As someone who loves the traits in Pathfinder I thought the cultural traits [2 per nation] were excellent - as was the fighting styles... loads of flavour and another superb addition to the Companion line.
BD
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Thank you Paizo for having this one out 1 day before my presentation of the setting at a local RPG club. Made it all much easier. This book is a great primer on Golarion for new players. Handing it over to Colin "What, I wrote something for Planescape ?" McComb was a brilliant move, he sure knows how to paint a picture with words.
Thank you Paizo for having this one out 1 day before my presentation of the setting at a local RPG club. Made it all much easier. This book is a great primer on Golarion for new players. Handing it over to Colin "What, I wrote something for Planescape ?" McComb was a brilliant move, he sure knows how to paint a picture with words.
I swear I did not write this myself under a secret account.
(however, I should note that the check will be arriving shortly)|
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Thank you Paizo for having this one out 1 day before my presentation of the setting at a local RPG club. Made it all much easier. This book is a great primer on Golarion for new players. Handing it over to Colin "What, I wrote something for Planescape ?" McComb was a brilliant move, he sure knows how to paint a picture with words.I swear I did not write this myself under a secret account.
(however, I should note that the check will be arriving shortly)
To be honest Colin, I was a slight bit afraid that given your freelance status it would be better to assign some hardcore Golarion person (eg JJ or Eric Monna) for the task.
Turns out you got the vibe perfectly. My only slight gripe is that the book mentions The Great Beyond several times, but doesn't really say much about it - a bit ironic, considering your formidable planar background.
Still, an excellent primer. Kudos !
Freelance status means nothing to me! I should mention that I really do love Golarion. Reading through the campaign setting for the first time, I thought, "Holy crap, these guys have created almost exactly the world I always wanted to play in."
The only problem is that it's so richly imagined that I keep finding things that force me to re-evaluate my foundations, and so I'm always concerned that I'm missing a crucial piece.
This really is one of my favorite campaign worlds - EVER - and I'm honored that they asked me to handle this book.
WANT WANT WANT
Freelance status means nothing to me! I should mention that I really do love Golarion. Reading through the campaign setting for the first time, I thought, "Holy crap, these guys have created almost exactly the world I always wanted to play in."
The only problem is that it's so richly imagined that I keep finding things that force me to re-evaluate my foundations, and so I'm always concerned that I'm missing a crucial piece.
This really is one of my favorite campaign worlds - EVER - and I'm honored that they asked me to handle this book.
And you did an excellent job consolidating the world down to 32 pages. This is the perfect book for any Golarion player. This book should become one of the must haves to play or run in Golarion.
I have just finished reading the Primer.
My initial beefing regarding the map aside: This book is great as an introduction for new players to Golarion. Its also very nice for more casual gamers, who do not want to go for the a full campaign setting (either because of the amount of text or the price).
Downside for me: There is nothing really new in there. I own the old CS, will get the new one as soon as its out - so all that really remains as "new/original content" from the Primer is some crunch (traits, alternate class features). Assuming that they won't also appear in the World Guide, of course.
I am reworking my old Dervish6 (Complete series version)/Fighter4 to full Pathfinder version. Yes, kinda asked my GM *grins*. Also, the goal is to use HeroLab (without too much need to go creative).
Is the new Dervish archtype that can be found in this book, something I could use to recreate my old favorite character? Ephasto (I so love him) does dual wield scimitars (as light weapons) and old theme was also mobility (the old Dervish dance). Any advice, if this Book + Dervish Archtype would be the way to go? Campaign is in homebrew setting, so that plays little role in this case.
...and is this book expected to be upgraded on HeroLab?
Thank you.
Laerlorn,
I don't recall what the Complete Fighter's dervish has, but the archetype in ISP gives you:
* a reduced AC penalty when charging
* the ability to move through difficult terrain without a penalty
* a limited way to move and make multiple attacks in the same round
* a way to make an additional attack as part of a full attack, with penalties
Also, nothing in this archetype prevents you from using TWF.
So, if that fits your character, you should look into it.
I actually don't know if the HeroLab guys plan to include ALL Paizo content. You should ask them about it! I'll ask, too, but I won't have access to my work email until Monday, so....
Thank you Sean, the service and community support in these forums is just something ye could expect at year 2010!
The version I have been using is prestige class from Complete Warrior* (*I think) 3,5 version book from WotC. As you describe, the ISP version sounds much like it: lots of movement and lots of swift strikes. Splendid!
