Advanced Feats: The Inquisitor's Edge

Advanced Feats: The Inquisitor's Edge (PDF)

by

Sigfried Trent

Published by Open Design

Disclaimer: The copy used for this review was provided by the folks at Open Design.

Ain't no mixing up of my words, I've enjoyed the Advanced Feats series quite well, as my various reviews have shown, time and time again, and The Inquisitor's Edge is no exception.

But, before I get to far into things I'll share the nitty gritty pieces first:

• 16-pages devoted to the Inquisitor class
• 30 new feats
• Three builds that help study this interesting class
• Cover art by Christophe Swal, who also added interior art along with Stanislav, and Anne Trent (who, herself, was the Graphic Designer of the piece).

Now, as a head's up, this is but one of three Open Design products that I'll be reviewing over the next seven days. You see, it's my birthday week — I know, most folk have a day but I like screwing with it for a week — and I figure why not enjoy it by talking about various products and projects of Open Design. 

So onward to Advanced Feats: The Inquisitor's Edge...I like it, a lot. Now folks who read my reviews might comment that I seem to like everything, but I should point out that I don't review something I don't like...I figure that there are enough of those out there, if something sucks, and I don't wanna waste my time doing it unless something really ticks me off. I figure since I'm not paid to do this, and often I get a complimentary product in hopes of a review, why put effort into something negative.

Weird, I know. It's not like I don't rant all over the place.

But, anyhow...

I enjoy the new classes from the Advanced Player's Guide by Paizo, since each of the classes adds an extra layer of flavor and fun for those folks who'd like to add something new to their game. But, with new powers come new issues, yet the Inquisitor's Edge handles it as solidly as the other offerings in the AF series.

In a lot of ways the Inquisitor class reminds me of Sparhawk from The Elenium and the Tamuli, with the little bit of rogue and the little bit of holy warrior thrown into one thing and I think the Inquisitor's Edge hits this right on the head with talking about all the versatility of the class.

Once again both the Trent's down an awesome job, as the layout is just as evocative as the words on the page. Each feat adds something extra to the class, the walk through lends its self to solid ideas and aids on understanding the class, and then the builds exemplifies them.

At it's comfortable pride and excellent quality, not to mention usefulness, The Inquisitor's Edge is a worth addition to your Pathfinder game.

Enjoy!

Buy yours today, for $3.95 (PDF).

Advanced Feats: Visions of the Oracle

Advanced Feats: Visions of the Oracle (PDF)

by

Sigfried Trent

Published by Open Design

Disclaimer: The copy used for this review was provided by the folks at Open Design.

I've really enjoyed the Advanced Feats line from the folks at Open Design, as I'm sure anyone who's read my prior reviews can guess, and Visions of the Oracle is no exception to this fact. Oddly enough, given the material at hand, Visions hits me differently than the prior offerings in the series yet that's not a bad thing.

First let's get the crunch out of the way; Visions of the Oracle covers a breakdown of the Oracle, provides 30 new feats, and advises the reader on build options using three examples within a 17-page PDF (1 page front cover, 1 page table of contents, 1 page license, 1 page back cover/blurb, and 13 pages of Oracle goodness) that is well designed and illustrated.

If you've ever wanted to play the character with the gift, or curse, of foreboding visions and insights, yet have never done so and wish to learn how, then this book is for you. As it can walk you through the Oracle class, give some ideas and understandings, and make suggestions for crafting a character that can put anyone on a good path to an enjoyable character.

However, it is also useful for veteran players, as it offers interesting insights and feats, as well as build designs, that would help any advanced player. 

Visions of the Oracle manages to do this concurrently by just covering the material at hand, slipping in designer notes as needed, and talking about what it is to be an Oracle, as well as the variety inherent to the class. Whether you're currently playing an Oracle, thinking about letting your players attempt the class, or wanting to use them as an NPC in your campaign, this latest Advanced Feats is good for folks on either side of the screen.

I like it, and plan on using it, and I think most gamers using the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game would like it, too. Everyone involved on this piece should be quite proud of it.

Buy yours today, for $3.95 (PDF).

Advanced Feats: The Cavalier's Creed

Advanced Feats: The Cavalier's Creed (PDF)

by

Sigfried Trent

Published by Open Design

Disclaimer: The copy used for this review was provided by the folks at Open Design.

The Cavalier's Creed is that latest offering from Open Design in the Advanced Feats line of Pathfinder RPG compatible books that focus on the classes presented in the Advanced Players Guide. It is a 16-page PDF that consists of a full color cover with artwork, a credits page, the customary OGL page, a split-page of Advanced Feats line advertisements, and 12-pages of content.

As with previous entries in this series, we are presented with an examination of the advanced class, 30 feats for it, and build ideas and three examples. It also has a nice cover by Christophe Swal that is quite evocative of the cavalier.

Okay, there's the cut-and-dry aspects out of the way, now onto the editorialization...

It'd be a slight understatement if I said that I like the work of Sigfried Trent on the Advanced Feats series, as well as that of his wife, and graphic designer of the series, Anne Trent. I really do as they put out a quality product for the folks at Open Design each and every time and The Cavalier's Creed is no exception.

In addition to the crunchy mechanics within, we are also presented with various author notes about historical footnotes, design notes, and factoids that are a combination of interesting and useful for the reader. Whether the reader is someone who remembers cavaliers in their various incarnations in d20-based roleplaying games, as well as a certain overly entitled pain-in-the-backside from a certain fantasy-based cartoon, or they are someone new to the class, this PDF will be quite useful and informative.

The black-and-white illustrations are a nice touch, as well, especially given their period feel and flavor. In fact, I would say that the illustrations lend an ambiance to the text, given the subject matter, and it helps put someone in the right mindset for playing a cavalier.

See, it is not just about being noble, talking flowery language, or being the hopeless romantic, and The Cavalier's Creed helps show that quite nicely. A quixotic knight is not a career, it is a calling. It is not a character trait, it is character exemplified. It is not just tilting at windmills, it is knowing that one of them one day will be a dragon.

Basically, being a cavalier is taking an unreasonable ideal or belief and instilling it as such a core concept for a character that it becomes reasonable, nay even admirable. It is when chivalry leaves a cavalier that the unreasonable occurs, but fortunately with a piece like The Cavalier's Creed that will not happen.

Buy yours today, for $3.95 (PDF).