[Drop Dead Studios] Spheres of Combat Kickstarter

[Grovestrider]

Luthorne wrote:

...kind of have an admittedly zany mental image of someone surfing down a mountainside on a giant greatsword or tower shield, possibly with other members of the party trying to balance on it...

I also want to second the idea of shield surfing, not just the LotR shield surfing that Legolas does, but also the kind that is done in DreamWorks Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas

[TOZ's Wandering Eye]

*blink*

[Taperat]

For some time now I've been tinkering around with a way to combine Spheres of Power with Rogue Genius's Talented classes, to create a totally modular character progression system. I'll gladly throw that idea out the window if this is as cool as it sounds. I'm a MASSIVE fan of Spheres and I can't wait to see how you guys fit martials into the paradigm. Consider me pledged. It's going to be hard enough waiting for Saturday, never mind the actual release date.

[Lord Mhoram]

Taperat wrote:

For some time now I've been tinkering around with a way to combine Spheres of Power with Rogue Genius's Talented classes, to create a totally modular character progression system. I'll gladly throw that idea out the window if this is as cool as it sounds. I'm a MASSIVE fan of Spheres and I can't wait to see how you guys fit martials into the paradigm. Consider me pledged. It's going to be hard enough waiting for Saturday, never mind the actual release date.

Yeah, I have a self worked out a Talented Monk with Spheres myself. I pretty much agree with everything you said, including waiting.

[Wraithguard]

I have considered for a long while of doing a major overhaul to the feat system and turn it into something drastically different.

Each character at generation would get X number of points to spend in different ability trees.

Each tree would require Y amount of points to get the full benefit of it, but even one point would get something.

A character would distribute these points into these trees depending on how specialized they wanted to be in certain aspects of combat.

I hadn't really started on this massive undertaking and never really relished the thought of tearing through all the books I own to throw the feats into progressive trees.

So, I'll wait for this, happily. Sounds much more awesome to use than what I planned anyways.

Question: Will this book also have a section for possibly converting some of the older classes in SoC classes? If not, I completely understand and would be perfectly happy chucking a bunch of them out anyways.

[Michael Sayre]

Wraithguard wrote:

I have considered for a long while of doing a major overhaul to the feat system and turn it into something drastically different.

Each character at generation would get X number of points to spend in different ability trees.

Each tree would require Y amount of points to get the full benefit of it, but even one point would get something.

A character would distribute these points into these trees depending on how specialized they wanted to be in certain aspects of combat.

I hadn't really started on this massive undertaking and never really relished the thought of tearing through all the books I own to throw the feats into progressive trees.

So, I'll wait for this, happily. Sounds much more awesome to use than what I planned anyways.

Glad you're seeing some appeal to it :D

Quote:

Question: Will this book also have a section for possibly converting some of the older classes in SoC classes? If not, I completely understand and would be perfectly happy chucking a bunch of them out anyways.

Quite possibly, yes. It's meant to be very easy for existing classes to buy into without a bunch of conversion, but I could definitely see certain classes getting the full conversion treatment, or at least a set of quick and simple rules for converting any character over similar to the casting conversion chart in SoP.

[Rednal]

I saw mention of weapon-swapping for a class earlier. May I assume you've thought about things like how enhancement bonuses (etc.) might come into play for that? Many characters find it hard to invest in more than two weapons, after all, and overcoming damage reduction isn't exactly a minor concern for a lot of damage-focused characters.

[Michael Sayre]

Rednal wrote:

I saw mention of weapon-swapping for a class earlier. May I assume you've thought about things like how enhancement bonuses (etc.) might come into play for that? Many characters find it hard to invest in more than two weapons, after all, and overcoming damage reduction isn't exactly a minor concern for a lot of damage-focused characters.

Yep, dealing with the cost of using multiple weapons was one of the first things we discussed, and we worked out mechanics to ensure that your weapons benefit from the necessary enhancement bonuses without drastically manipulating your wealth by level, or breaking from the martial theme of the new classes.

