paizo.com Recent Reviews by James Krolakpaizo.com Recent Reviews by James Krolak2024-02-03T06:40:21Z2024-02-03T06:40:21ZStarfinder Adventure Path #25: The Chimera Mystery (The Threefold Conspiracy 1 of 6): Very Good, but with poor editing (4 stars)James Krolakhttps://paizo.com/products/btq022bl?Starfinder-Adventure-Path-25-The-Chimera-Mystery2020-03-10T18:46:10Z<p><b>Starfinder Adventure Path #25: The Chimera Mystery (The Threefold Conspiracy 1 of 6)</b></p><p>I was all set to start GMing one of the other APs for Starfinder when I took a look at this new one. I quickly dropped my previous plans in favor of The Threefold Conspiracy. </p>
<p>Positives:
<br />
1) Based on the first book, I've got high expectations for the story in the remaining parts of this AP. I really want to see where it goes from here.
<br />
2) I like how fluid this adventure feels. It's an investigation with some twists the PCs likely won't see.
<br />
3) It's got a lot of little secrets for them to ferret out, but still keeps them looking for more.
<br />
4) I like that it doesn't feel the need to add in an obligatory ship combat like almost every other AP book does.</p>
<p>Negatives:
<br />
1) The editing was pretty poor on this. I haven't seen Paizo's editing get this bad in a few years. There are lots of sentences that just get cut off without ending properly. And a few places where it tells you to look in the wrong location section for the details about a character.
<br />
2) I worry that there isn't enough actual content to make the adventure feel like a real AP book. Starfinder APs tend to be rather light on content compared to Pathfinder, but this one seems like it might be even lighter. I suppose that more word count was required to handle an investigation compared to a typical site-based adventure, so that's probably why. Since this should involve more role playing, it's entirely possible that it won't feel so light or short to the PCs, though. I'll have to see how this goes when I run this later this month for my group.</p><p><b>Starfinder Adventure Path #25: The Chimera Mystery (The Threefold Conspiracy 1 of 6)</b></p><p>I was all set to start GMing one of the other APs for Starfinder when I took a look at this new one. I quickly dropped my previous plans in favor of The Threefold Conspiracy. </p>
<p>Positives:
<br />
1) Based on the first book, I've got high expectations for the story in the remaining parts of this AP. I really want to see where it goes from here.
<br />
2) I like how fluid this adventure feels. It's an investigation with some twists the PCs likely won't see.
<br />
3) It's got a lot of little secrets for them to ferret out, but still keeps them looking for more.
<br />
4) I like that it doesn't feel the need to add in an obligatory ship combat like almost every other AP book does.</p>
<p>Negatives:
<br />
1) The editing was pretty poor on this. I haven't seen Paizo's editing get this bad in a few years. There are lots of sentences that just get cut off without ending properly. And a few places where it tells you to look in the wrong location section for the details about a character.
<br />
2) I worry that there isn't enough actual content to make the adventure feel like a real AP book. Starfinder APs tend to be rather light on content compared to Pathfinder, but this one seems like it might be even lighter. I suppose that more word count was required to handle an investigation compared to a typical site-based adventure, so that's probably why. Since this should involve more role playing, it's entirely possible that it won't feel so light or short to the PCs, though. I'll have to see how this goes when I run this later this month for my group.</p>James Krolak2020-03-10T18:46:10ZPathfinder Campaign Setting: Construct Handbook: Solidly Decent (4 stars)James Krolakhttps://paizo.com/products/btq01vam?Pathfinder-Campaign-Setting-Construct-Handbook2018-11-03T07:09:28Z<p><b>Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Construct Handbook</b></p><p>I will readily admit that I'm usually rather hard on Paizo with my reviews. But I have to say that I generally liked this book. I was hoping for options like ways for your character to become a construct over time—piece by piece. Or something that lets you merge with a construct similar to the Synthesist Summoner. Sadly, no such options included.</p>
<p>Overall, it's got a lot of constructs as monsters in it, has a good amount of flavor text about creating them, some options on improving them, and some archetypes around either building or fighting constructs.</p>
<p>Of the archetypes included, there are a bunch of bad ones, a few moderately interesting ones, 1 that is horribly written as to be contradictory (at least, it seems that way) and a couple that are actually pretty good. The Construct Saboteur gives some good options for rogues. The shining star is the Voice of Brigh bard, though. I really want to find a way to switch my character in Iron Gods into one of these.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Construct Handbook</b></p><p>I will readily admit that I'm usually rather hard on Paizo with my reviews. But I have to say that I generally liked this book. I was hoping for options like ways for your character to become a construct over time—piece by piece. Or something that lets you merge with a construct similar to the Synthesist Summoner. Sadly, no such options included.</p>
<p>Overall, it's got a lot of constructs as monsters in it, has a good amount of flavor text about creating them, some options on improving them, and some archetypes around either building or fighting constructs.</p>
