Check the blog - the first preview is up: Link
Yes, and Bulmahn should be shot for the horrible pun at the end of his blog posting. :P
Contributor
|
It was bad...but so good. ;-)
Okay...so, here's what I've noticed so far:
- Changes to Greed: Appraise is no longer a class skill
- Change to Stonecunning: Professions related to stonework are no longer class skills
- Hardy race feature replaces the Hearty feature ;-p
So...the two things that are conspicuously absent are:
2. Mention of favored classes!!
Is it possible one or both of those concepts have been eliminated?
Maybe someone could merge this thread with this one: TODAY'S PREVIEW BLOG !!
Anyway, my observations:
On the opposite page, we get a good look at the dwarf, one of my favorite races. Aside from some new flavor text that describes dwarven traits, there have been only a few changes to the dwarf from the Beta Playtest version of the game. Most of these were made to clean up the race and bring it inline with the new rules. That said, there is one significant thing that has changed. I’ll let you figure out which element that is.
Well, first of all, there's no mention of Favored Class, which goes in hand with what someone else said (Erik?), about all players getting to choose one class, any class, as their Favored Class - and humans and half-elves probably getting to pick 2 classes.
Second... "Dwarves receive a +4 racial bonus to their Combat Maneuver Defense"
So... CMB seems to have been split up into Attack and Defense, or maybe it's just the passive CMB, i.e. when someone does something to you, that's been classified as "defensive."
Thirdly, no Keen Senses.
Oh, one complaint, though, about the lay-out.
The shaded racial text box covering parts of the dwarf illustration, that's unfortunate.
Oh, one complaint, though, about the lay-out.
The shaded racial text box covering parts of the dwarf illustration, that's unfortunate.
Not sure what ya mean there
Yes, and Bulmahn should be shot for the horrible pun at the end of his blog posting. :P
Which pun?
Writing up his stat block is quite a feat!
I have to agree with seekerofshadowlight, though, the dwarf illo isn't covered by anything in my copy of the file.
Apparently it's my pdf-reader (PDF-XChange Viewer) which parses the layers differently then.
Here's how it looks in my reader: Dwarf with text box.
@ GentleGiant
The Dwarf illustration overlays all the background stuff, its on top, it can't be covered by the shading. Its just darker because of its own shadows. Have another closer look, its definatley on top.
@ GentleGiant
The Dwarf illustration overlays all the background stuff, its on top, it can't be covered by the shading. Its just darker because of its own shadows. Have another closer look, its definatley on top.
If it's on top you shouldn't be able to see the entire outline of the text box running through the illustration.
still not seeing it
If it's on top you shouldn't be able to see the entire outline of the text box running through the illustration.@ GentleGiant
The Dwarf illustration overlays all the background stuff, its on top, it can't be covered by the shading. Its just darker because of its own shadows. Have another closer look, its definatley on top.
Its definately your pdf-reader. Although I cannot provide a picture I can tell you (using Adobe Acrobat 8 Pro), that the dwarf is on top. Comparing my view with your picture, your shadow is darker whereas in my view the shadow can "hardly" be seen at all. The one thing I detected however (not only in the dwarf picture, but also in the race-line-up-picture) is that the characters are surrounded by a thin outline of black such as you will get when using the magic wand in photoshop to remove color to get transperancy effect, then copy the picture and paste it onto another picture.
If it's on top you shouldn't be able to see the entire outline of the text box running through the illustration.@ GentleGiant
The Dwarf illustration overlays all the background stuff, its on top, it can't be covered by the shading. Its just darker because of its own shadows. Have another closer look, its definatley on top.
Well, It's because you have this ancient computer based on mice running in random patterns. So the mice got drunk last night and couldn't get their pattern truly random today. That's the reason for the wrong image display! Or as you said, your reader, either one of them, cuz mine looks fine.... :-P
Well, It's because you have this ancient computer based on mice running in random patterns. So the mice got drunk last night and couldn't get their pattern truly random today. That's the reason for the wrong image display! Or as you said, your reader, either one of them, cuz mine looks fine.... :-PIf it's on top you shouldn't be able to see the entire outline of the text box running through the illustration.@ GentleGiant
The Dwarf illustration overlays all the background stuff, its on top, it can't be covered by the shading. Its just darker because of its own shadows. Have another closer look, its definatley on top.