[Wraithguard]

Ssalarn wrote:

Glad you're seeing some appeal to it :D

Heck, at this point, I'm just waiting to see the pledge tiers so I know how much I need to beg my wife. :)

[Lord Mhoram]

Wraithguard wrote:

Ssalarn wrote:

Glad you're seeing some appeal to it :D

Heck, at this point, I'm just waiting to see the pledge tiers so I know how much I need to beg my wife. :)

I've talked to my wife (who is a gamer, so that helps) - it looks like I have the budget for the "high, but not outrageous" levels. Nothing that has me getting multiple hard copies or getting gaming sessions type rewards.

[Doctor Verbosus]

This sounds like exactly what I'm looking for to make Pathfinder martials more interesting. I like DSP's Path of War stuff, but it requires a new system and sometimes feels a little too much like spells. This sounds like a nice middle ground between that and the standard Pathfinder system, which ends up feeling boring.

Question: Are there plans to release Hero Lab files for this the way that you have for Spheres of Power? Please say yes! I'd be all over a combo .pdf/Hero Lab tier if there was one in the Kickstarter rewards...

[Michael Sayre]

Doctor Verbosus wrote:

This sounds like exactly what I'm looking for to make Pathfinder martials more interesting. I like DSP's Path of War stuff, but it requires a new system and sometimes feels a little too much like spells. This sounds like a nice middle ground between that and the standard Pathfinder system, which ends up feeling boring.

That's more or less what we're gunning for, yeah. If you know the core combat rules, you're 99% of the way to knowing how to use Spheres of Combat, but you're going to find that you have a lot more options for what you do with your turn than you typically find yourself with.

Quote:

Question: Are there plans to release Hero Lab files for this the way that you have for Spheres of Power? Please say yes! I'd be all over a combo .pdf/Hero Lab tier if there was one in the Kickstarter rewards...

I'll run that by Adam. My assumption is that yes, at some point we're planning on doing Hero Lab files, but I don't know how concrete that plan currently is or if it's more along the lines of something we plan on looking into after the Kickstarter closes and we know exactly what the projected demand for the product is.

***Update***
Just heard back from Adam, he's currently working on setting something up so that Spheres of Combat will have Hero Labs files, but that's still in the works and hasn't been fully negotiated yet.

[Doctor Verbosus]

Ssalarn wrote:

***Update***
Just heard back from Adam, he's currently working on setting something up so that Spheres of Combat will have Hero Labs files, but that's still in the works and hasn't been fully negotiated yet.

Thanks for checking! I'm backing this either way, but Hero Lab support would definitely be a plus for me.

[Rednal]

I would definitely go for Hero Lab files, either as an add-on or as part of a tier. XD

(What I'm probably looking for is softcover book, PDFs, and Hero Lab files. Early Access is fun, but I'm not likely to pay extra specifically for that.)

[DM Papa.DRB]

If you do get hero lab files, please make it an add on for those of us that do not use that program and do not need/want them.

I would be looking for a PDF file, and perhaps a softcover book.

-- david

[White Unggoy]

From the sounds of it, the thematic aspect of this is largely handled by how you mix and match your spheres, but I am curious if there's any kind of mechanical analogue for casting traditions in the system - if so, what kind of benefits can be gleaned from it given that we're not working with the point-based resource system?

I'm super pumped for this, in any case - you can count me among the eager, waiting to back!

[Distant Scholar]

So, when is Spheres of Expertise coming out for skill-based characters?

:-)

[DM Papa.DRB]

Distant Scholar wrote:

So, when is Spheres of Expertise coming out for skill-based characters?

:-)

I'm in !!!

-- david

[PK the Dragon]

I've never, ever backed a kickstarter before.

I think this is about to change.

[Rednal]

Well, in that case... Just so you know before we start, Kickstarters have a habit of going past their original deadlines, especially if stretch goals (things done past the original goal) are met. Anywhere from 25%-50% extra time is not unusual - or even surprising. XD Even reputable companies often have delays. Most stuff gets delivered in the end, though, and they're usually better off for it.

