paizo.com Recent Reviews of Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDFpaizo.com Recent Reviews of Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF2023-08-14T20:37:03Z2023-08-14T20:37:03ZPathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF: The Worst PFS Scenario I've ever played (1 star)nfelddavhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8xkj?Pathfinder-Society-Special-Ruins-of-Bonekeep-Level-2-Maze-to-the-Mind-Slave2017-06-29T04:29:57Z<p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>Sadly I can't give this zero stars. The whole scenario seemed designed to be more annoying than dangerous. Small rooms with hard corners to prevent most of the party from effecting the combat. High defenses for little reason. Traps that were no real threat, just consumed time and out of combat healing.
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The only thing really challenging in this scenario was the 5 hour real world time limit, which is very tight, and the scenario appears to be deliberately using up. It actively punishes any enjoyment of the game, and leads to a totally unsatisfying ending - randomly stopping a combat and denying any scenario resolution.
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I cannot stress enough how bad a design decision this was. If a scenario absolutely needs to be done in 5 hours, write a scenario that plays in under 5 hours. I cannot fathom how anyone could think this was a good idea.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>Sadly I can't give this zero stars. The whole scenario seemed designed to be more annoying than dangerous. Small rooms with hard corners to prevent most of the party from effecting the combat. High defenses for little reason. Traps that were no real threat, just consumed time and out of combat healing.
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The only thing really challenging in this scenario was the 5 hour real world time limit, which is very tight, and the scenario appears to be deliberately using up. It actively punishes any enjoyment of the game, and leads to a totally unsatisfying ending - randomly stopping a combat and denying any scenario resolution.
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I cannot stress enough how bad a design decision this was. If a scenario absolutely needs to be done in 5 hours, write a scenario that plays in under 5 hours. I cannot fathom how anyone could think this was a good idea.</p>nfelddav2017-06-29T04:29:57ZPathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF: Expect Death & Enjoy Knowing It Waits For You (3 stars)xebechehttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8xkj?Pathfinder-Society-Special-Ruins-of-Bonekeep-Level-2-Maze-to-the-Mind-Slave2016-05-17T04:02:21Z<p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>A scenario that rewards <i>very</i> effective, and narrow, combat character builds, but not many skills or roleplay. Big muscles, good saves and a little healing is all that need apply. I would have liked to have seen deadly mechanics that were handled with more variety of character options. An experienced GM can take the tools and wield them to devastating effect. Especially after luring players onward with their successes to hit an inevitable wall. Wiping 3 of the 5 characters out in Round 1 with a single action didn't make me (the GM) or any of my players feel good.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>A scenario that rewards <i>very</i> effective, and narrow, combat character builds, but not many skills or roleplay. Big muscles, good saves and a little healing is all that need apply. I would have liked to have seen deadly mechanics that were handled with more variety of character options. An experienced GM can take the tools and wield them to devastating effect. Especially after luring players onward with their successes to hit an inevitable wall. Wiping 3 of the 5 characters out in Round 1 with a single action didn't make me (the GM) or any of my players feel good.</p>xebeche2016-05-17T04:02:21ZPathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF (5 stars)TriOmegaZerohttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8xkj?Pathfinder-Society-Special-Ruins-of-Bonekeep-Level-2-Maze-to-the-Mind-Slave2015-11-04T19:53:22Z...TriOmegaZero2015-11-04T19:53:22ZPathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF: Hard, but fun. (5 stars)UndeadMitchhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8xkj?Pathfinder-Society-Special-Ruins-of-Bonekeep-Level-2-Maze-to-the-Mind-Slave2015-11-03T08:39:57Z<p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>I've played through this twice now (used a star replay) and had interesting experieces both times. The first time was online with my, and while the party was filled with strong PC's only had an okay time because people couldn't work together. The second time was at a local con with people that worked well together and had a blast, even though we weren't as optimized. We did fine both times.</p>
