Swarms. They creep, crawl or fly, and usually don't do much more than provide an annoyance. Notebook Essentials: Swarms, Stampedes and Skirmishes aims to add a little more depth to these types of encounters.

Two new types of swarm are introduced: the aquatic swarm, which is handled much like a flying swarm, and the intelligent swarm, which only comes about as a result of magic. In addition to these swarm types advice is given for creating a swarm, there are new swarm-related feats, and one new monster feat, new special abilities that can be used by the largest of swarms, and three new spells relating to swarms are also included.

Two new subtypes of swarms include the stampede and skirmish. A stampede is made up of Small-Huge sized bipeds or quadrupeds. Stampedes behave much like swarms, though follow their own rules for movement and attacks. A skirmish is a chaotic mass of individuals which can grow the longer they are allowed to continue. Examples and specific rules are provided in the form of a barroom brawl and an angry mob.<br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: A number of options for enhancing swarms, along with relativly simple and quick rules for handling the new subtypes of stampedes and skirmishes.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: The epic-level swarm of demiliches both seems over the top and hard to believe.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>