[Michael Sayre]

White Unggoy wrote:

From the sounds of it, the thematic aspect of this is largely handled by how you mix and match your spheres, but I am curious if there's any kind of mechanical analogue for casting traditions in the system - if so, what kind of benefits can be gleaned from it given that we're not working with the point-based resource system?

We've got some sphere-specific drawbacks, but currently there's nothing really equivalent to casting traditions. It's certainly something we're discussing though.

Quote:

I'm super pumped for this, in any case - you can count me among the eager, waiting to back!

Thank you!

Distant Scholar wrote:

So, when is Spheres of Expertise coming out for skill-based characters?

:-)

This is actually something we discussed quite a bit during early development, and the conversation kept coming back around to two questions:

1) How different are the concepts of "non-caster combatants" and "non-caster skill users"?

and

2) Would a skill focused sphere book have enough material to really stand on its own?

As of right now there are several skill-oriented spheres in SoC- there's the Scout sphere that expands your options with Stealth and Perception, letting you do things like identify enemy weaknesses with Perception instead of Knowledge or create improved camouflage, the Trap sphere that lets you leverage Craft and Survival in new ways, and several more, like the Equestrian and Tumbling spheres. Some of the new classes are also very skill-capable, like the Blacksmith, Commander, and the possibly-as-yet-previously-unannounced-Scholar.
Ultimately, one of the things we didn't want to do was introduce anymore one-dimensional non-casting classes, so while the focus of this book is very much martial combat and martial combatants, there's going to be a lot of skill support as well, and a fair piece of it is going to involve options that are useful both in and out of combat.

[Rysky]

Since the Kickstarter is this Saturday I'm assuming the name is already locked in?

[The Raven Black]

yes ... Yes ... YES !!!!!

ME WANT !!!

Even though I do not own SoP

... yet ;-)

[PK the Dragon]

Rednal wrote:

Well, in that case... Just so you know before we start, Kickstarters have a habit of going past their original deadlines, especially if stretch goals (things done past the original goal) are met. Anywhere from 25%-50% extra time is not unusual - or even surprising. XD Even reputable companies often have delays. Most stuff gets delivered in the end, though, and they're usually better off for it.

I've had my eye on Frog God Games' Blight topic, so I'd say I'm pretty well aware of the perils of Kickstarter. (I woulda supported that one in a heartbeat, but it was before I started using 3PP). So I know what I'm potentially getting myself into.

But let's be real. The world needs Spheres of Combat. It's worth any risk.

[The Raven Black]

In addition to all demands above, I really wish this will at last recapture the feeling of awesome martial ability that pervaded both the fluff and crunch of the Rolemaster Arms Companion from so long ago :-)

The flavor text showing a single seasoned warrior decapitating an enemy army (figuratively) and its general (not figuratively) was awe-inspiring. And something I could never recapture through DnD/PFRPG

[The Raven Black]

Grovestrider wrote:

Luthorne wrote:

...kind of have an admittedly zany mental image of someone surfing down a mountainside on a giant greatsword or tower shield, possibly with other members of the party trying to balance on it...

I also want to second the idea of shield surfing, not just the LotR shield surfing that Legolas does, but also the kind that is done in DreamWorks Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas

Madmartigan did it too quite some time ago

[Michael Sayre]

Rysky wrote:

Since the Kickstarter is this Saturday I'm assuming the name is already locked in?

I'm thinking so. At least as far as what's going to be listed on the Kickstarter page. Why do you ask?

[Rysky]

Ssalarn wrote:

Rysky wrote:

Since the Kickstarter is this Saturday I'm assuming the name is already locked in?

I'm thinking so. At least as far as what's going to be listed on the Kickstarter page. Why do you ask?

Just a nitpick I guess, since the spellcasting one was called Spheres of Power instead of Spheres of Magic or something similar.

