DriveThruRPG.com
Browse Categories
$ to $















Back
pixel_trans.gif
Other comments left by this customer:
You must be logged in to rate this
pixel_trans.gif
Adversaries of the Righteous: Ixier, Who Dreams for the Dead
Publisher: Onyx Path Publishing
by Ivan S. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 07/19/2019 10:17:36

First off: this rating only applies if you already have Exalted 3e. On its own, this is, at best, 3.5/5 for having cool ideas, but lacking the setting and system behind it makes it rather more meaningless.

Ixier is a weird ghost thingie that got made from the collateral a whole bunch of people created. you can probably read that in the image, which makes up about 2/5 of the total pdf. You've then got Intimacies, roleplaying hints, and advice for putting Ixier in your campaign, followed by full stats for the creature.

Ixier isn't going to ruin a combat-capable Exalt's day without some help, but if you wanted to do that I guess you could bump its numbers up if that was your intention. Instead it has a really cool theme, goal, and general demeanour.

It has 3 new Charms, one of which has the Eclipse keyword. All of them are unique, and make this creature a quite new thing in the world of Exalted.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Adversaries of the Righteous: Ixier, Who Dreams for the Dead
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Trigger Happy
Publisher: TaleSpinner Holdings
by Ivan S. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/18/2018 15:46:07

I kickstarted this 5 years ago, and I still haven't played it, whilst having run about 80% of my purchased gaming library, at least for a one-shot.

I think the problem that this game has is that it's simultaneously trying to be a quick, pulpy, boom boom game whilst wanting the game to facilitate that. It's too complex for me to feel I can pick it up and start shooting, because I have to help my players keep track of a whole host of mechanics (Limit, their health and luck manipulation; Ins, the things that push them forwards; Outs, things that keep them out of trouble) whilst I fundamentally bought it because I wanted to see something along the lines of the streamlined Fate games, or simple and pushy as Kill Puppies.

The showrunner's notes at the end are helpful, but I still don't feel prepared to take the game on. I reckon a sample "adventure" would be enough to round the game out to runnable, especially if it held your hands through the rules.

All that said, I'd rate this game a 2/5 if I'd ever stolen something from it to use in a different game, but I honestly don't think I have.

Edit: there are sample scenarios, which bring up difficulty numbers, although they don't quite layout the rules there, nor link to where they come up above, it's a readable mission which I reckon I could run (albeit without sample characters) so I'm happy to bump it up to 2/5.

Edit 2: The written-up characters have no more hooks than their Ins and their statlines, which is not really enough to hand to a complte newbie in my experience. The archtypes are actually more interesting, but a little too agnostic for my taste, and include a unique abbreviaiton I can't understand, and I had to spend 10 minutes to find what it mean (P/P/T is the same as PPT, which is what's used outside that section), and even when I did I'm not instantly sure what is applied, and they need work to be playable, rather than being "handholds", so I can't really hand it to a new player.



Rating:
[2 of 5 Stars!]
Trigger Happy
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Creator Reply:
Ivan, I'm sorry you feel this way. I certainly can't comment on how you feel about the mechanics and complexity, as that is a matter of personal opinion. I can, however, address some of your statements. The game contains 3 sample scenarios (starting at page 118) which walk you through play, as well as a detailed eight-page Example of Play (starting on page 158). Sorry it wasn't to your liking based on your reading it.
pixel_trans.gif
Character Stats, which include sample characters, start on page 174. All the characters are point-balanced as to their starting level, or explain where they have extra points applied. Each entry is noted as to its power level). Character Archetypes are on page 185-187 which walk through the character creation process.
pixel_trans.gif
Their written descriptions are included in the Tales of Vanguard Heights section of the book (pp.107-117). Statblocks were placed separately to allow ease of printing for the Showrunner, as well as to give players an option to not read the stat blocks. Again, your opinion on the mechanics and complexity aren't at issue; those are certainly your own and valid. But the written up characters have detailed information about them in the book. Thanks for backing the Kickstarter.
pixel_trans.gif
Exalted 3rd Edition
Publisher: Onyx Path Publishing
by Ivan S. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/18/2018 07:17:25

I full expected to not enjoy Exalted. I'm mostly a fan of simpler systems, because I'm quite interested in quickly telling interesting stories, and only leaning on the mechanics when it's interesting to fail; I'm not one to enjoy a long slew of fights in most systems, and I thought I was just going to see some anime conflict. But a friend was running, so I got the book.

