With a name likely to set your group's resident munchkin to salivating, The Manipulative Player's Guide to Sympathetic Magic provides a new way for PCs to cause trouble.

This book presents rules for the use of a new form of "magic". Powered by the Sympathetic Magic feat, characters make use of the Bluff skill and the target's own willingness to believe in order to mimic spell effects. This makes a perfect addition for characters of all sorts.

A few possibilities include: A rogue who prefers to offer the townsfolk "miracles" in exchange for their gold, rather than go to all the work of cutting purses; the old woman who lives alone in a cottage, and makes soups and potions that always seem to clear up whatever ails you; a troublesome sidekick who really thinks he can perform feats of magic.

From voodoo dolls, to the mythical no-touch knockout of martial arts, the rules in this book let you manipulate your way to the top.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: A new skill use supported by well developed rules.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: There's really nothing to dislike about the content. The layout leaves a little something to be desired, and there are a few minor spelling errors; coupled with a few spots featuring tabs instead of spaces, but overall these are fairly minor issues.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Acceptable<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

I saw that this PDF was on sale today (July 17, 2005) for 50 cents, so I thought I'd comment.

For fifty cents, I say pick this up. It's a clever idea and d20 mechanic for using sympathetic "magic" in a campaign - non-magic users can "trick" others into thinking they have placed a curse on them or cast a spell. Great for rogues or campaigns where people believe in magic or witchcraft but they don't actually exist. It doesn't read like a rulebook either, more like a conversation with the author, which gives it a certain charm.

Definitely worth a look at this price. <br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Acceptable<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

Take about taking mind over matter to another level. A very cool idea for a supplement. I'm surprised it hasn't already been done. This is a very playable system to allow PC's to fake casting spells. Sympathetic Magic is a perfect feat for any rogue or bard. Plenty of checks and balances to insure that cheesy PC's don't try to go to far.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: Balanced, detailed explanation of how to use the system. Very easy to implement in a game.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Would have liked to see more concrete examples.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>