Trailblazer now available!

[amethal]

EDIT: I think perhaps Chapter 1 got me a little squeamish about providing really long, pedantic explanatory notes on stuff, but if folks want more of it, I can certainly roll it in.

I'm giving myself a bit of time before the print version for just that reason.

So you make me wade through all that statistical analysis - even though you've got five bucks of my money that says I trust you to get the maths right better than mere words ever could - but you don't want to bore me by explaining why quadrupling a monster's hit points doesn't increase its CR?

Seriously, the explanatory text is the best part of Trailblazer. Put in as much as possible, and if it gets too long stick it in an appendix.

 

[amethal]

I have a couple of queries. (I don't have the PDF with me, so I hope the questions don't turn out only to prove I am an idiot.)

Alter self remains unchanged, it would seem. Polymorph, however, has been changed drastically. Are there now situations where you are better off using Alter Self to become a troglodyte (say) rather than Polymorphing into one?

I think that the "+2 to a save" familiar power is better than the "+3 to a skill" familiar power. (I appreciate they are both the equivalent of feats, but not all feats are created equal.) I think almost everyone will chose the former rather than the latter. I also think the latter is more interesting. What do you think?

 

[mach1.9pants]

Cool. Got the PDF, but I prefer print. Well, really, I prefer both

Me too, BTW is Amazon's POD(Print On Demand?) called CreateSpace?

...Seriously, the explanatory text is the best part of Trailblazer. Put in as much as possible, and if it gets too long stick it in an appendix.

Me to, thats why I do stuff like Open Design as well. Very interesting. If I don't like it I'll skip it, more better than less... etc etc

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Alter self remains unchanged, it would seem. Polymorph, however, has been changed drastically. Are there now situations where you are better off using Alter Self to become a troglodyte (say) rather than Polymorphing into one?

Perhaps. The changes to polymorph were made to speed up play (primarily) and keep players from fishing around in the MM for the "best thing." (balance)

The options are limited enough with alter self you could use it unchanged.

But in the interests of giving you the completeness you seek:

You could give the caster a size-appropriate natural attack sequence (either claw/claw or bite), plus one choice from either the +2 stat column or the movement column.

I just punched those numbers into my TLAR-2000, and the green light lit up.

I think that the "+2 to a save" familiar power is better than the "+3 to a skill" familiar power. (I appreciate they are both the equivalent of feats, but not all feats are created equal.) I think almost everyone will chose the former rather than the latter. I also think the latter is more interesting. What do you think?

I think it's nice to have options.

 

[Herremann the Wise]

Just thought I'd pop in to say that I picked this up yesterday and have been thoroughly blown away by it! First Pathfinder and then this... gaming is very good at the moment!

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

Seriously, the explanatory text is the best part of Trailblazer. Put in as much as possible, and if it gets too long stick it in an appendix.

I agree. I love design notes and the Why behind the rules. It really helps.

Thanks for the PDF, Wulf. Good work!

 

[Mark Chance]

Good work!

Hear, hear!

I've only read through the introduction, but I was inspired enough to review what I read.

In short, based on the strengths of the introduction alone, this PDF is worth owning.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Hear, hear!

I've only read through the introduction, but I was inspired enough to review what I read.

In short, based on the strengths of the introduction alone, this PDF is worth owning.

Thanks for the review, Mark.

I think you might have broken a couple of "common sense" rules on that white dragon example, but I like him anyway. A worthy foe for Trailblazer PCs.

He's a Solo, I hope.

 

[Mark Chance]

Thanks for the review, Mark.

No problem.

I think you might have broken a couple of "common sense" rules on that white dragon example, but I like him anyway. A worthy foe for Trailblazer PCs.

I break common sense rules all the time.

He's a Solo, I hope.

Aren't all dragons?

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Aren't all dragons?

I think that was the intent behind their CR "adjustment."