<p>I like how the first two Bonekeeps felt like completely different challenges to me. One was trickier and made me think more, while Two was a much more visceral fight for survival. Two was a much swingier experience, with things feeling like our survival was balanced on a razor's edge the entire time, with a slight nudge either keeping us alive for another room or ending our run right then and there.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>I've played through this twice now (used a star replay) and had interesting experieces both times. The first time was online with my, and while the party was filled with strong PC's only had an okay time because people couldn't work together. The second time was at a local con with people that worked well together and had a blast, even though we weren't as optimized. We did fine both times.</p>
<p>I like how the first two Bonekeeps felt like completely different challenges to me. One was trickier and made me think more, while Two was a much more visceral fight for survival. Two was a much swingier experience, with things feeling like our survival was balanced on a razor's edge the entire time, with a slight nudge either keeping us alive for another room or ending our run right then and there.</p>UndeadMitch2015-11-03T08:39:57ZPathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF: What else to expect from Bonekeep?Deussuhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8xkj?Pathfinder-Society-Special-Ruins-of-Bonekeep-Level-2-Maze-to-the-Mind-Slave2015-06-09T07:37:14Z<p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>I refuse to give a star rating to Bonekeep, since my personal scenario design philosophy is in conflict with Bonekeep's design philosophy.</p>
<p>That said, I ran this scenario at a convention on higher tier and miraculously the team survived with only three deaths and completed the whole thing just under five hours, which is the artificial limit in Bonekeep. This limit, however, has an ingame explanation, so it's not all that arbitrary.</p>
<p>So what of it? It's a dungeon crawl with no roleplaying opportunities, so in case you dislike it, don't even try. The design philosophy strongly gears towards challenging the characters to their limits, handing out tougher and tougher encounters. To my surprise there were a few combats which were ridiculously easy to the group, and managed to wipe their foes away in 3 rounds' time.</p>
<p>To those with patience, ability to construct powerful characters, and don't get emotional when something bad happens to your character, this just might be your cup of tea.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>I refuse to give a star rating to Bonekeep, since my personal scenario design philosophy is in conflict with Bonekeep's design philosophy.</p>
<p>That said, I ran this scenario at a convention on higher tier and miraculously the team survived with only three deaths and completed the whole thing just under five hours, which is the artificial limit in Bonekeep. This limit, however, has an ingame explanation, so it's not all that arbitrary.</p>
<p>So what of it? It's a dungeon crawl with no roleplaying opportunities, so in case you dislike it, don't even try. The design philosophy strongly gears towards challenging the characters to their limits, handing out tougher and tougher encounters. To my surprise there were a few combats which were ridiculously easy to the group, and managed to wipe their foes away in 3 rounds' time.</p>
<p>To those with patience, ability to construct powerful characters, and don't get emotional when something bad happens to your character, this just might be your cup of tea.</p>Deussu2015-06-09T07:37:14ZPathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF: Brings out the worst in GMs and players (1 star)Jason Shttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8xkj?Pathfinder-Society-Special-Ruins-of-Bonekeep-Level-2-Maze-to-the-Mind-Slave2015-05-01T20:25:18Z<p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>The main reason I dislike this scenario is that it brings out the worst in GMs and players, and has the ability to suck the fun out of Pathfinder.</p>
<p>Bonekeep was created to challenge players and allow them to power game without regret, yet GMs get ornery when you that. They dislike it when they can’t kill you within the scope of a killer scenario. When they can’t kill you legitimately, they cheat to do so. For example, even though we were supposed to be running subtier 3-4, there were instances where he used subtier 6-7 (because he felt we were gaming the system, even though we barely succeeded in part 1). With help after the scenario, I actually created an entire document on how my GM cheated in over 30 ways. Unbelievable.</p>
<p>Bonekeep 2 is a killer scenario but unlike part 1, I didn’t find this one as creative or interesting.</p>
<p>There's a good chance your character could have a permanent disability by playing this scenario, successful or not (mine does). This is the part that most players dislike.</p>
