paizo.com Recent Reviews of Pathfinder Player Companion: Bastards of Golarion (PFRPG)paizo.com Recent Reviews of Pathfinder Player Companion: Bastards of Golarion (PFRPG)2023-12-29T19:30:57Z2023-12-29T19:30:57ZPathfinder Player Companion: Bastards of Golarion (PFRPG): Not worth the price (2 stars)Lee Woodhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy93na?Pathfinder-Player-Companion-Bastards-of-Golarion2014-08-27T04:05:23Z<p><b>Pathfinder Player Companion: Bastards of Golarion (PFRPG)</b></p><p>This product would have gotten four stars were it half the price. At its listed retail, however, the value just isn't there. </p>
<p>There are some wonderful illustrations of the common fantasy half-breeds, especially half-orcs. However, the work itself seems a bit unfocused, with not enough material in some cases (gill men) and bland material in others. What crunch there is seems to be so minor or insignificant as to be an after thought. </p>
<p>The true "bastards" - half-tiefling, half-aasimars, etc. - are relegated to a paragraph apiece. A true shame and a missed opportunity. </p>
<p>A large swath of this work was devoted to character backgrounds - material that could have been condensed to one or two paragraphs per concept, leaving more room for discussion on actual half-breeds. </p>
<p>A work on this subject could have easily been double this size and packed with awesome information. It's very unlikely we'll ever get that chance again for Pathfinder.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Player Companion: Bastards of Golarion (PFRPG)</b></p><p>This product would have gotten four stars were it half the price. At its listed retail, however, the value just isn't there. </p>
<p>There are some wonderful illustrations of the common fantasy half-breeds, especially half-orcs. However, the work itself seems a bit unfocused, with not enough material in some cases (gill men) and bland material in others. What crunch there is seems to be so minor or insignificant as to be an after thought. </p>
<p>The true "bastards" - half-tiefling, half-aasimars, etc. - are relegated to a paragraph apiece. A true shame and a missed opportunity. </p>
<p>A large swath of this work was devoted to character backgrounds - material that could have been condensed to one or two paragraphs per concept, leaving more room for discussion on actual half-breeds. </p>
<p>A work on this subject could have easily been double this size and packed with awesome information. It's very unlikely we'll ever get that chance again for Pathfinder.</p>Lee Wood2014-08-27T04:05:23ZPathfinder Player Companion: Bastards of Golarion (PFRPG): Bastards of Heroics (5 stars)Dragon78https://paizo.com/products/btpy93na?Pathfinder-Player-Companion-Bastards-of-Golarion2014-06-30T13:18:29Z<p><b>Pathfinder Player Companion: Bastards of Golarion (PFRPG)</b></p><p>After looking at this book again recently, I can say that it is much better then I thought it would be. Not only do half-elves and half-orcs get a lot of love but several other races get a little something cool as well.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Player Companion: Bastards of Golarion (PFRPG)</b></p><p>After looking at this book again recently, I can say that it is much better then I thought it would be. Not only do half-elves and half-orcs get a lot of love but several other races get a little something cool as well.</p>Dragon782014-06-30T13:18:29ZPathfinder Player Companion: Bastards of Golarion (PFRPG): Pretty good (3 stars)Naviorhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy93na?Pathfinder-Player-Companion-Bastards-of-Golarion2014-03-19T04:11:39Z<p><b>Pathfinder Player Companion: Bastards of Golarion (PFRPG)</b></p><p>Read my full review on <a href="http://ofdiceandpenblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/bastards-of-golarion.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Of Dice and Pen</a>.</p>
<p><i>Bastards of Golarion</i> is a rather better book than I was expecting, even if it does at times seem unsure of its focus. It contains a lot of advice and suggestions for creating characters who are either half-human characters or outcasts from society in some way or another. As with any Pathfinder Player Companion, there are quite a few new mechanical options, but these are mostly limited to new traits that help support the “fluff” of the book. The emphasis of the book is very much on the background information, and this pleased me a great deal.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Player Companion: Bastards of Golarion (PFRPG)</b></p><p>Read my full review on <a href="http://ofdiceandpenblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/bastards-of-golarion.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Of Dice and Pen</a>.</p>
