Help Me Spend My Stimulus Money! (a.k.a. Spreading some 3PP love)


Product Discussion


Well, last year was tight, and so my RPG budget was whittled down to just my Paizo subscriptions mostly. However, between the Making Work Pay Credit (look into this when you are doing your taxes in the US!), Home Energy Credits (yay for installing energy efficient windows and insulation in the old house!), and a Child Tax Credit (yay for a new baby we weren't expecting at the start of 2009!), our 2009 tax returns are looking nice. I'd like to spread that love back around to some 3rd Party Publishers that are doing there best to support Paizo, Pathfinder, and Open Gaming.

A few opening notes--I had materials already from some publishers that contributed OGC to my Excel-based character sheet work (thanks to Alluria Publishing, Super Genius Games/OtherWorld Creations, and 4 Winds Fantasy!). Since I already know the quality of these folks' work and they support OGC, I'm picking up their other materials--all the Remarkable Races, all of 4WF's stuff, and the Genius Guide to... for their classes (they've got too much stuff out to buy it all right now since I want to spread the love--unless you guys convince me otherwise!). I'm also picking up The Great City PRPG material, as I've heard really good stuff on that one.

So, tell me what I should buy and why. And for all the 3PP folks, thanks for the work you do, especially the support for OGC and making the game available to the masses! Note that I'm open to publishers themselves coming in with their own perspectives--I appreciate creative folks that are passionate about their work!


I like the way you think! I would have to recommend Tricky Owlbear's Behind the Spells: Compendium as the best value for your money. You can find it and some sterling reviews HERE as well as the tweaks needed to Pathfinder-ize it HERE.

Liberty's Edge

Fistful of Denarii is a great product, especially with the updates that went live this week, and for the ridiculously low price. Those guys NEED to get it into print so I can buy a bunch for friends. :)

I also reccommend the Tricky Owlbear Behind the Spells book... the lore contained within could easily be used to build a campaign around.

You've already said you're buying all the 4WF and Great City stuff, both of which are great ideas on your behalf. If you get the Great City in print, though, be careful taking it from the box... sucker gave me a NASTY scar on my leg with its edges of sharpness +4. Fortunately, the material INSIDE of it are as sharp as the outside!

I recently subscribed to Kobold Quarterly... I'm SHOCKED at their high level of production value, and the quality of the content, even if there is large swaths of it I can only use for inspiration since it is statted up in the 4e style. It's like a Dragon Magazine printed on cardstock.

I know it gets roundly criticized by a lot of people, but the Tome of Secrets from Adamant Entertainment is a really nice product. You'll want errata for it, unless they updated it again some more, but it's a really nice product otherwise, especially the profession rules.

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

When i first seen the thread title I thought it said

Help Me Spend My Stimulus Monkey!

I am not even sure what to think about that. :) anyways just thought i would share my weird moment.


TrickyOwlbear wrote:
I like the way you think! I would have to recommend Tricky Owlbear's Behind the Spells: Compendium as the best value for your money. You can find it and some sterling reviews HERE as well as the tweaks needed to Pathfinder-ize it HERE.

Sweet! Added to cart!

Dark Archive

Stark Enterprises VP wrote:


Fistful of Denarii is a great product, especially with the updates that went live this week

Oh? Details!

Liberty's Edge

It's a HOST of base classes with a decidedly non-magical bent to them, for less than 5.00... and it's now all erratafied to fix the mistakes in some calculations. I LOVE it. Especially the Scholar...


Bitter Thorn wrote:
TrickyOwlbear wrote:
I like the way you think! I would have to recommend Tricky Owlbear's Behind the Spells: Compendium as the best value for your money. You can find it and some sterling reviews HERE as well as the tweaks needed to Pathfinder-ize it HERE.
Sweet! Added to cart!

Thanks!!

Dark Archive

Stark Enterprises VP wrote:


It's a HOST of base classes with a decidedly non-magical bent to them, for less than 5.00... and it's now all erratafied to fix the mistakes in some calculations. I LOVE it. Especially the Scholar...

Oops! Sorry. I knew what the product is, but didn't know there was errata now available.


There is our whole line of products that supports the Pathfinder Rpg HERE

Feats 101 is available in print at our Lulu Storefront

Steve Russell
Steve Russell


Dark_Mistress wrote:

When i first seen the thread title I thought it said

Help Me Spend My Stimulus Monkey!

