Review: Rite Publishing – The Secrets of the Gunslinger (Pathfinder)

The Secrets of the Gunslinger
The Secrets of the Gunslinger is an epic fantasy supplement from the Secrets of Series of supplements for the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game written by Steven D. Russell and published by Rite Publishing.
By Aaron T. Huss

The Secrets of the Gunslinger is an all around, value adding Pathfinder supplement adding to the gunslinger class found within Ultimate Combat from Paizo Publishing. Instead of focusing on a single aspect of this new character class, the supplement expands upon multiple aspects, providing loads of new material for players and GMs to choose from. The Secrets of the Gunslinger is the perfect companion to the gunslinger class.

CONTENT

The Secrets of the Gunslinger is divided into three sections: archetypes, feats, and monster template. To start, new archetypes are featured, utilizing the gunslinger character class. These are very flavorful archetypes including a pirate/buccaneer styled character and a few that combine the arcane arts with the skill of guns. My favorite is the wandslinger which turns the “gun” into a wand weapon imbued with a gun-styled attack.

Following is a large listing of grit class feats to add a lot of additional options for those who create gunslingers. This is an awesome list of feats and really turns the use of guns into a character art form. Their descriptions have a very cinematic feel and provide many more reasons to play a gunslinger. Rounding out the supplement is a new monster template called gunslinger wraith using some of the aspects of gunslingers. It is a complete description of how to create this new creature type using the given mechanics.

OVERALL

If you plan on playing a gunslinger, there’s no reason why you wouldn’t want The Secrets of the Gunslinger. It takes the basic options and template and expands upon them for the purpose of creating even more unique characters and allowing player characters to properly distinguish themselves form their  compatriots, especially if they too are gunslingers. There’s even an archetype for worlds without gunpowder so they too can use the gunslinger mechanics.

RATINGS

Publication Quality: 9 out of 10
Rite Publishing has established a good quality publication template seen before with The Secrets of the Gunslinger following suit. There are some excellent public domain illustrations depicting some classic-themed pirates/privateers to correspond with the theme of the supplement.

Mechanics: 10 out of 10
Considering all the mechanics are designed around the gunslinger character class, the entire supplement successfully presents a host of new options to correspond with the core mechanics. In addition, the archetypes and feats present a number of new ideas to correspond with the gun-toting hero that can use a gun like a ranger uses his bow.

Value Add: 10 out of 10
The Secrets of the Gunslinger is the perfect add-on to Ultimate Combat’s gunslinger class. In addition, there is the monster template for GMs to use besides simply creating gunslinger humanoid NPCs. From cover to cover, this supplement is filled with valuable mechanics.

Overall: 10 out of 10
A definite must have for any gunslinger character. New archetypes presenting not only the new templates, but interesting directions to take the gunslinger class. New feats to round out the options available to the characters along with creating new potential for settings that directly incorporate these types of characters. It’s truly the companion to the gunslinger class.