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Are there errors or omissions in this product information? Got corrections? Let us know at webmaster@paizo.com.

Slime (Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Chronicles, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 06:34 AM

It's in the PFRD! Sweet!

adam strasser, Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 06:52 AM

Where do we disclose errata? I was trying to advance a kobold (for the D0 module) and found that the base creature's Stealth should be +9 (Dex +1, Small +4, Rank +1, Class +3), not +6.

Matthew Morris (RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 07:18 AM

Ravenmantle wrote:

Matthew Morris wrote:

I feel your pain. Patience is a virtue, it is said.

My patience hasn't quite run out yet. Just needed some clarification is all.

Didn't mean to imply you had. Just expressing solidarity, mine is still in the sidecare too.

F5...

Ravenmantle (Pathfinder Chronicles Charter Superscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Fiction Subscriber), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 08:00 AM

I suppose hardware manufacturers are quite pleased with paizo.com. All this F5'ing means a lot of new keyboards. :D

Sunderstone (Pathfinder Chronicles Superscriber), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 09:06 AM

Just got the "its shipped to you" email today, woot!

It might even get here before the first session of my new Council of Thieves campaign (next week friday night). Very much looking forward to this one. :)

Freehold DM, Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 09:07 AM

Oh yeah, I got my e-mail just yesterday. Here's hoping it gets here friday or saturday(did priority mail)!

rapunxelle, Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 09:49 AM

I got my copy yesterday and was happy to see all of the classic monsters I hope to utilize in my campaign except . . .

Mindflayer!

Does anyone know why these guys didn't make the cut so to speak? Thanks.

Rauol_Duke (Pathfinder Adventure Path Charter Subscriber), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 09:53 AM

rapunxelle wrote:

I got my copy yesterday and was happy to see all of the classic monsters I hope to utilize in my campaign except . . .

Mindflayer!

Does anyone know why these guys didn't make the cut so to speak? Thanks.

Mindflayers are owned by WotC and are not designated as open content.

Leonal (Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 09:54 AM

rapunxelle wrote:

I got my copy yesterday and was happy to see all of the classic monsters I hope to utilize in my campaign except . . .

Mindflayer!

Does anyone know why these guys didn't make the cut so to speak? Thanks.

WotC intellectual property.
Others listed in d20 srd faq

Todd Stewart (Contributor), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 10:22 AM

*sniff* I weep for the Rast.

But awesome, awesome book nonetheless. Very cool. And I can't wait to see what critters might be included in a postulative Bestiary 2. 8D

Mairkurion {tm} (Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Fiction, Planet Stories Subscriber), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 10:57 AM

Regarding many of the answers above.

AKA "Product Identity" under the OGL.

vagrant-poet (Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 11:10 AM

Todd Stewart wrote:

*sniff* I weep for the Rast.

But awesome, awesome book nonetheless. Very cool. And I can't wait to see what critters might be included in a postulative Bestiary 2. 8D

Rastipopiles! The Rast King!

...no regular Rast though!

Sean K Reynolds (Developer), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 02:09 PM

Dryder wrote:

Hey, there's even an Easter Egg regarding Ptolus in the Bestiary. Cool! :)

*whistles innocently*

Erik Mona (Publisher), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 02:10 PM

Dryder wrote:

James Jacobs wrote:

Erik Mona wrote:

Dryder wrote:

Hey, there's even an Easter Egg regarding Ptolus in the Bestiary. Cool! :)

There is?

Yeah... I'm curious to know about this too. I'm pretty sure it wasn't intentional. But it might have been...

** spoiler omitted **

I detect the hand of Sean K Reynolds behind this.

Dryder (Pathfinder Chronicles Charter Superscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Fiction Subscriber), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 02:19 PM

Sean K Reynolds (Developer), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 02:36 PM

Erik Mona wrote:

I detect the hand of Sean K Reynolds behind this.

Hey now, just because I was in Monte's Ptolus game and I wrote all the angel entries for the Bestiary....

Auxmaulous (Pathfinder Chronicles Superscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 02:40 PM

Very cool rw religion "Tree of Life" reference also..

"On yet another, a solar with a flaming sword stands watch over the original mortal paradise so that no creature may enter."