I am not even sure what to think about that. :) anyways just thought i would share my weird moment.

You're not alone. I totally saw it, too.

Oh, right, buying stuff. I really liked GM Gems and PC Pearls, if you don't already have those. Actually, if you don't have them, I STRONGLY recommend them.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

May I suggest becoming a Patron of the Monstrous Arts?

You don't have to pledge all that much to get just the PDF, and if you want the hardcover it's only $25. I went full out and pledged $150, and may do more if more people don't sign on. So every little bit helps. :) Admittedly, it won't be charged for some time yet, so it might not be up your alley.


Heh, if I had stimulus monkeys, I wouldn't have to spend any money! I love monkeys...

I've seen a lot of good press for Tricky Owlbear products, and I do like it when companies make good use of core material in creative new ways. So that one's got a good lead for my dollars.

I was looking at Fistful of Denarii the other day, considering it as I do like to play around in the non-magical side of things. I'll give it another look.

As for KQ, I keep wanting to subscribe, but the 4E material is a drag for me since there's no chance I'll ever play it again...Plus I'm very interested in OGC material and nothing 4E suits that bill. I did snag the issue #10 offer they put out and will give it a read. We'll see where it goes from there.

I also snagged Tome of Secrets when Adamant had there $1 sale. Since that sale covered all their other products except Fell Beast #3, I'm probably set for them for a while.

GM Gems and PC Pearls I haven't looked at (though I do recall the GM Gems furor when it came out, due to many forum posters being contributors). I'll check those out...

For Rite Publishing, I had glanced at Feats 101--is that largely OGC? For feat-based products especially, I like to be able to incorporate content into my character sheet work, so the OGC bit is important on a product like this (same for the classes, actually).

Patron projects haven't caught my fancy, though they do seem to be quite popular. What does Monstrous Arts have going for it that's a good selling point?

Thanks for the input, guys and gals. Definitely taking everything into consideration...

Paizo Employee Director of Game Development

If I may suggest a few things some friends and I worked on. 0one Game's Road to Revolution Urban Adventures Arc is OGL, but 0one is releasing conversion guides for PFRPG. Also, the link I er..linked, is for the bundle of all six adventures, but they are available individually as well. The Great City Player's Guide is completely PFRPG and has some great things for running an urban campaign...like an adventure arc! :)

As others suggested, KQ and Rite Publishing stuff is always top notch. ...and yeah, pick up GM Gems and PC Pearls too!

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

Monstrous Acts is kind of an experiment to see if people will pay for good art in a product. Since indy products don't have a lot of backing, art budgets don't go very far, so quality illustrations aren't top priority. Basically the 2k pledge drive is entirely for the art budget.

Liberty's Edge

Feats 101 is a GREAT book... I got it a few months ago myself, and one PC in my home campaign has picked almost exclusively from it since. Good stuff.


Thanks all! The names that keep coming up are those I had been hearing goo things about, so thanks for the confirmation. I didn't see any nods for LPJ Design, but they've got a lot of PRPG material. Any thoughts there?


erian_7 wrote:
A few opening notes--I had materials already from some publishers that contributed OGC to my Excel-based character sheet work (thanks to Alluria Publishing, Super Genius Games/OtherWorld Creations, and 4 Winds Fantasy!). Since I already know the quality of these folks' work and they support OGC, I'm picking up their other materials--all the Remarkable Races, all of 4WF's stuff, and the Genius Guide to... for their classes (they've got too much stuff out to buy it all right now since I want to spread the love--unless you guys convince me otherwise!). I'm also picking up The Great City PRPG material, as I've heard really good stuff on that one.

Hey, thanks for the support! And make sure to check out Luven Lightfinger's Gear and Treasure Shopwhen it is released in a few weeks!

Robert
4 Winds Fantasy Gaming


erian_7 wrote:
Thanks all! The names that keep coming up are those I had been hearing goo things about, so thanks for the confirmation. I didn't see any nods for LPJ Design, but they've got a lot of PRPG material. Any thoughts there?

Well I like it, but I am slightly biased. Do yourself a favor and check out our FREE PRODUCTS for Pathfinder first. Then after you like what you see and read, THEN spend some of that stimulus cash. I mean what kind of RPG company would want you to spend cash on them BEFRORE you got a chance to check them out for FREE?

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber
LMPjr007 wrote:
I mean what kind of RPG company would want you to spend cash on them BEFRORE you got a chance to check them out for FREE?

