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Pathfinder Roleplaying Game
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Advanced Player's Guide
Here there be monsters!
What is a hero without monsters to vanquish? This 328-page book presents hundreds of different creatures for use in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. Within this tome you'll find fire-breathing dragons and blood-drinking vampires, vile demons and shapechanging werewolves, sadistic goblins and lumbering giants, and so much more! Yet not all the creatures in this book are enemies, for some can serve lucky heroes as allies or advisors, be they summoned angels or capricious nymphs. And it doesn't stop there—with full rules for advancing monsters, adapting monsters to different roles, and designing your own unique creations, you'll never be without a band of hideous minions again!
The Pathfinder RPG Bestiary is the must-have companion volume to the Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook. This imaginative tabletop game builds upon more than 10 years of system development and an Open Playtest featuring more than 50,000 gamers to create a cutting-edge RPG experience that brings the all-time best-selling set of fantasy rules into the new millennium.
The Pathfinder RPG Bestiary
- More than 350 different monsters.
- Dozens of monstrous variants to modify creatures and keep players on their toes
Numerous lists of monsters to aid in navigation, including lists by Challenge Rating, monster type, and habitat.
- Extensive rules for creating effective and balanced monsters.
- Rules for advancing monsters by hit dice, template, or class level.
- Universal monster rules to simplify special attacks, defenses, and qualities like breath weapons, damage reduction, and regeneration.
- More than a dozen feats tailored especially for monsters.
- Suggestions for monstrous cohorts.
- Two dozen additional animal companions.
- More than a dozen different wandering monster encounter tables.
... and much, much more!
Cover art by Wayne Reynolds
What is a hero without monsters to vanquish? This 328-page book presents hundreds of different creatures for use in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. Within this tome you'll find fire-breathing dragons and blood-drinking vampires, vile demons and shapechanging werewolves, sadistic goblins and lumbering giants, and so much more! Yet not all the creatures in this book are enemies, for some can serve lucky heroes as allies or advisors, be they summoned angels or capricious nymphs. And it doesn't stop there—with full rules for advancing monsters, adapting monsters to different roles, and designing your own unique creations, you'll never be without a band of hideous minions again!
The Pathfinder RPG Bestiary is the must-have companion volume to the Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook. This imaginative tabletop game builds upon more than 10 years of system development and an Open Playtest featuring more than 50,000 gamers to create a cutting-edge RPG experience that brings the all-time best-selling set of fantasy rules into the new millennium.
The Pathfinder RPG Bestiary
- More than 350 different monsters.
- Dozens of monstrous variants to modify creatures and keep players on their toes
Numerous lists of monsters to aid in navigation, including lists by Challenge Rating, monster type, and habitat.
- Extensive rules for creating effective and balanced monsters.
- Rules for advancing monsters by hit dice, template, or class level.
- Universal monster rules to simplify special attacks, defenses, and qualities like breath weapons, damage reduction, and regeneration.
- More than a dozen feats tailored especially for monsters.
- Suggestions for monstrous cohorts.
- Two dozen additional animal companions.
- More than a dozen different wandering monster encounter tables.
... and much, much more!
Cover art by Wayne Reynolds
Unknown Binding
First published October 1, 2009
14 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
About the author
Jason Bulmahn
125 books40 followersLead Designer of Paizo Inc and Minotaur Games, creator of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 30, 2017
“Within this the pages of this tome you will encounter a wide range of monsters and creatures to pit against your players as they explore your world.”This is another one of those books that is an absolute must on a game master’s bookshelf. I’ve gotten slightly less use out of it than the NPC Codex, but that is merely because my players prefer NPC enemies over monsters.
Considering the amount of information in here (over 350+ monsters), its readability and its easy use during games, it’s most certainly a smart investment if you wish to save yourself a few hours of game preparation.
The statblocks are clear and condense, and also provide the XP gain and some information on a creature’s type and climate. Short descriptions accompanying each statblock detail a bit of lore, history, and general behavior (and/or alignment) of the creature in question.
The appendices dive into a step-by-step on how to create your own monster, templates for monster advancement, and a glossary of universal monster rules. There’s also more to be found on monsters as PCs, monster feats, cohorts, animal companions, and a number of indexes that sort monsters by type, CR, terrain, and variant.
