DriveThruRPG.com
Browse Categories
$ to $















Back
pixel_trans.gif
Other comments left for this publisher:
You must be logged in to rate this
pixel_trans.gif
Spheres Bestiary: Fey and Feyfolk
by Antoine M. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 09/04/2020 12:48:17

One of my favorite additons yet. Spheres has always been a system expertly designed to help make a TTRPG world your very own, but having to create every new statblock using the systems it presents or modifying existing monsters is an arduous task even for industrious DMs. This line of beastiaries for spheres games fixes that problem, giving original monster content and a guidepost to jump off from to designing your own monsters. A perfect buy for GMs and Homebrewers that adore spheres.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Spheres Bestiary: Fey and Feyfolk
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
The Luchador (Pathfinder 2nd Edition)
by Thilo G. [Featured Reviewer] Date Added: 08/13/2020 12:43:51

An Endzeitgeist.com review

The luchador base class in its PF2e-iteration clocks in at 19 pages, 1 page front cover, 1 page editorial, 1 page ToC, 1 page SRD, 1 page back cover, leaving us with 14 pages so let’s take a look!

This review was moved up in my reviewing queue as a prioritized review at the request of my patreon supporters.

So, the luchador gets 10 + Constitution modifier Hit Points, and chooses whether to apply the ability boost to Strength or Charisma, the latter being the governing ability score for class ability DCs etc. As far as initial proficiencies are concerned, the luchador is trained in Perception as well as Athletics, Performance, and one skill determined by the stable, as well as 2 + Intelligence modifier additional skills. They are trained in unarmed attacks and simple weapons, and the luchador class DC. 5th level upgrades the ranks in simple weapons and unarmed attacks to expert. This improves further to master at 13th level. As far as the class DC is concerned, we have the proficiency rank increase at 11th level, which includes occult spell attacks, if relevant. 17th level increases these two to master.

Regarding defenses, they are Experts in Fortitude and Reflex, Trained in Will, and are untrained in all armor, but Expert in unarmored defense. At 7th level you increase your proficiency rank in Will to expert, in Fortitude to master. At 9th level, successes in Fortitude or Reflex saves are upgraded to critical successes. 19th level improves your Reflex save rank to master and also nets you +2 on initiative rolls.

This already looks promising, considering how PF2e is more adapt at portraying characters fighting without armor. The luchador gets Powerful Fist at first level, upgrading damage to 1d6, as well as eliminating the penalty for inflicting lethal attacks with them. 7th and 15th level net you Weapon Specialization and its Greater brother, in line with the fighter base class.

Feat-wise, we have a class feat at 2nd level and every even-numbered level thereafter, a skill feat at 2nd level and every 2 levels thereafter (requiring being trained or better in the skill, as customary), a general feat at 3rd level and every 4 levels thereafter. 3rd level and every 2 levels thereafter net a skill increase, with 7th level unlocking master, 15th legendary. 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter we have ability boosts, and 5th level and every 4 thereafter an ancestry feat.

It should also be noted that we have Aerial Expertise (+5-foot status bonus to distance moved vertically and horizontally, +5 ft. for every 4 levels) at 3rd level, and the ability to execute Aerial Takedowns, a two action ability with the Open trait: Stride or Leap twice, then follow up with a Grapple if you and the enemy are in the air, allowing you to down flying targets. Interaction with nonstandard movement modes like Climbing etc. is provided. Cool!

Additionally, first level makes you choose a persona (minor niggle: there’s a blank space missing between “persona” and “class feature”); the personas are Freestyler, Heavyweight, Ki Warrior, Lichadore, Oil Wrestler and Rudo. These net you, as noted above, a skill you’re trained in (which was called stable, but that’s not a big deal), and a class feat. For Freestyler, we have Acrobatics and Improvised Weapon Training; for Ki Warriors Occultism and Ki Strikes, for Lichadores Religion and Returned from Beyond – you get the idea.

These deserve a bit of elaboration, as they significantly alter the playing experience of your individual luchador: Ki Strike nets you the ki strike spell (not in italics – an oversight that extends to multiple named spells throughout the pdf) and a Focus pool of 1 Focus Point, for example. Further feats provide additional spells and tend to increase the Focus Point pool. Returned from Beyond nets you negative healing and a +1 status bonus on saving throws vs. positive effects. Oil Chemist nets you some Alchemical Crafting and alchemy dabbling.

