Pathfinder Beginner Box Goodness

Paizo has some cool freebies on their website here. The Player's handout includes a Beginner-ized version of the Barbarian along with lots of cool options for the other core classes and some more gear. The GM's handout includes a short scenario, some new monsters (including the minotaur and lizardfolk), new magic items and discusses adventures from the regular Pathfinder lineup that would work with the Beginner's Rules. Overall nice to see some immediate resources for the Boxed Set.

I know this set is only meant to serve as an introduction and gateway, but it really is cool. There was a time not so long ago (well, maybe really long ago....man, how time flies) when this would have looked like a comprehensive full-service game (or at least part 1 of a 2 or 3 part series). I think an "Expert Set" would be a great follow-up, in all honesty, but I know Paizo needs to sell those hardcovers, so it probably won't happen.

I think that in my old age I've really disconnected with the "elite" status of hauling hundreds of pages of rulebooks around. This boxed set is precisely the kind of thing I could get some of my nongamer friends to look at and consider trying...people who might be willing to shell out for a series like this, but who might still find the hardcovers daunting.

I'm also very, very envious at the better type font, clear and precise language (ah, some day we'll get over the need for everything to read like some obscure tome of arcane lore and just accept that sometimes clarity is better) and most of all the impressive graphic layout, design and presentation of the information within. Every single page of the Beginner's Set "POPs" right out and calls attention to it. Unlike the Pathfinder Core Rulebook which for me feels like an infinite wall of dense eye-straining tiny font text. I really want a core rulebook that looks more like this Boxed Set. I am jealous of all the new gamers that will get to enjoy this game as it is intended, while I can only look on in envy as I must stick with my laborious, dense tomes since all my gamers are (most likely) unwilling to peel back the lore already divulged within those ponderous grimoires in favor of this beautific and elegant starter edition.

Or, put another way: you can't go home anymore, it seems, though you can envy those who haven't yet left.

Pathfinder Basic Boxed Set Previews

Paizo has previews of the Basic Boxed Set up on its site here. I was especially impressed with the monster stat blocks, which are incredibly clean, organized, take a hint from the efficient approach of 4E's stat blocks while still being functionally Pathfinder/3.5. I seriously wish all the stat blocks in the Bestiaries looked more like this; functional and to the point (but with plenty of expository and fun text--commonly known as fluff for some reason--mixed in).

I think if Paizo is smart they'll plan to release a small but vigorous line of side products geared specifically for use with the Basic Edition of Pathfinder. I relish the concept of a world in which there's a variant of Pathfinder/3.75 that is smooth, streamlined, has no attacks of opportunity and only bothers to deal with 5-10 levels of play (yes, I think a Pathfinder Basic Set 2 for levels 6-10 would be the next logical step, followed by a Pathfinder Basic Companion that brings in more races and classes structured for the Basic rules).

Okay, now that that's all said, I guess I better go get the basic set and hope it really does live up to all the previews and hype!

Random Musings

Some random thoughts for today:

Real Steel is out, and I have learned an important thing (about myself). Specifically, that dressing up a boxing movie with giant robots and (presumably) a vague sci-fi gimmick is still not enough to make me want to see a boxing movie.

Someone is taking a crack at solving the Riemann hypothesis, and is attempting to make a bit of money on it in the process. On the one hand it seems a bit...crass?.....but on the other hand, its nice to live in an era where even mathematicians can turn something as obscure as this into a money-making media circus. Thank goodness for the internet!

It turns out that old Hubble data is proving useful in locating exoplanets. The Bad Astronomer has a good writeup on it here.

Check out this unveiling of the Pathfinder Starter Box. I have to say, this looks very much like the kind of decent entry product to the hobby that should have been on the shelves a decade ago. I don't really understand why Wizards of the Coast has such a problem with making decent starter boxes. I felt the Red Box for Essentials was basically a paid tutorial, but it lacked all the essential features necessary to a decent introductory set, as have all the prior intro sets WotC has produced for the last eleven years. Specifically, a good introductory RPG should offer choices, not limits (such as providing decent but basic character creation rules, that let the players make their own characters instead of a preset selection or no selection at all), enough content that the game provides ample opportunity to be enjoyed...for months or longer....on its own, suggesting to the purchaser (or purchaser's parents) that further investment in the big rulebooks will payoff, and all the material needed to enjoy the game for many months all right there, in the box. I think this new Pathfinder set has all that and more.



Tomorrow! Part one of a four part presentation of one of the oldest dungeon delves in my campaign world....a reimagining of the Caves of Chaos I did back in the mid 80's, and recently reconstituted for a short campaign last year using 4th edition.