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Monsterhearts 2
Publisher: Buried Without Ceremony
by Ben D. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 04/23/2018 15:32:30

Monsterhearts 2 is a game for sexy teen monsters to have melodramatic interactions, but, it goes out of its way to be “sexy” and “edgy”, which to me was actually a turn off.

Mechanically, the game is fine. It follows the standard Powered by the Apocalypse layout, with a few minor name changes to suit the game’s style. I think MOST of the skins were well thought out, each skin representing a different kind of monster, and the abilities therein. I do not like the Mortal aka the human. Its abilities lead me to believe that the “best” way to play this character is as the victim of abuse, and you have very few choices beyond that.

The art is so-so. The cover is the best art by far; with the interior art looking like someone used a marker to copy pictured of goths and punks. The vast majority of the monsters look like normal people. Maybe this is part of the game, that monsters have to “blend in”, but for a game that pronounces itself as out and proud, I’d like the monsters to look like monsters, at least in some of the art.

The ZIP file is actually great. You can get the book with each page as a single layout, or lay out side by side. The player skins are laid out to be printed and folded into little player books, which I think is a good touch. There’s also a PDF of towns you can set your sexy monster abusive relationship game in, with potential story seed. (I found the towns PDF to be the best part of the book.)

All in all, I’m going to give this game a solid “meh”. It’s not sexy. It is melodramatic. It does have monsters. It’s a different kind of game, and Buried Without Ceremony should be congratulated for being daring enough to try it.



Rating:
[3 of 5 Stars!]
Monsterhearts 2
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In The Company of Valkyries
Publisher: Rite Publishing
by Ben D. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 02/16/2018 13:06:19

I bought In the Company of Valkyries with no prior knowledge of the other In the Company of … books. Having done a small amount of research now, I see the series focuses mostly on monsters and creatures, and how they can be used in an adventuring party. I went into this looking for ways to help spice up a PC that’s a barbarian. I did not get what I was looking for, but will attempt to be a fair judge of what the book is, and not what I wanted it to be.

In the Company of Valkyries is a 39 page book, with a lovely cover from Tan Hui Tian, a page for credits, a page for OGL, and a back cover; boiling down to 35 pages of content. There’s no table of contents, which I would have liked in a book that’s just big enough that scrolling through the PDF becomes an annoyance when looking for a specific section.

The book starts with a page of in-character fiction of a witness to a woman joining the valkyries upon death. Following that is the Introduction, with 3 pages about valkyrie history, societies, descriptions, etc. Remember, this is a race book, and this section adheres to Paizo’s Advanced Race Guide format well. Next, we have a section on valkyrie racial traits. Valkyries (the race) get bonuses to Strength and Charisma. Charisma kind of surprised me, but becomes much more evident as to why later in the book. Almost all their abilities are based on their Charisma bonus. The valkyries have one racial trait that, initially, I just don’t see a use for: Choose the Slain. This ability works similarly to the spell soul bind and is meant for use with creatures that agree to become bound to the valkyrie. While I can see the spell being used as a trap to keep your opponents from coming back from the dead, I don’t see the racial ability as having any advantage by itself and there aren’t any alternate racial traits that replace it. All of the other racial traits and alternate racial traits seem to fit the theme of “angelic warrior women” well, and are useful too. Some of these racial traits can even be taken as racial feats as well.

The valkyries have 5 racial archetypes for the witch, warpriest, bloodrager, magus, and skald classes. All meet the theme, and look to be mechanically sound. I didn’t see any problems with anything, and found the art to be wonderful here. Remember earlier when I said I couldn’t find a good use for the Choose the Slain racial trait? The Keeper of Souls (bloodrager archetype) makes very good use of this ability. Not enough that I think it should be a racial trait, I would have made it a class ability, but they do make use of the trait.

We have a section on racial feats, which includes the ability to brew magical mead. It’s like brewing a potion, but not. Enhanced Meads are a new type of magic item, and can play a part in the valkyrie paragon class. Most of the racial feats make certain racial traits better. I’ll be perfectly honest; I don’t like “racial” feats. Very rarely do I think it makes sense that only a single race should have a feat. Most of the feats not tied to a racial trait seem perfectly acceptable for any race to learn. That’s just my opinion. The racial feats are another place where the Choose the Slain racial trait comes into play, making it a more useful ability – at the cost of a feat.

Maybe the best part of the book is the Valkyrie Paragon. This is a perfect synergy of what the race is trying to achieve; warrior women who are back from the dead, and ready to kick some ass. They get a wide array of class abilities that feel something like a magus/ paladin/ cavalier blend. If that sounds good to you, you’re going to love this paragon class. You get a mount, some healing, some divination magic, a full BAB, all the best weapon and armor proficiencies, and d8 HD.