<p>The worst part is that unlike part 1, there are a lot of sections that are open to GM interpretation, that allow GMs to be complete cheaters. If you want to have any chance of completing this scenario on time, you can’t argue, your biggest enemy is the clock.</p>
<p>Although we were successful (one of the very few groups that were 100% successful at Gencon), it created an un-fun environment for the players both inside and outside of the game, which ultimately resulted in a 2 year hiatus for an entire PFS group.</p>
<p>The GM (who in other circumstances is probably really great) was reported and got a black mark against his name.</p>
<p>Sure, we ran both parts of Bonekeep 1 and 2 100% successfully, gaining all the boons, without a single player death. Having said that, playing this scenario we still "lost".</p>
<p>Not recommended.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>The main reason I dislike this scenario is that it brings out the worst in GMs and players, and has the ability to suck the fun out of Pathfinder.</p>
<p>Bonekeep was created to challenge players and allow them to power game without regret, yet GMs get ornery when you that. They dislike it when they can’t kill you within the scope of a killer scenario. When they can’t kill you legitimately, they cheat to do so. For example, even though we were supposed to be running subtier 3-4, there were instances where he used subtier 6-7 (because he felt we were gaming the system, even though we barely succeeded in part 1). With help after the scenario, I actually created an entire document on how my GM cheated in over 30 ways. Unbelievable.</p>
<p>Bonekeep 2 is a killer scenario but unlike part 1, I didn’t find this one as creative or interesting.</p>
<p>There's a good chance your character could have a permanent disability by playing this scenario, successful or not (mine does). This is the part that most players dislike.</p>
<p>The worst part is that unlike part 1, there are a lot of sections that are open to GM interpretation, that allow GMs to be complete cheaters. If you want to have any chance of completing this scenario on time, you can’t argue, your biggest enemy is the clock.</p>
<p>Although we were successful (one of the very few groups that were 100% successful at Gencon), it created an un-fun environment for the players both inside and outside of the game, which ultimately resulted in a 2 year hiatus for an entire PFS group.</p>
<p>The GM (who in other circumstances is probably really great) was reported and got a black mark against his name.</p>
<p>Sure, we ran both parts of Bonekeep 1 and 2 100% successfully, gaining all the boons, without a single player death. Having said that, playing this scenario we still "lost".</p>
<p>Not recommended.</p>Jason S2015-05-01T20:25:18ZPathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF: Punished for trying this scenario (1 star)Sayokhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8xkj?Pathfinder-Society-Special-Ruins-of-Bonekeep-Level-2-Maze-to-the-Mind-Slave2014-11-17T04:53:02Z<p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>The scenario itself is very challenging and fun to play. However, there is no 4 player adjustment and the negative boon at the end is a punishment for anyone who wants to play this scenario. I will never suggest to anyone to try that scenario, never ever, with their PFS characters. </p>
<p>Not having a 4 player adjustment for lower level parties is a killer, and the fights are way too challenging if you are forced to play up because the APL ends up between two subtiers (we ended up at APL 5 with a party of 7; most of us were level 4 and 5 and thus we were forced to play in subtier 6-7, which resulted in the very fast death of all the level 4s in our party). I strongly suggest that your party APL ends up in the subtier you are looking to fight in (APL 7 for subtier 6-7, APL 4 for subtier 3-4, etc.), otherwise you'll have a really hard time. </p>
<p>As for the rewards, the negative boon that you get at the end itself just for trying out the scenario (and probably failing at it; it is a special one after all which calls for a "You will die" disclosure at the beginning) is enough of a reason to NEVER play this one. Of course, if you manage to complete it, then it's all good, but in all likeliness you will fail.</p>
<p>I say again, NEVER play this scenario if you care about your PFS character; you are being punished for trying it out.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>The scenario itself is very challenging and fun to play. However, there is no 4 player adjustment and the negative boon at the end is a punishment for anyone who wants to play this scenario. I will never suggest to anyone to try that scenario, never ever, with their PFS characters. </p>