I was bit worried after the Paizo feat called Dervish Dance, where one had to use only single scimitar (at nice efficiency).
About HeroLab, I have spent some time on their forums and using the program. The forum support from HeroLab staff is also such strong that I bet I can find or receive the information I need soon enough.
Thank you once again.
Ps. It seems I now have to buy another of your books -.-
WANT WANT WANT
GET GET GET
Seriously this is an excellent introduction to the Pathfinder game world for newcomers and has enough new content and crunch to keep those well travelled more than happy.
Can't recommend it enough
Downside for me: There is nothing really new in there. I own the old CS, will get the new one as soon as its out - so all that really remains as "new/original content" from the Primer is some crunch (traits, alternate class features).
Sounds like it would make a really good gift to a gamer who hasn't yet discovered Golarion.... :)
Sounds like it would make a really good gift to a gamer who hasn't yet discovered Golarion.... :)
Thats right!
"PDF available approx. Dec 1"
BTW, Paizo should consider making this a $5 download. Or maybe printing up some free download coupons* for handing out to new Pathfinder society players. I bet the business you'd eventually get by driving people to the website would more than make up for the revenue (possibly) lost on PDFs of this particular file. Acquisition strategy FTW! :)
* With scratch off codes. And only give them out to first-time society players. The idea is to follow the "first one's free" model without diminishing the perceived value of the product.
Creative Director
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"PDF available approx. Dec 1"
BTW, Paizo should consider making this a $5 download. Or maybe printing up some free download coupons* for handing out to new Pathfinder society players. I bet the business you'd eventually get by driving people to the website would more than make up for the revenue (possibly) lost on PDFs of this particular file. Acquisition strategy FTW! :)
* With scratch off codes. And only give them out to first-time society players. The idea is to follow the "first one's free" model without diminishing the perceived value of the product.
The time to include scratch-off codes in a product is some point before that product goes to the printer. And in Paizo's case, since we've never done that before, some time WAY before a product goes to the printer. Printing up stand-alone coupons with scratch-off codes can be done after the product ships, but at this point it's too late to even consider that.
And even then we wouldn't, because PDF codes have a lot of problems with them. If we want folks to have easy access to a product, we prefer to price it super low or even give it away for free (as in the case of the Adventure Path Player's Guides.)
I don't believe there's any plans to do this with the Inner Sea Primer; it's already one of our lower-priced products after all. But I'm also not the one who makes the store decisions around these parts.
"PDF available approx. Dec 1"
BTW, Paizo should consider making this a $5 download. Or maybe printing up some free download coupons* for handing out to new Pathfinder society players. I bet the business you'd eventually get by driving people to the website would more than make up for the revenue (possibly) lost on PDFs of this particular file. Acquisition strategy FTW! :)
* With scratch off codes. And only give them out to first-time society players. The idea is to follow the "first one's free" model without diminishing the perceived value of the product.
The time to include scratch-off codes in a product is some point before that product goes to the printer. And in Paizo's case, since we've never done that before, some time WAY before a product goes to the printer. Printing up stand-alone coupons with scratch-off codes can be done after the product ships, but at this point it's too late to even consider that.
And even then we wouldn't, because PDF codes have a lot of problems with them. If we want folks to have easy access to a product, we prefer to price it super low or even give it away for free (as in the case of the Adventure Path Player's Guides.)
I don't believe there's any plans to do this with the Inner Sea Primer; it's already one of our lower-priced products after all. But I'm also not the one who makes the store decisions around these parts.
Fair enough. But as for PDF scratch off codes (and the like) having problems, I'd argue that none of those problems matter in this case. You're not actually trying to limit people having free access to a particular file; you're only trying to give it away without decreasing it's perceived value.
Many, many companies have trouble fully wrapping their minds around the economics of digital goods. In this respect, Paizo is better than most. In my fairly well-informed opinion, however, a product like this can be an amazing way to acquire new customers if properly leveraged. Then again, as far as you know I'm just some random guy on a messageboard. :-)
Is it really available now? When will this ship to subscribers? My Subscription page says it's not shipping until late December.
Is it really available now? When will this ship to subscribers? My Subscription page says it's not shipping until late December.
If you have it set to ship with an AP it won't ship until December as there wasn't an AP released in November.
Is it really available now? When will this ship to subscribers? My Subscription page says it's not shipping until late December.If you have it set to ship with an AP it won't ship until December as there wasn't an AP released in November.
Hmmm. I'm set to "not hold anything".
