Pathfinder Player Companion: Spymaster's Handbook (PFRPG)

Is there anything that made anyone say "wow," or a one sentence pitch why I should buy this book?

More drawbacks. *mic drop*

Okay, but more seriously, I was wowed by the social talents, Scribe's Binding, and some really handy uses for existing skills. I liked two of the three Vigilante archetypes a lot, although the third didn't get enough for its trades.

Can I get a summary of Scribe's Binding?

Can I get a summary of Scribe's Binding?

Plausible Pseudonym wrote:

Can I get a summary of Scribe's Binding?

** spoiler omitted **

... I now have awesome ideas for Character backstories.

QuidEst wrote:

Plausible Pseudonym wrote:

Can I get a summary of Scribe's Binding?

** spoiler omitted **

... I now have awesome ideas for Character backstories.

My original pitch to Owen for that spell was, "Imagine evil wizards who keep entire libraries of trapped people to access their knowledge whenever they want."

It can basically turn any library into the more secure prison ever built.

Rysky wrote:

QuidEst wrote:

Plausible Pseudonym wrote:

Can I get a summary of Scribe's Binding?

** spoiler omitted **

... I now have awesome ideas for Character backstories.

My original pitch to Owen for that spell was, "Imagine evil wizards who keep entire libraries of trapped people to access their knowledge whenever they want."

It can basically turn any library into the more secure prison ever built.

Or good wizards.

Then they die of old age... and then the books get donated to local school libraries...

Plausible Pseudonym wrote:

Can I get a summary of Scribe's Binding?

Spoiler:

Focus is a really expensive book. Fort save or the creature is permanently trapped in the book (9th level magic can fix that, of course) and their entire life is written in the book as a page per day. Got a magical way to modify text? It'll change their memories too.

All this time, goblins were certain that writing would steal your soul... and turns out, they were right.

... I now have awesome ideas for Character backstories.

.

Rysky wrote:

QuidEst wrote:

Plausible Pseudonym wrote:

Can I get a summary of Scribe's Binding?

** spoiler omitted **

... I now have awesome ideas for Character backstories.

My original pitch to Owen for that spell was, "Imagine evil wizards who keep entire libraries of trapped people to access their knowledge whenever they want."

It can basically turn any library into the more secure prison ever built.

Is it Wizard only? Makes sense, but poor Lore specialties of other 9th level casters.

QuidEst wrote:

Plausible Pseudonym wrote:

Can I get a summary of Scribe's Binding?

** spoiler omitted **

All this time, goblins were certain that writing would steal your soul... and turns out, they were right.

Rysky wrote:

... I now have awesome ideas for Character backstories.

.

♫♪ Desna in the sky,
You can go twice as high.
You took a look,
Now you're in her book,
A Reading Rysky!
You can go anywhere.
New friends you'll know,
Naughty ways you'll grow.
A Reading Rysky!
You can be anything.
It's everything you've heard,
Don't forget your safe word.
A Reading Rysky.
A Reading Rysky.
A Reading Rysky! ♫♪

... someone quote this so I can favourite it more than once.

Plausible Pseudonym wrote:

Can I get a summary of Scribe's Binding?

** spoiler omitted **

That is both awesome and creepy.

And hmm, I wonder what happens if one of those books gets reprinted? Or just re-written the way so many have been?

I also imagine what might happen if someone tosses off a potent dispel in a battle in a library, and it just so happens to affect some of those 'books'.

Alexander Augunas wrote:

Rysky wrote:

QuidEst wrote:

Plausible Pseudonym wrote:

Can I get a summary of Scribe's Binding?

** spoiler omitted **

... I now have awesome ideas for Character backstories.

My original pitch to Owen for that spell was, "Imagine evil wizards who keep entire libraries of trapped people to access their knowledge whenever they want."

It can basically turn any library into the more secure prison ever built.

Is it Wizard only? Makes sense, but poor Lore specialties of other 9th level casters.

Spell level is listed as Occultist 6, Sorcerer/Wizard 9, Witch 9.

Paizo keeps taking my lunch money.

SM

Plausible Pseudonym wrote:

Alexander Augunas wrote:

Rysky wrote:

QuidEst wrote:

Plausible Pseudonym wrote:

Can I get a summary of Scribe's Binding?

** spoiler omitted **

... I now have awesome ideas for Character backstories.

My original pitch to Owen for that spell was, "Imagine evil wizards who keep entire libraries of trapped people to access their knowledge whenever they want."

It can basically turn any library into the more secure prison ever built.

Is it Wizard only? Makes sense, but poor Lore specialties of other 9th level casters.

Spell level is listed as Occultist 6, Sorcerer/Wizard 9, Witch 9.

Ok, now that spell sounds particularly awesome. I would buy this just for that spell.

The Agathiel Vigilante archetype is pretty cool. I can see it being used as a flavorful archetype for a skinwalker or kitsune who wants to use an animal form as their primary combat form.