Here's the thing: The original iteration of the luchador did a pretty impressive job at tackling (pun intended) a combo-driven fighting engine; in PF2e, this is a much easier (and smoother) proposition, courtesy of e.g. the presence of the Press trait, which the pdf does make pretty good use of. Speaking of another thing the pdf makes good use of: PF2e’s modularity regarding class feats deserves special mention here: For example, if you already have negative healing you don’t need the luchador persona to e.g. take Dark Deliverance at 4th level – while the feat will primarily be accessible to lichadores, the pdf is future proofed in this regard, which is most assuredly a plus. On the other hand, where it makes sense, the persona requirements are intact: It takes a luchador with Ki Strike, for example, to learn Hand of the Lich. Only a freestyler can learn to escape a Grab or Swallow Whole as a reaction.

I also rather enjoyed seeing that the pdf provides a great in-game justification in line with rules for having a higher weight and retaining the grappling options: With Giant Frame, your weight doubles, affecting the maximum size category you can Grapple and what can Grapple you.

Of course, there are class feats building on each other, such as the AC-enhancing Shoulder Roll reaction, which can be improved to include a counter attack. What about setting yourself on fire to buff your attacks (sans harm to you?) as a sequence building on Oil Chemist? Yeah, very much a cool option.

Of course, suplexes are here as well, and we have the obvious elemental strikes based on ki; more interesting to me (and most assuredly some other fans of the class’ first iteration) would be the fact that the dual identity and Charismatic leader/star-angle imho work better in PF2e than they did before; making enemies Doomed 1 at high levels, downtime abilities and more are provided, and with capstone abilities that net you undead apotheosis and mask phylactery, controlling grappled targets and more, the class feat engine does an impressive job at rendering the PF2e luchador at once flexible and distinct; there are feat trees, but as a whole, the freedom to make your combos and customize the class accordingly is neat indeed.

The aforementioned ki-based spells are all provided (6, to be precise, and conditions/damage with regards to spell level, actions, etc. checks out for them); we get two backgrounds (Masked Inheritor and Stable Trained), and we get 6 items for the luchador, beginning with wrestling oils and silk masks at first level, all the way up to item level 17 championship belts. The pdf also covers how PF races (including orcs) handle luchadores and closes with a sensible luchador multiclass archetype.

Conclusion: Editing is very good on a rules-language and formal level; on a formal level, one reference to stable instead of person and the missed italics for spell-references irked me somewhat, but not in a way that would compromise the pdf. Layout adheres to a two-column standard with green highlight, which remains pretty printer-friendly. The artworks are full-color, and the pdf comes fully bookmarked for your convenience.

One can see Michael Sayre’s expertise with PF2e on full display here, and the class actually showcases a lot of what I like about PF2e. This is not simply a 1-to-1-conversion of components; instead, the pdf showcases how the thoroughly robust core engine of PF2e renders combo-based fighting styles such as the one championed by the luchador work in a much smoother manner. If I take a look at this and the PF1-iteration, I consider the PF2e version to be superior in pretty much every way. The class presented here remains in line with the core tenets of the game, while providing a significantly smoother gaming experience. In short, this is an impressive beast of a class. While there are a few formal hiccups, I can’t justify rounding down from my final verdict of 4.5 stars, and frankly, the playing experience is so smooth and enjoyable, this also earns my seal of approval.

This is how you show off the strengths and improvements of a new system.

Endzeitgeist out.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
The Luchador (Pathfinder 2nd Edition)
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Mythic Spheres of Might
by Garrick W. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 07/25/2020 13:06:23

This is a great book. I like the GM advice and recommended house rules. However, it feels like some of the options break some of the very advice it gives. Some of the path abilities are way too powerful, even for mythic. There's one Tier 1 general path ability that makes you immune to having anything stolen from you. That alone would make it worth as a Tier 3 ability compared to similar narrative immunity abilities like Beyond Morality and Unchanging. But the ability goes further by also letting you automatically know when someone is trying to deceive you or swindle you out of something you own -- no saving throw. While most of the options in the book are pretty fun and mostly balanced for mythic, abilities like this stick out like a sore thumb as they seem like a pain in the butt to GM for.

