Particle_Man
Explorer
I am not sure which category this should go into, so I will let the moderators figure that out. Anyhow, although I liked the book over all, there were a few problems. They are not so much errata as a failure to understand the rules, I think (unless it is I who have failed to understand the rules).
1) On page 11 of the PHB, under racial ability adjustments, it says "If these changes put your score above 18 or below 3, that's ok, except in the case of Intelligence, which does not go below 3". Yet in PGWSG on p. 10, in the sidebar "How much Orc is too much?" they state falsely that a character's ability scores cannot fall below 3 during character generation. Contrary to what they state, an orc could begin the game with a score of 1 in Wisdom or Charisma or both.
2) Multi-Classed rules on p. 60 of the phb state that a multiclass character takes a -20% penalty to XP for each class that is not within one level of his or her highest-level class (favored classes excepted). Yet PGWSG on p. 26, has allegedly power gamed characters suffer this penalty with multi-classed heavy infantry, who would gain a penalty for levels 10-11 if human or half-elf, or 10-12 if a dwarf. The penalty is also suffered for multi-classed light infantry on p. 27 for levels 13-14, and for multi-classed skirmisher on p. 28 for levels 10, 13, 15-20 (the authors seem to be under the false belief that if levels are kept "in a line" (i.e. 1st/2nd/3rd/4th/5th) there is no penalty, but according to the rules there is a penalty in such cases, since only comparison with the highest level class that is not a favored class is considered, thus mandating a penalty).
3) In the equipment chapter they explicitly ignore simple weapons. This is a mistake. The Javelin is a simple weapon but is hands down the best thrown weapon in the PHB, because of its superior range increment (PGWSG give the title of best thrown range increment to the light hammer -- this is false). The javelin is also one of the throwable weapons allowed to monks. Given the Far Shot feat, an Archer or Skirmisher (character archtypes detailed in the PGWSG) would have a range increment of 60', which is quite respectable. The authors may think that all or even most battles will be fought within 20' -- they are mistaken with respect to most campaigns I have played in. Given that they give the fighter heavy infantry feat list on p. 58 weapon focus and specialization in spear (and not javelin) specifically for missle weapon capabilities, this is an error for a power-gamer's book. And let us not forget that there is a specific magic weapon in the DMG called "javelin of lightning".
Other than that, I have mostly enjoyed the book. But I am afraid that I cannot call the authors true power gamers . . . yet.
1) On page 11 of the PHB, under racial ability adjustments, it says "If these changes put your score above 18 or below 3, that's ok, except in the case of Intelligence, which does not go below 3". Yet in PGWSG on p. 10, in the sidebar "How much Orc is too much?" they state falsely that a character's ability scores cannot fall below 3 during character generation. Contrary to what they state, an orc could begin the game with a score of 1 in Wisdom or Charisma or both.
2) Multi-Classed rules on p. 60 of the phb state that a multiclass character takes a -20% penalty to XP for each class that is not within one level of his or her highest-level class (favored classes excepted). Yet PGWSG on p. 26, has allegedly power gamed characters suffer this penalty with multi-classed heavy infantry, who would gain a penalty for levels 10-11 if human or half-elf, or 10-12 if a dwarf. The penalty is also suffered for multi-classed light infantry on p. 27 for levels 13-14, and for multi-classed skirmisher on p. 28 for levels 10, 13, 15-20 (the authors seem to be under the false belief that if levels are kept "in a line" (i.e. 1st/2nd/3rd/4th/5th) there is no penalty, but according to the rules there is a penalty in such cases, since only comparison with the highest level class that is not a favored class is considered, thus mandating a penalty).
3) In the equipment chapter they explicitly ignore simple weapons. This is a mistake. The Javelin is a simple weapon but is hands down the best thrown weapon in the PHB, because of its superior range increment (PGWSG give the title of best thrown range increment to the light hammer -- this is false). The javelin is also one of the throwable weapons allowed to monks. Given the Far Shot feat, an Archer or Skirmisher (character archtypes detailed in the PGWSG) would have a range increment of 60', which is quite respectable. The authors may think that all or even most battles will be fought within 20' -- they are mistaken with respect to most campaigns I have played in. Given that they give the fighter heavy infantry feat list on p. 58 weapon focus and specialization in spear (and not javelin) specifically for missle weapon capabilities, this is an error for a power-gamer's book. And let us not forget that there is a specific magic weapon in the DMG called "javelin of lightning".
Other than that, I have mostly enjoyed the book. But I am afraid that I cannot call the authors true power gamers . . . yet.