Seldriss (Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 02:48 PM

I am not sure if anybody already mentioned this, but one of the great points of this book is its binding.
When you open it for the first time, it seems light and very easy to flip through, and to keep open flat without forcing on the pages or the binding.
That's actually very important.
Great job.

Sean K Reynolds (Developer), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 02:52 PM

Auxmaulous wrote:

Very cool rw religion "Tree of Life" reference also..

"On yet another, a solar with a flaming sword stands watch over the original mortal paradise so that no creature may enter."

(Genesis verses 3:25-27)
25. And the Lord spake unto the Angel that guarded the eastern gate, saying Where is the flaming sword which was given unto thee?
26. And the Angel said, I had it here only a moment ago, I must have put it down some where, forget my own head next.
27. And the Lord did not ask him again.

- from an erroneous Bible mentioned in Good Omens

Reckless (Pathfinder Chronicles Charter Superscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 03:26 PM

My email/pdf came on Tuesday, but I decided to check the flgs near me and they had 2 copies sitting, ready to sell. So I picked one up (we use 2 Monster Manuals at our table, one for me & one for summons) and cancelled my amazon shipment, supposedly shipping out in November some time.

One design feature/decision I'd like to thank you guys for was the artist identification for each illustration. That's really cool.

Overall, this is pound for pound the most "beautiful" rpg book I have ever owned.

Vic Wertz (Technical Director), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 04:30 PM

evilash wrote:

Vic Wertz wrote:

I'd like to make it clear that the e-mail scranford is talking about was directed only to people who had their subscriptions set to ship *separately*, and were—contrary to their stated preference—having their shipment held up by the unexpected last-minute delay on Seekers.

People who had set their combined subs to ship out *monthly* were processed exactly as specified. "Hold for monthly" means that we hold anything that comes in early in the month until *everything* due that month has arrived, and then we ship it all at once to decrease shipping fees. Which is exactly what we did. Everything we're expecting this month has now arrived, and the "hold for monthly" shipments are now going out.

Really? Because I have my shipping preference set to separately, but my order has not yet been processed.

Orders waiting for Seekers of Secrets—for either of the above reasons—started to go out yesterday; many more went today, and the rest should go out tomorrow.

Vigil (Pathfinder Chronicles Charter Superscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 04:42 PM

So, tomorrow then. Sigh.

F5's just to be sure

Sigh.

Freehold DM, Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 08:50 PM

It's here! It's here! I've got to pick it up from the post office tomorrow before court!

anthony Valente, Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 09:06 PM

I bought my copy yesterday. I have to say it's one of the best books for the worlds most popular role-playing game I've ever bought. It's my favorite monster manual… along with the 1st edition monster manual (the 1st one I ever owned). Overall big fan of the artwork. I really like the layout of the stat blocks. It seems very intuitive, easy to read, and it packs a lot of info without looking confusing. My only caveat would be… I wish it were bigger.

Great job, Paizo!

Thraxus (Pathfinder Adventure Path Charter Subscriber), Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 09:14 PM

I love the reference to the piercer and the lurker above in the darkmantle entry.

anthony Valente, Thu, Oct 22, 2009, 09:52 PM

Also, I like the "breathing room" put into many of the monster entries for GM's. Tales of variants from the stats given for several monsters are always welcome, encouraging personalizing the monsters instead of relying on the stats-as-written, and help provide some back-up for the GM when a player flatly states "hey, that monster can't do that!"

kobo1d, Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 01:34 AM

Is it just me reading it wrong, or are the "Monsters as PCs" rules completely broken in the case of monsters with CR < HD?

To summarize it as I understand it: There is no more ECL or LA, just CR. CR is equivalent to class level. So for example, by the rules, you could play a 1st Level Xill Fighter (with the 9 Outsider HD and all) alongside a 7th level Human Fighter.

And then there is a recommended rule that allows the Xill to close the 6 level gap as the party levels.

Hmm...

Other interesting ones: Couatl at CR 10 that cast as Sorcerer 9 (with access to both Wizard and Cleric spell lists) And Couatls arent exactly lacking in other features to make up for that ONE CL loss.

Barghest is pretty crazy for 4 CR. Efreeti PC could grant 3 wishes a day (when everyone is level 8.)

I must be looking at this wrong.

