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So Skeld, what races have you read there sections and anything interesting that comes to mind about them?
Between answering questions, working, and being Mr. Mom, i haven't had much of a chance to read. BUT, I'm digging into the Human section (especially certain ethnicities, like Ulfen) and Half-elven section first because those tend to be the races I'm most interested in.
-Skeld
Do they show any art in the alien section and if so what?
What are the alternate racial traits for the Tengu, Strix, Goblin, Nagaji, Samsaran, and Wayang?
Creative Director
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Huh, interesting, so they DID decide to go with "Both catgirl and cat humanoid versions exist" to avoid annoying anyone? xD Kinda hard to tell for sure without seeing the art though
What does the catfolk art look like?** spoiler omitted **
-Skeld
No... it's just the curse of getting catfolk art to standardize appearances appropriately continues to vex us. :(
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Creative Director
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So let me get this straight, only two feats for half-orcs, one feat for Aasimars, and no feats for Dhampirs? Also we get no starting ages or age categories? On top of that most of the feats in this disappointing book are TEAMWORK FEATS? Ugh, this, this is just downright disappointing!
That content was the province of Advanced Race Guide, and we chose not to use pages of this book, which was always intended to be more strongly weighted toward flavor (a sort of inversion of Advanced Race Guide), to reprint material we've already printed and supported in Advanced Race Guide.
Does "Mostly Human" for Geniekin do something similar to "Scion of Humanity" for Aasimar?
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The REALLY BIG THING about this book is the second changeling alternate racial trait. That one blew my mind. Finally!
I'm also REALLY happy that pretty much every race gets at least one new alternate racial trait. Alternate racial traits are one of the best ways to customize races, so getting more of them was amazing. And especially when even D-list races (which I play more often than not) are treated to them. The one thing I really wanted that was missing was a way to get rid of the dhampir's negative energy affinity, but such is life (or undeath, as it were).
The feats section is a big disappointment, with a grand total of nine non-teamwork feats. I don't know what they were thinking, giving such a huge push to teamwork feats all of a sudden.
At the end of the day, I think I won't be using this book much past the six pages of race traits and eight pages of alternate racial traits. I don't regret buying it, because I'm still willing to pay forty-five bucks for Witchborn changelings, but, eh. Dept of expectation management had done a good job letting me know in advance that this would focus on core races and fluff, so I can't really mark this book down for wanting more non-core races and crunch, but that's the book I'm really waiting for.
I do find it funny that even after so much debate about catfolk appearance, we still have both looks. I suppose it's a good thing; if they picked just one, whichever one they picked, they'd make people on the other side sad. It's not like lots of other races don't have different heritages. An agathion-blooded aasimar doesn't look anything like a peri-blooded one. I don't see why we can't have two catfolk variants. Also, I'm glad the catfolk race name isn't something cheesy like "meowi". :b
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No... it's just the curse of getting catfolk art to standardize appearances appropriately continues to vex us. :(Huh, interesting, so they DID decide to go with "Both catgirl and cat humanoid versions exist" to avoid annoying anyone? xD Kinda hard to tell for sure without seeing the art though
What does the catfolk art look like?** spoiler omitted **
-Skeld
Since generally describing catfolk seems to be leading to wide variations maybe it would be best to refrence a specific style of catfolk already in existence from anime or other works? Something like Merle, Naria and Eria from the vision of escaflowne?
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The REALLY BIG THING about this book is the second changeling alternate racial trait. That one blew my mind. Finally!
I'm also REALLY happy that pretty much every race gets at least one new alternate racial trait. Alternate racial traits are one of the best ways to customize races, so getting more of them was amazing. And especially when even D-list races (which I play more often than not) are treated to them. The one thing I really wanted that was missing was a way to get rid of the dhampir's negative energy affinity, but such is life (or undeath, as it were).
The feats section is a big disappointment, with a grand total of nine non-teamwork feats. I don't know what they were thinking, giving such a huge push to teamwork feats all of a sudden.
At the end of the day, I think I won't be using this book much past the six pages of race traits and either pages of alternate racial traits. I don't regret buying it, because I'm still willing to pay forty-five bucks for Witchborn changelings, but, eh. Dept of expectation management had done a good job letting me know in advance that this would focus on core races and fluff, so I can't really mark this book down for wanting more non-core races and crunch, but that's the book I'm really waiting for.
