Trailblazer

[David Fryer]

Has anyone got this book? What exactly is it? Is it worth investing in?

[kyrt-ryder]

I don't have it, but I've read quite a few discussions over it, and from what I could tell it seems like a good tool if you intend to significantly tweak your 3.x (3.0, 3.5, or Pathfinder) campaign mechanically, to change the way the game plays in various ways.

All in all, I myself just might purchase it when I'm able to.

[Urizen]

David,

I have it. I haven't gotten the chance to read in great detail, but I've always liked the stuff that Bad Axe Games put out and tend to buy them on the spot if I have the dough and the price is right. It is essesntially a game optimizer that is forward looking and backward compatible. It attempts to be innovative, but respectful of gaming traditions.

It includes everything PCs need to create and run their characters, including skills, feats, weapons, armor, etc. It includes everything DMs need to run combat including the questions that arises, tools that are needed to create encounters, customize monsters, challenge your players and awarding XP.

It's 157 pages total and I really think it's worth the bang for your buck for what you get out of it. It does imply that it can also be used to supplement systems offered by Monte Cook and Paizo, in addition to 3.5e, if that helps.

If you need anything specific looked up or commented upon, I'll be glad to pop open my PDF and mention in passing.

[DitheringFool]

just a quick comment to back up Urizen - I have the PDF and I've ordered the book through Amazon.

This is an amazing tome! If for no other reason, the analysis chapter explains DnD in a way that makes the mathematician in me giggle like a little girl. ...and it helps justify some of his enhancements to the OGL system.

So, like Urizen, I would be happy to answer any specific questions you have

[David Fryer]

I have heard about a unified magic system connected with this. Can you tell me more about that?

[joela]

David Fryer wrote:

I have heard about a unified magic system connected with this. Can you tell me more about that?

Here you go. I, too, have the pdf and deadtree copy if you have questions. Finally, TB's author himself sometimes makes an appearance here on the boards to answer questions.

[Wulf Ratbane]

joela wrote:

Finally, TB's author himself sometimes makes an appearance here on the boards to answer questions.

I am the author. I only visit the Paizo boards occassionally (when I get a heads-up from a regular here) but I am very accessible in our publisher forum at ENworld.

http://www.enworld.org/forum/bad-axe-games-hosted-forum/

Not that I won't answer questions here-- just that I keep an eye on our forums over there almost constantly. The wait time is less.

[joela]

joela wrote:

David Fryer wrote:

I have heard about a unified magic system connected with this. Can you tell me more about that?

Here you go. I, too, have the pdf and deadtree copy if you have questions. Finally, TB's author himself sometimes makes an appearance here on the boards to answer questions.

Hi, David. Any more questions?

[joela]

Anyone using the system optimizer in their Pathfinder campaigns? There are several folks doing so over at the EN World Pathfinder subforum site.

[Mos Anted]

joela wrote:

Anyone using the system optimizer in their Pathfinder campaigns? There are several folks doing so over at the EN World Pathfinder subforum site.

I'm thinking of using it in a 3.5 campaign I'm planning, but am struggling with some things, namely, I like the unified spell progression system, but don't want to implement the class changes, yet I find that the USP has been integrated pretty tightly with the classes :/