Now I understand that without having any information released obviously nobody has an actual answer for this question, but after looking at the description on the website I'm left scratching my head wondering what this book offers that will entice me to buy it?
I understand that it gives you a multitude of options and GM tools to build games but I have been running games for 18 years and ran from the beginning of 3rd till the closing of the books on 3.5 and into Pathfinder so I don't need any advice on how to run games. What I need as a GM is Classes, Prestige Classes, Magic Items, Spells, Monsters, etc... The tangible goodies that every 3.5 book offered as a hook to get people like me to buy them. From the description they didn't even hint at the idea that any of these things would be present.
Now before anyone flames me I'm not saying that a book with all types of tips isn't useful or valuable. I'm sure there will be information that even I would use but without any "goodies" there's nothing that peaks my interest about this particular book.
Any Ideas or insight?
Creative Director
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A few teasers (note that the book's still being put through its paces and some of the following elements MIGHT change...)
1) Rules for insanity
2) Tables for randomly determining potions and weapons and other bits of treasure
3) Chase rules
4) Planar trait rules
5) A brand new stat block for cities
6) Haunt rules
7) Rules for drugs and addiction
8) Fast-play rules for nautical (ship to ship) combat
9) All sorts of tables to randomly determine things like tavern names or strange things found in dungeons or ghost ships and so on
10) A LOT of NPC stat blocks for things like cultists, guards, bandits, kings, and other NPC roles (sort of like a Bestiary for common NPC types)
So, think of it sort of as a tool box. It's not gonna have lots of classes, prestige classes, magic items, spells, and monsters; those needs will be covered by the Advanced Player's Guide and Bestiary 2.
Sounds just like what I need..I loved AEGs Toolbox and thios looks like it might fit into the same sort of niche.Plus not having to search through the Aps for chase and haunt rules is going to be useful.
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Creative Director
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Sounds just like what I need..I loved AEGs Toolbox and thios looks like it might fit into the same sort of niche.Plus not having to search through the Aps for chase and haunt rules is going to be useful.
AEG's Toolbox is, in fact, one of the books we looked at when we were deciding on how to put the Gamemastery Guide together and what should go in it.
By the way, will the standard trait rules be reprinted in any of the upcoming hardcovers? I think it would make sense to have them in another form than just as a PDF.
By the way, will the standard trait rules be reprinted in any of the upcoming hardcovers? I think it would make sense to have them in another form than just as a PDF.
Well, they're in the Second Darkness Player's Guide companion.
Plus, PDFs are printable ;-P
But I think it was said that it's possible that the traits will appear in one of the Advanced Books (though I guess this is more for players, so look for them in the APG)
I am already loving on this book, especially #10.
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Creative Director
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By the way, will the standard trait rules be reprinted in any of the upcoming hardcovers? I think it would make sense to have them in another form than just as a PDF.
Character trait rules will FINALLY be showing up in a hardcover with the Advanced Player's Guide (since they're for players and not NPCs, makes more sense for these rules to show up there!).
Ah, but here's the REAL question to determine if the book is worthwhile: Will it have the "GM's best friend" rule?
You know, the "secret weapon" that we all really know, to apply a +2 or -2 circumstance modifier to a DC?
Of course, WE all know that rule by heart. But for Pathfinder fans to come, that rule had better be in the Gamemastery Guide, or you can't claim to have replaced the 3.5 core books.
I'm kidding.
Sort of.
Character trait rules will FINALLY be showing up in a hardcover with the Advanced Player's Guide (since they're for players and not NPCs, makes more sense for these rules to show up there!).
That's great! Thanks, James.
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Creative Director
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Ah, but here's the REAL question to determine if the book is worthwhile: Will it have the "GM's best friend" rule?
You know, the "secret weapon" that we all really know, to apply a +2 or -2 circumstance modifier to a DC?
Of course, WE all know that rule by heart. But for Pathfinder fans to come, that rule had better be in the Gamemastery Guide, or you can't claim to have replaced the 3.5 core books.
I'm kidding.
Sort of.
It won't because that rules already in the Core rulebook.
A few teasers (note that the book's still being put through its paces and some of the following elements MIGHT change...)
1) Rules for insanity
My players will hate me for introducing this...
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A few teasers (note that the book's still being put through its paces and some of the following elements MIGHT change...)
1) Rules for insanity
3) Chase rules
4) Planar trait rules
5) A brand new stat block for cities
6) Haunt rules
7) Rules for drugs and addiction
8) Fast-play rules for nautical (ship to ship) combat
These are the ones I am personally looking forward to.
