Pyramid Review
Dork20 (an accessory for d20 System)
Published by Atlas Games
Written by Noah Sax & Michelle A. B. Nephew
Illustrated by John Kovalic
56-card deck; $12.95
How do you out-munchkin a munchkin? Especially a munchkin roll-playing a munchkin character in that most potentially munchkiny of munchkinish games, Dungeons & Dragons? One option is, of course, to cheat; another is the use of loaded dice. But either is most definitely unsportsman-like and unfair. Then again, when was the science and art of being a munchkin ever about fairness? Actually, and thankfully, there is now a "fair" option available to anyone who abides by the munchkin creed.
Dork20 is a deck of 56 cards, designed to modify the d20 System during play on a temporary or one-time basis. As the name suggests, the cards have all been inspired by the roll-playing and roleplaying adventures and style of the cast of John Kovalic's award winning comic strip, Dork Tower. Not only that, but all of the cards have been done in full color by John Kovalic, so they are likely to appeal to the Dork Tower devotee as much as they are to the d20 System gamer. Both will understand the humor inherent in the little cartoons that illustrate the front of each card -- the fans from their knowledge of the strip, the gamer from how the game mechanic modifiers are illustrated. Of course, if the Dork Tower fan happens to game, or the gamer likes Dork Tower, then double the laughs!
Each card is very clearly done. Below the title, John Kovalic's . . .
This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.
Article publication date: January 9, 2004
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