Author: fineyoungmisanthrope

Ring Side Report- RPG review of Pathfinder Howl of the Wild

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Product– Pathfinder Howl of the Wild

System– Pathfinder 2nd Ed

Producer– Paizo

Price– $64.99 here  https://paizo.com/products/btq02f09?Pathfinder-Howl-of-the-Wild   

TL; DR-Solid nature materials with a layout misstep.  98% 

Basics– Who let the centaurs in the sub?  Howl of the Wild is a character options book with new races, spells, items, and archetypes for characters who want a bit more animal in their characters.  In addition, the book has a framing story about an expedition to uncover the guardians of the wild and the monsters they encounter, providing GMs with new monsters and story hooks for them to dig into.

Mechanics or Crunch– Paizo knows their math and it shows here.  The new items, options, monsters, and characters all expand Pathfinder into fun new places.  And the new grafts allow characters who are plain human to even get into the action.  Some archetypes require the characters to have some animal parts, but with the right addition, anyone can play.  It doesn’t feel exclusionary, but lets people specialize into something new at the same time.  The monsters are fun and bring some old creatures back into the mix as well.   5/5

Theme or Fluff– Howl of the Wild feels like it fits in Golarion and adds to it at the same time.  I love the new races, and since its set far away from the main setting areas, they don’t feel like they are tacked on.  The new stuff all fits into the world and has fun descriptions and art to help you see what the authors wanted to add.  I also enjoyed the story the book told as the explorers try to find the guardians of nature. They do, AND THEY ARE BIG.  If you want some end bosses for a nature based game, here you go!     5/5

Execution– This book is good, but feels like a step back for Paizo’s normal work.  What’s here is good.  I like the flow and pictures, but this book doesn’t have the short tables and descriptions of feats, spells, and items.  It honestly makes it a pain.  Also, while there are dividing pictures, the different sections are not as well defined.  One change to a new subject was so jarring, I redownloaded my copy thinking I missed some pages in an error.  I figured it out, but the older layout decisions are a better way to display the materials.  I’d rather have less stuff and more tables to summarize all the pieces than too much to really take in.   4.5/5

Summary–  This is a good book with a single error.  I love the new crunch; it adds new character options and even tools for the GM to get to play with.  These are all great additions to the game.  I love the new story.  It’s fun to see a new part of the world and to see the new characters who live in it.  It also builds out the world for the GM, so they can make new stories and monsters to challenge the players.  My one issue is the layout.  What’s here is good.  It reads fast and easily, but the lack of tables makes skimming hard.  As both a GM and a player, I want to be able to skim character feats, spells, and items quickly.  Bring those back!  But, overall this is a good addition to the world of Pathfinder.  Check this out if you want to walk on the wild side. 98%

Ring Side Report- RPG review of Death Metal

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Product– Death Metal

System- When the Wolf Comes

Producer– Schwalb Entertainment

Price– $3.99 here  https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/486488/death-metal?affiliate_id=658618    

TL; DR-NORSE NUKES!  98% 

Basics– You know what Vikings need?  NUKES!  Death Metal is less about hard core bass riffs and more about particle physics and Norse scientists inventing nukes to finally deal with those pesky giants.  Death Metal refers to radioactive metals that cause death in those that play with them. This book has class options, story and theme, and weapons for both When the Wolf Comes and standard Shadow of the Demon Lord.

Mechanics or Crunch–  Death Metal has a decent amount of toys for the GM and player.  There are three expert and four master paths.  This is primarily written for When the Wolf Comes, but it crosses into standard Demon Lord, so the mythic paths are not tied to race.  I honestly enjoy that more.  It has a few alternative race options for your characters to take in Wolf as well. There are rules for nukes.  Everyone loves handheld nuke grenades, so that’s new fun for the party.  There is not a ton of new crunch here as this is very much a theme heavy book.  It’s good, but I would like a bit more.  Overall it’s solid work that fits well into the crunch that’s out there already.  4.75 /5

Theme or Fluff– This is where the book shines the most.  There is LOTS of story for both Wolf and Demon Lord here.  Heck, as a chemist, any book that includes what the Norse would have called beta particles makes me irrationally happy.  You have an in-lore explanation of why different Norse races would have made reactors, and in Demon Lord you have a story about how a space man created a space elevator to get home and left nuclear tech with some people stuck in gothic horror.  It’s a ton of fun!    5 /5

Execution– This book is easy to read, fun to read, hyperlinked, and has good art.  That’s honestly all I want in a book.  For the page length, the price is pretty standard, but I need to stress it’s well put together. 5/5

Summary– Nothing like nuclear Vikings and atomic weapons to brighten your day or entire coast line!  This is a solid book adding new fun twists to both Demon Lord and Wolf.  I enjoy how these are added and and something that you can bring in if you want.  The crunch is good, but maybe need more.  The story is amazing, and something I enjoyed reading from multiple angles.  The book itself is a pleasure to read.  This is something you should check out if you play Demon Lord or Wolf! 98%