Advanced Arcana 08
A Whole New Kind of Magic! If you've played the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game for long¸ you've probably heard of "save or die" spells¸ and how entire encounters can quickly come to hinge on a single saving throw. Spellcasters simply point at a target¸ expend a spell slot¸ and either they cripple the target in one fell swoop¸ or they just wasted their turn. This all-or-nothing approach to magic has led to frustration for many players and GMs alike¸ and begs the question of whether there might not be a better way to handle effects like dominate person and major image. This book presents alternatives to the way that spells succeed or fail in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. A collection of over 200 brand new¸ never-before-seen spells¸ it features several new mechanics that explore other ways of resolving a spell's effects¸ including: Challenging spells¸ which require the caster to complete certain challenges before they can be cast¸ but have a powerful payoff for those willing and able to rise to the occasion. Mental hit point spells¸ and new rules detailing mental hit points¸ which present an alternative to the usual "save or die" approach that most mind-affecting spells rely on. Soluble spells¸ which have their own hit point totals¸ and can be interacted with in a variety of ways¸ allowing players to weaken and end their effects. Beyond these¸ there are over eighty individual spells not tied to any of the above mechanics¸ but dripping with flavor or designed to fill a specific niche in the rules¸ plus selections of feats and archetypes that tie specifically into the mechanics listed above¸ and advice on incorporating these new spells into your game. If you've already experienced one of the previous installments of Advanced Arcana ¸ you know that this book is not to be missed. And if you haven't¸ now is the perfect time to expand your magical horizons. Pick up your copy of Advanced Arcana Volume VIII ¸ and experience a whole new kind of magic today!