This book blew me away. I got interested in the setting almost immediately, and the system spoke volumes to me. Although it has a lotof content in it, the game leans on those mechanics to make thing interesting. Even its combat system is, relatively speaking, a breath of fresh air which does a better job of simulating a bustling fight than it does a tactical battlemap. It made me think of Ip Man.

In this book, you get the rules for playing the game, and for making Solars, the most powerful type of Exalt, and the system's flagship splat. It has a host of Martial Arts, some cool Artefacts, and it introduces the entire setting, including giving basic, short, descriptions of what each of the other Exalted are like, and a quick look at how they'll differ.

I browsed through the other reviews to see why some people gave this book such a low rating. They seemed, at a glance, to have two different flavours.

1) This book is too full of stuff. (it's 700+ pages) 2) This book doesn't have particular stuff. (Only one type of Exalt)

I'm going by the law of averages, and saying that if both sides are unhappy, then things could be worse. Too long? They're not fleecing you for three books, this is a PHB, DMG, Setting Guide, and MM all in one! "Only one type of Exalt"? That Exalt has a list of unique abilites ("Charms") that takes up about 200 pages, and would be the equivalent of an entire type of splat in Chronicles/World of Darkness.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Exalted 3rd Edition
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Paranoia Red Clearance Edition
Publisher: Mongoose
by Ivan S. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/18/2018 06:57:33

Ran this game after kickstarting it.

It came with a bunch of nice stuff, and it totally had a great way of introducing the GM and the Players to the world. I've now run one of the sample missions three times (the others didn't speak to me in the same way, they're too long and held my hands in ways I didn't get to go) with 3 different groups, including at a Con. The mission I ran involved misdirection and a Black corridor that wasn't.

After the first time, I mostly ditched half of the mechanics, mostly the pretty cards, because I figured they were too complicated for a one-shot. By the end, I found I was using the "Number One Troubleshooter" card, and the weapons card (it wasn't a "combat" scenario) and flying through most of the rest of the game.

I had a blast running it, but I reckon the core of that was the setting, which is available in multiple other locations. The other friends I have who kickstarted it have sold theirs on, in fact, because they disliked the mechanics enough.



Rating:
[3 of 5 Stars!]
Paranoia Red Clearance Edition
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
World of the Lost
Publisher: Lamentations of the Flame Princess
by Ivan S. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/18/2018 06:38:09

I foudn this product tremendously hard to read, and grappled with it through to the end.

It has rules and tables aplenty, but to be honest it just never "got" me whilst making the slog through the book. The bestiary at the end is cool, I guess, but it fundamentally feels like it owers a fair bit to Carcosa, in a bad way, and it's weak in comparison to the other amazing LotFP books which do so much better.



Rating:
[2 of 5 Stars!]
World of the Lost
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Hundred Devils Night Parade: Doppleganger and Mata-Yadh (Demon)
Publisher: Onyx Path Publishing
by Ivan S. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/18/2018 06:33:09

Mata-Yadh is a "Fledgeling Behemoth" a phrase which here means "Pretty damn powerful, but possibly beatable by a starting Circle if they prepare, co-ordinate, and at least all have offensive Excellencies". It's interesting, and I've just realised in the game I'm playing my Circle (of 5 Essence 2 Solars, including a Dawn and an Ebon Shadow Night, but no-one else particularly focused) killed a reskinned version of this (sans rider).

The Doppleganger is a pretty scary, at least insofar as it has the potential to keep up its ruse for at least a conversation with a Solar. They're pretty close to the generic idea people have of them, but this flavour is undead and has a vendetta. It has an Eclipse charm that lets you steal motes.