Regardless, I recommend this book.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Mythic Spheres of Might
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Spheres Apocrypha: Alchemy Poisons 2
by Daniel L. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 07/24/2020 12:05:37

Last time they leveled you poison use up this time take it to 11. New enhancers exist to boost you in other ways, make it harder to shake off your toxins. Or go legendary and turn you poisons into dieases that can spread thoughout your foes ranks.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Spheres Apocrypha: Alchemy Poisons 2
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Mythic Spheres of Might
by Daniel L. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 07/24/2020 12:03:31

So your running a mythic game and someone wants to play a spheres practitioner? Well no longer do you have to guess at how best to do that without homebrewing new talents and such. This book might not be what you need if you don't run mythic but if you do and you want to bring Might up in line with power grab it.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Mythic Spheres of Might
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Treasures of the Spheres
by Daniel L. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 07/24/2020 11:59:58

I'm gonna say it this book does retread alot of ground with some items. However if you run a spheres game it's worth it. Not only will it better help you provide new and unique items to your players it brings them out in such a way makes them usuable with spheres crafting. You will get pages upon pages of items from reimaginings of core ones to brand new items that can grow with the party. And all in a package that helps you the GM understand how best to address the different types and use them.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Treasures of the Spheres
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
The Youxia's Handbook
by Daniel L. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 07/24/2020 11:56:30

A great catch all add to your Spheres game Youxia will bring you a taste of the east with new archetypes, talents, feats and more. Up your game with Stance talents that have limited duration but some great effects such as being able to make attacks of oppourtunity against those who miss you while you are moving.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
The Youxia's Handbook
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Compounds of Power
by Daniel L. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 07/24/2020 11:53:58

Here you get a nice look at just how spheres can affect even the humble consumable with 11 pages of new consumables for your use. In addition we have a couple of new weapons including the Battle Aspergillum which you can fill with a splash weapon to cause extra damage on each hit.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Compounds of Power
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Spheres Apocrypha: Pugilists
by Daniel L. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 07/24/2020 11:51:15

We start this book off with Striker archetype focused on Drunken boxing that I love, build up tension while drinking, use improvised weapons as if they were your unarmed strike and more. Plus new boxing talents to set up counter punches and other nifty things for your unarmed fighter await.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Spheres Apocrypha: Pugilists
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Spheres Apocrypha: Swashbucklers!
by Daniel L. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 07/24/2020 11:49:21

The Swashbuckler class gets a brand new Sphere archetype ready to make you a pro. 7 new deeds and couple of new talents accompany this in a nice neat little package.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Spheres Apocrypha: Swashbucklers!
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Spheres Apocrypha: Armor Talents
by Daniel L. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 07/24/2020 11:46:31

Whether you want to wear armor better or deal with the guys wearing this book is worth a look. Be a bastion of defense or learn how to get past the defensive side of targets with new talents for Spheres of Might



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Spheres Apocrypha: Armor Talents
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Spheres Apocrypha: Dipsomania
by Daniel L. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 07/24/2020 11:43:42

Booze, Booze? BOOZE! Get your drink on with a new Unchained Monk Archetype focused on getting hammered and then hammering your foes. Plus a handful of new alcohol themed talents ready to help you bring out your inner drunken master.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Spheres Apocrypha: Dipsomania
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Champions of the Spheres: Study and Practice
by Daniel L. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 07/24/2020 11:41:39

Do you miss having an Oath of Poverty that actually does someting? Wish you could go all Heroic Sacrifice against the BBEG and actually get somthing for it? Or maybe you just really want to be able to make your own special attack to yell out at the bad guys when you use it. Grab this book quick. The various subsystems inside will help you do all this an more from making up a technique using various sphere effects that you or you and others can fire off, to having oaths you can take up for tangible benefits (as long as you keep your oath.)



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Champions of the Spheres: Study and Practice
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Spheres Apocrypha: Alchemical Poisons
by Daniel L. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 07/24/2020 09:00:07

Take your poisoning up to the next level with a handful of new talents, make poisoned food hit for longer, or my favorite make you poison stick around after applied forcing the target to keep saving until it expires or they finally succumb to the toxins.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Spheres Apocrypha: Alchemical Poisons
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Expanded Options 2
by Daniel L. [Verified Purchaser] Date Added: 07/24/2020 08:57:52

Love the hive this prestige class will let host a swarm inside yourself that you use to attack, defend, and much more. The book has many great options as well for various chamption classes so if your looking to add more oomph to your Spheres game this is a great buy.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Expanded Options 2
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Displaying 61 to 75 (of 259 reviews) Result Pages: [<< Prev]   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 ...  [Next >>] 
pixel_trans.gif
0 items
 Hottest Titles
 Gift Certificates