New Stat Block Headers: Annoying and Redundant

[Epic Meepo]

I don't normally complain about layouts, but in the Alpha 2 stat blocks for afflictions, spells, and magic items, all those headers nested between pairs of column-wide horizontal lines ("CASTING", "EFFECTS", "DESCRIPTION", etc.) were exceedingly annoying. Those pairs of horizontal lines stood out more clearly than did the names of the afflictions, spells, and magic items. Glancing at the list of poisons, for example, almost all I see is muted text interspersed with glaring "EFFECTS" headers.

Not to mention the fact that those headers waste an inordinate amount of space. A description section, for example, would be just as obvious upon inspection if it were set off with a single horizontal line. Announcing that the section is a "DESCRIPTION" adds little or no functionality to the stat block. Plus, over hundreds of stat blocks, those headers add up to multiple pages of text. I wouldn't like to see a half dozen or more pages of content cut to make room for repeated "CASTING", "EFFECTS", "DESCRIPTION", "CASTING", "EFFECTS", "DESCRIPTION", and other pointless labels.

[Rhishisikk]

Honestly, I was more upset that there is no price block for the poisons. And the noted absense of Vorel's Phage. Forgot to check for Tetanus, but I'd guess that's missing, too.

A feat or skill or at least a rogue class trait for Poison Use would also be appreciated; If some pygmy in Africa can poison their weapons without danger to themselves, PCs should be able to.

One of the things keeping GMs from proper use of poisons, diseases, curses, et cetera is lack of guidelines and samples. Now at least we have that. More variety than just filth fever and green slime.

[SirUrza]

I like the block headers, makes that information sound out separately from the description text. It also makes where a new spell begins stand out.

[CrackedOzy]

I'm with SirUrza, I find the new statblock/headers to be really nice and helpful. The all cap title above each entry stands out to me more than the double lines.

[Kirth Gersen]

I must be crazy, but I'm firmly in Meepo's camp on this one; I had the same reaction he did. But it's a minor enough complaint. I won't cry or anything if Paizo decides to keep them.

[Mike McArtor]

Rhishisikk wrote:

Honestly, I was more upset that there is no price block for the poisons. And the noted absense of Vorel's Phage.

Vorel's phage is a Golarion-specific thing. The PRPG is not the Golarion RPG. It's more generic.

[Majuba]

I like the format provided for those items, although I think Meepo is right a bit - it does seem a bit lost. I think that can be more easily corrected with Bolding, etc. The format is good.

[James Jacobs]

Mike McArtor wrote:

Rhishisikk wrote:

Honestly, I was more upset that there is no price block for the poisons. And the noted absense of Vorel's Phage.

Vorel's phage is a Golarion-specific thing. The PRPG is not the Golarion RPG. It's more generic.

Also: Jason didn't have time to put in much more than the SRD. I believe that his plan IS to eventually put in more poisons, curses, and diseases... but world-specific ones like Vorels' phage will probably not make the cut for the reason mike lists above.

[Eyebite]

For what it's worth, I'll just throw in that I really like Paizo's stat block as is. It's the best designed and easiest to read (in terms of finding immediately what you're looking for) that I've yet seen.

The large headers that specifically break down the sections are very helpful at a glance.

[Rauol_Duke]

Eyebite wrote:

For what it's worth, I'll just throw in that I really like Paizo's stat block as is. It's the best designed and easiest to read (in terms of finding immediately what you're looking for) that I've yet seen.

The large headers that specifically break down the sections are very helpful at a glance.

I agree with this 100%