I realize that it says "GMs should carefully consider any monster PCs in their groups. Some creatures are simply not suitable for play as PCs, due to their powers or role in the game. As monster characters progress, GMs should closely monitor whether such characters are disruptive or abusive to the rules and modify them as needed to improve play."

Why doesn't it just say: "These rules don't really work, make something up on your own or use the old 3.5 (ECL = LA + HD) system."

Aberzombie (Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber), Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 03:13 AM

Runs in and throws a pie in kobo1d's face

For Soupy!!!!

Freehold DM, Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 05:54 AM

Okay, I have a bit of quandary. I have a deposition today for the car accident I got into in February. However, my copy of the Pathfinder Beastiary is waiting for me at the post office! Should I rush to the post office and read my copy on the way to my deposition or should I do the *snort* responsible thing and pick it up afterwards?

Navdi, Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 06:43 AM

kobo1d wrote:

Why doesn't it just say: "These rules don't really work, make something up on your own or use the old 3.5 (ECL = LA + HD) system."

Because the rules do work. The intent is, as with any game, that the GM is supposed to moderate the rules. Any GM with an iota of sense should realize this. The rules are just the rules. The game is what the GM makes of it.

carborundum (RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32), Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 06:46 AM

Freehold DM wrote:

Okay, I have a bit of quandary. I have a deposition today for the car accident I got into in February. However, my copy of the Pathfinder Beastiary is waiting for me at the post office! Should I rush to the post office and read my copy on the way to my deposition or should I do the *snort* responsible thing and pick it up afterwards?

If it's taken eight months to get you to your deposition, they might not be happy if you're late - say there was a huge queue at the post office. Normally I'd say choose what makes you happiest, but this time I'd say choose the course of action which has the least chance of serious repercussions.

Get the court thing out of the way first, mate!

Rinegar, Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 07:51 AM

Just downloaded the Bestiary PDF and there seem to be missing text everywhere. The abbreviation for feet, ft., is blank, the double ff in "effect" seems to be missing throughout, and the CR numbers are missing from the header bars. What's the deal?

EDIT: I see it does read correctly with Acrobat Reader. Apparently "Preview" on my mac doesn't like it...

kobo1d, Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 10:29 AM

Navdi wrote:

kobo1d wrote:

Why doesn't it just say: "These rules don't really work, make something up on your own or use the old 3.5 (ECL = LA + HD) system."

Because the rules do work. The intent is, as with any game, that the GM is supposed to moderate the rules. Any GM with an iota of sense should realize this. The rules are just the rules. The game is what the GM makes of it.

I realize not everything can be perfectly balanced (in a any system), and that it's up to the GM to provide a fun game. But for a product that claims to have improved the 3.5 system, this seems to be a case of Paizo thinking that improvement and change are synonymous. It seems it was changed just for the sake of change, which looks to me like it actually resulted in a less balanced system than ECL.

Sean K Reynolds (Developer), Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 10:46 AM

I think the part that says, "Some creatures are simply not suitable for play as PCs, due to their powers or role in the game" deals with your concerns.

The book is about monsters. Monsters that your PCs can fight. It is not intended as a sourcebook for things for your PCs to be. But we put the "Monsters as PCs" quick rules as a guideline for people who want to have that sort of thing in their game. But if you use those quick rules to create a monster PC and the monster is WAY too good, then you shouldn't be using that monster as a PC, and in general you shouldn't be expecting a half-page of quick rules in a monster book to be all you need to turn over 350 monsters into balanced, playable PC races.

Pax Veritas (Pathfinder Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Modules Subscriber), Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 10:46 AM

Seldriss wrote:

I am not sure if anybody already mentioned this, but one of the great points of this book is its binding.
When you open it for the first time, it seems light and very easy to flip through, and to keep open flat without forcing on the pages or the binding.
That's actually very important.
Great job.

Agreed. One of the best bound books ever. Very, very friendly! What a terrific job!

Pax Veritas (Pathfinder Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Modules Subscriber), Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 10:49 AM

anthony Valente wrote:

Also, I like the "breathing room" put into many of the monster entries for GM's. Tales of variants from the stats given for several monsters are always welcome, encouraging personalizing the monsters instead of relying on the stats-as-written, and help provide some back-up for the GM when a player flatly states "hey, that monster can't do that!"

Agreed. This has a very "make it yours" classic monster book attitude. Its like the perfect shipment of building materials and empowerment coaching for seasoned and new GMs alike. Very well done, and this comment about "breathing room" is very astute!