Have to say, I had been chalking the 'Gamemastery Guide' up to a book that was on my subscription that I didn't really need but was going to get it anyway to support Paizo.
After looking at the list James spouted above though... I seem to have been pleasantly incorrect. Quite a few of those topics were topics I was missing from the core book. Good to hear.
It won't because that rules already in the Core rulebook.
Is it really? I searched for it before, and I didn't...
<flips through book>
Dang. There it is, on page 403 paragraph 1. How did I miss that?
Okay, I've done my foot-in-mouth exercises for the day.
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Creative Director
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It won't because that rules already in the Core rulebook.Is it really? I searched for it before, and I didn't...
<flips through book>
Dang. There it is, on page 403 paragraph 1. How did I miss that?
Okay, I've done my foot-in-mouth exercises for the day.
Turns out it's pretty tough to memorize a book with about 400,000 words.
Actually, what Pathfinder could really use is a working version of Page 42 from the 4E DMG (and the "Battlestation Rules" from _Galaxy at War_). It can be approximated by using the Monster Stats by CR table, but a dedicated set of calculations for an "instant wing-it" terrain hazard or skill check would rock.
-The Gneech
I hope that hit has something along the lines of Adventure/Campaign/Adventure Path Building Tips. I'm useless when it comes to this. Of course, a whole book on this would be better.
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Creative Director
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I hope that hit has something along the lines of Adventure/Campaign/Adventure Path Building Tips. I'm useless when it comes to this. Of course, a whole book on this would be better.
It does. There's a lot of advice and help for how to build adventures and encounters and campaigns in there.
The book's over 300 pages long, remember... my list of 10 things from above barely scratches the surface of what we're cramming into the book.
Turns out it's pretty tough to memorize a book with about 400,000 words.
Three minutes to Wapner.
Is there any chance of mass combat rules?
My players would enjoy tearing an army to pieces with a much smaller force.
I have made some attempts to accomplish this but can't seem to craft a good rule set for it.
Kingmaker #5 (issue 35) is supposed to have some mass combat rules in its support article.
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Thanks for the tip, I don't really buy adventures since my PC's tend to do 'things' with them that the designers didn't plan for.
So I hope for some mass combat rules in a rulebok instead.
Do you know if the ones in kingmaker are good?
They're by Paizo. Of course they're good. ;-)
Seriously, the book womn't be out for a couple of months, so we don't know whether they're good or not.
You could give Warpath from Adamant Entertainment a go. I'm not a big fan of those rules myself but they're a workable mass combat system.
Turns out it's pretty tough to memorize a book with about 400,000 words.It won't because that rules already in the Core rulebook.Is it really? I searched for it before, and I didn't...
<flips through book>
Dang. There it is, on page 403 paragraph 1. How did I miss that?
Okay, I've done my foot-in-mouth exercises for the day.
Wait you mean there are people who dont memorize all the books cover to cover? This frightens and confuses me. Who are these heretics?
On a side note, I am looking forward to the GMG. It looks like it will provide a good balance of help and advice for new dms and stuff for those of us who measure their gaming life in decades or editions instead of months or years.
I'm left scratching my head wondering what this book offers that will entice me to buy it?
its a chick magnet
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What does it offer?
Everything you need to get started as a GM for Pathfinder or ANY OTHER RPG. Looking through my copy of the PDF now. Paizo, you've made a FINE product here, as always. Long after I'm done with the Pathfinder RPG, I'll keep referring back to this book for years.
If you're looking at GMing but have been scared by the idea, get this book. Upon quick glance, it covers just about every question you could imagine as far as I can see. Love it and can't wait to get my physical copy.
Oh and yeah like Merrik said, it just might be a chick magnet.
What does it offer?Everything you need to get started as a GM for Pathfinder or ANY OTHER RPG. Looking through my copy of the PDF now. Paizo, you've made a FINE product here, as always. Long after I'm done with the Pathfinder RPG, I'll keep referring back to this book for years.
If you're looking at GMing but have been scared by the idea, get this book. Upon quick glance, it covers just about every question you could imagine as far as I can see. Love it and can't wait to get my physical copy.
Just finished going through it and it really is a great product.
It covers all the bases a GM needs and even those that a GM might not need. :)
Well done, Paizo!!!!!
Dagnabbit, if only I could afford this. This seems like the greatest Dungeon Mastering related book since the 1e DMG.