Spes Magna Games

It’s starting to look like March will see the release of two for-sale products. The editing process for the next iteration of Fencing & Firearms is almost complete. Thanks to playtesting and feedback from readers, a number of areas were fixed, improved, clarified, and/or added. The quick list of changes include these:

* Fixed some errors in Table of Contents. Due to incorrectly formatted headers in a few places, the ToC was incomplete. This will also fix the bookmarks in the PDF.

* Cleaned up terminology to be more internally consistent and consistent with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. For example, I replaced references to Tumble with Acrobatics.

* Changed Expanded BAB rules to be more in line with conventions of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. Now the rules work more like Combat Expertise, Deadly Aim, and Power Attack.

* Added and clarified some feats. This was especially important since I didn’t hit every feat in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game that had attack of opportunity effects. For example, I rewrote Combat Casting and Disruptive.

* Cleaned up the language for modified feats. For example, feats previously listed as General that were available as fighter bonus feats have been redesignated as Combat feats.

* Clarified the rules for 10-minute rest mechanic.

* Reverted size modifiers to combat maneuvers to comply with standard rules of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. In retrospect, I really didn’t see a reason to complicate things by changing what really is a pretty solid rule. I also fixed some of the combat maneuver verbiage and math in the text and examples.

* Modified firearms rules, removing accurancy and penetration as unnecessary complications. Standardized reload times. Adjusted damage, prices, and range increments. Changed critical threat ranges for matchlocks and flintlocks.

* Added rules for grenades, for crafting munitions and gunpowder, and for special alchemical gunpowder types.

* Added skill use options.

* Clarified nonlethal damage, et cetera, to better comply with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.

All in all, F&F is a much more solid product now. The basic goals and framework remain the same, but the cleaner engine ought to run with fewer hiccups.

In addition to finishing up The Mad Monk’s Revenge (I’m still not sold on that name.), the editing process for Rewarding Roleplaying is a go. F&F and RR are going to be bundled into a single product along with a fully-realized Five-Room One-Shot adventure written to highlight the Pathfinder-compatibility of the products. We’re looking at putting the entire bundle on sale in March for $7.50 US (or $5.00 US for Quid Novi? subscribers).