<p>Not having a 4 player adjustment for lower level parties is a killer, and the fights are way too challenging if you are forced to play up because the APL ends up between two subtiers (we ended up at APL 5 with a party of 7; most of us were level 4 and 5 and thus we were forced to play in subtier 6-7, which resulted in the very fast death of all the level 4s in our party). I strongly suggest that your party APL ends up in the subtier you are looking to fight in (APL 7 for subtier 6-7, APL 4 for subtier 3-4, etc.), otherwise you'll have a really hard time. </p>
<p>As for the rewards, the negative boon that you get at the end itself just for trying out the scenario (and probably failing at it; it is a special one after all which calls for a "You will die" disclosure at the beginning) is enough of a reason to NEVER play this one. Of course, if you manage to complete it, then it's all good, but in all likeliness you will fail.</p>
<p>I say again, NEVER play this scenario if you care about your PFS character; you are being punished for trying it out.</p>Sayok2014-11-17T04:53:02ZPathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF: Awesome (4 stars)David_Brosshttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8xkj?Pathfinder-Society-Special-Ruins-of-Bonekeep-Level-2-Maze-to-the-Mind-Slave2014-10-06T06:09:49Z<p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>Anyone who played Bonekeep part 1 knew that part 2 would follow suit, and it does. Excellent challenging scenario that rewards the prepared, and punishes others. If there is one element I dislike in this one it is how the boons played out.</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p><p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>Anyone who played Bonekeep part 1 knew that part 2 would follow suit, and it does. Excellent challenging scenario that rewards the prepared, and punishes others. If there is one element I dislike in this one it is how the boons played out.</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>David_Bross2014-10-06T06:09:49ZPathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF: Stinker (1 star)Osrim the Fishhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8xkj?Pathfinder-Society-Special-Ruins-of-Bonekeep-Level-2-Maze-to-the-Mind-Slave2014-04-20T01:31:55Z<p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>Is it exciting? Yes. Is it challenging? Yes. Will people die? Yes. Were you warned? Yes.
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Did you have fun playing? Yes. All great. Right up until the time came to collect the promised "Great Reward" for the extraordinary risks taken. Instead it delivers an unavoidable disablility that could kill other peoples characters - and you get it just for playing. If the disability was avoidable, or even if it only hurt your character but you were told before hand, this would have more stars. As it is, it just sucks. Stupid, stupid, stupid.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>Is it exciting? Yes. Is it challenging? Yes. Will people die? Yes. Were you warned? Yes.
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Did you have fun playing? Yes. All great. Right up until the time came to collect the promised "Great Reward" for the extraordinary risks taken. Instead it delivers an unavoidable disablility that could kill other peoples characters - and you get it just for playing. If the disability was avoidable, or even if it only hurt your character but you were told before hand, this would have more stars. As it is, it just sucks. Stupid, stupid, stupid.</p>Osrim the Fish2014-04-20T01:31:55ZPathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF: That's just unfair! (5 stars)xammer99https://paizo.com/products/btpy8xkj?Pathfinder-Society-Special-Ruins-of-Bonekeep-Level-2-Maze-to-the-Mind-Slave2014-01-27T03:23:12Z<p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>Just got done playing both parts of Bonekeep and over the course of 10 hours, I used the phrase "That's just unfair!" at least once or twice an hour.</p>
<p>With that said, I really cannot recommend this scenario enough. The challenges are phenomenal and you really feel like you accomplished something if you successfully complete it, or hell, just make it even in a little bit. But keep in mind, Mr. Buhlman really went out of his way to be make you earn the rewards and you will be shouting "That's just unfair!" many times.</p>
<p>Definitely 5 stars and this is hands down my favorite scenario that I've ever played in PFS.</p><p><b>Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 2: Maze to the Mind Slave (PFRPG) PDF</b></p><p>Just got done playing both parts of Bonekeep and over the course of 10 hours, I used the phrase "That's just unfair!" at least once or twice an hour.</p>
<p>With that said, I really cannot recommend this scenario enough. The challenges are phenomenal and you really feel like you accomplished something if you successfully complete it, or hell, just make it even in a little bit. But keep in mind, Mr. Buhlman really went out of his way to be make you earn the rewards and you will be shouting "That's just unfair!" many times.</p>
<p>Definitely 5 stars and this is hands down my favorite scenario that I've ever played in PFS.</p>xammer992014-01-27T03:23:12Z