Strange Magic Unchained: Variant Multiclassing (PFRPG) PDF

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this product.

This small PDF is, as the title suggests, an expansion for Strange Magic that allows characters to use the Variant Multiclassing rules presented in Pathfinder Unchained. ...Honestly, I feel like that alone is going to tell you whether or not you want to get this. That said, it's a pretty good way to work in the powers and flavor of any of the classes this product covers if your GM is hesitant to let you let the full versions. (Variant Multiclassing in general is not a super-powerful option - these are the kinds of rules you'll play with for fun anyway, and all of the granted powers are weak enough that they shouldn't unbalance the game... especially because Interjection Games is a company that tends to be pretty good on balancing stuff.)

Classes that are covered include the Breakdancer, the Cantor, the Ethermagus, the Ethermancer, the Etherslinger, the Harmonicist, the Maestro, the Scion of Discordia, and the Truenamer.

Now, this was probably obvious already, but this is not a standalone book (even by the standards of third-party products). You will need either the big Strange Magic 1 book or the individual product containing whichever class you'd like to get, since that's where the actual rules are.

This product clearly isn't for everyone, since not every game even allows third-party content, much less uses some of the more obscure rules from Pathfinder Unchained. That said, I'm glad this option is available for those who do want to use it, and I don't hesitate to recommend it to such groups.

This pdf clocks in at 6 pages, 1 page front cover, 1 page SRD, leaving us with 4 pages of content, so let's take a look!

This little pdf does pretty much what it says on the tin - it takes the Strange Magic-classes and translates them to the variant multiclassing system used introduced in Pathfinder Unchained.

The Breakdancer gets score and rhythm at 3rd level and qualifies for a breakdancer talent at 7th level, though only one to which a 3rd level breakdancer can qualify. 11th, 15th and 19th level go a similar way, expanding the options of the score -and yes, here we also have maximum level-requirements.

The Cantor needs to select a deity at 1st level and begins play with restrictions that are appropriate, with 3rd level unlocking score and 7th providing domains, which then alternate with score progression at 7th, 11th, 15th and 19th level.

The ethermagus gets void blade at 1/2 level at 3rd level and access to the voidmeld etherheart at 7th level as well as 2 1st level manifestation. 11th level unlocks void shield, 15th level provides 2 voidmeld manifestations and 19th level makes his level count as ethermagus level for purposes of void blade. EP regenerationr ate is 1, scaling up to 2 at 11th level, 3 at 19th.

The ethermancer begins at 3rd level with 1/2 level's ethermancer and lesser blasts that can only be modified by 1 manifestation and a pool equal to 1/2 level + Cha-mod as well as 2 1st-level manifestations known. 7th and 15th level provide a multiuniversal philosophy. 19th level brings more manifestations and allows for the addition of more than 1 manifestation to a blast, though one needs to be 1st level.

The etherslinger begins with 3rd level firearm proficiency, with 7th level unlcoking ether clear and ethersmith and a limited ether pool. 11th level unlocks Amateur Gunslinger and etherbullets, 15th level an etherslinging talent and 19th level another one.

Harmonicists gets limited score at 3rd level, expanding capability at 7th level. The capacity of the score is increased at 11th level. Counterpoint is unlocked at 15th level and the 19th level further offers more intros, melodies, etc. while also unlocking front and center.

The Maestro's take begins with score at 3rd level, obviously and unlocks refrain at a 2nd level maestro's potency at 7th level. 11th level and 19th level increase score capacity and 15th level provides a single opus with prereqs for which a 7th level maestro can qualify.

The Scion of Discordia gets truenaming at 3rd level with two 1st level recitations and 7th level unlocks the discordant zone at 1/2 class level's potency. 11th level unlocks more recitations (as wella s unlocking the Codex of Artifice) and 15th level provides a talent of discordia for 7th level whose prereqs can be met by a 7th level scion. At 19th level, recitations are expanded and the Codex of Far-Flung Spheres is unlocked.

The truenamer follows the same unlocking progression regarding the codices, but at 7th level, they gain an inflection and a second inflection at 15th level.

Conclusion:

Editing and formatting are very good, I noticed no glitches. Layout adheres to a clear and crisp two-column b/w-standard and the pdf sports great artworks re-used from Strange Magic. The pdf has no bookmarks, but needs none at this length.

Bradley Crouch's variant multiclassing for Strange Magic is an inexpensive, humble and solid little book that does exactly what it says on the tin. While it does not cover the "archetypes" that basically constitute alternate classes, it does cover the well-crafted original classes. All in all, a solid, inexpensive little pdf one can't really complain about.

My final verdict will clock in at 5 stars.

Endzeitgeist out.