Shush you, shouldn't you be off working or something? :-p
Its definately your pdf-reader. Although I cannot provide a picture I can tell you (using Adobe Acrobat 8 Pro), that the dwarf is on top.If it's on top you shouldn't be able to see the entire outline of the text box running through the illustration.@ GentleGiant
The Dwarf illustration overlays all the background stuff, its on top, it can't be covered by the shading. Its just darker because of its own shadows. Have another closer look, its definatley on top.
It IS indeed the reader, it must parse the information differently. I just opened it in Adobe Reader too and it's as it should be (with the dwarf on the top layer).
@ GentleGiant
|
|
It IS indeed the reader, it must parse the information differently. I just opened it in Adobe Reader too and it's as it should be (with the dwarf on the top layer).
Recently, I've also begun to experience problems with viewing Paizo's PDFs with Foxit Reader. Those same PDFs show fine in Acrobat.
I wonder if Paizo changed something... I much prefer Foxit to Acrobat. :-(
@ GentleGiant
** spoiler omitted **
I've tried Foxit before (probably version 2.x) and I didn't take to it the same way I did PDF-XChange Viewer (which is also free).
I could have done without the switch from boxers to briefs.
|
Contributor
|
Still, in playtesting variable Perception bonuses was definitely a pain.
I understand that frustration with trying to keep track of who gets bonuses for what senses. But I hope that the various options for using Perception with the different senses (i.e., the various DCs and other info for each sense) don't go away. That's a huge step forward from Spot/Listen that I wouldn't want to see lost.
Still, in playtesting variable Perception bonuses was definitely a pain.I understand that frustration with trying to keep track of who gets bonuses for what senses. But I hope that the various options for using Perception with the different senses (i.e., the various DCs and other info for each sense) don't go away. That's a huge step forward from Spot/Listen that I wouldn't want to see lost.
Like the an otyugh with a great stealth check. Still a DC 5 to smell him.
Like the an otyugh with a great stealth check. Still a DC 5 to smell him.Still, in playtesting variable Perception bonuses was definitely a pain.I understand that frustration with trying to keep track of who gets bonuses for what senses. But I hope that the various options for using Perception with the different senses (i.e., the various DCs and other info for each sense) don't go away. That's a huge step forward from Spot/Listen that I wouldn't want to see lost.
... Except in their natural habitat. :)
I love the new illustration of the races. I really disliked the older one (Im sure many did hence the change).
The halfling is fantastic. It retained the "small human" look of 3rd edition and is not a "fat hobbit" from older editions. Yet fuzzy feet are back! Best of both worlds.
I love the colorful gnomes. For those who collect D&D pre-painted minis the Thorn makes a great Pathfinder Gnome now.
I also love the Half-elf.....for different reasons. :)
|
Combat Maneuver Defense hey? interesting...
As for the loss of favored classes... I can deal with that provided that yes, any race gets to choose one. Humans should also only get one... it is half-elves, I think, that could benefit the most from a two favored class boost (I mean, humans already get an extra feat at 1st level and skill pt./level...)
I love the new illustration of the races. I really disliked the older one (Im sure many did hence the change).
The halfling is fantastic. It retained the "small human" look of 3rd edition and is not a "fat hobbit" from older editions. Yet fuzzy feet are back! Best of both worlds.
I love the colorful gnomes. For those who collect D&D pre-painted minis the Thorn makes a great Pathfinder Gnome now.
I also love the Half-elf.....for different reasons. :)
What's with the human woman glaring at the half-elf with clenched fist?
Catfight?
|
|
I love the new illustration of the races. I really disliked the older one (Im sure many did hence the change).
The halfling is fantastic. It retained the "small human" look of 3rd edition and is not a "fat hobbit" from older editions. Yet fuzzy feet are back! Best of both worlds.
I love the colorful gnomes. For those who collect D&D pre-painted minis the Thorn makes a great Pathfinder Gnome now.
I also love the Half-elf.....for different reasons. :)
snif i lived the redheaded human... and the gnome doll was cute :S now we have a punkette :P
but I agree the half elf is much much ebtter and its good to eb rid of the WoW Night Elf :P
I far prefer the art in the final version to that in the Beta, so that is good. :)
The potential removal of Favored classes is a bit disappointing in my mind, but they might still be on another side of the page and anyway it is not a huge deal to me.
