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Monsters of Sin 2: Envy (Pathfinder RPG) $2.99
Average Rating:4.3 / 5
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Monsters of Sin 2: Envy (Pathfinder RPG)
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Monsters of Sin 2: Envy (Pathfinder RPG)
Publisher: Kobold Press
by Alexander L. [Featured Reviewer]
Date Added: 09/18/2012 06:36:25

Originally posted at: http://diehardgamefan.com/2012/09/18/tabletop-review-monsters-of-sin-2-envy/

Introduction: This product is designed for the Pathfinder RPG, but can easily be modified for any D20 system and other fantasy games at the mere whim from a DM. This watermarked PDF contains a number of monsters/encounters that are related to one of the Deadly Sins, primarily Envy, in the case of this supplement. Not only does this supplement contain some monsters for an adventuring party to encounter, it also includes a template and a special creature that is the embodiment of Envy. There is also a section that provides information for those who are using the Midgard Campaign Setting and how to implement this product in collusion with it.

Contents: As stated earlier, this ten-page PDF contains three new monsters:

Bone Swarm – This is simply an undead swarm that has the ability to create undead skeletons if they manage to overwhelm and kill their victims. They also have a very neat grapple attack when they encompass their foes in combat.

Emerald Eye – a tiny crystalline construct that can compel other creatures to compulsively desire some object or perhaps a person via a special attack akin to psionics.

Re-echo Doppelganger – This is an interesting monster and a favorite of the group that helps me review these supplements. It has the ability to mimic perfectly not only the foe it fights, but the combat feats of foes or anyone in combat. It also has the special ability to mimic the weapons possessed by its foes, down to their exact magical properties, with the added feature of making it one size larger and one enhancement bonus greater. This was truly a neat monster, and it will be certainly be thought of later on.

The supplement also provided a creature that it describes as the Embodiment of Evil. Look and respect this creature as something akin to an avatar of a demigod or perhaps some other type of super powerful entity, like a demon lord or a devil of some kind. This is a creature to be used as a final boss monster, and probably one that can never truly be defeated, but one that can be dismissed. This is simply the physical representation of raw emotion, Envy.

The template that is provided assigns the Envy trait to player characters or NPC’s with a 2 CR added. With this ability, there are added skills with either bonuses or penalties.

Positive Notes: I really enjoyed reading this supplement. The new monsters always encourage possible new adventures and plot hooks. The templates add flavor both to player characters and possible encounters. The artwork contained within is well done, and the piece is very easy to read and comprehend. The entire layout of this supplement screams professionalism and it was certainly done in that fashion. I really enjoyed the Re-echo Doppelganger and the Embodiment of Envy.

Negative Notes: I am not a huge fan of psionics being introduced into the Pathfinder setting as of yet, so the introduction here of the Emerald Eye construct and its psionic abilities was a bit too much. I feel there are other ways for this particular creature to manipulate others, with other abilities or spell like powers, without having to rely on psionics. It was a well thought of concept and will do well in other fantasy gaming settings that utilize psionics and such abilities.

Overall Review: Excellent and well done supplement. I am looking forward to seeing more of these particular products in the future. This has a lot of promise and has piqued my interest very highly. A DM of any caliber can use this product with some excellent results.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
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Monsters of Sin 2: Envy (Pathfinder RPG)
Publisher: Kobold Press
by JK R. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 08/27/2012 09:38:34

Monsters of envy is the second entrant in this series. It's not quite as good as the first volume, probably because envy is less of motivating factor for most adventurers than avarice is, which makes it trickier to target.

The same basics are there as in the earlier volume. The artwork and layout a good. The book includes 6 pages of content, one and a half of which are taken up with discussion of the sin and a short cautionary tale.

The purpose of the book though, are the four monsters it describes. As before, these cover a good range of CRs, in this case from 2 to 18. The CR2 monster is a construct that doesn't really seem to have a lot to do with envy, but the others fit the theme rather better.

The undead is a clever idea, although, in fairness, its connection to the theme only comes from it being envious of the living. Which is pretty much true of most thinking undead, when you think about it. The variant doppelganger, that copies the abilities of its target, as well as appearance, also works well.

The best bit, though, is the CR18 outsider. This has a rather unique ability (although those of you familiar with RuneQuest will have seen something similar) that it uses very effectively against those that become the focus of its resentment. Quite a neat idea.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
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Monsters of Sin 2: Envy (Pathfinder RPG)
Publisher: Kobold Press
by Thilo G. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 07/24/2012 06:02:28

This mini-bestiary is 10 pages long, 1 page front cover, 1 page editorial/ToC, 1 page SRD/advertisement, 1 page back cover, leaving a total of 6 pages of content, so let's take a look!

Second in the series on sin-themed monsters, this pdf kicks off with a short introduction as well as the envious creature CR+2 simple template. After that, we're off to the monsters:

-Bone Swarm: A CR11 undead swarm, this conglomerate of undead parts can not only deal painful distraction damage, it is essentially a mode-creature that can lose its swarm-traits when grappling a foe and instead move them at up to their speed - nice when paired with environmental hazards and generally a cool creature, though not one I'd get a particularly strong envy-themed vibe from.

-Emerald Eye: This CR 2 crystal is essentially a psicrystal of an envious nature and utilizes the Dreamscarred Press rules, but comes with all necessary information to run it even if you don't feature psionics in your campaign. Trying to inspire jealousy in others, these twisted crystals can even mimic ioun stones and make for cunning foes indeed. Great to see some psionic love from Open Design.

-Echo Doppelganger: CR 14 brutish doppelgangers that can adapt to a specific fighting style, copying not only appearance, but also feats, proficiencies and even spells, making its mimicry almost flawless. Cool creature, though I think that the lack of sophistication on part of the Echo Doppelganger detracts slightly from its appeal.

-Embodiment of Envy: This CR 19 incorporeal immortal wisp of envious thoughts is the most brilliant adaption of the concept conceivable - lacking everything, even a body, this thing seeks to possess any that cross its path and combined with the power to create an aura that compels those subjected to it to attack it with their most formidable array of powers and attacks, this being is a rather deadly, cool predator and makes for the best of the creatures, at least in my opinion. The pdf closes with the embodiment of sin monster subtype as well as a sidebar on envy in the upcoming highly anticipated Midgard Campaign setting..

Conclusion: Editing and formatting are top-notch, I didn't notice any glitches. Layout adheres to a beautiful 2-column full-color standard and the original pieces of b/w-artwork rank among the best I've seen in any monster manual. The pdf has no bookmarks, which is a minor bummer, but on the other hand, the length is not such as to warrant a downgrade in the final score.

After reading the first installment on Avarice, I knew that I would be enjoying this series and while the second had some technical difficulties (hence the late review), the content is top-notch indeed - the new creatures are all well-designed, have at least 2 signature abilities each and come with some awesome mechanical innovations and choices and especially the embodiment of envy is simply stunning. However, I also maintain that unlike the first pdf, most of the creatures herein have a rather tenuous connection to the deadly sin they're supposed to be aligned with. While "envious" abilities are there, e.g. in the doppelganger's case they feel rather like a survival strategy, not a malevolent intent on the powers/abilities/social status/identity of the person they're replacing - the writing of the fluff could have done a better job of aligning theme and crunch of the book. Since that's rather important for me and since the creatures herein, at least to me, felt slightly less iconic (Yet another undead conglomerate of bones? Yes, the crunch is awesome, but the critter-concept per se? Boring.) than in the predecessor, I'll rate this slightly lower, at 4.5 stars, rounded down to 4.

Endzeitgeist out.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
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