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Hmmm. I'm set to "not hold anything".Is it really available now? When will this ship to subscribers? My Subscription page says it's not shipping until late December.If you have it set to ship with an AP it won't ship until December as there wasn't an AP released in November.
Then you should contact customer service then. If you have it set to not hold for anything and your subscription has not been sent yet. Then something screwy has likely happened.
Then you should contact customer service then. If you have it set to not hold for anything and your subscription has not been sent yet. Then something screwy has likely happened.Hmmm. I'm set to "not hold anything".Is it really available now? When will this ship to subscribers? My Subscription page says it's not shipping until late December.If you have it set to ship with an AP it won't ship until December as there wasn't an AP released in November.
Nevermind. Dummy me. It was sitting in my Sidecart on the My Account page. I just ordered it.
Well even if I am the only one, this is one (in fact the first product) of the Pathfinder-Series I do not like very much. The new things are really few. There is a lot what has been printed many times over. The Gazetteer contained most of it, the CS-Hardcover also, not to mention that a revised Hardcover will be released some time soon. Not to mention that all or at least most of the gods got a detailed view in gods and magic and an even more detailed on at the end-section of some adventure-path adventures.
Nations quite the same story.
As you can see from my subscriptions I am quite an Pathfinder aficionado, but this product fails to strike my fancy.
Granted it is a good introduction for newcomers, but that's about it.
My group really plays for some time now and knows the world of Golarion, if it was meant as a newcomer overview it is really late.
My group really plays for some time now and knows the world of Golarion, if it was meant as a newcomer overview it is really late.
Or, given that we have tens of thousands of new customers buying our core rulebooks and starting to look at our campaign setting line, and the gazetteer and the Campaign Setting books are both sold out, it's exactly the sort of thing we should be publishing right now—a short, low price point book to get people started on Golarion.
(I understand the purpose of this product doesn't really align with what your group needs right now, just as the Pathfinder Intro Game next year isn't something you'd need for your group. But perhaps it's something you can give to someone else to get them interested in the world, just as you'd give someone a copy of the Intro Game to get them interested in the game?)
My group really plays for some time now and knows the world of Golarion, if it was meant as a newcomer overview it is really late.Or, given that we have tens of thousands of new customers buying our core rulebooks and starting to look at our campaign setting line, and the gazetteer and the Campaign Setting books are both sold out, it's exactly the sort of thing we should be publishing right now—a short, low price point book to get people started on Golarion.
+1. I've seen several posts from people who have just discovered Golarion since they picked up the Pathfinder rules and are asking where they can find more information about the world, for them or for their players. Until now, the only immediate answer has been to look for used book sales or buy an expensive and (partially-)mechanically-outdated PDF. The old newcomers got the Gazetteer and the Campaign Setting; the new newcomers get the Inner Sea Primer and the World Guide. I think Paizo has been pretty aboveboard in promoting the new books as replacements/revisions of the old ones.
Agree that this product is ideal for introducing new players to Golarion for the first time [whcih is pretty fortuitous for my new KM campaign with 2 newbies to Pathfinder] but I still maintain [as I mentioned above] that its got plenty for those familiar with the roads and regions of the Inner Sea...
The traits listed are all excellent [granted I love the trait system] and the Fighter archtypes provide flavour aplenty...
Or, given that we have tens of thousands of new customers buying our core rulebooks and starting to look at our campaign setting line, and the gazetteer and the Campaign Setting books are both sold out, it's exactly the sort of thing we should be publishing right now—a short, low price point book to get people started on Golarion.
Be that as it may. Why are those books sold out and if they are, why not reprint them. If for some reason a reprint is not possible or more costly than a new product so be it.
However, this product might make a lot of sense for those people who are new to Golarion, it makes little to no sense for people for people, who are familiar with Golarion.
Therefor I hope that the "Pathfinder Intro Game" is published as a standalone product, and not within one of the 5 Series (RPG/CS/CP/M).
My point is just, that I got a reprint of a lot of things I already know with just a few new points. Hence if the agenda of making new introduction products continues instead of reprinting old ones, I will time and again get products, which I basically already own and that is not why I became a subscriber. Or you could mark products as newcomer products an make an option to exclude such products from the subscription.
Or, given that we have tens of thousands of new customers buying our core rulebooks and starting to look at our campaign setting line, and the gazetteer and the Campaign Setting books are both sold out, it's exactly the sort of thing we should be publishing right now—a short, low price point book to get people started on Golarion.Be that as it may. Why are those books sold out and if they are, why not reprint them. If for some reason a reprint is not possible or more costly than a new product so be it.
