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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rechan" data-source="post: 4409952" data-attributes="member: 54846">The thing I loved the most was the "Variant monster" part. It was full of gold, and great ideas for unique entities (particularly the bugbear). The "Nobilization" of the Troll was fairly odd, but interesting. The section came across like the writer admired them, similarly to how a nature lover would write about lions or wolves. It definitely made them seem... more human? It gave trolls a "face" beyond "Nasty regenerating giant monster". Although it almost came across that trolls are Neanderthals, with their bestial nature and culture (which is fine).I liked the kobold section. I always love kobolds, but a few aspects seemed utterly new, like how kobolds just love to work. That really got my brain popping with something that I could use for a campaign. The Ogre and Minotaur sections were good; I think I enjoyed reading the Minotaur section the most. Bugbears were creepy. Despite the day to day details and culture that were different, in the actual application that most players will see, there were too many similarities. "They like to invade en masse, destroy, slaughter, and take slaves" described gnolls, hobgoblins, and orcs. Ogres and Minotaur take slaves/captives too. I especially had real trouble differentiating Orcs from Hobgoblins - they are set up the same way "They come, they demolish anything in their path, and ... that's about it". It felt very uninspiring from an adventure/plot perspective. Also, the explanation as to why Hobgoblins seem to never get anywhere despite their constant desire for discipline and organization was interesting (They're so ruthless to get ahead that they collectively shoot themselves in the foot) is interesting, but just isn't good enough, to me. It's a real stretch, and seems to be just a dismissive "Eh, they just in-fight too much". That's just not the characteristic you get from the heavy Lawful, authoritarian nature of Hobbos.The Bugbear section, while it was creepy and well done, didn't do it for me as far as bugbears are concerned. The overtly sadist nature, the bloodlust for wanton slaughter, just not my taste. But that's not a flaw of the book, merely my pre-conceived preferences for the Bugbear.The minotaur "Large Double Crossbow" is a little on the silly side.To be honest I didn't read the goblin and lizardfolk section. The former because I've read Burnt Offerings, and just didn't want to re-read the same stuff at the time, and the Lizardfolk I got the jive for and it didn't really pique me. However, I will be going back to it soonish for inspiration.Also, I had a huge problem actually getting the book. I pre-ordered it from Amazon, but apparently it didn't get in from the distributors or warehouses or something; it took a month and a half past street date for me to get it.My biggest disappointment? It was short. I wanted more!In total, it was a nice read, but not something that I felt I could take a lot from and use. In some places it was disappointing. However, if Paizo would make some more, focusing on other monster groups (Fey, aberrations, monstrous humanoids (Harpies, Gargoyles, and Grimlocks, I'm looking at you)), I'd buy it definitely.</blockquote>

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