Power > Combat/Magic

[DM Papa.DRB]

Ssalarn wrote:

As of right now there are several skill-oriented spheres in SoC- there's the Scout sphere that expands your options with Stealth and Perception, letting you do things like identify enemy weaknesses with Perception instead of Knowledge or create improved camouflage, the Trap sphere that lets you leverage Craft and Survival in new ways, and several more, like the Equestrian and Tumbling spheres. Some of the new classes are also very skill-capable, like the Blacksmith, Commander, and the possibly-as-yet-previously-unannounced-Scholar.

Ultimately, one of the things we didn't want to do was introduce anymore one-dimensional non-casting classes, so while the focus of this book is very much martial combat and martial combatants, there's going to be a lot of skill support as well, and a fair piece of it is going to involve options that are useful both in and out of combat.

I have Spheres of Power and love the book / spheres / classes. My only "complaint" (and not really) is that other then Hedgewitch(Charlatanism) & Telekinesis talents, it is very difficult to "replace" a rogue type character. Will Spheres of Combat allow me to do this? I would really like to run a Spheres of Power / Combat game just using those two books plus the Pathfinder CRB (for everything except classes / spells).

-- david

[Luthorne]

Distant Scholar wrote:

So, when is Spheres of Expertise coming out for skill-based characters?

:-)

One kickstarter at a time! Though I do think an alternate, sphere-based skill system could definitely be cool.

Let's see, some things I hope will be possible in this system that currently can often be done by spellcasters...

Spoiler:

...being fast! Talents that let you move more quickly, or unpredictably and confusingly, making you harder to hit while moving around, or even while staying put in your square. Increasing your land speed, avoiding or at least having miss chances against attacks of opportunity, and perhaps even being able to boost AC or gain miss chances while staying put. Spells like blurred movement, [/i]blur[/i], burst of speed, and twisted innards are what I'm thinking of, as well as feats like Mobility, Wind Stance, and Lightning Stance. Some of these might require wearing light armor or no armor, but I think a 'talent tax' for allowing people to do it in medium or heavy armor, as well as reducing armor check penalty and reducing or eliminating the speed reduction medium and heavy armor inflicts on its wearer, if only for brief periods. Also, being able to attack people just by instantly dashing past them ala bladed dash and greater bladed dash is something I really want. Also being able to run up and along walls for brief periods, Prince of Persia style, with spider climb or the Spider Step monk feat being inspiration, as well as running across water like a ninja...

...being focused! Specifically locking onto one enemy and being able to keep their attention and mess with them. I'm imagining being able to fake them out as a swift action, making them think you're about to move and forcing them if they don't make a successful save to avoid wasting an attack of opportunity, make them take penalties if they try to attack anyone but you, while also being able to read them as a swift action, giving you a bonus to your AC against their attacks and a bonus to your attack rolls, get them mixed up enough that if they fail a save their attacks become wild and unpredictable, attacking random squares, or assuming a stance that lets you reactively capture an enemy's weapon or limb when they attack you. Spells like anticipate thoughts, darting duplicate, lock gaze, shining cord, and twisted space were the source of some of the ideas there...

...being loud! Mostly for commander types of characters, I imagine being able project your voice and make yourself heard over great distances, being able to use aid another from a distance, intimidating a lot of enemies, or throwing them off their game with a startlingly loud shout that could make them temporarily unable to make attacks of opportunity, or perhaps just lose an attack of opportunity this round, make them flat-footed, or even make them provoke attacks of opportunity due to dropping their guards. Spells like clarion call and horn of pursuit, as well as the Combat Advice feat are some inspiration, though I would love some Legendary talents that literally allow you to blow away enemies with your voice ala biting words, discordant blast, ear-piercing scream, shout, or even sympathetic vibration. Tangentially, being able to get sound-based blindsight ala echolocation, making sounds as perhaps a move or swift action and spotting creatures would be super-cool, though I don't know if that should be Legendary or not.