I am delighted how much you enjoyed the Witchborn changeling alternate racial trait, and I'm glad you think it was worth the whole pricetag, but between you and me, if that's all you wanted, you could just make that adjustment anyway. The selling point for me is the stellar job that the authors and developers did on the world lore sections, particularly Jessica Price, who also coordinated my efforts to assist. It's packed with so much cool stuff in that regard.
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I am delighted how much you enjoyed the Witchborn changeling alternate racial trait, and I'm glad you think it was worth the whole pricetag, but between you and me, if that's all you wanted, you could just make that adjustment anyway.
If I was the DM, sure. More often than not, when I'm a player, custom adjusting racial modifiers has been a no-no, while alternate racial traits have been AOK.
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The feats section is a big disappointment, with a grand total of nine non-teamwork feats. I don't know what they were thinking, giving such a huge push to teamwork feats all of a sudden.
In my mind, if you want racial options, alternate racial traits are much better than feats for customization.
Teamwork feats are a good way for GMs to build an encounter out of a group of homogenous creatures with a common theme, say a Tiefling cult that work together on a regular basis. So I think the inclusion of so many Teamwork feats is reflective of giving GMs more option than it is giving players more options.
-Skeld
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In my mind, if you want racial options, alternate racial traits are much better than feats for customization.
Very true, which is why it's been baffling to see alternate racial traits all but forgotten in recent products, and which is why I was so extremely elated to see them show up here!
Teamwork feats are a good way for GMs to build an encounter out of a group of homogenous creatures with a common theme
Interesting point. DM book, focus on DM options. I guess I can see the logic.
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OH. MY. GOD.
My opinion about the number one book in this thing just changed.
Page 193 FINALLY resolves one of my biggest game issues!
No longer does a mwangi aasimar with 3-11 Int have to spend a skill point to pick up their native language!! FINALLY nonhuman races can pick up their regional language instead of Taldane!!
Now if Bestiary 5 gives us Tiny elementals that can be used as familiars from level 1, my Pathfinder is ready, finished, done. ;)
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Creative Director
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OH. MY. GOD.
My opinion about the number one book in this thing just changed.
Page 193 FINALLY resolves one of my biggest game issues!
No longer does a mwangi aasimar with 3-11 Int have to spend a skill point to pick up their native language!! FINALLY nonhuman races can pick up their regional language instead of Taldane!!
Now if Bestiary 5 gives us Tiny elementals that can be used as familiars from level 1, my Pathfinder is ready, finished, done. ;)
This is something I've been pushing to get into print for years... I'm glad we finally found a home for it.
(It SHOULD have been in the Inner Sea World Guide, frankly... on page 11 with the information about human ethnic languages... but better late than never, I guess?)
Samy, since you're so enthusiastic about it, or anyone else if they know faster, does Witchborn trade out any other racial traits or just modify ability scores?
Alternate racial traits are nice especially for changing abilities you don't care much for though few such traits actually alter racial mods or add abilities as powerful as a feat. But racial feats open doors like turning Drow into Drow Noble, giving Dhampir some actual vampire powers(bat form, spider climb, gaseous form, etc.), improving energy resistance maybe even granting energy immunity for the some like the Ifrit. It can give wings to aasimar, grant scent, claws, or darkvision for Catfolk, maybe even granting merfolk the ability to change into humans(until they get wet).
So what are the changeling's alternate ability score mods?
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I've only skimmed through it so far (waiting for the hardcover to arrive to properly read it), but I did find it amusing that the text for catfolk calls out how variable they can be, and says you can get full on Kajit style catfolk in one family, and their neighbors across the street could be anime esq catgirls with completely different morphology.
So what are the changeling's alternate ability score mods?** spoiler omitted **
Seems like the alternate racial trait modifies the ability score bonuses, not the modifiers.
Maybe there is an actual in world story about why catfolk can vary so much in appearance.
Does the warehouse still ship during the weekend?
I didn't think so but it was worth asking just in case.
So what are all the human ethnicities listed?
What does the book say about aquatic elves?
Are there any types of dwarves mentioned other then the standard and the Duergar?
The dwarves had have an ale to much and fell under the table.
The warehouse almost never ships during the weekend....
Does the warehouse still ship during the weekend?
The only time I can remember Paizo Staff shipping on the weekends was during the first Great Golem sale. The one that utterly overwhelmed the warehouse for, like, three months. I still remember Mika's desperate texts for help....
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Skimmed through the pdf...I like it but...
