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Malhavoc Press

Monte Cook's Collected Book of Experimental Might (OGL) Hardcover

4.40/5 (based on 5 ratings)
Monte Cook's Collected Book of Experimental Might (OGL) Hardcover

Our Price: $29.99

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Third edition RPG icon Monte Cook comes to Paizo with a new print edition of his popular Books of Experimental Might! Previously available only in electronic form, The Collected Book of Experimental Might contains hundreds of options and new rules meant to inject life into 3.5 fantasy RPG campaigns.

    This 144-page hardcover collection of Monte's own house rules includes:
  • A spell progression system redefining spell levels from 1 to 20
  • New rules for fighting domains, including Two-Weapon Fighting, Mounted Combat, and Fighting Dirty, as well as techniques based on agility, speed, strength, and intellect—the domains provide new abilities to fighter types willing to devote themselves to a focused path
  • A retooling of the feat system, with three new concepts—double feats, oblation feats, and uberfeats—and dozens of new choices
  • Special benefits for choosing a feat as a fighter bonus feat, reinstating the fighter class as the king of feats
  • New rules for healing and curative magic
  • Powerful magical disciplines that allow wizards, clerics, druids, paladins, and rangers to have magic always active
  • The runeblade, a base class that combines magic and martial skill without the need for spells
  • Additional skills, feats, and combat rules
  • Dozens of spells and magic items

Inherent within these two books is the idea that characters should be able to keep on adventuring longer than the rules currently allow and that every class can use some extra options for greater playability. Start your own experiment now!

This book combines The Book of Experimental Might and The Book of Experimental Might II: Bloody, Bold, and Resolute.

ISBN: 978-1-60125-080-3

Monte Cook has been working on games professionally for more than 20 years. In that time, he has worked on a variety of games, including Dungeons & Dragons, Rolemaster, Champions, Call of Cthulhu, and Alternity. He designed HeroClix, and co-designed Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition, and wrote Planewalker's Handbook, Dead Gods, Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil and the Book of Vile Darkness, among many other D&D supplements. In 2001, he founded Malhavoc Press, and over the next few years published titles like the Book of Eldritch Might, Monte Cook's Arcana Evolved, and Ptolus: Monte Cook's City by the Spire.

Monte's also published two novels and numerous short stories, as well as a nonfictional but humorous book called the Very, Very Secret Book of Conspiracies.

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4.40/5 (based on 5 ratings)

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Incredible!

5/5 —

While I'm not sure how I'm going to swing this into my PFRPG games, I will heartily endorse this product. Monte Cook delivers a thoughtful, well conceived set of alternative rules on a great many things. Spell levels from 1 to 20 alone would be worth the price of admission. Fighter domains easily worth the cover price. Bravo on another fine book, Monte!

Fantastic Game Variants for High Fantasy D&D

5/5 —

The Collected BOXM certainly will remain as one of the greatest game variants to D&D itself, in my opinion, along with Arcana Unearthed, Pathfinder, True20 and others.

The changes are selective but dramatically change the game play. Healing becomes target-based instead of cleric-based, characters get feats every level, spell levels now match character levels (from 1 to 20th level spells), wizards don't run out of magical things to do while still retaining the Vancian magic system as a base for increasing power and abilities.

I think it would have been premature to take Pathfinder as a base since the final rules are not even published. It is, furthermore, totally possible to get a Pathfinder sorcerer concept going with BOXM as a pure Wizard, with the inventive use of some Bloodline feats.

A word of caution, however: this clearly is a game variant destined towards people who are already familiar with the 3.5 rules. The multiplication of feats, spells and other game components makes the game significantly more complex to approach (though easier to play in the end for the initiated). This is not a good product to bring people to gaming, in my opinion.

Now, that said, this is totally awesome. If you were the kind of player or DM interested in thoughtful variants to the base D&D game with Unearthed Arcana, Arcana Unearthed and others, this book is for you.

Great book but still disapointed.

3/5 —

Before I say why I found this was one of my most disappointing purchases for a long time, I'd like to say that this is a fantastic product; the changes to the rules that it introduces bring a breath of fresh air to 3.5, and more importantly, they are really, really, really cool.

My gripe? Well, gripes actually because there are two.

Firstly that the book addresses changes to 3.5 in such a way as to completely ignore all the brilliant work on Pathfinder. I think it’s pretty safe to say that most discerning gamers have moved from 3.5 to Pathfinder (3.75?) and appreciate the updated character classes presented there. This (brilliant) book also updates (and up-powers, it must be said) the character classes but to implement those changes into my Pathfinder campaign will require too much work. I, for one, buy a book where someone has already done the dirty work of play-testing for me and not to then slog my guts out adapting the rules to fit my game.

My second gripe involves Sorcerers. What has Mr Cook got against Sorcerers? They get a brief mention that says you don’t need them with the new rules, which is fine as far as 3.5 goes but in Pathfinder they are not only way cooler but also add a huge dollop of flavour to a character’s background. Again, Pathfinder is ignored, which is fine for those still playing 3.5 (if they exist) but I'm sure that they are few and far between these days.