The downside? It’s not that cleverly written and doesn’t cover everything there is to cover on monsters in the wide world of Pathfinder, but that’s where the second, third, fourth, and fifth Bestiary come in.
October 24, 2013
This book is a must have if you don't have the tablet/phone app the build a campaign.
Lovely pictures and easy to read and understand stat blocks.
That being said, I was disappointed that there weren't a few more baddies in there for the price (felt like they were like "well wizards of the coast prints tons of books we can too!") Several baddies that elude me that I figured were standard fantasy fare were missing, but are included in later editions... so that didn't help my we're gouging money feel, but the app is free, so why am I complaining? Probably because I feel the price tag is too high for what is almost identical to 3.5 data and a hard covered paper holder with glue.
Though modding monsters I wish had been a bit more clear, and if you want to add in a dragon for your adventurers get ready to do math as it is a semi-complex chart where the 3.5 books did most of that work for you.
Lovely pictures and easy to read and understand stat blocks.
That being said, I was disappointed that there weren't a few more baddies in there for the price (felt like they were like "well wizards of the coast prints tons of books we can too!") Several baddies that elude me that I figured were standard fantasy fare were missing, but are included in later editions... so that didn't help my we're gouging money feel, but the app is free, so why am I complaining? Probably because I feel the price tag is too high for what is almost identical to 3.5 data and a hard covered paper holder with glue.
Though modding monsters I wish had been a bit more clear, and if you want to add in a dragon for your adventurers get ready to do math as it is a semi-complex chart where the 3.5 books did most of that work for you.
December 9, 2013
I highly recommend grabbing the associated bestiary box if you use the monsters from this book regularly. The pawns are great to use with or without actual miniature figurines. Once again, great illustrations, easy to read information, and helpful guides for creating monsters and adding templates to existing creatures to create even nastier beasties makes this a wonderful book for a gm.
December 16, 2015
Needs to be reorganized, and there should be a limit on the amount of times you're allowed to use the word "yet." Otherwise good stuff. I wish it were longer so you wouldn't need to buy parts 2-5, but money is money.
February 25, 2019
i like monsters.
January 17, 2018
Gameworm Plays!
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Bestiary
****
Acquired: Barnes and Nobel Booksellers
Series: Pathfinder Role-Playing Game
Paperback: 328 Pages
Publisher: Paizo Inc.; Pocket ed edition (August 23, 2016)
Language: English
Subject: Science-Fiction & Fantasy/Gaming
****
The Story: Within this tome you'll find fire-breathing dragons and blood-drinking vampires, vile demons and shapechanging werewolves, sadistic goblins and lumbering giants, and so much more! Yet not all the creatures in this book are enemies, for some can serve lucky heroes as allies or advisors, be they summoned angels or capricious nymphs. And it doesn't stop there―with full rules for advancing monsters, adapting monsters to different roles, and designing your own unique creations, you'll never be without a band of hideous minions again!
The Review: Games are great, aren’t they?
In years past, they were regarded as little better than mindless distractions for children, perhaps they were! Games have since transcended this limiting perspective, now games are vehicles for dynamic storytelling, deep characters, and wonderful artwork. This book, a slice of the roleplaying game Pathfinder, is only the latest example.
The one thing that does bother Bookworm about this book and other monster manuals from other games is that half of the pages are dedicated to the said monsters statistics and charges that would be of most concern to those who actually play the game. Bookworm is no fool, they know that the purpose of this book is to be exactly what it says on the cover. Regardless, it would be nice to have a volume dedicated solely to the lore of the creatures and critters that roam the world of Pathfinder. The lore geeks must contend with brief paragraphs regarding the monsters characteristics in this volume. These paragraphs, though are not to be missed. They all provide of snippet of what these beasts are like and leaves the reader itching for more stories about them. This book takes a lot from classic mythology and classic ‘monster’ mythology as well but there are also plenty of unique monsters sure tickle the fancy of any who favors fantasy. The best part is how the creators of these beasts take cues from a variety of different real world cultures, providing a good boost of diversity.
