# Masterbook > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Masterbook > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Masterbook.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masterbook > Source revision: 1357048099 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Tabletop role-playing game Masterbook Cover art by Stphen Crane, 1994 Designers Ed Stark Illustrators Paul Daly, Jamie Lombardo, Ron Hill, Karl Waller, Brian Schomburg, Stephen Crane Publishers West End Games Publication 1994 Genres Role-playing game Languages English Chance Medium (dice rolling) Skills Strategy, tactics, probability ***Masterbook*** is a [generic role-playing game](/source/Generic_role-playing_game) that was published by [West End Games](/source/West_End_Games) (WEG) in 1994. ## Description The generic rules of *Masterbook*, which do not have a specific campaign setting, use rules from both WEG's multi-genre role-playing game *[Torg](/source/Torg)* (1990),[1][2] and WEG's science fiction role-playing game *[Shatterzone](/source/Shatterzone)* (1993).[3] Like *Torg*, the *Masterbook* system utilizes two complementary forms of in-game conflict resolution: a unified dice mechanic, which is based on a roll of two [ten-sided dice](/source/Polyhedral_dice), and a game-specific deck of cards (the MasterDeck, similar to the Drama Deck in *Torg*) that is used to influence random number generation, character actions, and the game's plot. ## Publication history *Masterbook* is a 176-page softcover book that was designed by [Ed Stark](/source/Ed_Stark), with interior art by Paul Daly, Jamie Lombardo, Ron Hill, [Karl Waller](/source/Karl_Waller), and Brian Schomburg, and cover art by Stephen Crane. It was published by WEG in 1994. A limited-edition 483-page hardbound version was made that also included the *World of Bloodshadows* and *World of Indiana Jones* material in one volume. It was designed for use with the MasterBook Deck (also designed by Ed Stark), which contained a 108-card deck of playing-card size. It came in three types of effects. The 83 black *Enhancement* cards are handed in by the player for random benefits, like a bonus on a character's task roll, temporarily allowing extra actions, or granting extra Life Points.[note 1] The 17 red *Subplot* cards are used immediately by the Game Master to create a random event or encounter. The four *Picture* cards (Disaster, Opportunity, Wild, and Interloper) are Wild Cards that can provide special effects that the gamemaster can tailor to their needs. The remaining 4 were two blank cards and 2 blank Picture cards. The deck was sold separately from the standalone rule book, but a free deck was enclosed with each worldbook box set. Expansions to the MasterDeck come with 12 blank cards and 24 *Plot Development* cards, which are Subplot cards that the players control that potentially could grant extra Skill Points.[note 2] ### MasterBook 1E (1994) The *Masterbook* system was used for several licensed properties. It was also used for their proprietary fantasy-noir setting *[Bloodshadows](/source/Bloodshadows)*. Each softcover worldbook came in a box set with a copy of the MasterBook rules, a MasterBook deck, and a pair of 10-sided dice. - *The World of [Bloodshadows](/source/Bloodshadows)* box set (1994) - *[Galitia Citybook](/source/Galitia_Citybook)* (1994) - Details the City-State of Galitia, the largest city on Marl. - *Mean Streets* (1994) - GM companion. Comes with 2 two-panel game-master screens and a campaign pack with NPCs, typical adventure locations with maps, and a gazetteer about the City-State of Albredura. - *The Unnaturals* (1994) - Details the non-Human Unnatural races and contains rules for creating new Unnaturals. - *Fires of Marl* (1995) - A mix of background essays, short fiction, and adventures dealing with the myths and legends of Marl. - *Padaar Citybook* (1995) - Details the City-State of Padaar. - *Shadows of Selastos* (1995) - Collects the adventures *Flight of Fear*, *The Lady is a Vamp*, *All That Glistens*, and *Trail of Riches* set in the City-State of Selastos. Also includes twelve new Human and Unnatural templates. - *Sorcerer's Crib Sheet* (1995) - Details and expands the magic rules for *Bloodshadows* and adds new spells. Also contains three new character templates. - *Wilderness* (1995) - Details the unexplored Wilderness outside the City-States. - *[The World of Indiana Jones](/source/The_World_of_Indiana_Jones)* box set (1994) - *[Raiders of the Lost Ark](/source/Raiders_of_the_Lost_Ark) Sourcebook* (1994 Hardcover) - *Indiana Jones and the Rising Sun* (1994) - Details 1930s Japan. Contains the adventure *Indiana Jones and the [Masamune Blade](/source/Masamune#Swords)* - *Indiana Jones and the Golden Vampires* (1995) - Details 1930s San Francisco. Includes the adventure *Indiana Jones and the [Golden Vampires](/source/The_Legend_of_the_7_Golden_Vampires)* set in San Francisco's Chinatown. - *Indiana Jones and the Lands of Adventure* (1995) - Details Europe, the Middle East, South America and the Orient in the 1930s. - *Indiana Jones and the Tomb of the Templars* (1995) - A collection of three adventures: *The Druid's Curse*, *The Sword in the Stone*, and *The Tomb of the Templars*. - *[Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom](/source/Indiana_Jones_and_the_Temple_of_Doom)* Sourcebook (1996 Hardcover) - *Indiana Jones Artifacts* (1996) - Magic items. - *Magic & Mysticism: The Dark Continent* (1997) - Magic rules. Also has rules for the creation of PCs and NPCs with magical powers. - *[The World of Aden](/source/The_World_of_Aden)* box set (1995) - Includes conversion notes from the MasterBook system to the D6 System. - *The World of Aden: Campaign Chronicles* (1996) - A rules companion that helps immerse the game master and players in the gameworld. - *[The World of Necroscope](/source/Necroscope)* box set (1995) - A worldbook based on the horror fiction of Brian Lumley's *Necroscope* series. - *Deadspeak Dossier* (1995) - A gamemaster companion for *The World of Necroscope* that further details the espionage horror/thriller gameworld. It also contains new espionage