Landon Winkler |
We went through a lot of revision to get this book right (since it's not really like anything we've done before), but one of my goals for it was for it to help people playing their first campaign to feel confident that they know enough to contribute to the group, and not worry that they're slowing the game down because of what they don't know.
I spent the first several months of my first Pathfinder campaign with the other (vastly more experienced) players in our group basically telling me what I should be doing each turn. They were super helpful and very kind about it, and it wasn't until I started GMing that I realized how much they'd taught me, but I think I'd been playing for a year before I started feeling like I was actually contributing to our strategies and tactics and wasn't slowing things down with questions or newbie mistakes.
A leg up on that would be great. It's been a while since I started roleplaying, but I remember keenly that an understanding of the rules and an understanding of the game are two very different things.
So, this book isn't going to turn you into an expert optimizer or someone who knows the rules for every edge case. But, if we've done it right, it should help you feel like you know what you're doing and have a comfortable understanding of how to play the game -- and in that sense, I think it's useful even if you've been playing for a bit already. :-)
Thanks for the breakdown!
We've been getting enough new players lately that we were planning on picking it up either way. But I'm glad these two might find something useful as well.
Cheers!
Landon
TriOmegaZero |
so if i preorder the hardcover do i get the pdf?
Only if you have an active RPG subscription.
This product is not part of any subscription, but Pathfinder Roleplaying Game subscribers who preorder this set will receive a free PDF edition of this product when the print edition ships. (Note that you will need to have an active Pathfinder RPG subscription at the time this product ships in order to receive the PDF for free.)
If you subscribe now for the Monster Codex, you should be able to preorder the Strategy Guide and get the free PDF.
Feros |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The Strategy Guide is IN THE WAREHOUSE, and will make the March release!
So when does the postal strike occur?
:)
Seriously I'm interested in helping some of my players with this book because although they are experienced, they have difficulty in building characters that can do the things the want them to or understand how the mechanics work with the choices they have made.
GreyWolfLord |
Some questions on the contents.
For players, when it lists feats or spells that they should choose, does it list that spell or feat description right at that point, under the class items, or elsewhere in the book (ala, the BB to a degree), or do they either have to look up the description on the PRD or Core rule book? (Aka...is it all simplified to that extent, or is there more work involved for the newbies)?
Does it list several options on choices for each class, or is it pretty straight forward?
Does it point out ways for the new players to strategize with their characters or things to take into consideration when building the characters?
Thanks
John Compton Developer |
2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Some questions on the contents.
For players, when it lists feats or spells that they should choose, does it list that spell or feat description right at that point, under the class items, or elsewhere in the book (ala, the BB to a degree), or do they either have to look up the description on the PRD or Core rule book? (Aka...is it all simplified to that extent, or is there more work involved for the newbies)?
Does it list several options on choices for each class, or is it pretty straight forward?
Does it point out ways for the new players to strategize with their characters or things to take into consideration when building the characters?
Thanks
I think I'm understanding your questions, so let me clarify where I can.
When listing recommended spells or feats, the Strategy Guide presents several options as well as a sentence or so noting why it would be a good choice (e.g. "Want to eliminate an enemy with a single blow? Trade accuracy for power—take a -1 penalty on melee attack rolls to gain a +2 bonus on damage rolls. It's even more effective when you use a weapon with two hands! [Core Rulebook 135]"). However, the book also lists several more feats and spells than a PC could learn/prepare, and when it lists them, the book does so as a recommendation, not a mandate. The complete rules text for each spell and feat is not reprinted in the book; at least 100 spells and feats are referenced within, and the space is dedicated to explaining the rationale behind choosing an option rather than reprinting information that is already available in the Core Rulebook.
The Strategy Guide does include many pages that address general character-building strategy, in-combat considerations, and role-playing advice.
j b 200 |
Has there been any more concrete information about the release date of the book? Site only says 'available march' and amazon lists it as releasing July 7th.
It is being released by Paizo this month. Books will start to ship for subscribers in a week or so. Don't trust Amazon's release dates. That date is the date the Amazon expects to have it in their warehouse, but your local gaming store should have it on the shelf by March 25th.
GreyWolfLord |
GreyWolfLord wrote:Some questions on the contents.
For players, when it lists feats or spells that they should choose, does it list that spell or feat description right at that point, under the class items, or elsewhere in the book (ala, the BB to a degree), or do they either have to look up the description on the PRD or Core rule book? (Aka...is it all simplified to that extent, or is there more work involved for the newbies)?
Does it list several options on choices for each class, or is it pretty straight forward?
Does it point out ways for the new players to strategize with their characters or things to take into consideration when building the characters?
Thanks
I think I'm understanding your questions, so let me clarify where I can.