As one might expect, the artwork in this book is absolutely superb. They beasts and monsters seem ready to leap right off the pages. Not the most encouraging prospect though! They often are a bit on the small side though. Of course, it is not a particularly large book.
The Final Verdict: Even if the reader lacks the means to enjoy Pathfinder from the perspective of the role-playing game, the lore and story still leaves plenty for the non-gamer. This book offers a tantalizing glimpse into the world of Golaria and leaves them aching for more. It may make one a Roleplaying Gamer after all!
The Rating:
Four Pathfinder Society Symbols out of Five
thecultureworm.blogspot.com
****
Icon Source: http://paizo.com/paizo/blog/v5748dyo5...
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Bestiary
****
Acquired: Barnes and Nobel Booksellers
Series: Pathfinder Role-Playing Game
Paperback: 328 Pages
Publisher: Paizo Inc.; Pocket ed edition (August 23, 2016)
Language: English
Subject: Science-Fiction & Fantasy/Gaming
****
The Story: Within this tome you'll find fire-breathing dragons and blood-drinking vampires, vile demons and shapechanging werewolves, sadistic goblins and lumbering giants, and so much more! Yet not all the creatures in this book are enemies, for some can serve lucky heroes as allies or advisors, be they summoned angels or capricious nymphs. And it doesn't stop there―with full rules for advancing monsters, adapting monsters to different roles, and designing your own unique creations, you'll never be without a band of hideous minions again!
The Review: Games are great, aren’t they?
In years past, they were regarded as little better than mindless distractions for children, perhaps they were! Games have since transcended this limiting perspective, now games are vehicles for dynamic storytelling, deep characters, and wonderful artwork. This book, a slice of the roleplaying game Pathfinder, is only the latest example.
The one thing that does bother Bookworm about this book and other monster manuals from other games is that half of the pages are dedicated to the said monsters statistics and charges that would be of most concern to those who actually play the game. Bookworm is no fool, they know that the purpose of this book is to be exactly what it says on the cover. Regardless, it would be nice to have a volume dedicated solely to the lore of the creatures and critters that roam the world of Pathfinder. The lore geeks must contend with brief paragraphs regarding the monsters characteristics in this volume. These paragraphs, though are not to be missed. They all provide of snippet of what these beasts are like and leaves the reader itching for more stories about them. This book takes a lot from classic mythology and classic ‘monster’ mythology as well but there are also plenty of unique monsters sure tickle the fancy of any who favors fantasy. The best part is how the creators of these beasts take cues from a variety of different real world cultures, providing a good boost of diversity.
As one might expect, the artwork in this book is absolutely superb. They beasts and monsters seem ready to leap right off the pages. Not the most encouraging prospect though! They often are a bit on the small side though. Of course, it is not a particularly large book.
The Final Verdict: Even if the reader lacks the means to enjoy Pathfinder from the perspective of the role-playing game, the lore and story still leaves plenty for the non-gamer. This book offers a tantalizing glimpse into the world of Golaria and leaves them aching for more. It may make one a Roleplaying Gamer after all!
The Rating:
Four Pathfinder Society Symbols out of Five
thecultureworm.blogspot.com
****
Icon Source: http://paizo.com/paizo/blog/v5748dyo5...
May 23, 2019
Basic premise: Monsters for the Pathfinder system!
The artwork for this book is fantastic, and every monster gets a picture. Stat blocks are easy to read and information is easy to find. The appendices are useful. You can't ask for much more. These monsters represent some divergences from D&D's stuff, so read carefully before setting up an encounter. I find that the monster CRs are generally pretty accurate.
The artwork for this book is fantastic, and every monster gets a picture. Stat blocks are easy to read and information is easy to find. The appendices are useful. You can't ask for much more. These monsters represent some divergences from D&D's stuff, so read carefully before setting up an encounter. I find that the monster CRs are generally pretty accurate.
July 4, 2019
This is just the perfect book to start with when you want to populate your fantasy game. Obviously it helps with getting to know the monsters that live in the Pathfinder universe, but in reality, this book has the potential to be much more. It can help you in other systems, be your painting reference, drawing inspiration... and even teach you to create other monsters! Lovely art and easy to use statistics.