I liked the bonuses to different senses due to the flavor, though it is true that most of them did not add much in practice in actual gameplay, so their removal is probably justified. I think it would have been even better to just go back to Spot and Listen checks, rather than relying on the false economy of Perception checks, but I didn't really expect that to happen.
The presentation of the rules is excellent and I like the layout!
Also good:
There is a Combat Maneuver Defense (CMD), which is something I have been arguing in favor of. :)
'Giant' seems to be a creature sub-type rather than a full creature type and this is a nice and neat change. :)
|
I know this is a minor quibble...but...I...just...can't...help...myself...
Why does the text describe the dwarf as "stand[ing] about a foot shorter than most humans", while the race lineup illustration shows the dwarf as roughly 2 feet shorter than the female human? (as is well known, on average, males are taller than females)
If the illustration is meant to represent typical/average members of each race shouldn't the line up match the text, or vice versa, more closely? I know the wording "about" and "most" allow for some leeway but...
Go ahead a let me have it... :P
Cheers
PS Can't wait to see the whole book!
It IS indeed the reader, it must parse the information differently. I just opened it in Adobe Reader too and it's as it should be (with the dwarf on the top layer).Recently, I've also begun to experience problems with viewing Paizo's PDFs with Foxit Reader. Those same PDFs show fine in Acrobat.
I wonder if Paizo changed something... I much prefer Foxit to Acrobat. :-(
I've noticed the same thing. What's really peculiar though is that the problems I've had seem to be OS specific. They display oddly in WinXP but not in Vista on my laptop, though it's the same version of Foxit, both installed from the same download.
Ah. Full disclosure: I am using Foxit on Vista.
|
I know this is a minor quibble...but...I...just...can't...help...myself...
Why does the text describe the dwarf as "stand[ing] about a foot shorter than most humans", while the race lineup illustration shows the dwarf as roughly 2 feet shorter than the female human? (as is well known, on average, males are taller than females)
If the illustration is meant to represent typical/average members of each race shouldn't the line up match the text, or vice versa, more closely? I know the wording "about" and "most" allow for some leeway but...
Go ahead a let me have it... :P
The dwarf in the line-up forgot to wear his heels. True story.
Just to confirm now that the races and dwarf preview have downloaded, on XP with Foxit 3.0 build 1506, I get both the races and the dwarf pictures covered by the brown box that should be behind them.
On Vista with the same Foxit build, the pages display properly.
|
Ah-ha! Something else I just noticed (bottom of page 20):
"Rules and guidelines for playing more powerful or more unusual races can be found in Chapter 12."
So, something to look forward to? I wonder to what extent of detail those rules and guidelines discuss alternate races... And will it refer to material in the new bestiary for those who require it? Hmmmmmm... to ponder... :-D
Gillmen?
I just want to go on the record for this... I HATE the new artwork. I really liked what was there in the Pathfinder Beta softcover, and I'm so disappointed that they changed it. Of course I'll still buy it, I love the new Pathfinder and hate what WotC has done to my favorite hobby. But I'm really not liking the new artwork I've seen thus far in the new hardcover coming out. I may be outvoted, but I loved the racial lineup we had before in the softcover. HATE this one... put me down for an "Ewwww....!"
eh I am fine with the line up, lest we don't have 47 threads hating on the line up
|
|
HATE HATE HATE HATE!!!!!!!
Just wanted to join in the hyperbole. :)
Yes! HATE, hate, Hate, hAtE!
Wait, what are we hating again?
<<Looks at previous entries.>>
The artwork from the preview?
That can't be right. The artwork is awesome. Did you see the hotness that the half-elf (now apparently named Thirteen). Or the unnamed human? Seriously?
HATE HATE HATE HATE!!!!!!!
Just wanted to join in the hyperbole. :)
Yes! HATE, hate, Hate, hAtE!
Wait, what are we hating again?
Eastasia. We have always been at war with Eastasia.
huh?
HATE HATE HATE HATE!!!!!!!
Just wanted to join in the hyperbole. :)
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!!
I love the new artwork and think it's a huge improvement over that in the Beta, which I wasn't particularly fond of due to the weird style.
PUDDING! PUDDING! PUDDING!
Actually, that sounds pretty good. I'm going to go get some.