skills and abilities. - *[Wamphyri](/source/Wamphyri_(MasterBook))* (1996) - A guidebook detailing the [Wamphyri](/source/Wamphyri) race. - *[The E-Branch Guide to Psionics](/source/The_E-Branch_Guide_to_Psionics)* (1996) - Psionics rules and new equipment. Includes 15 psychic character templates and a MasterBook to D6 System conversion guide. - *Operation: Nightside* (1997) - A globe-spanning campaign for *The World of Necroscope*. - *[The World of Species](/source/Species_(film))* box set (1995) - *[The World of Tank Girl](/source/Tank_Girl)* box set (1995) - *[The World of Tales from the Crypt](/source/Tales_from_the_Crypt_(TV_series)#In_other_media)* box set (1996) - *Cryptic Campaigns* (1996) - New adventures for use with the worldbook. - *[Sick Little Sagas](/source/Sick_Little_Sagas)* (1996) - More new adventures ### MasterBook 2E (2011) In 2011, MasterBook was re-printed by [Precis Intermedia Gaming](/source/Precis_Intermedia_Gaming). They are currently working on an improved second edition, called *MasterBook 2E*,[note 3] and have released a free simplified version, called *MasterBook EZ*.[note 4] In 2016 Precis Intermedia printed the new *Bloodshadows* 3rd Edition worldbook. It has conversion rules for use with the *[Active Exploits](/source/Active_Exploits)* and *MasterBook EZ* rules. ## Reception In the March 1995 edition of *[Dragon](/source/Dragon_(magazine))* (Issue #215), [Rick Swan](/source/Rick_Swan) was not enthusiastic about the rules, which he found too derivative of the rules from *Shatterzone* that he had roundly criticized in a previous edition of *Dragon*. But while Swan found the rules less complex than the original *Shatterzone* rules, he still found that "while less confusing [than *Shatterzone*, *Masterbook*] can't get over its love affair with charts and numbers." He did find several strong elements, including "a well-written text, an intriguing selection of skills, [and] a clever use of cards." And he lauded the included card deck, which he found "inventive, fun to use, and in contrast to the rest of the rulebook, blessedly succinct." He concluded by giving the book an average rating of 4 out of 6, saying, "even with its flaws, the *Masterbook* system remains a solid, versatile game with strong characters and clever concepts. The designers just didn’t know when to quit."[3] *[Pyramid](/source/Pyramid_(magazine))* magazine reviewed *MasterBook* and stated that "*MasterBook* is West End's entry into the generic RPG sweepstakes. Mechanically, it's more traditional West End than state of the art (or, if you prefer, trendy). West End games are traditionally a bit rules heavy, and *MasterBook* carries on that tradition, rather than trying to buy into the rules-lite paradigm of hot systems like *Storyteller* and its ilk. Complexity wise, the game falls squarely in the familiar generic territory staked out by *Hero*, *GURPS* and *Role Master*."[4] ## Publications There were two core rule books. One was included with the boxed sets and the other was sold separately. Apart from the cover, they were both identical. A *[Masterbook Companion](/source/Masterbook_Companion)* book also compiled rules from the boxed set world books. The world books were only available in their dedicated box sets. This may have had an effect on sales, due to the world books not being available separately. There were several licensed properties released using the Masterbook, but only *Bloodshadows* and *World of Indiana Jones* found success. These two were both later rewritten for *West End Games* [D6 system](/source/D6_system), which had been adapted from their more popular [Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game](/source/Star_Wars%3A_The_Roleplaying_Game). ## Other reviews - *[Shadis](/source/Shadis)* #26 (April, 1996) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Pigames.net](http://www.pigames.net/store/default.php?cPath=107) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [RPG.net](https://index.rpg.net/display-search.phtml?key=system&value=MasterBook) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dragon_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dragon_3-1) [Swan, Rick](/source/Rick_Swan) (March 1995). "Roleplaying Reviews". *[Dragon](/source/Dragon_(magazine))* (215). [TSR, Inc.](/source/TSR_(company)): 83–84. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Pyramid12_8-0)** "Pyramid: Pyramid Pick: MasterBook Games". *[Pyramid](/source/Pyramid_(magazine))* (12). April 1995. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** To clarify, Life Points are experience points that can be spent to increase Attributes or Skills. One Life Point can be converted into 3 Skill Points. They can also be used to add a bonus to a skill roll before it's rolled, negate wounds, or shift a result on a table. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Skill points are experience points that can be spent to increase skills. They can also be spent to reroll a failed skill roll 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** As of October 13, 2020 the MasterBook 2E rules are still in a Beta form. They are currently in an annotated Playtest version. This is available in a PDF bundle with the reprinted MasterBook 1E rules. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** As of September 22, 2020 the MasterBook EZ rules are currently in Version 2.5 . ## External links - [The Masterbook Community](http://masterbook.cybermagick.de) v t e Role-playing game systems 3D&T Advanced Fighting Fantasy Alternity Amazing Engine Amber DRPG BRP CODA Cortex / Cortex Plus d20 D6/OpenD6 EABA Fate Fudge Fuzion Gumshoe GURPS HARP Hero Interlock MURPG Masterbook MEGS Megaversal/Palladium Omni One-Roll Engine Powered by the Apocalypse QAGS QuestWorlds Risus Rolemaster SAGA Savage Worlds SF SilCORE SRS Storyteller / Storytelling Traveller Tri-Stat True20 TWERPS Ubiquity Unisystem --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Masterbook](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masterbook) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masterbook?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.