I was expecting more material than what I saw in this, but it was decent overall. I guess what I was hoping for was more feats, spells, and new skill uses than what I saw, but I am generally satisfied.

Plausible Pseudonym wrote:

Alexander Augunas wrote:

Rysky wrote:

QuidEst wrote:

Plausible Pseudonym wrote:

Can I get a summary of Scribe's Binding?

** spoiler omitted **

... I now have awesome ideas for Character backstories.

My original pitch to Owen for that spell was, "Imagine evil wizards who keep entire libraries of trapped people to access their knowledge whenever they want."

It can basically turn any library into the more secure prison ever built.

Is it Wizard only? Makes sense, but poor Lore specialties of other 9th level casters.

Spell level is listed as Occultist 6, Sorcerer/Wizard 9, Witch 9.

So a Tome Eater Occultist could get this spell? How deliciously evil! ;)

Is the Agathiel archetype basically a specialization (Like Warlock and Zealot) or is can it still pick avenger/stalker specialization? What does it trade, and what does it gain?

I really like the idea of this archetype

Is the Agathiel archetype basically a specialization (Like Warlock and Zealot) or is can it still pick avenger/stalker specialization? What does it trade, and what does it gain?

I really like the idea of this archetype

The agathiel alters dual identity and trades out the 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th level vigilante talents. Specialization is not affected.

It gains a restriction as to alignment, Aspect of the Beast as a bonus feat while in vigilante form, and the ability to imitate an animal that later turns in the ability to transform into one indefinitely, though they don't gain ability bonuses and only a limited number of abilities, though these increase as they level up.

jedi8187 wrote:

Is the Agathiel archetype basically a specialization (Like Warlock and Zealot) or is can it still pick avenger/stalker specialization? What does it trade, and what does it gain?

I really like the idea of this archetype

The agathiel alters dual identity and trades out the 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th level vigilante talents. Specialization is not affected.

It gains a restriction as to alignment, Aspect of the Beast as a bonus feat while in vigilante form, and the ability to imitate an animal that later turns in the ability to transform into one indefinitely, though they don't gain ability bonuses and only a limited number of abilities, though these increase as they level up.

I have to say, it seems like the agathiel archetype loses an awful lot of its talents.

Luthorne wrote:

jedi8187 wrote:

Is the Agathiel archetype basically a specialization (Like Warlock and Zealot) or is can it still pick avenger/stalker specialization? What does it trade, and what does it gain?

I really like the idea of this archetype

The agathiel alters dual identity and trades out the 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th level vigilante talents. Specialization is not affected.

It gains a restriction as to alignment, Aspect of the Beast as a bonus feat while in vigilante form, and the ability to imitate an animal that later turns in the ability to transform into one indefinitely, though they don't gain ability bonuses and only a limited number of abilities, though these increase as they level up.

I have to say, it seems like the agathiel archetype loses an awful lot of its talents.

Yeah, at-will indefinite-duration shapeshifting tends to do that.

What is going on with the Player Companion threads?

It seems that any attempt to access the subscription page or any Player Companion after the Spymaster's Handbook generates an error. I cannot access the discussion of any future Player Companion.

What is going on with the Player Companion threads?

It seems that any attempt to access the subscription page or any Player Companion after the Spymaster's Handbook generates an error. I cannot access the discussion of any future Player Companion.

I am having the same issue.

Third. :/

So, I wanted to ask people's understanding of the Agathiel ability: it says he gains "unusual traits that set him apart from ordinary animals". The way it's worded, I can see it either giving one additional ability ('unusual traits') beyond what the animal would normally give with beast shape 1, or just 1 ability the animal would have and nothing else. Thoughts?

So, I wanted to ask people's understanding of the Agathiel ability: it says he gains "unusual traits that set him apart from ordinary animals". The way it's worded, I can see it either giving one additional ability ('unusual traits') beyond what the animal would normally give with beast shape 1, or just 1 ability the animal would have and nothing else. Thoughts?

I think it's pretty clear that they initially get only one of the abilities the animal would have and nothing else beyond the usual things you get from a polymorph spell (such as natural attacks, base land speed, etc.); the unusual traits are probably the absence of these extra abilities. Of course, as they level up, they get access to more.

shadowhntr7 wrote:

So, I wanted to ask people's understanding of the Agathiel ability: it says he gains "unusual traits that set him apart from ordinary animals". The way it's worded, I can see it either giving one additional ability ('unusual traits') beyond what the animal would normally give with beast shape 1, or just 1 ability the animal would have and nothing else. Thoughts?

I think it's pretty clear that they initially get only one of the abilities the animal would have and nothing else beyond the usual things you get from a polymorph spell (such as natural attacks, base land speed, etc.); the unusual traits are probably the absence of these extra abilities. Of course, as they level up, they get access to more.