I'm mostly rating this 5/5 because of Mata-Yadh being a great example of how to make a threat for your Circle that they'll have to work smart and hard to deal with, and because I was pleasantly surprised by the Doppleganger; to be honest, I'm also a bit of a sucker for anything that I can just "yoink" and this includes the Eclipse Charm.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Hundred Devils Night Parade: Doppleganger and Mata-Yadh (Demon)
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Hundred Devils Night Parade: Aughdeighe and Jungle Stalker
Publisher: Onyx Path Publishing
by Ivan S. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/18/2018 06:25:18

Aughdeighe: ice horses who turn up during blizzards. Awesome, would have as set dressing, familiars, or steeds of an oncoming horde. 5/5, they even get their own Eclipse Charm and have some really cool features. Already know these are coming into the game.

Jungle Stalker: weird lizard people with plenty of cool abilities, including an antipathy for magic. Would include in a game with even the slightest excuse. Come with hooks for an ancient history. They're 5/5 for having loads of cool stuff around them, and being interesting enough to stand by themselves next to the Aughdeighe.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Hundred Devils Night Parade: Aughdeighe and Jungle Stalker
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Adversaries of the Righteous: The Bloodthirsty
Publisher: Onyx Path Publishing
by Ivan S. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/18/2018 05:52:01

Fundamentally, I'm here agreeing with the tone in the discussion pieces.

This series of adversaries comes with 4 different sets of stats for mortal pirates, including 2 unique members or affiliates of the bloodthirsty, the stats for a pilot and the person who tells the mooks to line up but isn't the Captain. They're nothing amazing, but the word count is good enough to make them feel useable and important, so if it were just them I'd probably skew towards 3/5, as it's mostly good fluff when I wanted new crunch/fluff hybrids. But then we get to:

It then has a write-up for a Ghost-Blooded captain, who is kinda cool and gets (new) Charms along with artefact armour. For something new, and a cool character, this is 5/5.

On the "Sailing" front, the write-up adds to the setting, and includes a new bonus for ships, and a shiny naval stratagem for added strategery. This would be enough to bump it up from its average of 4/5, but...

The reason it isn't 5/5 is that the write-up makes "heavy reference" to an Exigent (who is the boss of the Bloodthirsty, pretty sure they're the most-mentioned character in the pdf) who is not included. I want this NPC available, and as an Exigent I have no idea what to make of them.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
Adversaries of the Righteous: The Bloodthirsty
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Adversaries of the Righteous: Cynis Borok and Ragara Feria
Publisher: Onyx Path Publishing
by Ivan S. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/18/2018 05:40:58

Two Dragon-Blooded with full write-ups, their own goals, and tips for dropping them into your campaign.

One, Ragara the admiral, comes with a new artefact weapon and 2 Evocations. 5/5

The other, Cynis the satrap of some failine area, is relatively simple by comparison, with no new bells or whistles. I think he wins 4/5 for being interesting enough to put in, but as he doesn't actually add anything unless you use him, or ideas from him.

That said, they're interesting and highly useable characters, and I'll go for 5/5 overall thanks to that.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Adversaries of the Righteous: Cynis Borok and Ragara Feria
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Hundred Devils Night Parade: Eight Tailed Mole Hound and Mahicara, the Volcanic Earthwalker
Publisher: Onyx Path Publishing
by Ivan S. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/18/2018 05:15:27

8-Tailed Mole Hounds are burrowing, armoured, and plain strange doggos which make an excellent contribution to the world. I would pick one as my familiar. They do not completely replace dog/wolfs. Much awoo 5/5

Mahicara is a titan who could probably take your Circle. If I were running a game set outside the Blessed Isle, I'd totally consider bringing him in to stomp all over someone's city. On the other hand, I reckon that I'll have to wait. Ah well, worth the money for the awesome thing.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Hundred Devils Night Parade: Eight Tailed Mole Hound and Mahicara, the Volcanic Earthwalker
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Hundred Devils Night Parade: Cloud Person & Fang Blossom
Publisher: Onyx Path Publishing
by Ivan S. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/18/2018 05:06:19

I'm glad I bought this.

