Pro:
Smooth rules transition. Alot of the Spelljammer rules were overhauled, but generally, it's for the best. What did a speed of '5' in Spelljamming tactical mean against an angry dragon? Hard to call, but we get it in normal terms now, same with maneuverability. Air no longer fouls automatically; without a Helm, though, it stales in a day and fouls in four more. You're definately on the clock if your Helm fails(I'm workin' as fas' as I kin, Captain!). The Prestidge Classes, for once, are not overdone(Though I worry about the Spelljammer Ace's balance.. Especially if he gets behind the helm of a heavy warship..). The conversion of old reliable ships(Tradesman, Elven Armada, Neogi Deathspider) shows a clear, obvious path to converting lesser known ships. Good rules for firearms, and creative weapons for buckling my swash(Flamepistols!).
Cons:
First off, in it's defense, this is a tiny little article from Polyhydron. I knew going in it wouldn't be the equal of multiple boxed sets. But still, I come away with these thoughts.... First off, no Neogi. The Neogi ships have been transferred to the Drow(I guess it makes a kind of sense; Drow are acting as Corsairs in the small campaign setting thrown in, and worship spiders..). The Scro, my favorite villains, are simply not present. Sure, I could just upgrade some Orcs into three point five and give them guns, but newbies to the setting won't have them.. Le sigh. Similarly missing is the Spelljammer Herself and the Phlogistron. Instead of the truly vast cosmology to explore and cause havoc on, the setting is one very troubled system, facing a recent Illithid invasion and the release of the Drow from the 'Spider Moon'. Dwarves exist, but have no ships of their own.
All these complaints are essentially: They didn't include my huge, varied enviroment! Wah! And I knew that going in. But it deserves saying anyways, for folks who go in. Luckily, the tools we're left with are enough to push the oldies back in with some work, but I once again hope they go for a full, official revival of Spelljammer. It needs it, if only because the Tolkein-ripoffs need a dose of the Elven Imperial Armada.
