Paradigm Concepts

[dragonwarriorfan]

I noted in another thread that staff would like to see some feedback related to layout, context, artwork, etc, to help influence future publications. I thought it would be good to start a new thread that wasn't about examining the new options, but about general thoughts on the publication. I'll post my thoughts later, but wanted to start the thread.

What do you all think?
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Patrick Biddix
"axun ad patriam revenient"
Lord Zarovich val' Mordane, (1.7)
Garish Friend (Berokene), Laerestri (1.1)

[Andril]

As mentioned earlier - I like the book. Very nicely done, at the moment just reading bits here and there. The new artwork is great, and looking forward to the Secret Societies.
More later - but a big thumbs up from me, Peter

[Nierite]

My only complaint is that there were no Minor Val families and not AS MUCH that I could use for my priest. Of course, we know that PCI is going to release Val family histories as supplementals, and that there is (eventually) going to be a Codex of Faith so really they have simply delayed what I want, not ignored them. Beyond that, I'm quite impressed!
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Cody Bergman

aka = Haakon Marcus val'Virdan, Priest of Nier (Divine 1.
aka = Dyabe val'Abebi, Templar of Althares (Divine 1.4)
aka = Jorma Ostoman, Battlemage of the Coryani Empire (Arcane 1.2)

[Harliquinn]

Reposted from another thread:

First, I think overal this is a great book, with more of the top-notch artwork, quotes, and flavor that we've come to expect of PCI. I like the way the book is laid out with secret societies and then player options.

The spread of new options is quite impressive. I particularly like the new fighting styles, especially the breadth of weapons they cover. There is even one for steel whips! The new paths are exciting opportunities for a wide range of characters as well. I like the Altherian Triggermage in particular and the Dark-Kin Order of the Ivory Bow (sadly I'm a flintlock guy

Despite the new backgrounds, I still have not seen a way for a non-Arcane Archetype (other than an Elorii) to start with Arcane Spellcasting of the Eldritch type. Not really a criticism, but just an observation.

Personally, I plan to make use of several of the options in the book and it's sparked so ideas for other characters.

John
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- Harliquinn, John Bellando
Ohio Harvester

Kelb'Bakari, Dark-kin Altherian Corsair, Gentleman Archaeologist
-"Judge a wine by its label and you will miss out on the best vintages."

[Deviknyte]

[Runs With Kio Sword]

Content wise, I thought it was great. Quite bipartisan to keep both val/human & elorii players quite happy and occupied (an astounding feat). However, I felt that the Codex of Faith chapter was a complete rehash of the same chapter from "Players Guide of Arcanis"...didnt know if that would be better served in the Divine Sourcebook that is supposedly coming down the pike

Artwork was top notch. Some layouts and typesetting made me wince a bit (not sure if it was because I was viewing on an IPad or if it showed up that way on the proofs). That botched text wrap on page 184 just made me cringe though.

Otherwise, so far a great read...can't wait to actually read through the translation of the 'Coryani Wingdings' in the introduction.

Joe Cirillo

[Harliquinn]

[Deviknyte]

@Pedro: I like what you did with the Dwarven Paths. Would have been nice to see some stereotypes, but you can save those for the dwarf only book I guess. Also no Tir Betoqi only path.
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-Devin Redd, Detroit Harvester
"The Elorii shall rise again!"
Current- Vaerdos kyr'Taliis, Ardakene Elorii Chanter of the Rebirth and the Bright People
Retired- Elysian, Ardakene Elorii Hierophant of Belisarda

[Harliquinn]

I forgot to mention that I was giddy with excitement about the ability "Wings of the Fiend" so that my Dark-kin can have WINGS! WINGS!

Definitely going for the charismatic demon bard *laugh*

John
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- Harliquinn, John Bellando
Ohio Harvester

Kelb'Bakari, Dark-kin Altherian Corsair, Gentleman Archaeologist
-"Judge a wine by its label and you will miss out on the best vintages."