<p>Of the archetypes included, there are a bunch of bad ones, a few moderately interesting ones, 1 that is horribly written as to be contradictory (at least, it seems that way) and a couple that are actually pretty good. The Construct Saboteur gives some good options for rogues. The shining star is the Voice of Brigh bard, though. I really want to find a way to switch my character in Iron Gods into one of these.</p>James Krolak2018-11-03T07:09:28ZStarfinder Alien Archive 2: Rather Mediocre (2 stars)James Krolakhttps://paizo.com/products/btpya20r?Starfinder-Alien-Archive-22018-10-05T03:48:00Z<p><b>Starfinder Alien Archive 2</b></p><p>I had a review of multiple paragraphs typed up, but Paizo's website lost it all. So, I'm just going to say that this is about the same as the first Alien Archive. Some playable races, but nothing all that noteworthy or interesting. The big disappointment was the Polymorph rules included. Way more complicated than it needed to be, much like the Summoning from the first Alien Archive. The rules are worded vaguely enough that it's not always clear what they mean. And, in the end, the form the target ends up in seems rather weak. If you give it a natural attack, it's to hit is predetermined and no bonuses apply to it, though penalties do. The damage it does is noticeably less than a one handed advanced melee weapon for the same level.</p><p><b>Starfinder Alien Archive 2</b></p><p>I had a review of multiple paragraphs typed up, but Paizo's website lost it all. So, I'm just going to say that this is about the same as the first Alien Archive. Some playable races, but nothing all that noteworthy or interesting. The big disappointment was the Polymorph rules included. Way more complicated than it needed to be, much like the Summoning from the first Alien Archive. The rules are worded vaguely enough that it's not always clear what they mean. And, in the end, the form the target ends up in seems rather weak. If you give it a natural attack, it's to hit is predetermined and no bonuses apply to it, though penalties do. The damage it does is noticeably less than a one handed advanced melee weapon for the same level.</p>James Krolak2018-10-05T03:48:00ZPathfinder Society Scenario #9-07: Salvation of the Sages PDF: Truly an epic finale! (5 stars)James Krolakhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy9wer?Pathfinder-Society-Scenario-907-Salvation-of-the-Sages2017-12-29T03:50:48Z<p><b>Pathfinder Society Scenario #9-07: Salvation of the Sages PDF</b></p><p>This scenario was awesome. It took a lot of prep time by our GM and still ran 7.5 hours long, but it was so worth it. The last encounter was very challenging, but with good teamwork it's doable. Great balance between the need for combat and for skills. I would never try to run this in a typical 5 hour slot at a store, though. There's just too much going on and it could be a real crap shoot if you don't know ahead of time what PCs are going to be involved.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Society Scenario #9-07: Salvation of the Sages PDF</b></p><p>This scenario was awesome. It took a lot of prep time by our GM and still ran 7.5 hours long, but it was so worth it. The last encounter was very challenging, but with good teamwork it's doable. Great balance between the need for combat and for skills. I would never try to run this in a typical 5 hour slot at a store, though. There's just too much going on and it could be a real crap shoot if you don't know ahead of time what PCs are going to be involved.</p>James Krolak2017-12-29T03:50:48ZPathfinder Campaign Setting: Inner Sea Gods (PFRPG) Hardcover: Disappointing (2 stars)James Krolakhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy94wj?Pathfinder-Campaign-Setting-Inner-Sea-Gods-Hardcover2014-04-22T03:49:14Z<p><b>Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Inner Sea Gods (PFRPG) Hardcover</b></p><p>This hardcover is mostly a reprinting of the religion-based rules and options from other previously published books. (the "Faiths of" line, the "Champions of" line, etc.) At least they've given more space to the writeups for the major gods in Golarion, but the options for characters feels awfully light and redundant.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Inner Sea Gods (PFRPG) Hardcover</b></p><p>This hardcover is mostly a reprinting of the religion-based rules and options from other previously published books. (the "Faiths of" line, the "Champions of" line, etc.) At least they've given more space to the writeups for the major gods in Golarion, but the options for characters feels awfully light and redundant.</p>James Krolak2014-04-22T03:49:14ZPathfinder Player Companion: People of the Sands (PFRPG): Disappointing (2 stars)James Krolakhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy92lx?Pathfinder-Player-Companion-People-of-the-Sands2014-03-07T20:00:34Z<p><b>Pathfinder Player Companion: People of the Sands (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I don't know why I continue to purchase these Player Companion releases. Very few of them have been worth my time or money. And this is another that's not worth it. The editing/layout is awfully inconsistent. It looks like different people did the layout for each page. For example, the Living Monolith Prestige Class actually says "Living Monolith Prestige Class" in its title bar, yet the Thuvian Alchemist Prestige Class just says "Thuvian Alchemist" in its title bar. </p>