...being tough! Talents that let you sleep comfortably in medium or heavy armor, resist pain, deal with the elements, get by on less food and water, need less sleep, and hold your breath for extended periods of time, perhaps eventually being able to eschew the need to do many of these things at all, though such things would likely be Legendary talents. Spells like air bubble, bed of iron, endure elements, keep watch, and water breathing are inspirations for this kind of thing, as well as - of course - the ring of sustenance. But I love the idea of someone just being able to hold his breath and go underwater for minutes and eventually hours on end, even while fighting or otherwise exerting himself. Being able to get damage reduction, energy resistance, or spell resistance would also be good in this category.

And a bit more generally, while I'm sure this is on the table, I'd like it to be much easier to use thrown weapons, and particularly I'd like the ability to use improvised projectiles as effective thrown weapons...and yes, I am 100% wanting to do the thing where you flick coins or pebbles and other such at people hard enough to take them out. Coin shot lets casters do it, so I think something along those lines should be possible.

I also would like the ability to quickly put on armor if you get attacked in your sleep or somesuch if you invest in the necessary talents...being able to assist others with this could be fun, and I can even imagine being able to use it offensively, letting you wrench someone else's armor into an inconvenient location that actively hinders them, perhaps increasing their armor check penalty or even making it as if they were partially unproficient with the armor, applying part of their armor check penalty to other checks. Serren's swift girding and Serren's armor lock both are magical ways to do similar things. They at least sound like thing the blacksmith should be able to do. Tangentially, the ability to more effectively conceal weapons on your person, perhaps being able to hide larger weapons with Sleight of Hand, would also be appreciated...we do have a hide weapon spell, not to mention invisibility.

One thing that I definitely want is to be able to replicate brow gasher...seriously, you need magic to go for a bleeding wound above the eyes that gets in the way? That's a standard tactic, dammit! Well, dirty tricks do duplicate it to some extent, but I anticpate talents that are far more satisfying. Though dirty tricks are pretty great, but still.

Also would love to be able to sunder an enemy's weapon so violently it explodes into shrapnel, like a toned down sundering shards. Though I probably also want to do that to doors...unleashing an attack that makes the door just explode into the room or the hall or whatever would be sweet. I'd also like to be able to just stomp the ground hard enough to trip creatures at a distance ala thunderstomp and greater thunderstomp, but that probably qualifies as a Legendary talent.

Another one I'd really want to be able to do is duplicate force hook shot, using a grappling hook or a lasso or a meteor hammer or a whip to grab someone (or something if you're playing Indiana Jones) and launch yourself at them, perhaps via combat maneuver that's easier rather than harder the bigger they are, or doing the reverse and trying to yank them right towards you and attacking them, which is normally harder if they're bigger.

And something like tactical acumen that boosts bonuses from flanking, having higher ground, and other such would also be nice.

[Luthorne]

DM Papa.DRB wrote:

I have Spheres of Power and love the book / spheres / classes. My only "complaint" (and not really) is that other then Hedgewitch(Charlatanism) & Telekinesis talents, it is very difficult to "replace" a rogue type character. Will Spheres of Combat allow me to do this? I would really like to run a Spheres of Power / Combat game just using those two books plus the Pathfinder CRB (for everything except classes / spells).

-- david

I'd also consider, if you want to get rid of the rogue, allowing the Trapfinding advanced divination talent (from The Diviner's Handbook), which combined with See Hazard is pretty nice. Though I definitely agree that a hedgewitch with the charlatanism tradition is an excellent rogue, though I'd also recommend the font of inspiration tradition (also from The Diviner's Handbook) as an excellent choice for a skill monkey. There are also some rogue archetypes in The Diviner's Handbook and The Enhancer's Handbook, though, which can help give the rogue a spheres flair!

[Michael Sayre]

DM Papa.DRB wrote:

I have Spheres of Power and love the book / spheres / classes. My only "complaint" (and not really) is that other then Hedgewitch(Charlatanism) & Telekinesis talents, it is very difficult to "replace" a rogue type character. Will Spheres of Combat allow me to do this? I would really like to run a Spheres of Power / Combat game just using those two books plus the Pathfinder CRB (for everything except classes / spells).