Well played, dear publisher, well played...

Super Genius Games

If it helps, you can pick up all of our Pathfinder products for under $29.00, less if you subtract what you may have already purchased. :D

Hyrum.


Robert/Hyrum, you guys will both benefit from my obsessive compulsive nature--once I lock in on something I'm definitely a completionist...thus my Pathfinder subscriptions! Although even there I guess I have my limits (the AP map packs and card decks for instance--the latter is not real high on my list of product types I like, and the former I can reproduce from the PDFs...).

Louis, if you had to pick one product that you would say, "This. This right here is what we're all about, exemplifying what it means to buy an LPJ Design product..." what would that product be? It's not a genre thing--I like everything from Darksun and Mystara to Traveller to oWoD--more along the lines of quality, creativity, and use of OGC. Name that product, and I'll buy it...


erian_7 wrote:
Louis, if you had to pick one product that you would say, "This. This right here is what we're all about, exemplifying what it means to buy an LPJ Design product..." what would that product be? It's not a genre thing--I like everything from Darksun and Mystara to Traveller to oWoD--more along the lines of quality, creativity, and use of OGC. Name that product, and I'll buy it...

Race Creation Cookbook is my personal favorite. I like to create races so a book like that for me is the best PDF someone can buy. The most creative PDF I have worked on would be Races of Obsidian Twilight. Like I said, I like creating races.


erian_7

Yes the feats in feats 101 are OGC.

Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

Well since this thread seems to have failed its Bind Dr. Nardi check, may I recommend The Pact Magic series, he made?

It's a pretty simple add on, and one of my prefered suplimental rules systems actually. His Atlan marge pretty seamlessly with the Azlanti, and I think the planes given in Villians of Pact Magic are not incompatible with Golarion's plane system.


Two more days before I'm looking to "pull the trigger" on my purchase. Any other recommendations/thoughts before then?

And thanks to all for your suggestions so far!

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Well here is a list of the 3pp stuff I got that I really liked. This is not a list of all of it and what is not on the list is not bad. This is just what I liked best. Also I far from have all the 3pp stuff for PFRPG out there. Mostly I buy things either on sale or cause they really interest me.

Arsenal of Arcane Might - LPJ Games
Race Creation Book - LPJ Games
Undefeatable line*(see below) - LPJ Games
Class Options Paladin - Reality Deviant Publications
Class Options Sorcerers - Reality Deviant Publications
Death Mage - Super Genius Games
Ice Magic - Super Genius Games
Feats of Spell Casting - Super Genius Games
Feats of Subterfuge - Super Genius Games
Shaman - Super Genius Games
The War Master - Super Genius Games
Shadow Assassin - Super Genius Games
Paths of Power - 4 Winds Fantasy Gaming
The Book of Arcane Might - 4 Winds Fantasy Gaming
The Tome of Secrets - Adamant Entertainment

*(this line as a whole is a bit hit or miss some are very good and some meh the Fighter one is likely the worst of the group. But they are all pretty cheap. I didn't feel like going threw each one to rate each one, so just making a comment on the lot of them.)

To be fair to the list above the things I tend to like are optional classes and books that expand magic more than anything as the list shows. If you like I could trim it down to a top ten list if that would be more helpful, also if you have questions about any of them feel free to ask.

The Exchange Kobold Press

Can't believe I haven't weighed in on this thread already! Here's three recent Open Design books with fine OGC content:

The Zobeck Gazetteer (clockwork magic, locations, a new PC race)
Dwarves of the Ironcrags (a deeply flavorful and crunchy dwarves supplement)
Kobold Ecologies Monster ecologies by Clinton Boomer and others

Oh, and if you want to contribute material to a published book, maybe look into the Tales of the Old Margreve project. It'll feature Tim Connors and forest magic & monsters, plus 8 small forest adventures.


Dark Mistress, you seem to be going along the same lines as me, as I've already got (either in hand or on my purchase list) all of those Adamant, 4WFG, and SGG products. I'm considering the Race Creation Book, as I've actually got a few races I'm working on for a project. The Obsidian Twilight "Darksun" feel, however, is a strong draw as that is one of my favorite settings of all time. Yours is the first mention of Reality Deviant on the thread. Any more thoughts (from anyone) on their products?

Wolfgang, Tales of the Old Margreve looks like it might be the first time an adventure patronage project has caught my fancy (the art patronage project is interesting, but from a different angle). I'll look into that more...