September 18, 2011
It is not much needed if you own the previous AD&D monster manuals, but it is well written, adds some twists to several monsters, specially the old classics, and updates them to Pathfinder. Good enough.
April 4, 2013
This book is a must-have for any Storyteller planning to run a homebrew game (or significantly modify a published Adventure Path). Full of clean, useful illustrations and tips on monster tactics, it's a worthwhile investment.
February 22, 2011
Revised stat blocks = good. I didn't care too much for most of the art, but others in my gaming group liked it. It comes down to personal taste, as always.
September 20, 2011
One of the best monster books of any RPG.
May 29, 2017
very informative on the different monsters within the realms of Pathfinder. I may try and adapt some to fit D&D 5e, when they are not present in the Monster Manuel for that edition.
August 31, 2018
-1 star for rapey satyrs
April 6, 2023
Good evening and welcome fellow Children of Chaos.
For the most part, as someone who is a 25 year vet of D&D, this book is pretty boring to read.
HOWEVER, this is vital for beginning players and DMs. As it has all the basics you need. Vampires, Zombies, Skeletons, Orcs, Goblin, Kobold, Ghost
Of course Chromatic and Metallic Dragons.
A good cross section of bastardized creatures from mythology, and a few originals made for this game.
Though sadly stat blocks, as this is a 3x issue, are too massive and complex and filled with pointless, useless info. Do I really need to know this creature has Tensors Floating Disk?
Still if you want to play PRPG 1e, this is a good base for creatures.
For the most part, as someone who is a 25 year vet of D&D, this book is pretty boring to read.
HOWEVER, this is vital for beginning players and DMs. As it has all the basics you need. Vampires, Zombies, Skeletons, Orcs, Goblin, Kobold, Ghost
Of course Chromatic and Metallic Dragons.
A good cross section of bastardized creatures from mythology, and a few originals made for this game.
Though sadly stat blocks, as this is a 3x issue, are too massive and complex and filled with pointless, useless info. Do I really need to know this creature has Tensors Floating Disk?
Still if you want to play PRPG 1e, this is a good base for creatures.
October 8, 2018
Esencial para la guía básica, me gusta ver cada bestia y ver que hace !
April 15, 2023
Un librito más para saciar mi apetito de bestiarios.
Great one.
Great one.
June 17, 2014
Todos sabemos que nos encanta encontrarnos con un buen desafío, empezar a juntar dados de diversas formas y colores y planificarnos mentalmente la mejor manera de darle un escarmiento a ese bicho que se ha atrevido a atacarnos, pero eso sí, con estilo. Nada de «ataco» y punto. Todos sabemos que lo que más nos gusta a los jugadores es demostrar lo que somos capaces de hacer y para esto, señoras y señores, es evidente que necesitamos unos monstruos a nuestra altura. Por eso y para eso nace el Bestiario de Pathfinder, donde os puedo asegurar que se os saldrán los ojos de la cabeza si paseáis por sus páginas. De todos modos, dejadme que os despiece poquito a poco el libro para que la digestión sea más placentera.
Sigue leyendo: http://www.laespadaenlatinta.com/2014/06/resena-bestiario-pathfinder-rol-devir-paizo.html
Sigue leyendo: http://www.laespadaenlatinta.com/2014/06/resena-bestiario-pathfinder-rol-devir-paizo.html
November 1, 2013
To create the perfect monster book without creating a book of unwieldy size is impossible, but Pathfinder comes close in this, its first volume of monsters. There really isn't much to say about this one. The production standards are sky-high, and Paizo does a masterful job of covering the majority of must-have monsters in any starting game book. It adds a few standards I personally would rather have seen omitted, but that's just me. The bottom line is that this book is all killer, no filler, and you can easily run a long and varied campaign, filled with challenges of every kind and level, just off of this book alone. That's the ideal every monster book should strive for, and it is an ideal that this original Bestiary achieves without question.
August 12, 2010
Gorgeous layout, artwork, and rules clarity.
January 5, 2013
The original "monster book" for the Pathfinder RPG - an indispensible guide for the game. Most of the classics are in there, and well-treated!
December 9, 2020
a pretty much perfect monster manual.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews