OSR Review & Commentary Under Western Skies: 2D6 Adventure on America's Frontier From Michael Brown For Your Old School Western Campaigns

 "The term “Wild West” conjures up images of square-jawed cowboys on horseback, watching over a cattle drive; steely-eyed lawmen facing down desperadoes; painted saloon girls carousing with rowdy guests; and stoic Native Americans watching their world slip away. The Wild West — that period of America’s history during its westward expansion in the latter half of the nineteenth century — was all that, and much more. Now, players using the 2D6 system can visit those thrilling (and often dangerous) days of yesteryear. Under Western Skies is an RPG supplement based on the Mongoose 1st Edition 2D6 OGL system (which is itself based on The Original Science-Fiction Roleplaying Game first published in the 1970s) and adapted to create heroes and adventures suitable for an Old West campaign." 

"This is a major upgrade of the original Under Western Skies rules, but is still designed to “get out of the way and let you play.” The rules still leave most of the creativity to the Referee offering only a framework to hang that creativity on. The rules contain the following goodies, some of them new:

• An expanded list of ten careers, using a familiar character generation system
• Native American nation creation
• equipment and weapon tables
• a selection of vehicles and animals, both wild and domestic
• an expanded town creation system that allows the Referee to decide the level of detail.
• A discussion of Newfangled Contraptions invented in the 19th century that had an impact on the 20th.
• And even a generation system for the cowboy’s boon companion, the horse!

Of course, there are rules to help you run the inevitable showdown at high noon, and determine what happens when you just as inevitably get sick or see that twister coming."

Under Western Skies: 2D6 Adventure on America's Frontier From Michael Brown  came my way last night from the author. Who dropped in my lap on social media, the fact that I not only own Under Western Skies: 2D6 Adventure on America's Frontier is a testiment to the prolific author. Michael Brown is one of those Cepheus Engine authors who is a quiet machine producing excellent games while staying under the radar to produce excellent games. 
And in seventy pages Mr.Brown writes up an excellent no nonsense set of flavorful 2d6 Old Western rules. And Under Western Skies: 2D6 Adventure on America's Frontier delivers the goods by bringing home the 2d6 action. Under Western Skies does three things very quickly, one it explains it's mechanics right up front, second it gives the players &  DM these mechanics upfront for PC generation, and three plugs into both the historical & cinematic aspects of the Old West. Within this context Michael Brown adhers to the Cepheus Engine rpg systems ideals giving the player everything within the first fifteen pages they'll need to generate a PC, embody themselves within the Old West, & start playing. And players can play everything from cowpunchers to soldiers all within Under Western Skies quickly, efficiently, and miminumal fuss. And this minimal of fuss is something Michael Brown excels at in his design & authorship. 
Under Western Skies: 2D6 Adventure on America's Frontier takes this and runs with it within itself. Under Western Skies: 2D6 Adventure on America's Frontier is designed to be played & everything from the 'guts' mechanic to the combat system is designed for easy of play. The equipment, gun, weapons, and even the horse rules are designed to be pick up and go! 
The modular nature of Under Western Skies: 2D6 Adventure on America's Frontier is speed, & playability. Everything here has been stripped back & narrowed by Mr.Brown for actual playability at the table top level. And we see this time & again thumbing through the game. Under Western Skies: 2D6 Adventure on America's Frontier is specifically designed to be played with one shot or overarching actual Old Western campaign play. Another difference that we've  got with Under Western Skies is the fact that that there are multiple adventures like   Kennon's Pass which gives you everything you need to get the player's PC's into the Old West action. 

How does Under Western Skies: 2D6 Adventure on America's Frontier compare with say other Cepheus Engine Western Rpg's?! Well it doesn't actually. What Under Western Skies: 2D6 Adventure on America's Frontier is actually a slick, quick, and reliable set of rules with some really good potential for Old West 2d6 rpg action! 

Under Western Skies: 2D6 Adventure on America's Frontier From Michael Brown For Your Old School Western Campaigns Is Available Here