<p><i>Bastards of Golarion</i> is a rather better book than I was expecting, even if it does at times seem unsure of its focus. It contains a lot of advice and suggestions for creating characters who are either half-human characters or outcasts from society in some way or another. As with any Pathfinder Player Companion, there are quite a few new mechanical options, but these are mostly limited to new traits that help support the “fluff” of the book. The emphasis of the book is very much on the background information, and this pleased me a great deal.</p>Navior2014-03-19T04:11:39ZPathfinder Player Companion: Bastards of Golarion (PFRPG): Disappointing (2 stars)Shasazarhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy93na?Pathfinder-Player-Companion-Bastards-of-Golarion2014-02-27T05:01:48Z<p><b>Pathfinder Player Companion: Bastards of Golarion (PFRPG)</b></p><p>A disappointing book that tries to do too much. You get some good fluff and an occasional gem amidst a lot of chaff and a few real head-scratchers. Admittedly, Half-Elves are my favourite core race and I was hoping for better quality content than what I found here.</p>
<p>Positives: Good fluff all round. Half-Orc Subraces are well done. Great cover and I have to single out the Half-Orc pic on page 10 for making me consider playing my least favourite race.</p>
<p>Negatives: Most of the new options are forgettable. Far too many races with their own dedicated Players Companions are represented. Background and Distant Heritage options are things you could work out for yourself with little actual mechanics.</p>
<p>I have to call out some specifics now as examples; some of this stuff perplexes me. The Shoreborn give up Low-light Vision and Keen Senses for Swim and Sailing buffs; the buffs are understandable but you’d think Aquatic blood would make for better vision rather than worse. Spireborn are a little too good, they trade Adaptability for Spell-Like abilities. The rest generally trade Elven Immunities for terrain-specific skill buffs which are of questionable utility aside from very specific campaign settings.</p>
<p>The Unusual Origins feat is actually four feats, depending on which of the applicable races you are. Why isn’t it four separate feats? I don’t know, I can’t think of a single reason why. This one feat takes up an entire double page spread too with some seriously ugly artwork. I hate saying that but that particular piece of artwork rubs me in every wrong way possible.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Player Companion: Bastards of Golarion (PFRPG)</b></p><p>A disappointing book that tries to do too much. You get some good fluff and an occasional gem amidst a lot of chaff and a few real head-scratchers. Admittedly, Half-Elves are my favourite core race and I was hoping for better quality content than what I found here.</p>
<p>Positives: Good fluff all round. Half-Orc Subraces are well done. Great cover and I have to single out the Half-Orc pic on page 10 for making me consider playing my least favourite race.</p>
<p>Negatives: Most of the new options are forgettable. Far too many races with their own dedicated Players Companions are represented. Background and Distant Heritage options are things you could work out for yourself with little actual mechanics.</p>
<p>I have to call out some specifics now as examples; some of this stuff perplexes me. The Shoreborn give up Low-light Vision and Keen Senses for Swim and Sailing buffs; the buffs are understandable but you’d think Aquatic blood would make for better vision rather than worse. Spireborn are a little too good, they trade Adaptability for Spell-Like abilities. The rest generally trade Elven Immunities for terrain-specific skill buffs which are of questionable utility aside from very specific campaign settings.</p>
<p>The Unusual Origins feat is actually four feats, depending on which of the applicable races you are. Why isn’t it four separate feats? I don’t know, I can’t think of a single reason why. This one feat takes up an entire double page spread too with some seriously ugly artwork. I hate saying that but that particular piece of artwork rubs me in every wrong way possible.</p>Shasazar2014-02-27T05:01:48Z