-- david

So, currently our class line-up includes a Scholar class that is kind-of-sort-of like a non-magical "wizard" equivalent; think like Ignis from Final Fantasy XV or Kurama from (mid-series) Yu Yu Hakusho, a character whose direct offensive power isn't as high as most others, but whose ability to assess the enemy's strengths and weaknesses and prepare clever traps or otherwise take advantage of the battlefield usually allows them pull out a win. The scholar can cover rogue options like trapfinding and pretty much any other skill-related challenge as well as or better than the rogue (depending on the exact challenge), but doesn't get Sneak Attack and its optional class features have a much different focus than Rogue talents.

The Scout and Trap spheres also allow any character to gain a solid proficiency with dealing with traps, so there are a couple different ways for you to cover the traditional rogue angles, though since we wanted people to still be able to actually play rogues alongside the SoC options, there's no single path that does everything the rogue does, or does it the way the rogue does it.

Luthorne wrote:

Distant Scholar wrote:

So, when is Spheres of Expertise coming out for skill-based characters?

:-)

One kickstarter at a time! Though I do think an alternate, sphere-based skill system could definitely be cool.

Let's see, some things I hope will be possible in this system that currently can often be done by spellcasters...

** spoiler omitted **...

I think we already have pretty much everything you mentioned, possibly everything, covered, so I think you're going to be pretty happy about backing this Kickstarter :)

[Rednal]

...If there's stuff for creating traps a la Deception IV, I'm going to be very happy indeed... XD Although I'm backing this either way.

[Luthorne]

...okay, so, I was originally thinking being able to magically create/place traps like in Trapt (and I presume other games in the Deception series) would be pretty sweet as a Legendary talent, but now I'm wondering...will there be synergy options between the Creation sphere in Spheres of Power and the Trap sphere in Spheres of Combat? I can imagine a feat allowing you to use them together, or it just being a basic option, or some expansion both ways (ie, you can take a talent for the Creation sphere that grants you the ability to use a Trap sphere ability and vice versa)...do you think that's likely, whether in the base Spheres of Combat or in an expansion book later on that provides some synergy for people using both Spheres of Combat and Spheres of Power in the same game? I'll admit I've also thought that it could be cool to be able to take a War sphere talent that grants party members a specific sphere/talent from Spheres of Combat too...

[Distant Scholar]

Ssalarn wrote:

Distant Scholar wrote:

So, when is Spheres of Expertise coming out for skill-based characters?

:-)

[snip]

As of right now there are several skill-oriented spheres in SoC[.]
[snip]

After reading this and other posts, the main (only?) thing that seems to be missing is Charisma-based skills (Bluff, Intimidate, Diplomacy, Disguise, etc.). And Linguistics.

[Wraithguard]

After giving it some thought, one of the most valuable things I can get is some guidelines, no matter how rough, on how to convert classes to use SoC.

I have quite a few 3PP classes that might get some use out of this.

[Luthorne]

Without seeing the material, I've vaguely considered that any bonus combat feats could probably be replaced with sphere access, possibly restricted if the combat feat options are, or even specific talents if it only grants a specific feat. But that's just some blind guessing. And, of course, from what's been said, you can also invest some feats to get access to it.

[Wraithguard]

That was the sort of thoughts I had already had. *shrug*
Even I get a few examples of how classic classes were converted I could do a hatchet job at converting others. Not too worried really.

[Michael Sayre]

Distant Scholar wrote:

Ssalarn wrote:

Distant Scholar wrote:

So, when is Spheres of Expertise coming out for skill-based characters?

:-)

[snip]

As of right now there are several skill-oriented spheres in SoC[.]
[snip]

After reading this and other posts, the main (only?) thing that seems to be missing is Charisma-based skills (Bluff, Intimidate, Diplomacy, Disguise, etc.). And Linguistics.

So, I think the Gladiator sphere covers some Intimidate expansion, Fencing covers Bluff, Trickster gives some expanded Disguise and Sleight of Hand options... I don't think we have any spheres covering Linguistics though, and most of the Diplomacy options are class-specific instead of sphere associated.