Haughty Cloud People, Air Elementals who just wanna talk philosophy, are a pretty cool inclusion. They have a few Charms to cement their archetype as "weird, evasive, and wise" including an offensive Eclipse Charm. They're written so that they look like they can be used in several different ways, and they make quite good inclusions in any game that could use voyeurs from up above with a penchant for astrology.

Fang Blossoms are Audrey IIs. They look like they might even count as a boss encounter if fighting a bunch of PCs at a lower power level than Solars. Against Solars, they're a cool and interesting speedbump, or potential use for a green thumb.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Hundred Devils Night Parade: Cloud Person & Fang Blossom
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Adversaries of the Righteous: The Broker and Ifraja the Librarian
Publisher: Onyx Path Publishing
by Ivan S. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/18/2018 04:59:43

These two characters are quite interesting, and for the chump change I picked them up for I'm certainly not going to say I expected something awesome.

Ifraja is cool, a crotetchy sorceror with a new spell and a new shaping ritual. He's cool and kinda interesting, especially if you want a desert game or a wandering magician.

The Broker is an archetype that they don't quite live up to, being that they're a fully burned character who still has some serious difficulties compared to a social-focused Exalted who has no Charms. They come with 2 bodyguards, who are QCs with basic enough stats you'll waltz past them ("The Sentry" rolls 5 dice for noticing you coming, "The Guard" has a 6-die attack roll)



Rating:
[3 of 5 Stars!]
Adversaries of the Righteous: The Broker and Ifraja the Librarian
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Hundred Devils Night Parade: Elephant/Mammoth and Fulope
Publisher: Onyx Path Publishing
by Ivan S. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/17/2018 06:58:02

This is a weird combo, and I boguht it for the Elephants. That said, I stayed for the Fulope.

The Elephant/Mammoth stats are kinda straightforward, albeit with a cool (latent) ability for them to be taught, and with storyteller tactics to underline their role in a battle. I wanted mammoth riders in my campaign, and I love elephants, so they'll see use, but they're fundamentally something I could have written myself, mostly, and so I can't really rate them more then 3/5. +1 Because elephants.

Then I decided to review this other thing I got with it. "Fulope" is a "Choral Equestrian" and is basically a First-Circle demon who is a Yeerk from Anipmorphs (or a Host from the Hosts) that loves to sing; complete with poesession rules and the ability to use its host to sing well. I think it's a cool concept, and it looks like it works really fucking well, so I'm basically going to rate it 4/5. If it had even a single Eclipse Charm, I'd probably up it to 5/5, but I'm basically feeling moody right now.

Overall, it's a solid 4/5. I'm going to include mammoths in my game anyway, but now I have ideas for how to include a poesessed singer too...



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
Hundred Devils Night Parade: Elephant/Mammoth and Fulope
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Hundred Devils Night Parade: Mouse of the Sun and Rantai
Publisher: Onyx Path Publishing
by Ivan S. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/17/2018 06:44:35

For chump change, you can own the stats and fluff for: 1) The Mouse of the Sun. The perfect companion for any Solar too interested in subtlety to walk around with a Tyrant Lizard. These sneaky bastards are up there with awesome companions, and have enough interesting abilities that I think they're worth picking up. (They're a 3-dot familiar, and work with Solars) 2) The Plague of the Sun. The mice above can spread this plague. It's nice to have a new disease, especially one which represents the Unconquered Sun getting involved. 3) Rantai. Quite scary (especially vs battlegroups, and for Solars "scary" is relative) ghost-chaining death-dealers who have 2 Charms with the Eclipse keyword.

If it cost £6 (it's a quarter that amount) I'd definitely say it's more of a 3/4-star deal, because there isn't anything earth-shattering in there. That said, I'm definitely glad ot have spent this money on this product, and I have about 5 story ideas from these things alone.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
Hundred Devils Night Parade: Mouse of the Sun and Rantai
Click to show product description

Add to DriveThruRPG.com Order

pixel_trans.gif
Displaying 1 to 14 (of 14 reviews) Result Pages:  1 
pixel_trans.gif
pixel_trans.gif Back pixel_trans.gif
0 items
 Gift Certificates