When listing recommended spells or feats, the Strategy Guide presents several options as well as a sentence or so noting why it would be a good choice (e.g. "Want to eliminate an enemy with a single blow? Trade accuracy for power—take a -1 penalty on melee attack rolls to gain a +2 bonus on damage rolls. It's even more effective when you use a weapon with two hands! [Core Rulebook 135]"). However, the book also lists several more feats and spells than a PC could learn/prepare, and when it lists them, the book does so as a recommendation, not a mandate. The complete rules text for each spell and feat is not reprinted in the book; at least 100 spells and feats are referenced within, and the space is dedicated to explaining the rationale behind choosing an option rather than reprinting information that is already available in the Core Rulebook.
The Strategy Guide does include many pages that address general character-building strategy, in-combat considerations, and role-playing advice.
Thank you very much! Very encouraged by this!
Vic Wertz Chief Technical Officer |
MoopyMorkyfeet wrote:Has there been any more concrete information about the release date of the book? Site only says 'available march' and amazon lists it as releasing July 7th.It is being released by Paizo this month. Books will start to ship for subscribers in a week or so. Don't trust Amazon's release dates. That date is the date the Amazon expects to have it in their warehouse, but your local gaming store should have it on the shelf by March 25th.
Local gaming stores should have it *on* March 25 and no earlier—that's the official release date. (Amazon will also likely have it in their warehouse long before they think they will.)
Greylurker |
You know I decided to get this in the end purely for simple easy to read version of the rules. My group has multiple DMs in it and sometimes arguments break out over the silliest damn things due to different interpritations of symantics.
A simple version of a rule to reference would be really handy.
Plus I have a 14 year old nephew who is starting to look at the game and this seems like a good book to let him get his feet wet with
Katina Davis Customer Service Errol |
Hmm, got my pending order email, but no Strategy Guide. Still in my order queue attached to a shipment sent last year. Hopefully will clear Monday. ..
Hi there!
I have moved the Strategy Guide into your subscription order and everything else should be good to go! I'll send you an updated confirmation email so you can make sure that everything is correct.
If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to start a new thread in the Customer Service messageboards, or send an email to customer.service@paizo.com. (Otherwise, it can be more difficult for us to hunt everything down and make sure none of the posts get lost.)
Don't hesitate to ask if there's anything else I can do to help out. Thanks!
-Katina
sowhereaminow |
sowhereaminow wrote:Hmm, got my pending order email, but no Strategy Guide. Still in my order queue attached to a shipment sent last year. Hopefully will clear Monday. ..Hi there!
I have moved the Strategy Guide into your subscription order and everything else should be good to go! I'll send you an updated confirmation email so you can make sure that everything is correct.
If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to start a new thread in the Customer Service messageboards, or send an email to customer.service@paizo.com. (Otherwise, it can be more difficult for us to hunt everything down and make sure none of the posts get lost.)
Don't hesitate to ask if there's anything else I can do to help out. Thanks!
-Katina
Thanks! Was going to post in customer service area on Monday when I figured y'all might be in the office. Silly me thinking Customer Service gets to go home on the weekends. :-)
Jessica Price Project Manager |
TL;DR, I know paizo makes a lot of effort on promoting pfs but I don't play and none of my players do. Is the section that discusses pfs a small portion? This will be the difference between buying the book vs the pdf.
The PFS section is either a spread (2 pages) or 2 spreads (don't remember offhand, and I'm not at the office). So yes, it's a very small portion of the book.
Liz Courts Webstore Gninja Minion |
Liz Courts Webstore Gninja Minion |
Liz Courts Webstore Gninja Minion |
Steve Geddes |
I dont know if that was directed to me, but if so I'm afraid I probably wont see it for close to a month (no PDF for me - rather stupidly, I dropped my RPG subscription after the last item, waited for my strategy guide to ship and then added it again for unchained. Pretty much no result other than to deny myself an early peek. :p)
Jessica Price Project Manager |
Feros |
2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Hows art in the book any new stuff?
A fair proportion of the book uses already established pieces of art, but yes there are plenty of new pictures in there as well.
For one thing, each of the characters used to represent a theme appears to be new art. And each class entry has at least one iconic image that I haven't seen before.
Feros |
3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Can you please give me the Table of Contents, Feros?
Thanks!
Introduction
Getting the Most Out of This BookImportant Terms and Concepts
Character Themes
Theme Selection Quiz
List of Themes
Angel-Born
Animal Friend
Archer
Battle Priest
Berserker
Brute
Conjurer
Crusader
Dragon-Child
Dual-Weapon Warrior
Fire-Blooded
Fury
Healer
Illusionist
Knight
Maneuver Specialist
Martial Warrior
Nature Warrior
Shadow
Shield Fighter
Smasher
Stargazer
Thief
Traditional Mage
Trickster
Troubadour
Races
Class Guides
What’s in a Class Guide?