However, this product might make a lot of sense for those people who are new to Golarion, it makes little to no sense for people for people, who are familiar with Golarion.
Therefor I hope that the "Pathfinder Intro Game" is published as a standalone product, and not within one of the 5 Series (RPG/CS/CP/M).
My point is just, that I got a reprint of a lot of things I already know with just a few new points. Hence if the agenda of making new introduction products continues instead of reprinting old ones, I will time and again get products, which I basically already own and that is not why I became a subscriber. Or you could mark products as newcomer products an make an option to exclude such products from the subscription.
Because it is really cost prohibitive to reprint a book. The more copies of a book you print the less per book it costs and conversely the fewer copies you print the more it costs per book. On top of that this is the first book that introduces the world in a player friendly way without some of the spoilers we have seen in the GM centric books.
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And it makes no sense to reprint the Gazetteer. It was basically replaced by the Campaign Setting book which is going to be replaced by the new World Guide. I believe they do plan to reprint the World Guide when they need to but this time it made sense to update it(I am so glad) because it came out before the Pathfinder rules. The World Guide is the new Pathfinderized version of the Campaign Setting.
There was a lot of talk a few months ago about reprint the Campaign Setting book the way it is or update it for Pathfinder. The overwhelming response was update it. (At least my overwhelming response).
Be that as it may. Why are those books sold out and if they are, why not reprint them. If for some reason a reprint is not possible or more costly than a new product so be it.
Why are those books sold out? Because we print a reasonable number of our books, and eventually that number is sold.
Why not reprint them? Because they're 3.5 books with some rules material we'd like to remove or update to the Pathfinder RPG. And because the new campaign setting is going to be bigger, with more information on each country (and other things) than the current campaign setting has.
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I said this under the Companion Line Topics but I'll just say it here, this product is awesome. It has an up to date feel and its tweeks are just in the right places. You would be surprised how many players know little or nothing about Golarion. This is the first time I can hand them something that speaks strongly about the setting and allows them to sink their teeth into it. I feel a lot of thought went into the presentation of this material. This is one of the few Pathfinder Companion Products that apply to all players as a whole.
I think at this phase of the game, with Pathfinder going strong, its easy to forget that it was really a child of chaos whose parents did a phenomenal job keeping it alive to adulthood.
Paizo wanted to put out a Gazetteer to get people interested in the world. They didn't get it out as soon as they had liked, so it dovetailed with the Campaign Setting book, which kind of had to be their "big thing" at Gen Con the year it came out, and all of that was stuff that had to be kicked into high gear because they didn't know if they were going to stay 3.5 or if 4E would have let them do the same kind of things they wanted it to.
So while the Gazetteer and the Campaign Setting guide were both fine books, they both were put together during times of great change and confusion. Its a miracle that they are both the high quality that they are (well, its not a miracle, its a testament to how hard the Paizo guys work and how creative they are), but it also makes sense that new products that have a chance to be created with some hindsight and better handle of the overall direction of the brand will be coming out.
I really wish I could get the pdf for this before my paper copy is sent out with the rest of my subscriptions in late December.
We're starting a new campaign on Wednesday and my players would really benefit.
It was for that very reason that I got mine sent out earlier than the rest of my subs also... bummer is that with the terrible weather here in Scotland we're putting character creation on hold for the foreseeable :(
Was it the overall crunch and flavour of the Inner Sea Intro or anything in particular you were hoping to benefit from?
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I really wish I could get the pdf for this before my paper copy is sent out with the rest of my subscriptions in late December.
We're starting a new campaign on Wednesday and my players would really benefit.
It was for that very reason that I got mine sent out earlier than the rest of my subs also... bummer is that with the terrible weather here in Scotland we're putting character creation on hold for the foreseeable :(
Was it the overall crunch and flavour of the Inner Sea Intro or anything in particular you were hoping to benefit from?
Most of my players aren't interested in reading setting books, I want something small that will grab their attention and help them create characters tied to the setting.
The AP Players' Guides do a good job of that but I don't always run APs.
Why not reprint them? Because they're 3.5 books with some rules material we'd like to remove or update to the Pathfinder RPG.
OK that is a quite irrefutable reason, which raises another question:
There are a lot of Campaign Setting Volumes and Companion Volumes based on 3.5 - will you update all of them to match the Pathfinder rules?
If so I have to rethink my subscription policy, since I personally have no reason to spend money on a remake of i.e. "Into the Darklands" even if there is one or the other feat mentioned which was designed for 3.5.