Books of the Wastes (Mutant Future) by Charles Rice is a role playing game supplement published by Vigilance Press for use with Mutant Future. As such, it is covered by the Open Game License and some parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result.
The supplement is available as a six-page PDF for $0.99 from DriveThruRPG but was purchased at a reduced price during a sale. Three pages are the Open Game License and Credits.
Knowledge is Power! is the introduction and explains that books contain information for rebuilding after the apocalypse and that these books are a source of knowledge that works as feat-like abilities for Mutant Future, but under the control of the GM.
How Books Work covers this, starting with the study phase. Characters must make a Technology Roll to comprehend a book, and books also have a complexity class. Once a book is understood, a character gains benefit from it as long as it’s in their possession for them to consult as needed. In addition, every month of study a Technology Roll at -20 may be made to permanently gain the advantage. Books that come in multiple volumes give an increasing benefit for every volume studied; some benefits require multiple volumes be owned in order to gain the benefit.
The books are then described. Each book has some information detailing it, followed by the potential bonuses.
Alice’s Gun Almanac increases the chance of identifying a slug thrower and gives a bonus to hit and damage.
“Big” Bill Hutchison’s Guide to Business Influence and Success gives a bonus for recruiting retainers and increases their number.
Chairman Mao’s Little Red Revolutionary Handbook gives a bonus to surprise checks.
Mr. Fixit’s Handy Dandy Advanced User Manual gives a bonus to attempts to repair technology.
Mr. Fixit’s Handy Dandy Robot Repair Manual is similar, but specifically for robots.
The Laze, an AGA publication increases the chance of identifying an energy weapon and gives a bonus to hit and damage.
U.S. Army Robot Combat Manual grants a bonus to attack and damage against Basic Androids and Synthetics.
U.S. Army Field Medic Manual grants a healing skill.
Little Pathfinder’s Wilderness Survival Guide gives a chance to track, decreases the chance of getting lost and increases the chance of wilderness retreat.
Books of the Wastes (Mutant Future) in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks and is short enough that these aren’t needed. Navigation is okay. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be mostly free of error. There are no illustrations. Presentation is okay.
This supplement does add some useful ideas for expanding the options in a Mutant Future game. Perhaps the main concern might be how large some potential bonuses could get, if a full set is owned. This should be comparatively easy to handle, though. A Mutant Lord could decrease the number of volumes in a set, or make them difficult to transport; even the potentially permanent bonuses can be limited by doing so. Books of the Wastes (Mutant Future) is an interesting addition for the game and can be found by clicking here.
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