Up to this point, the book has been focused entirely around the valkyries as a race. That’s ok, but, hard to shoe-horn into an existing character. The shield maiden is a prestige class that many classes (so long as the PC identifies as female) can work their way into. The shield maiden gains a lot of the race’s traits and capstones with the PC ascending after death into the ranks of the valkyries. They can become the valkyrie race, which in some instances, makes the prestige class abilities redundant.

The book ends with almost 4 pages of magic items and enhanced meads. As noted, the enhanced meads can only be made by the valkyrie race (unless the GM agrees with me that any race could take that feat). The magic items continue fitting the theme well, but, could be used in any setting to good effect.

In the end In the Company of Valkyries, isn’t the book I wanted, but it’s still a good book. If you’re wanting to play a Charisma-based character with some magical or melee talents, I’d give this a read. If you very specifically want to fight with a spear, you’re going to love this book. I think, if you like race books, you’re going to enjoy this book too.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
In The Company of Valkyries
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Elemental Enemies: Paper Miniatures
Publisher: Trash Mob Minis
by Ben D. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 12/22/2017 13:55:13

Elemental Enemies provides 4 size Large elementals in an intereting style - These elementals have armor and weapons, which make them stand out more than your average bonefire-sized elemental. Additionally, each elemental has several Medium-sized elementals (or races using the elements). The thick black boarders around the figures gives you room to manuver while cutting them out, but some of the figures have tiny nook and crannies to get around. Thankfully, anbot half the set also have wide, round shapes that are easier to trim. I feel like this set could have used more Large bases than the standard 8 included in Trash Can Minis, but, I can always print more copies at work.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Elemental Enemies: Paper Miniatures
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Battle Chef
Publisher: Little Red Goblin Games
by Ben D. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 12/21/2017 13:55:23

“That is why I decline the title of Iron Cook, and accept only the lesser title of Zinc Saucier, which I just made up.” – Bender, Futurama

Little Red Goblin Games brings the world of gourmet chefs to a fantasy setting with the Battle Chef class. This is a full class, and it has some pretty interesting mechanics. Like fighters, the battle chef is a d10 HP class, but has a ¾ BAB, more akin to rangers. Battle chefs also gain recipes which work like spells, and can have a cuisine specialty, which is similar to focusing on a school of spells. What I really like about this system, is that preparing a 3-5 course meal works like a video game; by consuming the meal (spells) in order, they give bonus effects. The effects of each recipe is determined by flavor profile (a minty recipe for example adds ice damage to you attacks.)

While the battle chef class, and accompanying recipe system, is the meat and potatoes of this release, there’s an appetizer-size portion of feats, and chef-based weapons and magic items make up the dessert.

Personally, I’d have liked seeing a selection of armor and shields (who doesn’t want to use a big wok as a shield, and wear an Apron of Protection +1?) I would like to see a few more feats in there, and maybe an archetype or two based on different kinds of cooks. Additionally, I think a d8 HP per level might be more appropriate here, but I don’t think it breaks the class in any way. That’s just me, and it doesn’t take away from the unique flavor of this class.

Well worth the money spent. Please tip your servers.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
Battle Chef
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Turtle Tyrants: Army Pack
Publisher: Trash Mob Minis
by Ben D. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 11/20/2017 10:13:52

I picked up the Turtle Tyrants paper minis. Even with regular paper, once folded and glued, they seem sturdy enough. I think that on card stock, they'll be even better. Trash Mob Minis does good art. It's a little on the cartoony side, but, thats what I like about it.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Turtle Tyrants: Army Pack
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Junk Bots (One Page RPG)
Publisher: Minotaur Games
by Ben D. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 10/06/2017 10:56:00

Jason Bulmahn brings a simple game to life with Junk Bots. The page layout is great, reminicent of the old, 80's printer paper. It's green and while bars whith little holes down the sides. For most people, this a minor piece of fluff, but, I see how this helps sell the world of Junk Bots as A.I. existing in discarded technology.

Mechanically, the game looks simple, and sound. Each Junk Bot has one of 4 frames, and then randomized parts added to those frames. Your atributes (Agility, Brawn, Charm, and Smart) are based on your frame and parts. These attributes then help you figure out other things, like combat and skills. If you're wanting to play a broken down Terminator, you're out of luck. If you're hoping for an intelligent Battle Bot, you might be getting a little closer. If you want to play as The Brave Little Toaster, you're spot on.

It took me about 3 minutes to make a character. It took me much longer to draw the picture and come up with a name. (Swingway 7800 - a mechanical arm on tank treds with a staple gun and electric toothbrush, if you care.)