Barbarossa, Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 10:50 AM

To the Paizo staff:

I just received the Bestiary yesterday, and I am very impressed. You all continue to excel in everything you do. Thanks for the effort and commitment to this game that we all love so much.

Kevin

Pax Veritas (Pathfinder Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Modules Subscriber), Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 10:55 AM

Sean K Reynolds wrote:

I think the part that says, "Some creatures are simply not suitable for play as PCs, due to their powers or role in the game" deals with your concerns.

The book is about monsters. Monsters that your PCs can fight. It is not intended as a sourcebook for things for your PCs to be. But we put the "Monsters as PCs" quick rules as a guideline for people who want to have that sort of thing in their game. But if you use those quick rules to create a monster PC and the monster is WAY too good, then you shouldn't be using that monster as a PC, and in general you shouldn't be expecting a half-page of quick rules in a monster book to be all you need to turn over 350 monsters into balanced, playable PC races.

kobo1d, Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 11:05 AM

Vampire is only +2, and Lizardfolk is +1. These are balanced changes my players will love (moreso than 3.5 anyway)

I still like the book overall, its just a shame that most of the stuff only has a place behind the curtain.

Aberzombie (Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber), Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 12:31 PM

Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygot mine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinal lygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!I finallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotm ine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinall ygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!If inallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmi ne!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinally gotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifi nallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmin e!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallyg otmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifin allygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine !Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygo tmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifina llygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!Ifinallygotmine!

Matthew Morris (RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8), Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 12:35 PM

*sigh* still no mail...

Kainlo, Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 01:20 PM

Orders waiting for Seekers of Secrets—for either of the above reasons—started to go out yesterday; many more went today, and the rest should go out tomorrow.
Ok, thanks for the update. Maybe I'll have the PDF version by tonights game...

Here's Hoping!

Kainlo

Ravenmantle (Pathfinder Chronicles Charter Superscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Fiction Subscriber), Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 04:30 PM

I'm starting to feel the taint of impatience...

Matthew Morris (RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8), Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 04:36 PM

Ravenmantle wrote:

I'm starting to feel the taint of impatience...

Only because I had a bad day at work and have been through the PRD, I want pictures!

Asgetrion, Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 05:23 PM

Ravenmantle wrote:

I'm starting to feel the taint of impatience...

Impatience? Nah... although I *did* send Vic, Erik and Sean an email containing pictures of horrified Pit Fiends... next I'm going to send them pictures of my 'Chelaxian Naked Dwarven Beard Dance'-ritual (which is the reason why those Pit Fiends looked horrified, and are still hiding in the cellar) unless my Bestiary ships by friday!

Christopher Hauschild (Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Modules Subscriber), Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 05:31 PM

Mine arrived. happy happy joy joy happy happy joy joy

Matthew Morris (RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8), Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 05:51 PM

Oh goodie. I *just* got the 'in the next week or so, we'll ship your stuff' e-mail.

Paizo, why doth thou taunt me so?

Talek & Luna, Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 07:14 PM

Fantastic. Overall great job. Artwork is spectacular, especially the dryad, devils, demons (vrock and succubus especially!) and vampires. I really get the feel of 1rst Edition AD&D artwork. Same kind of vibe. My only disappointments were the troll and the ogre. They just remind me of something from anime.

The stat blocks are nicely organized and flow really well. Everything is organized and very easy to eyeball just at a glance. I especially like how experience for each monster is listed in the stats. No more flpping through the DMG to find the experience points by CR chart. (yeah!)

My only nitpick with the product is that I wish they would have strayed from 3E orthodoxy on some of the monsters defenses. For example I think that devils DR should be a choice between silver & good or silver & chaotic. Likewise demons should be cold iron & good or cold iron & axiomatic. Therefore demons and devils could do harm to each other in the great Blood Wars as intended!

But nitpicking aside it is an awesome product. 5 out of 5 stars! Great job PAIZO!!!

Heathansson, Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 08:11 PM

Yeah; I'm skimming it.
I agree, great artwork.

I like the kyton backstory a lot.

Gorbacz (Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Chronicles, Pathfinder Companion Subscriber), Fri, Oct 23, 2009, 09:14 PM

Hell yeah, the PDF is here !