The Strange Bestiary Hardcover – November 19, 2014

To be fair, I do not “HATE” the book, it is actually very well laid out, the graphics are spectacular and seem to be appropriately coloured for effect of the theme and what I have read so far is exemplary. Monte Cook and crew (art wise) did a phenomenal job on their part of the project. Marketing on the other hand (more evil than money, the TRUE root of all evil) is the focus of this vitriolic post.What I don't like one single bit is being lied to and everything about the picture used that supposedly shows the book is a complete and total lie through and through. The one displayed is so far from an accurate one by any means it is like calling a dilapidated Scion a Aston Martin. The only thing they have in common is that they are both combustion driven automobiles. Not all that big of a deal to some perhaps, but it is extremely upsetting to me, mostly because I despise being lied to, especially when money is involved. First; I actually went several days wondering where my book was even though I was reading it because I was a bit taken with the design of the cover thinking that what I could see of it, looked quite fascinating and I was looking forward to being able to see it in greater IRL detail. Also, to be fair, I really do like the cover that I got, but I still would have liked to utilize that particular option if the one displayed is actually still available.Though the different cover graphics are only a small disappointment, what primarily gets me so violently angry is that the page count is significantly smaller than what the picture decidedly makes it out to be. This is not only VERY MISLEADING and bordering on BAIT AND SWITCH tactics, but is an outright manipulative lie that had I realized the book was as small as it is, I may have just skipped it and waited for a new print edition to come out. True that further down the description dictates that the book is only 160 pages, but that does not alleviate the intentionally misleading picture and actually makes it a bit worse in my opinion since it is stated just below the revealing “read more” button. Ultimately I just feel like I have been ripped off.

1. Size comparisons are a real plus2. The assortment of creatures is good some old standbys (orcs dinosaurs zombies ect)3. Art is top notch4. As noted elsewhere challenge ratings can be a bit wonky5. Usable with numenera as well.6. Solid buy for me, would recommend.

Great book with lots of creatures for the the strange. It's going to be useful with Numenera and the soon to be released Cypher system Rpg. Well written and beautifully illustrated.

Using the critters in this as adversaries in my Cypher System supers/magic game. Works very well in that respect.

This is a cool book though a bit expensive.

To get this out of the way, my Strange Bestiary hardcover has a different cover with a lady on it using some sort of hologram based computer. MCG must have changed this at some point in the process.Some of these are definitely creatures you are familiar with - Chimera, Cyclops, Zombies (still played out on those), Deep Ones and Orcs. There are a number of new or setting based creatures likes the Ngeshtin (really interesting) and Recursion hounds.Art is amazing, as normal. MCG really does get the art down well.Continue to find the size comparisons handy.Creature by level table is handy, though some find that MCG is off on their levels. Be sure to carefully consider if your party can actually handle one of what you pick. Think it through carefully.Once again, MCG has some characters at the end as well, Really not a fan of this, as I'd prefer NPC's in a NPC book. Just feels like padding. Though, I do appreciate advise on adding other races to the Strange, though.I'd give this a 3.5, so round up to 4. 160 pages.

Great