"Unusual traits that set him apart from ordinary animals," is cosmetic. Like having green fur.

Teen titans was my favorite animated cartoon....

Eric Hinkle wrote:

Luthorne wrote:

jedi8187 wrote:

Is the Agathiel archetype basically a specialization (Like Warlock and Zealot) or is can it still pick avenger/stalker specialization? What does it trade, and what does it gain?

I really like the idea of this archetype

The agathiel alters dual identity and trades out the 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th level vigilante talents. Specialization is not affected.

It gains a restriction as to alignment, Aspect of the Beast as a bonus feat while in vigilante form, and the ability to imitate an animal that later turns in the ability to transform into one indefinitely, though they don't gain ability bonuses and only a limited number of abilities, though these increase as they level up.

I have to say, it seems like the agathiel archetype loses an awful lot of its talents.

Yeah, at-will indefinite-duration shapeshifting tends to do that.

The Agathiel also gets one huge advantage over other shapeshifters like druids: their gear doesn't merge into their new form. It reshapes to fit the animal form. That means he can get the full benefits of armor (but not weapons).

He is also trading those vigilante talents for the ability to choose abilities from the beast shape spell list when he shapeshifts. At level 16 they can get 3 beast shape III abilities or 1 beast shape IV ability.

The problem I noted for this product line seems to extend to the subscription page and future products of every product line I have checked so far.

The problem I noted for this product line seems to extend to the subscription page and future products of every product line I have checked so far.

Yeah it's probably happening for most people, or maybe it's just us unlucky few. Now if only my stuff would ship...

I think it has to be most people -- nobody has posted any messages in the threads for any future products since yesterday afternoon.

Anyway -- my GM is looking forward to the Spymaster's Handbook being available to him and the other players. He has made me just paranoid enough to consider taking that Sense Loyalties feat for use on my own party.

jedi8187 wrote:

Is the Agathiel archetype basically a specialization (Like Warlock and Zealot) or is can it still pick avenger/stalker specialization? What does it trade, and what does it gain?

I really like the idea of this archetype

The agathiel alters dual identity and trades out the 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th level vigilante talents. Specialization is not affected.

It gains a restriction as to alignment, Aspect of the Beast as a bonus feat while in vigilante form, and the ability to imitate an animal that later turns in the ability to transform into one indefinitely, though they don't gain ability bonuses and only a limited number of abilities, though these increase as they level up.

Thanks, looks fun.

How are the new drawbacks? Are any of them interesting or are they all just more piles of numbers?

Very nice will it be possible one day to make a psychic vigilante?

How are the new drawbacks? Are any of them interesting or are they all just more piles of numbers?

I'm curious about those as well.

Very nice will it be possible one day to make a psychic vigilante?

Flippant response is "You mean Psychic Investigator?", but in seriousness, that does work pretty well. You just need to use the secret identity rules from Inner Sea Intrigue, and after a level of maintaining it with your skills, you'll get Vigilante-like divination protection.

But yeah, I wouldn't mind a Vigilante/Mesmerist intersection archetype.

How are the new drawbacks? Are any of them interesting or are they all just more piles of numbers?

Very nice will it be possible one day to make a psychic vigilante?

The Psychometrist is a psychic vigilante, maybe not exactly what you're looking for, but its there.

*prefers psychotic vigilantes* ;)

*prefers psychotic vigilantes* ;)

Horror Adventures has you covered!

Djones,

I know! That's just another reason I'm thrilled by it coming out. :)

It's the best day of the month! PDF purchase day! /dance

Hmm Agathiel Vigilantes gain access to slam attacks...interesting.

OOOoooh multiclass the Id Rager and now can benefit from all the slam increasing abilities.

Yeah sadly the slams are only 1d4. So an Anger ID rager only has 2 1d6 slam attacks...the other slam related ability all have save DCs so they are prolly better for a single classed ID rager.

Hmm, I forgot how they ruled this but couldn't you also take Improved Natural Attack?

I look forward to seeing what the public has to say now.

I look forward to seeing what the public has to say now.

I mostly got the book for vigilante stuff, which is the only stealth like class I like. I was not disappointed in that regard. A few social talents seem useful, and the vigilante talents mostly seem to be good and fun ideas. Agathiel joins psychometrist as a go to archetype for the class. The ninja one, not where I can look at the name, looks really good if not my style. I haven't looked at non vigilante material just yet really, what I have seen looks interesting at least.

First impression, this book seems to have little to offer to those who are not interested in the Vigilante. This is not a big criticism. This is just the first time that a book really seems to focus on just one class.

Is there anything that looks particularly useful for the Warlock or Cabalist Vigilante archetypes?

Is there anything that looks particularly useful for the Warlock or Cabalist Vigilante archetypes?

There are new spells and magic items, but those are mainly stealth and infiltration themed. There are also new Social and Vigilante Talents.