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Yeah I liked both the class option books they did. The Sorc one added a lot more blood lines and a few feats to go along with bloodlines. The other one gave a list of replacement paladin class features to give them a slightly different feel and some feats.

The Race Creation book is very math heavy and a bit hard to follow. Or I thought so at times. It really gets into the nuts and bolts of what all the bonuses really effect etc. Like a +2 str adds +1 to hit and dmg but it also adds to skills, weight carried etc. My biggest complaint is they didn't break down any of the core races as examples to make it easier to understand.

Yeah I am interested in Tales of the Old Margreve as well.


Dark_Mistress wrote:
The Race Creation book is very math heavy and a bit hard to follow. Or I thought so at times. It really gets into the nuts and bolts of what all the bonuses really effect etc. Like a +2 str adds +1 to hit and dmg but it also adds to skills, weight carried etc. My biggest complaint is they didn't break down any of the core races as examples to make it easier to understand.

Yea, the cookbook is WAY MORE math heavy then I though it was originally going to be. I, personally, have a hard time following it, but Neal did do a great piece of work on it.


LMPjr007 wrote:
Dark_Mistress wrote:
The Race Creation book is very math heavy and a bit hard to follow. Or I thought so at times. It really gets into the nuts and bolts of what all the bonuses really effect etc. Like a +2 str adds +1 to hit and dmg but it also adds to skills, weight carried etc. My biggest complaint is they didn't break down any of the core races as examples to make it easier to understand.
Yea, the cookbook is WAY MORE math heavy then I though it was originally going to be. I, personally, have a hard time following it, but Neal did do a great piece of work on it.

Hmm, sounds like a Software Design Document begging for someone to automate. I like throwing such things into Excel (I ain't writin' no stinkin' code myself!) and making life easier--see my profile for an example...Any OGC that publishers would like to include in my work, I'm happy to incorporate by the way (I always ask first, even though I know by OGL I can just use it and update my Section 15 appropriately).

But, not necessarily what I'd want to rest the fate of future LPJ purchases on. I think that clinches Races of Obsidian Twilight as my selection.


erian_7 wrote:
But, not necessarily what I'd want to rest the fate of future LPJ purchases on. I think that clinches Races of Obsidian Twilight as my selection.

Speaking of ... Louis, when is the actual campaign setting supposed to be released? That's what I'm waiting on to pick up the Races book concurrently.


Urizen wrote:
erian_7 wrote:
But, not necessarily what I'd want to rest the fate of future LPJ purchases on. I think that clinches Races of Obsidian Twilight as my selection.
Speaking of ... Louis, when is the actual campaign setting supposed to be released? That's what I'm waiting on to pick up the Races book concurrently.

All I can say is BEFORE May 4th (I hope), because mt first born son (Lucas Manuel) is coming on May 4th and after that date I might be a bit busy.


Hah! There's no "might" in question for that statement...I've got a 9 week old now (our second--thus one of my tax breaks!) and it's definitely a ride even though I knew what to expect from my first.

Congrats!


Thought folks might be interested in where I landed...

4WFG, Alluria, and Super Genius/OtherWorld--my collection is complete! You guys do great work, and always I've said I like to support quality OGC. So here you go! I'm assuming y'all are okay with me including OGC from these products in my character sheet (have to contact Alluria separately as I haven't seen them on the thread)? As is standard with my inclusions, for anything that seems like it would involve direct use of IP without modification (such as a feat name) I'll contact you directly for your preference/permission.

For the rest...

  • Tricky OwlBear - Abbey of the Golden Sparrow (This one looked like it would give the broader perspective on the companies approach to PRPG. I would like to see a Pathfinderized BtS compendium...)
  • Reality Deviant - Class Options: Volume 1—Sorcerer Bloodlines and Class Options: Volume 2—Paladins Prevail! (I like optional class abilities, and I can pick up both for $4 so why not)
  • SKR Games - Darkness Without Form: Secrets of the Mimic (I've loved mimics since discovering their world-spanning plans in Mystara.)
  • Rite Publishing - Ironborn of Questhaven (When do you not need a construct-based race? Plus it again seems like it will give a broader perspective than just feats.)
  • LPJ Design - Races of Obsidian Twilight (Stated earlier, but I'm looking more for product representation than what the Cookbook seems to provide.)

