Fluff: Paizo vs 4e Monster Manual

[JoeGKushner]

When looking at the 4e monster manual, I've noticed more than one post talking about the absence of "fluff". While there is some found in the old DC checks, I think those looking for more substance need to check out Classic Monsters Revisited by Paizo. It takes several standard monsters like goblins, kobolds, gnolls, lizard men and a few others and puts some new spin on them with a minimum amount of game stats. I'd say in this 64 page product there are probably 12 pages of game stats.

Is it perfect? No.

Does it provide some interesting options? Oh yeah. Does it make goblins stand out from their previous incrnations? Oh yeah. My favorite race here. The gnolls are probably a close second just because of their laziness and enforcement of slavery and the little list of laws that they follow.

Good stuff here if you're looking at world building.

 

[Crothian]

Classic Monsters Revisited by Paizo is a fantastic product. I think it is my favorite book they have ever done, and with their product lines of quality that is really saying something.

 

[RangerWickett]

I love it too.

 

[xechnao]

When looking at the 4e monster manual, I've noticed more than one post talking about the absence of "fluff". While there is some found in the old DC checks, I think those looking for more substance need to check out Classic Monsters Revisited by Paizo. It takes several standard monsters like goblins, kobolds, gnolls, lizard men and a few others and puts some new spin on them with a minimum amount of game stats. I'd say in this 64 page product there are probably 12 pages of game stats.

Is it perfect? No.

Does it provide some interesting options? Oh yeah. Does it make goblins stand out from their previous incrnations? Oh yeah. My favorite race here. The gnolls are probably a close second just because of their laziness and enforcement of slavery and the little list of laws that they follow.

Good stuff here if you're looking at world building.

Well, I think I have to check it out.

 

[catsclaw227]

It really is a great book. I am considering taking some of the fluff and introducing it in to my 4e Aerth (Goodman Games' world).

 

[Doug McCrae]

I'd say in this 64 page product there are probably 12 pages of game stats.

More than MM4 then?

 

[Knightfall]

Classic Monsters Revisited by Paizo is a fantastic product. I think it is my favorite book they have ever done, and with their product lines of quality that is really saying something.

Agreed. It is definitely one of the best books I've bought this year. I read through it really fast and enjoyed every tidbit.

 

[Jack99]

Yep. It's fantastic, and the lore/fluff of those monsters is modeled after it, in my 4e campaigns.

I highly recommend it as well.

Cheers

 

[hewligan]

I have to agree with the endorsements above. I bought it a few weeks ago and find that it is an excellent "monster manual". It limits the number of monsters it looks at, and specifically sets out to make them interesting and SCARY again. I am running Burnt Offerings at the moment, and the goblins may still be small hit-die monsters, but now they are both comical and hideous.

Horse feet nailed to walls? check
Mad (and crazily addictive) songs about eating your children? check
Stealing your rubbish and using it to craft things to kill you (like an evil A-Team)? check
Needle sharp teeth and cute little pink noses? check
Sado-Masochistic female goblin bards? check
Breaking off a major assault to go chasing after a dog hoping to gut it? check
Drowning by accident in a barrel of pickled fish? check

Seriously - what more do you need?

The Ogres have been fantastically reimagined as well, as have the gnolls. I haven't finished reading the rest.

My personal advice is to buy a copy. It shows you that you don't need to keep inventing new (and increasingly strange) monsters - all you really need to do is take a fresh look at the old favourites.

 

[Fenes]

I just ordered it, I do not use monsters that often, but Gnolls might see some use in the future.