This is a great, easy game to play. Got little kids? They might love this. Want an easy to play, post-Apocolyse world? Boom, you're ready to go.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Junk Bots (One Page RPG)
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Trusty Tavern Menus
Publisher: Fat Goblin Games
by Ben D. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 08/14/2017 14:09:05

The Trusty Tavern Menus cards are FANTASTIC! I wish I’d known about these years ago! Each card is broken down into 4 tidbits of information: name, descriptive paragraph about the tavern (including info about the owner and renting beds), a menu (with different meals, drinks, and prices), and rumors related to the tavern. It would have made running my games move a little faster if I’d been able to just draw a card and read the info instead of trying to make up stuff on the spot. You know how players are, if they see their GM squirm, they keep putting the pressure on. ;D



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Trusty Tavern Menus
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vs. Stranger Stuff Official Playing Card Deck
Publisher: Fat Goblin Games
by Ben D. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 08/14/2017 14:02:45

I just got my deck of vs. Stranger Stuff playing cards in today. The cards are high quality, and printed well. The art is intentionally distressed to give them a more ominous feel. You can easily use these cards for any card game and obviously the vs. M Engine games. They certainly aren't "necessary," as any deck of cards work for vs., but, they add a fun bit of immersion. This is a 52 card deck, no jokers included. My one critique of the art is this: the King and Queen cards have skulls wearing crowns. The art is the same, but says “KING” or “QUEEN” in the crown. I think the Jack and Ace are much more interesting as they are a bloody knife, and occult iconography respectively.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
vs. Stranger Stuff Official Playing Card Deck
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vs. Ghosts Adventure: The Witch of New Hope
Publisher: Fat Goblin Games
by Ben D. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 03/17/2017 10:27:10

This is a fun adventure for the vs. Ghosts game. A note to anyone getting started with the game. I'd use the adventure Ghost of Pendergrass first, and put the town of New Hope near the old Pendergrass logging village. After the players complete Ghost of Pendergrass, the parks committee can begin cleaning it, and expanding it as a living history tourist destination. This expansion could be the lead into Ghost of New Hope. Just my two cents.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
vs. Ghosts Adventure: The Witch of New Hope
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5 Questions
Publisher: Roving Band of Misfits Press
by Ben D. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 02/11/2017 09:59:12

I love this release. When I start running a new game, I hand each player a random page from the book. These are simple questions that help players fill in some of their character's backstory. Great for use with new players, or players that always make Mary Sues. There's usually a question that makes an assumption about the character, such as, "Why are they afraid of the dark?" Many players won't think to give themselves a weakness, so these questions give them a good reason to think about it.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
5 Questions
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Occult Book Generator
Publisher: Lee's Lists
by Ben D. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 02/11/2017 09:55:13

A great document for GMs to have when they've got players that always ask "what do I find in the library/ mage's book case?"



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
Occult Book Generator
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Publisher's Choice - Fantasy Collection
Publisher: Publisher's Choice Stock Art
by Ben D. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 02/11/2017 09:52:14

Avery nice collection of art. They are Public Domain, so you can find the same images elswere, but Rick has organized them by groups, and cleaned up the original art. This is a huge collection, and will be guarenteed to save you time when looking for art pieces for your own use.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
Publisher's Choice - Fantasy Collection
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Fun & Facts: For the Hive!
Publisher: Playground Adventures
by A customer [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 09/08/2016 17:46:17

This is a well written adventure for young players, new players, and low-level characters. The adventure is broken into three acts, and punctuated with facts about bees in the real world, which is fantastic for young players, and something I'd like to see in more products. The art is cute and child friendly, while still offering enough details for the more mature players to enjoy. The final couple of pages are dedicated to additional resources, such as articles about bees and origami projects.

I strongly recommend this product to gamers with kids that want to play too.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Fun & Facts: For the Hive!
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Creator Reply:
So glad you\'ve enjoyed it! We will have more full length Fun & Facts soon!
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8-Bit Adventures - Welcome to the Fungal Kingdom
Publisher: Fat Goblin Games
by A customer [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/29/2016 09:42:11

Rich Hershey's 8-bit page design and art are fantastic.

The conversion of monsters from game into Pathfinder creatures looks very good. Them magic items are simple, but well thought out.

The final section of the book lays out a simple progression that follows the idea of the video game very well. Maybe it's not enough for a full campaign, but, it's more than enough to get you started on that path.

At 86 pages total, this is well worth the investment for any GM looking to add a little (or a lot) of pop culture to their game.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
8-Bit Adventures - Welcome to the Fungal Kingdom
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Encyclopaedia Arcane Constructs
Publisher: Mongoose
by Ben D. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 10/16/2015 14:35:54

A very nice looking book, with very useful formats for making or modifying constructs in a 3.5/Pathfinder game. While many equilivant constructs can be found in Monster Manuals/Bestiaries for a cheaper gp cost, building a completely customized construct has a great appeal.

Since I'm playing as a wizard that wants to build a construct body for themselves, the special construct abilities actually give you a chance to do that.

Great book if your character wants constructs, or if you want to throw new construct builds at players who memorize monster stats.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Encyclopaedia Arcane Constructs
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