[Milandir]

[dragonwarriorfan]

Caveat: I am new to Arcanis as of this campaign (playing since Origins 2011), so I don't have previous iterations of the game, system, or supporting materials for comparison. So, my thoughts are in the context of being a relatively new user.

Content: Overall, I was pleased with the new options. None of the Talents really stood out for my primary character, but reading through them gave me lots of great options for other Heroes. I thought the detail on Factions was fantastic and would really like to see this kind of treatment for other aspects of the setting. For example, it has taken me a year of playing to begin to understand (some of) the chronological history of Onara, particularly as the Core Book presentation of the various regions is not geared toward new players. I thought the Fighting Styles and Paths were similarly inspiring and though my primary (LA) Hero doesn't meet the requirements for the former, several new Paths open new options for his development. Overall, I have found Codex of Heroes to be more inspirational than immediately beneficial - and I think that is a good thing. It presents options for expanding and refining existing Heroes and provides imaginative ideas for creating new ones.

Artwork: I was overall pleased with the artwork. Of course, some instances stand out a bit more than others - the image on p. 93 ("Up here, boy!") is one of my favorites from the Core Book. I mention that specifically to say that some reused images are good, but I think there is some overuse. For example, I have seen way too much of the dwarf on pg. 40. It is probably because Forged in Magic is visible on my desk, but I feel like he and I are old friends. His inclusion in here is overuse for me when he is also a cover image. Otherwise, I love that art style, which I think is masterful on the cover of this book. What I didn't care for is the blunter style used infrequently, but noticeably in other sections (e.g., pg. 103, 167, 184). Something about those images just seemed off - just not as crisp as most others and it stands out. Lastly, I appreciated the continuity of the backgrounds, color scheme, and page borders, which complemented the other current setting books very well.

Layout: I find the layout very reader friendly. In my work, I read A LOT of copy and appreciate when authors work in natural breaks (multiple headers, font and color changes, etc) to break up the repetitiveness of the text. I also really like the headings font that feels imaginative while looking professional. I think that can be hard to pull off and Paradigm has done a great job with this. The only thing I can't wrap my head around is the random use of capitalization, but I am starting to see more of a pattern. In my editing field, you only capitalize proper nouns and by that logic, nearly everything would be considered a Proper Noun in Arcanis.

Final thoughts: I was very happy with my purchase of Codex of Heroes. It exceeded my expectations for both supplemental options and inspiration and was set at a very reasonable price point - particularly with the inclusion of the .pdf. I am not normally one to pre-pay for a book without having had the chance to browse it and would gladly do so again on the promise that future books will be this well done. I would commend the editing team on this book - very good job - much better than previous publications which at times feel rushed by the oversight. The only thing I would ask for is a low res or no image version that would render on my Kindle, but that is merely a want and not a prerequisite for me.
_________________
Patrick Biddix
"axun ad patriam revenient"
Lord Zarovich val' Mordane, (1.7)
Garish Friend (Berokene), Laerestri (1.1)

[Archangel]

[StatMonkey]

[EricGorman]

I don't think there are many Arcanianics on the list who won't say how much they love the book. The layout follows the same pattern of the big arcanis book (which I like fine) and the content is all crunch to build beefier heroes. What's not to love? The quote from Ss'koreth at the start of the book cracked me up.

I only have two nits to pick.

I didn't especially like the cover compared to some of the other things we've ben treated to recently (and Argyle's cover for the Big book stands in a league of its own). Its not bad - but not my favorite either. On the other hand the new art inside is pretty lovely even if many things are retreads. Especially I like the Steel Dragon Technique and Ghost Scales illustrations.

I was expecting paths for the creations from last years Origin's LARP. Will we see the Ss'ressen Knighthood and Holy Order of the Crimson Swords see print?
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~Eisener val'Holryn. Holy Champion of Nier and haunted veteran of the crusade
~Formerly Sir Jaeger val'Holryn, gave his soul to help free King Noen from the LLT Banner

[PCIHenry]

Hello eric,