Pathfinder 1E Pathfinder RPG Core Book - Cover Posted

[Erik Mona]

We will spread the word far and wide.

--Erik

 

[kitsune9]

In case you've not seen it - the final cover for the book has been posted over at Paizo. Only three and a half months to go...

http://paizo.com/store/byCompany/p/paizoPublishingLLC/pathfinder/pathfinderRPG/v5748btpy8255

Can't wait. I'm running a Beta Playtest campaign in KoK and we've been having a good time with it. Can't wait until the final product comes out.

 

[Windjammer]

Separated at birth! Good thing it's the same parent, eh?

For what it's worth, I own the real thing on the left hand side. The illustration on the 4E char sheet folder itself - and not the illu you get on the "wrapping" - is actually left-right reversed (this somewhat undercutting an interesting follow-up post here on the difference in dynamics between the two pictures). Also, the pic on the folder isn't marred by the extensive logo frame - observe how PF does that differently (well done!) - and blends really well into a sinister background, adding to the impression of that green dragon standing there, menacingly, given the party one last breath before hell breaks loose. So, once you got the real 4E char stheet folder next to the PFRPG cover, the similarity is truly astounding.

As for the 4E PHB cover - folks, don't forget that the original version (which you can see in the GenCon announcement on Youtube) got pulled and only recently made its re-appearance on Dungeon Delve. Here's the original thing - perhaps even more underwhelming than the one they settled for.

The difference between either 4E PHB cover and Pathfinder PF RPG's cover is - incidentally - really captured in the following observation (in the comments section):

One thing that strikes me about the Dee-Willingham-Otus-Roslof axis of early TSR art is how absolutely dynamic so much of it was. The illustrations seemed at times to burst with motion. So much of the later TSR art (I'm thinking of Elmore specifically here), while technically much more adept, seemed awfully static and posed by comparison.

Yes, I agree. The mid to late 80s was the "strike a pose" era of D&D art and it set a bad precedent that has continued to the present day. There are exceptions, even within, for example, Elmore's own artwork, but, by and large, later D&D artwork is far superior technically to its predecessors, while lacking something of their energy and verve.

And that's it really. I love the shiny cover art for 4E PHB (either incarnation), but it shows off the heroes in full gear striking a pose and doing.... what? Not doing anything. Whereas the heroes on the PFRGP cover are enganged in a situation that's at the heart of D&D: conflict and adventure. 4E conveys neither, and that's a shame. That's precisely how I felt when I first watched the (fan-made) trailer for Pathfinder on Youtube ([ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDHKTBSv_es[/ame]) I realized, for the first time, that no single trailer for 4E had conveyed any sense of adventure ... exploration ... a world filled with a sense of wonder. And that's a pity. For 4E, I mean. Pathfinder is doing well.

PS. People interested in these things may have a look at James Maliszewski's blog series on D&D cover art.

 

[Knightfall]

Let's see how this version sells. This is something we've discussed several times, though, so it might very well happen eventually.

The free PDF with subscription thing is imminent.

--Erik

It's good to know that it's possible if everything goes well. I think it will. I can tell you that I'll definitely be buying the RPG Core Rulebook and the Bestiary.

 

[Knightfall]

FYI... I feel I must point out that I like the Pathfinder books more for what they bring to my own gaming world rather than the implied Golarion campaign setting.

Sure, I have all the adventures for the Rise of the Runelords, the Guide to Korvosa, and the Campaign Setting hardcover, but I prefer the "Revisited" books and the GameMastery/Pathfinder modules that I can drop into my own world. (I already have "J1: Entombed with the Pharaohs," and I've seriously considered some of the others such as "S1: Clash of the Kingslayers" and "W3: Flight of the Red Raven.")

Don't get me wrong, Golarion is a great looking setting... I just prefer my own world or Greyhawk.

 

[dm4hire]

From my understanding the actual core book will be campaign neutral and won't really be tied to Golarion that much outside of using the deities as an example for the gods and such.