Sourcebook Review: ‘Monster Core’ for Pathfinder from Paizo

The Monster Core Pocket Edition of Paizo’s Pathfinder Roleplaying Game system includes over 400 monsters, from the heavenly Aeon to the decaying Zombie. As the Second Edition to Pathfinder rolls on, the Monster Core builds onto the existing list of monsters Paizo aficionados will recognize by adding new beasts of all kinds. The Monster Core also clears up errata and rebalances certain monsters to make each creature an appropriate challenge for players at their levels, the same information as the standard edition but with a soft cover and lower price. With a Monster Core at the table, the GM is never short of a new foe to face the gamers.

Wide Range of Sources

The many creatures of the Monster Core come from a wide variety of sources, which allows players numerous avenues for their preferred style of play. Some monsters come from Pathfinder’s Lost Omens setting unique to the game, like the alchemical construct Noxious Needler with its many chemicals and sharp phalanges. Other monsters are inspired by mythology, such as the famed Manticore and Medusa from Greek myth or the Japanese Oni.

These are given their own Pathfinder twist, with the Medusa’s gaze being a slowing aura effect controlled by the creature rather than automatic petrification into stone, which might be broken in play. In addition to these fanciful monsters, the Monster Core features animals from nature like bears and boars and even the prehistoric smilodon. Many of these animals also receive a twist, with larger, scarier versions such as the truly Giant Stag Beetle larger than a horse.

Thoroughly Detailed Monster Core Monsters

Each monster entry in the Monster Core features a wealth of information. Stat blocks show significant numerical information like speed and HP as well as attacks and spells. Paragraphs of flavor text give descriptions of the monster’s appearance, expected locations, and special information like behaviors. Astute players would know that Devils might be trusted, like the Phistophilus bound by their infernal contract, while they should never trust a Daemon, all of whom are dedicated to destruction and death.

Further bits in the sidebar add other key information, such as nightmarish Tooth Fairies being afraid of cats, especially kittens, which may be helpful in a particularly keen gamer’s hands.

Pictures speak a thousand words, so they say, making the beautiful, intricate full-color illustrations for each of the monsters just as valuable as the text and statistics in showing how fearsome the monsters are.

More than Just Monsters

Not all monsters in the Monster Core are grotesque brutes, of course. While raw combat is a component of most role-playing games, there are plenty of different ways to deal with monsters. Many creatures have their own motives, such as the many denizens of other planes serving their deities, who may be willing allies, or showing a murderous Redcap where other victims are to make their escape. Players might even convince a Fortune Dragon to aid them in their quests with lucky bonuses by keeping the dragon entertained with novel experiences, but they would be wise to beat a hasty retreat if it ever seems bored or more enamored with their opponents.

With so many different monsters to face, players will need to be as clever as they are hardy to achieve victory in their quests.