Download PDF Player Companion Magic Tactics Toolbox Pathfinder Player Companion Paizo Staff 9781601258380 Books

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Product details Series Pathfinder Player Companion Paperback 32 pages Publisher Paizo Inc.; Brdgm edition (June 7, 2016) Language English ISBN-10 9781601258380

Player Companion Magic Tactics Toolbox Pathfinder Player Companion Paizo Staff 9781601258380 Books Reviews

• This book provides some new and interesting ideas,spells and archetypes for spell casters within the Pathfinder universe. My only complaint is it tries to do too much and only gives you a taste of each area it covers.
• I find it helps to understand the perspective of the reviewer, so here goes.
  I play Pathfinder Society, so most of my reviews will lean in that direction.
  I strongly favor crunch (game mechanics) over fluff (art, page layout, and frilly things).
  I favor options that contribute to success (e.g. Improved Initiative) or prevent failures (Dodge, Iron will) over those that reward failure (Diehard).
  And, I favor low level options over high level options.
  
  With that said, on with the review.
  
  Released approximately May 25, 2016. Additional Resources updated approximately June 10.
  It’s like PFS didn’t get a copy to look at before it went to the printers. That’s poor customer service.
  
  Inside front cover – Flavor text & art for 8 magic rods published in other products, primarily the Core Rulebook. Nigh unto useless.
  
  We get eleven archetypes, no traits (Thank God, we have enough of those), thirty or so PFS-legal feats, twenty-six or so PFS legal spells, nine PFS-legal magic items and a variety of knick knacks. Curiously, the Arcane discoveries weren’t mentioned in Additional Resources at the time of this writing, so aren’t legal, though I suspect it was just an omission.
  
  Selected comments
  Archetypes
  Dimensional Excavator – Alchemist with pit spells. Seems like a reasonable implementation of a cool concept.
  
  Toxicologist – Druid with a poison theme. The Poison Focus feat is a no-brainer. Really doesn’t come online until at least 4th level.
  
  Questioner – Investigator, stripped of alchemy, add faux-bardic knowledge & bardic spells. Only they left out the part about casting in any sort of armor. Boo.
  
  Feats
  Brisk Spell +0 (Metamagic) – When you grant a new movement type via spell, +10’ to the movement speed. Seems tailor-made for monkey fish but otherwise not worth a feat.
  
  Encouraging Spell +1 (Metamagic) – A very nice and simple metamagic feat to bump up the usefulness of bless, heroism and the like.
  
  Channeling Variance – Ever wanted to be a part time user of variant channeling? Now you can, 3/day, or, if you select the feat twice, unlimited quantity.
  
  Extra Variance – Builds on the above.
  
  Alchemical Strike (Combat) – Alchemists can take in lieu of a discovery. Everyone else has a feat tax and BAB +6. +2 DC when throwing a single alchemical item (e.g. tanglefoot bag, thunderstone) as a full attack action (not applicable to alchemist’s bombs). Situationally useful, but you’re giving up your move action and a feat.
  
  The item mastery feats are a nice concept, but PFS imposes the anchor around the neck of allowing you to only use the base Fort save of a single class to qualify for them.
  
  Magic item
  Lore Needle 4000 gp, head slot – Only significantly trained in one Knowledge? That’s fine. 3/day you can use its bonuses on a minimally trained Knowledge. There’s better uses for 4000 gp on the head, though it does have offensive applications if you can take 10 minutes and fail a dc 15 Heal check on your victim.
  
  Spells
  Bone Fists L2 – A strong buff for your natural attackers. Don’t forget to cast it on your animated dead too!
  
  Spellcurse L3 – Single target ranged damage. The more spells in effect on the target, the more damage.
  This is a good finishing blow, after you’ve debuffed them into the dirt, with spells of course.
  
  Warp Metal L4 – It took until 2016 for this to make it to print??
  
  Biting Words L1 – Creative single target damage without too many fiddly bits.
  
  There’s some curse themed spells that are minor irritants. If I want to spend a 5th level spell to give a chance at rendering a spellcaster spell-less, it’s going to be hold monster, not Alaznist’s Jinx.
  
  Itching Curse L1 – Single target debuff, Will negates, as does spending a move action each round. Of interest is the 1 hour/level duration.
  
  Hidden Blades L2 – Turn your weapon invisible for a respectable duration, which makes it easier to hide, and gives a +5 circumstance bonus to bluff with it. Would make an nice magic oil for the feinting rogue, but don’t torture yourself making a feinting rogue. Buy it for the occasional social scenario.
  
  Rogue talents
  Occult Dungeoneer (Su) Five breaking & entering themed spells count as being on your spell list. And you can knock (Su) 1/day. Flavorful. Mildly useful. I wouldn’t build a character around it though.
  
  Spell Storing (Su) a single, targeted, harmless spell up to 2nd level within yourself. Trigger later as a standard action. This is wonderful!
  
  Bloodline mutation
  Blood Intensity – Costs Sorcerer’s 3rd level Bloodline power or Bloodrager’s 8th level Bloodline power. Essentially acts as Intensified Spell metamagic feat, without the level bump.
  
  Grading the Crunch
  We get fifteen archetypes (three are grade B or better, most are grade C), twenty traits (three or four worthwhile, the rest were page-count fillers), fourteen feats (five good ones), nine spells (three good ones), eleven magic items (two good ones) and a variety of knick knacks.
  
  Very few of these abilities interact with one another. So would I buy a book for three archetypes, two feats, five spells and three good miscellaneous abilities that might see play? Only if you had a specific build in mind that required it. Paizo/PFS neutered at least five good options from the book. Paizo can do better. Paizo has most certainly done worse.
• gift
• Another great resoruce book for your Pathfinder Library. Really expands the magic tactics in the game setting.