Still looming on the horizon--a patronage project. KQ's Tales of the Old Margreve looks very intriguing and in line with the types of content I like. As much as I like quality art for my monsters, I'm not actually a huge "buy all the monster books" guy unfortunately. But now I see SSG has something in the works for Pathfinder Modern--that might be exactly what I need for a side project I've been working the last few weeks...and KG is trying to tempt me with treats in order to get a subscription (I like RPG treats almost as much as cheese. And cake.)!

So, still churning on a few things, but I've got a nice selection to browse. Thanks for all the help, and hopefully others will find this discussion of use in making future purchases. Support open gaming and third party publishers whenever and wherever you can! That's pretty much how we got Paizo, after all...


"Road to Revolution" really is that good, as are the Osirion adventures in the old Gamemastery line. The Shackled City hardcover is still on sale and will keep you busy for months. Don't forget we are about to embark on the Kingmaker AP! Oh, and society adventures #1 and #4 were really good for the money.

Super Genius Games

erian_7 wrote:
and Super Genius/OtherWorld--my collection is complete! You guys do great work, and always I've said I like to support quality OGC. So here you go! I'm assuming y'all are okay with me including OGC from these products in my character sheet

Thanks Erian! By all means, include the OGC material in the spreadsheet. :)

Hyrum.


erian_7 wrote:
4WFG...You guys do great work, and always I've said I like to support quality OGC. So here you go! I'm assuming y'all are okay with me including OGC from these products in my character sheet

We certainly appreciate the support! By all means, include the Open Content of our products in the character sheet!

Robert
4 Winds Fantasy Gaming


GreatKhanArtist wrote:
"Road to Revolution" really is that good, as are the Osirion adventures in the old Gamemastery line. The Shackled City hardcover is still on sale and will keep you busy for months. Don't forget we are about to embark on the Kingmaker AP! Oh, and society adventures #1 and #4 were really good for the money.

As one of the writers on Road to Revolution, I thank you!

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Yeah I forgot about Road to Revolution actually, since they are adventures. I was thinking more along the lines of splat books. But the two i own i like of the adventures.

Also since I just picked this up I thought I would add it to my list above.
Luven Lightfinger's Gear & Treasure Shop - 4 Wind Fantasy Gaming

I really liked this equipment book, if you want a few more weapons and armor but especially just some more general equipment this is a very good book. The shop and tavern/Inn write up at the book are also very well done alone.


The clincher for me on Road to Revolution was the conversion guide aspect versus being "native" PRPG. I'm hoping that at some point the products (including the campaign setting) will actually be updated? If so, I'd snap them up. I am still considering both the Player's Guide and the Great City Backdrops--the price is just a bit higher than I was shooting for on my "first look" at new publishers.


Look forward to your feedback on Ironborn.

if you like that there is the Wyrd, Resltess Souls, and coming soon In the Company of Giants.

You welcome to all the open content you can handle :)

Steve Russell
Rite Publishing


Thanks for your Abbey purchase! As for a Compendium PF-ing, it really doesn't need any work beyond what I posted above. Perhaps you'll check it out someday too (watch for a sale on it coming up soon).


threadjack: Which volumes of "Road to Rev." did you work on, Lilith?


erian_7 wrote:
The clincher for me on Road to Revolution was the conversion guide aspect versus being "native" PRPG. I'm hoping that at some point the products (including the campaign setting) will actually be updated? If so, I'd snap them up. I am still considering both the Player's Guide and the Great City Backdrops--the price is just a bit higher than I was shooting for on my "first look" at new publishers.

The plan is for all of the Road to Revolution line converted to PFRPG. I definitely recommend the Player's Guide, particularly if you like urban campaign (which I hope you do, if you like the Great City). There is a mountain of flavorful, city-focused feats, prestige classes, spells, gaslight tech, and all presented with a player's perspective. (Note: While I worked on parts of this book, the majority of it was crafted by other folks that did much more than I did.)

GreatKhanArtist wrote:
threadjack: Which volumes of "Road to Rev." did you work on, Lilith?

I worked on the final part, "The Sundered Legion" with my co-author Brendan Victorson.

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

erian_7 or really anyone that comes to this thread and looking for advice on 3pp products. I have been posting up reviews up for all the products I have bought in hopes that it might help people find products they like.


Thanks DM, I've actually been reading your reviews, and always appreciate insight into products...

And for the Road to Revolution, that definitely looks like something I'd like to pick up. I'll be eagerly waiting for the PRPG revisions!

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