Did we really need all of those new teamwork feats? I know this is in the GM friendly campaign line...but even as a GM I rarely use them ( and most of those times it is because the npc is a cavalier or a inquisitor). Also Inner Sea Gods had a lot of player friendly options.
Other than that it is a fantastic book and can not wait to really read through it and post a review.
I'm curious if the chapter openers going forward are going to be the same as they are in this book. I really really liked the in character chapter openers the hardcovers have had that coincided with the artwork. It really helped bring the setting and the iconics to life. I will admit I was disappointed those snippets of fiction are missing here.
Can someone please tell me what Ulfen weapon training is and what it replaces?
Thanks
+1 on this.
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+1 on this.Can someone please tell me what Ulfen weapon training is and what it replaces?
Thanks
It's a regional trait, not a racial trait. It's doesn't replace anything; it counts as one of your two character traits taken at character generation.
It grants a +1 trait bonus to attacks* made with certain weapons generally associated with Ulfens.
-Skeld
*Book's not in front of me, but I think that's it.
Is there anything for the Elves of the Mordant Spire ?
+1 on this.Can someone please tell me what Ulfen weapon training is and what it replaces?
ThanksIt's a regional trait, not a racial trait. It's doesn't replace anything; it counts as one of your two character traits taken at character generation.
It grants a +1 trait bonus to attacks* made with certain weapons generally associated with Ulfens.
-Skeld
*Book's not in front of me, but I think that's it.
Cheers Skeld - sounds a keeper for my Ulfen to be :)
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+1 on this.Can someone please tell me what Ulfen weapon training is and what it replaces?
ThanksIt's a regional trait, not a racial trait. It's doesn't replace anything; it counts as one of your two character traits taken at character generation.
It grants a +1 trait bonus to attacks* made with certain weapons generally associated with Ulfens.-Skeld
*Book's not in front of me, but I think that's it.
This is what happens when I post without first looking it up.
The bonus applies to damage rolls, not attacks. It still only applies to certain weapons that you'd associate with Ulfens/Vikings.
-Skeld
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Just wanted to thank Skeld, Kalindlara, and the others for all the snippets you all are posting. :)
+1 on this.Can someone please tell me what Ulfen weapon training is and what it replaces?
ThanksIt's a regional trait, not a racial trait. It's doesn't replace anything; it counts as one of your two character traits taken at character generation.
It grants a +1 trait bonus to attacks* made with certain weapons generally associated with Ulfens.-Skeld
*Book's not in front of me, but I think that's it.
This is what happens when I post without first looking it up.
The bonus applies to damage rolls, not attacks. It still only applies to certain weapons that you'd associate with Ulfens/Vikings.
-Skeld
So if you take this trait & Weapon Focus [one of those viking weapons], you essentianly start with a +1 weapon! Nice!
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Assistant Developer
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I've only skimmed through it so far (waiting for the hardcover to arrive to properly read it), but I did find it amusing that the text for catfolk calls out how variable they can be, and says you can get full on Kajit style catfolk in one family, and their neighbors across the street could be anime esq catgirls with completely different morphology.
Huh... I don't remember writing that
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Creative Director
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I've only skimmed through it so far (waiting for the hardcover to arrive to properly read it), but I did find it amusing that the text for catfolk calls out how variable they can be, and says you can get full on Kajit style catfolk in one family, and their neighbors across the street could be anime esq catgirls with completely different morphology.Huh... I don't remember writing that
I'm pretty sure that was text we ended up putting in during development because we kinda gave up a little on getting the art to standardize.
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I'm pretty sure that was text we ended up putting in during development because we kinda gave up a little on getting the art to standardize.I've only skimmed through it so far (waiting for the hardcover to arrive to properly read it), but I did find it amusing that the text for catfolk calls out how variable they can be, and says you can get full on Kajit style catfolk in one family, and their neighbors across the street could be anime esq catgirls with completely different morphology.Huh... I don't remember writing that
If its any consolation, it seems like a nice compromise for all of the people out there who prefer one depiction over another.
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For the record, my daughter and I prefer the Bestiary 3 art :-)
For the record I prefer the B3 art as well.
I seem to recall some discussion of Changelings being (while always female at birth) more likely than many races to be transgender or something to that effect, is that mentioned in their section in here?
For the record I prefer the B3 art as well.
I will also go on the record that I prefer the B3 art as well.
For the record I prefer the B3 art as well.I will also go on the record that I prefer the B3 art as well.
I think the B3 art is a much better match for their abilities and personality than the art in the ARG, particularly.
So has anyone gotten there PDF today?