Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #17: Artifact Conditions is a role playing game supplement published by Skirmisher Publishing for use with the Mutant Future system. As such, it is covered by the Open Game License though no parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result. The Wisdom from the Wastelands series introduces new options for Mutant Future and this one adds new options for artefacts.
The supplement is available as a seven-page PDF on DriveThruRPG for $0.99 but was purchased at a reduced price as part of a special bundle. One page is the Open Game License and front matter and one is ads.
The opening paragraphs explain that the new rules expand on the Technology Condition table to make using slightly-damaged technology more interesting. When an artefact is used, it might malfunction, and if that happens, there are tables to determine what happens. In addition, power sources, food, medical drugs and Encasing Military Armour require more explanation.
Following this are 11 d100 tables for the effect of the malfunction depending on the item type. These range from nothing to serious problems.
Repairing Items looks at how malfunctioning items can be fixed, though it’s stated that food and medical drugs may be impossible to fix, though the latter might be restored with the medical compatibility computer from Issue #13. This also looks at the cost of repair, cannibalising other items for parts, using roughly similar parts, how long a repair takes and the effect of tools, such as the toolkits from Issue #1.
Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #17: Artifact Conditions in Review
The PDF is bookmarked with major sections linked. There is a short table of contents that is hyperlinked. Given the length, navigation is decent. The text maintains a two-column format and appeared to be almost free of errors. There are some stock tweaked colour images. Presentation is okay.
This adds a degree of complexity to technological artefacts in Mutant Future, and perhaps makes using them a bit riskier as well. Having the potential for an item to malfunction and explode will make players a bit more cautious when it comes to technology. However, the idea of repairing items may not fit in; artefact technology is so much more advanced than everyday technology in Mutant Future that the idea that someone could repair much of it seems implausible in most situations. Wisdom from the Wastelands Issue #17: Artifact Conditions can be found by clicking here.
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