<p>I was really hoping that the new Elemental Oracle Archetype would be worth it, but it's pretty darn mediocre. The Thuvian Alchemist actually is pretty decent if you want a healing-focused Alchemist. The Living Monolith still feels awfully powerful. I could be wrong, but it seems even better than the original one that was printed in that other book. I'll admit that there are a few traits and feats that I might consider taking for certain characters, but I wouldn't miss them if I had never purchased this book.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Player Companion: People of the Sands (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I don't know why I continue to purchase these Player Companion releases. Very few of them have been worth my time or money. And this is another that's not worth it. The editing/layout is awfully inconsistent. It looks like different people did the layout for each page. For example, the Living Monolith Prestige Class actually says "Living Monolith Prestige Class" in its title bar, yet the Thuvian Alchemist Prestige Class just says "Thuvian Alchemist" in its title bar. </p>
<p>I was really hoping that the new Elemental Oracle Archetype would be worth it, but it's pretty darn mediocre. The Thuvian Alchemist actually is pretty decent if you want a healing-focused Alchemist. The Living Monolith still feels awfully powerful. I could be wrong, but it seems even better than the original one that was printed in that other book. I'll admit that there are a few traits and feats that I might consider taking for certain characters, but I wouldn't miss them if I had never purchased this book.</p>James Krolak2014-03-07T20:00:34ZPathfinder Player Companion: Animal Archive (PFRPG): Not bad, but unimpressive (2 stars)James Krolakhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8w7p?Pathfinder-Player-Companion-Animal-Archive2013-02-19T21:56:16Z<p><b>Pathfinder Player Companion: Animal Archive (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I was looking forward to Animal Archive's release for more than a month now and I gotta say I'm rather underwhelmed. It looks and feels awfully thin. $11 got me THIS??? As to the content, it's not bad, but there isn't all that much new stuff in it. There are only 3 archetypes for characters. There are a bunch of archetypes for animal companions/familiars, which is nice, but only a handful seem useful to adventurers. Some might be nice for a DM to put on an enemy, though. The feats are nothing impressive and some are even duplicates from other Pathfinder books.</p>
<p>I wouldn't say I wasted my money, but I didn't get what I was hoping for, by any means.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Player Companion: Animal Archive (PFRPG)</b></p><p>I was looking forward to Animal Archive's release for more than a month now and I gotta say I'm rather underwhelmed. It looks and feels awfully thin. $11 got me THIS??? As to the content, it's not bad, but there isn't all that much new stuff in it. There are only 3 archetypes for characters. There are a bunch of archetypes for animal companions/familiars, which is nice, but only a handful seem useful to adventurers. Some might be nice for a DM to put on an enemy, though. The feats are nothing impressive and some are even duplicates from other Pathfinder books.</p>
<p>I wouldn't say I wasted my money, but I didn't get what I was hoping for, by any means.</p>James Krolak2013-02-19T21:56:16ZPathfinder Roleplaying Game: Condition Cards (PFRPG): these rock! (5 stars)James Krolakhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8x9f?Pathfinder-Roleplaying-Game-Condition-Cards2012-10-05T15:00:40Z<p><b>Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Condition Cards (PFRPG)</b></p><p>These are awesome! I wish the other decks from Paizo matched the great features of these cards. The good:</p>
<p>1. Double sided!
<br />
2. Easy to read
<br />
3. 4 of each card! (I still want to buy another set, though...)
<br />
4. All the major conditions that I see come up regularly in a game
<br />
5. Bright colors
<br />
6. Did I mention that they were double sided?</p><p><b>Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Condition Cards (PFRPG)</b></p><p>These are awesome! I wish the other decks from Paizo matched the great features of these cards. The good:</p>
<p>1. Double sided!
<br />
2. Easy to read
<br />
3. 4 of each card! (I still want to buy another set, though...)
<br />
4. All the major conditions that I see come up regularly in a game
<br />
5. Bright colors
<br />
6. Did I mention that they were double sided?</p>James Krolak2012-10-05T15:00:40ZPathfinder Roleplaying Game: Buff Deck: disappointing (1 star)James Krolakhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8x9z?Pathfinder-Roleplaying-Game-Buff-Deck2012-10-05T14:56:11Z<p><b>Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Buff Deck</b></p><p>I gotta agree with the other poor reviews here. If you compare it to the Condition Cards deck, this is like comparing Colt 45 to champagne. These are not double sided, the format isn't all that helpful, there is information missing from some of them, there aren't even some of the most common buffs in the deck, and there are no duplicates. It's sad all around. I wish I'd read some of these reviews before ordering it. I'd rather just write down the effects onto an index card and fold it and put it in the middle of the table 'cuz that works more effectively.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Buff Deck</b></p><p>I gotta agree with the other poor reviews here. If you compare it to the Condition Cards deck, this is like comparing Colt 45 to champagne. These are not double sided, the format isn't all that helpful, there is information missing from some of them, there aren't even some of the most common buffs in the deck, and there are no duplicates. It's sad all around. I wish I'd read some of these reviews before ordering it. I'd rather just write down the effects onto an index card and fold it and put it in the middle of the table 'cuz that works more effectively.</p>James Krolak2012-10-05T14:56:11Z