So all in all a great book that I could have done with two years ago and if Monte adapts it to take the improvements already presented in the Pathfinder rules into account I’ll probably buy it again but for now it’s just a very good, idea provoking read on the shelf in my loo.

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Vic Wertz wrote:
Wolf Munroe wrote:
What's the internal treatment of the pages in this book going to be? Is it going to be done in the normal Paizo fashion with high-gloss and color?
Nope—it's in the normal Malhavoc fashion, with a black-and-white interior.

Alright, thanks.

Sovereign Court
Vic Wertz wrote:
Wolf Munroe wrote:
What's the internal treatment of the pages in this book going to be? Is it going to be done in the normal Paizo fashion with high-gloss and color?
Nope—it's in the normal Malhavoc fashion, with a black-and-white interior.

Hello Vic,

I already preordered the book.
Any way to still add an article to this order?
Actually you mentioned that it would take some more time until shipping of the book can begin.

Thanks for your help!

Kr,
Günther
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer
Guennarr wrote:

Hello Vic,

I already preordered the book.
Any way to still add an article to this order?
Actually you mentioned that it would take some more time until shipping of the book can begin.

Thanks for your help!

Kr,
Günther

It hasn't arrived yet, so there's still time. Just send the details to customer service!

Sovereign Court

Any ETA?
Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

We're currently planning to ship preorders in the last week of January or the first week of February, kind of depending on when precisely the ship gets into port. Stuff seems to be arriving a touch earlier than we expect lately, but there's no indication that this will be the case here.
Sovereign Court
Vic Wertz wrote:
Guennarr wrote:

Hello Vic,

I already preordered the book.
Any way to still add an article to this order?
Actually you mentioned that it would take some more time until shipping of the book can begin.

Thanks for your help!

Kr,
Günther

It hasn't arrived yet, so there's still time. Just send the details to customer service!

Thanks for the answer!

I'll save the articles in my shopping car and inform cc.

Cheers,
Günther
Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Okay... one word... uberfeats. That alone is reason enough for me to buy. Just out of pure curiosity.
Dark Archive
Devil of Roses wrote:
Okay... one word... uberfeats. That alone is reason enough for me to buy. Just out of pure curiosity.

I agree completely.

The Exchange
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber
Devil of Roses wrote:
Okay... one word... uberfeats. That alone is reason enough for me to buy. Just out of pure curiosity.

Plus, it has the tasteful portrait of Monte watching TV with his pet jaculus on the front cover. ;-)

Liberty's Edge

...eagerly anticipating the shipment...

Any word on will it be released 28 Jan?
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer
Lord Raptor wrote:
Any word on will it be released 28 Jan?

It's supposed to come into port today, so barring unforeseen holdups with the delivery or in customs, it should show up this week.

Liberty's Edge

Yay!
Vic Wertz wrote:
Lord Raptor wrote:
Any word on will it be released 28 Jan?
It's supposed to come into port today, so barring unforeseen holdups with the delivery or in customs, it should show up this week.

Thanks for the update Vic.

Sovereign Court

Looks like DriveThruRPG has it. My thought is to order from PAIZO using my holiday discount. Can you please let us know when it is available for order without needing the "preorder" status. That status messes up the shipping discount. Thank you.
The Exchange
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

Working As Designed -- discount codes are no available for preorders.
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer
Pax Veritas wrote:

Looks like DriveThruRPG has it. My thought is to order from PAIZO using my holiday discount. Can you please let us know when it is available for order without needing the "preorder" status. That status messes up the shipping discount. Thank you.

DriveThru has The Book of Experimental Might and its sequel in PDF form—those two electronic products have been combined (and made available in print form for the first time) as The Collected Book of Experimental Might.

I'm told it arrived in port on schedule on Monday, but it has not yet arrived in our warehouse.

Vic - any news? Is this in stock yet, is it going to come off pre-order before January winds up? Are we going to be able to use our Xmas discount codes on it?
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer
crazy_cat wrote:
Vic - any news? Is this in stock yet, is it going to come off pre-order before January winds up? Are we going to be able to use our Xmas discount codes on it?

Sorry—it didn't arrive today, so it won't come off preorder before the discount code expires...

Shame:(
But thanks for the quick response.

Yay its now listed as pending! :D
Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

Very shortly now.
Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

So do those of us who pre-ordered and waited with varying degrees of patience get in on the 500 signed gig?
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer
Matthew Morris wrote:
So do those of us who pre-ordered and waited with varying degrees of patience get in on the 500 signed gig?

This was kind of a last-minute thing, and because we didn't plan for it in advance, they're going out to the first 500 shipped, which may be different from the first 500 ordered...

However, so long as your order isn't waiting to ship with another preordered product, you're pretty darn likely to get a bookplate.
Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
Vic Wertz wrote:
Matthew Morris wrote:
So do those of us who pre-ordered and waited with varying degrees of patience get in on the 500 signed gig?