Wraithguard wrote:

After giving it some thought, one of the most valuable things I can get is some guidelines, no matter how rough, on how to convert classes to use SoC.

I have quite a few 3PP classes that might get some use out of this.

I've actually been playtesting some of these options using another 3pp class I wrote, The Battle Lord, so there's definitely compatibility and we've got a general guideline for applying the system to other classes, which we'll be nailing down and polishing a bit more as we get more playtest feedback and fine-tune everything.

[Wraithguard]

Sounds awesome. I guess now I just wait till Saturday and throw part of a paycheck at Kickstarter.

[Grovestrider]

Ssalarn wrote:

I don't think we have any spheres covering Linguistics though, and most of the Diplomacy options are class-specific instead of sphere associated.

I could definitely see an April Fools expansion for Linguistics that is a "Word-Play sphere" Something similar to OotS "Dashing Swordsman" where making a successful Linguistic's check allows adding Charisma to various rolls such as attack, damage, saves, etc.

[Michael Sayre]

Just wanted to pop in and let everyone know that it has been confirmed, there will be rewards tiers for backers who want to pick up both Spheres of Combat and Spheres of Power through their pledge.

[Reviewman]

Personally I would like to see a Rogue Talent and possibly Slayer/Investigator Talent that gives access to specific spheres appropriate for "Rogue Duties" such as the mentioned Scout Sphere.

Also in a limited sense I'd love to see a Domain (Inquisitors and Clerics can take Domains) that grants some sphere stuff.

Dual Wielding Tower Shields? Source is Log Horizon

[SilvercatMoonpaw]

What's the gun support? I mean I personally prefer melee and bows, but guns are a Thing in Pathfinder.

[Michael Sayre]

SilvercatMoonpaw wrote:

What's the gun support? I mean I personally prefer melee and bows, but guns are a Thing in Pathfinder.

Currently there's nothing too firearm specific, but since the spheres have been kept as weapon-agnostic as possible spheres like the Sniping sphere will benefit firearms as much as, if not more than since it helps you break away from multiple attack mechanics, most other ranged weapons.

[SilvercatMoonpaw]

Actually what's the Legendary Talent support for bows (or shooting in general) like? Melee, especially swords, gets a lot of attention, but I've recently become enamored of the ancient idea, especially from India, of the Super-Bow/Archer.

[Distant Scholar]

Grovestrider wrote:

Ssalarn wrote:

I don't think we have any spheres covering Linguistics though, and most of the Diplomacy options are class-specific instead of sphere associated.

I could definitely see an April Fools expansion for Linguistics that is a "Word-Play sphere" Something similar to OotS "Dashing Swordsman" where making a successful Linguistic's check allows adding Charisma to various rolls such as attack, damage, saves, etc.

Something along the lines of Insult Sword Fighting / Pun Combat / Cutting Remarks. I'd love it.

[Luthorne]

Hmm, if there's a savage or barbaric themed sphere, perhaps the ability to communicate wordlessly with people (and perhaps animals with another talent?) thanks to pure instinct, reading their body language and asserting his own? If there's a leadership sort of sphere, being able to understand people like this might be thematic as well. A Legendary talent might involve someone being able to read someone's mind by fighting with them, because in a fight, someone's true spirit can be read through their fists/blades/shounen trope?

When it comes to forging documents and stuff, I imagine Trickster sphere would be more appropriate, though. Someone with sufficient leadership might convince someone else it's not important to read the paperwork, though, perhaps...

[Cyrad]

As a backer of Spheres of Power, I am looking forward to this new Kickstarter.

[Michael Sayre]

Hey everyone,
We're finalizing the Kickstarter now, and I had a question for everyone who has expressed interest so far:

It was brought up earlier in this thread that the title "Spheres of Combat" might be a little imprecise and not the best possible title for the book; based on what we've said so far, would "Spheres of Might" appeal to you more as a title? I think it does a better job of conveying that this is a martially oriented book that will provide options that are useful for more than just fighting, but we don't want to change things at this point unless there's a broader feeling that doing so would be a positive change.