Barbarian
Bard
Cleric
Druid
Fighter
Monk
Paladin
Ranger
Rogue
Sorcerer
Wizard
Additional Details
Playing the Game
Combat
Your Turn
Action Types
Attacks and Damage
Understanding Your Square
Analyzing the Battlefield
Combat Maneuvers
Big Hits and Bonuses
Death
Spellcasting
Tactical Considerations
Combat Tricks
Narrative Play
Exploration and Dungeon Delving
Diplomacy and Gathering Information
Meeting Important People
Stealth and Scouting
Mysteries
Other Narrative Elements
Behind the Screen
Advice for Better Gaming
Pathfinder Society
Index
The Introduction section covers what the book is and isn't for (it isn't a rule book, but a guide to learn how to play), Getting the Most Out of This Book covers the individual sections and what describes them briefly, and Important Terms and Concepts is a quick rundown of the more common expressions and basic stats in the game.
The second section covers the 26 Character Themes, including a quiz which will guide you to the theme that fits your character concept best. There are at least two themes for each class and three for the full-casters (Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard).
Races covers the basics of each core race and the class guides use a format similar to the Beginner Box for levelling up...all the way to level 20.
The Playing the Game section takes all the rules that are spread out hither and yon and brings references to them together under each topic heading, making it far easier to see the various elements of the rules quickly.
The Pathfinder Society description is only four pages long.
Dustin Ashe |
There are at least two themes for each class and three for the full-casters (Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard).
So, each theme belongs to only one character class? For example, Stargazer is only a cleric theme? Can you summarize an example of a theme?
Races covers the basics of each core race
In what way, if any, is this chapter different than the Race chapter in the CRB? Is there any mention of which races match which themes?
and the class guides use a format similar to the Beginner Box for leveling up...all the way to level 20.
Whooot!
I remember John Compton or Jessica Price saying the noncore classes were briefly mentioned. In which section do we find that and how big a mention are we talking? Is it just APG classes?
Finally, for something like barbarian rage powers or rogue talents, does the SG give specific suggestions for each theme? Are any powers or talents left out or are all the options presented?
Thanks!
Feros |
Feros wrote:There are at least two themes for each class and three for the full-casters (Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard).So, each theme belongs to only one character class? For example, Stargazer is only a cleric theme? Can you summarize an example of a theme?
Yes, each theme is tied to one specific class. This makes sense as the idea of the guide is to narrow down the choices a new player has to make to create the character they want. Cross-class themes would add a level of unneeded complexity. Expert players could take the theme and build it with a separate class I am sure, but this is for the new players: keeping it simple.
An example of a theme would be the Trickster, a bard theme. An expert at deception and disguise, the character outwits his opponents using guile to get them to actively help the trickster and his allies. The recommended choices in spells, class abilities, and skills all emphasize the Diplomacy/Bluff angle of building a bard.
Feros wrote:Races covers the basics of each core raceIn what way, if any, is this chapter different than the Race chapter in the CRB? Is there any mention of which races match which themes?
A basic synopsis of each race and their abilities are given, but not much background detail or descriptions of how the abilities work. You need the CRB for that.
And yes, in each theme appropriate race choices are suggested in the Picking a Race section. In the Trickster, for example, Halflings, Gnomes, Half-elves, and Humans are recommended.
Feros wrote:and the class guides use a format similar to the Beginner Box for leveling up...all the way to level 20.Whooot!
I remember John Compton or Jessica Price saying the noncore classes were briefly mentioned. In which section do we find that and how big a mention are we talking? Is it just APG classes?
On page 117 there is an inset section that covers all the additional books on class and races currently available. It doesn't go into great detail, but it does touch on and briefly explain each of the following concepts:
Prestige Classes
Archetypes
Other Classes (from the APG, ACG, UM, and UC)
Finally, for something like barbarian rage powers or rogue talents, does the SG give specific suggestions for each theme? Are any powers or talents left out or are all the options presented?
The SG does suggest specific rage powers, rogue talents, feats, and skill selections for each theme all the way up to 20th level. They DO NOT mention all possibilities, feats, talents, etc. They stay tight to the theme to keep from overwhelming the new player with too many choices (one of the big problems with the CRB).
Thanks!
You're welcome! :D
Feros |
I would assume that "keeping it simple" means archetypes aren't mentioned, or at least not much. Would that be correct?
Yes, that's correct. They mention and describe the concept on page 117 and that more detail can be found in the Advanced Players Guide, but that is it.
Ross Byers RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32 |
Ross Byers RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32 |
j b 200 |
So if I were to get a role playing game subscription right now and order this book would I still get the PDF or has that ship sailed???
You would have had to subscribe in time to get the Monster Codex back in the fall to qualify for the PDF