This was kind of a last-minute thing, and because we didn't plan for it in advance, they're going out to the first 500 shipped, which may be different from the first 500 ordered...

However, so long as your order isn't waiting to ship with another preordered product, you're pretty darn likely to get a bookplate.

Thanks Vic. AFAIK, my other stuff was just waiting for the BoXM, so I'll cross my fingers.

Pathfinder Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

Just ordered mine.
Silver Crusade

I was on the fence about getting this, but after seeing something called "Crazy Legs Charge" in the table of contents, I have to have it.
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer
Mikaze wrote:
I was on the fence about getting this, but after seeing something called "Crazy Legs Charge" in the table of contents, I have to have it.

Thanks for reminding me—I should mention we added some sample pages to the product listing!

Dark Archive

Aww... the 500 are signed?

Think there will be any signed ones left in April or so?

I think I might have some extra money by then...

~grimaces~ Mine is still pending. Methinkiths that I will NOT get one of the signed copies, despite preodering early. ~grumbles~ Oh well. It still looks like a good read.
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer
Sharoth wrote:
~grimaces~ Mine is still pending. Methinkiths that I will NOT get one of the signed copies, despite preodering early. ~grumbles~ Oh well. It still looks like a good read.

Most are still pending—we *just* started shipping them.

Dark Archive

I must have no self control, because I just ordered this.

I hope i get a signed one! :D
Vic Wertz wrote:
Sharoth wrote:
~grimaces~ Mine is still pending. Methinkiths that I will NOT get one of the signed copies, despite preodering early. ~grumbles~ Oh well. It still looks like a good read.
Most are still pending—we *just* started shipping them.

~grins~ Well Vic, I just have learned that if I keep my expectations low, then I will not be disapointed. If I get a signed copy, then that will be good. If not, then I will be ok with that. ~prepares to go off an have a good pout if I don't get a signed copy~

~GRINS~
Liberty's Edge
Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Pathfinder Adventure Subscriber

That limited "edition" includes all pre-orders...? :D
Aritz Cirbián wrote:
That limited "edition" includes all pre-orders...? :D

I certainly hope so! ~GRINS~

Paizo Employee CEO
Aritz Cirbián wrote:
That limited "edition" includes all pre-orders...? :D

As long as your order isn't hung up by things like waiting for some future preorder or some back ordered item. If you just ordered the book, or added in some Paizo product, you should almost assuredly get one of the signed ones. If you tagged on to some future release or a back order, you will probably miss getting a signed one. The first 500 out the door get the signed ones. We had more than enough to cover the preorders, so hopefully that will work for you!

-Lisa
Liberty's Edge
Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Pathfinder Adventure Subscriber
Lisa Stevens wrote:
As long as your order isn't hung up by things like waiting for some future preorder or some back ordered item.

This one was the product my order was waiting to ship with, so..

Yeeha! ^_^ (Thanks for answering!)
Sovereign Court
Lisa Stevens wrote:

The first 500 out the door get the signed ones.

-Lisa

Okay—my order has been placed, and it was worth the wait to learn that it will be autographed. This certainly saves me a trip to Shorewood, WI, (ha ha) and will make a welcomed addition to my collection beside Ptolus and his other works.

Thank you, paizo!

Placed my order for it several weeks ago, along with some pdf's. So, it should be comming with the autograph. NICE!

...can't...resist...buying...

Arrrrghh!!!
Sovereign Court RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

*Cackles wildly* order is listed as Shipping!

Damn. Mine is still listed as Pending.
Scarab Sages
Matthew Morris wrote:
*Cackles wildly* order is listed as Shipping!

WooHoo! Shipping!

Got email this morning showing order as shipping, even got the UPS tracking number. YIPPEE!!!!
Liberty's Edge

If I placed an order right now, what are my chances of getting a signed one?
Paizo Employee CEO
Sigil wrote:
If I placed an order right now, what are my chances of getting a signed one?

The chances are pretty much 100% if you order right now, though we are selling this book at a rapid pace, so don't delay if you want an autographed one!

-Lisa
Malhavoc Press

Hey everyone!

Thanks for the kind words in this thread. I hope you enjoy the CBoXM. And I hope this is the start of a beautiful friendship with Paizo Publishing. These guys rock!

And as long as I've got your attention for a second, I'll add that you might want to keep an eye on montecook.com over the next few weeks for some more cool announcments.

Thanks again!
Monte wrote:

Hey everyone!

Thanks for the kind words in this thread. I hope you enjoy the CBoXM. And I hope this is the start of a beautiful friendship with Paizo Publishing. These guys rock!

And as long as I've got your attention for a second, I'll add that you might want to keep an eye on montecook.com over the next few weeks for some more cool announcments.

Thanks again!

Welcome to the boards, Sir!

The collaboration between you and Paizo has been giving me goosebumps since it was first announced. I look forward to what you can accomplish together.
Grand Lodge

So, since mine shipped today, that means I got a signed copy. Sweet.
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