (due to being GM source).
SLA Industries
The game's main rule book, and essential for anyone who wants to give the game a proper go. The publishers have released the first edition for free in order to drum up popularity for SLA2.0, but I suspect I'll be sticking with this version if it strays too much from the original. A reprinted hardback version is available that corrects some mistakes, which will make the fourth copy of the book I've owned.
Karma
The first sourcebook for SLA Industries. It adds several new (Stormer) race types, none of whom I like, and a whole bunch of new equipment, drugs and guns. More importantly it contains the information on Karma biogenetic implants which can boost humans and Stormers, and lots of loveley background material to enrichen the SLA world. A great source for players, and one I doubt any would regret buying.
Mort
Mort is pretty much pure source material. There's a bit of equipment in there, but it isn't really for Ops. It's a very professional and well constructed book compared to SLA 1st edition and Karma. Not essential to play the game, but for those who enjoy reading about the setting it's a delight.
The Key of Delhyread
A published scenario taking the form of a long and complex BPN. I've only just scratched the surface of this and am undecided whether or not to run it in my campaign. Needless to say, it's not for the consumption of players.
Contract Directory
The Contract Directory is an odd combination of elements. It is mostly directed at a Contract Killer campaign, which I would consider to be less enjoyable than an Operative campaign, but much of this can still be used. Equipment and rules variations to make characters more flashy and individual are abundant, and some of the rules in the original book are revised here. Additionally there is, as with most SLA books, a decent amount of background source. There is also descriptions and stats for various Contract Killers, which I would consider the domain of a GM, but personally in a player-orientated book like this I would use the stats more as guidelines anyhow.
Hunter Sheets
I shunned the Hunter Sheets for ages, thinking it was just a collection of targets for Contract Killers. How wrong I was. Hunter Sheets are basically bounties open to Ops and Contract Killers alike, and each one (of which there are 20) has a nice description, some stats and descriptions for GMs (with some nasty surprises), and even ways of introducing these NPCs into campaigns. Very tasty stuff, but unfortunately for GMs only. Still, players will benefit greatly from the enjoyment of having these unusual adversaries worked into their campaign, and even if not used directly it opens up some aspects of the game never covered in any of the other canon sourcebooks.
Cannibal Sector 1
Usually shortened to CS1, this book is source for the most dangerous and notorious area of Mort. While certainly of interest for players, I feel that most of the information within is for a GM's use. Some would just benefit the players more if they were a surprise, while others could prove quite disasterous to a BPN if players had prior knowledge. Certainly one of the best sourcebooks for a GM, but one to be avoided by players.
Other Source
There are a couple of other sourcebooks out there, with varying quality. Naturally I'd recommend my Hardware catalogue, as it is designed specifically for my campaign and will be expanded again as soon as I write up the raw source I have. There are also DarkNight and Thresher sourcebooks that are very professional but vary in how they fit into vanilla SLA. More difficult to find, but do exist, are Wraith Raider and Shaktar sourcebooks. I've not seen these recently, but I remember them being very good and perfect for a player of either race. As for The Truth, don't bother looking for it. Dave Allsop has published it and it has caused almost universal disappointment. However, if curiosity gets the better of you it won't ruin the game - I have (as has any decent GM, and as I expect the game is designed to be) my own Truth.
SLA Industries
The game's main rule book, and essential for anyone who wants to give the game a proper go. The publishers have released the first edition for free in order to drum up popularity for SLA2.0, but I suspect I'll be sticking with this version if it strays too much from the original. A reprinted hardback version is available that corrects some mistakes, which will make the fourth copy of the book I've owned.
Karma
The first sourcebook for SLA Industries. It adds several new (Stormer) race types, none of whom I like, and a whole bunch of new equipment, drugs and guns. More importantly it contains the information on Karma biogenetic implants which can boost humans and Stormers, and lots of loveley background material to enrichen the SLA world. A great source for players, and one I doubt any would regret buying.
Mort
Mort is pretty much pure source material. There's a bit of equipment in there, but it isn't really for Ops. It's a very professional and well constructed book compared to SLA 1st edition and Karma. Not essential to play the game, but for those who enjoy reading about the setting it's a delight.
The Key of Delhyread
A published scenario taking the form of a long and complex BPN. I've only just scratched the surface of this and am undecided whether or not to run it in my campaign. Needless to say, it's not for the consumption of players.
Contract Directory
The Contract Directory is an odd combination of elements. It is mostly directed at a Contract Killer campaign, which I would consider to be less enjoyable than an Operative campaign, but much of this can still be used. Equipment and rules variations to make characters more flashy and individual are abundant, and some of the rules in the original book are revised here. Additionally there is, as with most SLA books, a decent amount of background source. There is also descriptions and stats for various Contract Killers, which I would consider the domain of a GM, but personally in a player-orientated book like this I would use the stats more as guidelines anyhow.
Hunter Sheets
I shunned the Hunter Sheets for ages, thinking it was just a collection of targets for Contract Killers. How wrong I was. Hunter Sheets are basically bounties open to Ops and Contract Killers alike, and each one (of which there are 20) has a nice description, some stats and descriptions for GMs (with some nasty surprises), and even ways of introducing these NPCs into campaigns. Very tasty stuff, but unfortunately for GMs only. Still, players will benefit greatly from the enjoyment of having these unusual adversaries worked into their campaign, and even if not used directly it opens up some aspects of the game never covered in any of the other canon sourcebooks.
Cannibal Sector 1
Usually shortened to CS1, this book is source for the most dangerous and notorious area of Mort. While certainly of interest for players, I feel that most of the information within is for a GM's use. Some would just benefit the players more if they were a surprise, while others could prove quite disasterous to a BPN if players had prior knowledge. Certainly one of the best sourcebooks for a GM, but one to be avoided by players.
Other Source
There are a couple of other sourcebooks out there, with varying quality. Naturally I'd recommend my Hardware catalogue, as it is designed specifically for my campaign and will be expanded again as soon as I write up the raw source I have. There are also DarkNight and Thresher sourcebooks that are very professional but vary in how they fit into vanilla SLA. More difficult to find, but do exist, are Wraith Raider and Shaktar sourcebooks. I've not seen these recently, but I remember them being very good and perfect for a player of either race. As for The Truth, don't bother looking for it. Dave Allsop has published it and it has caused almost universal disappointment. However, if curiosity gets the better of you it won't ruin the game - I have (as has any decent GM, and as I expect the game is designed to be) my own Truth.