A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement Sidebar #9 – Playing a Sidekick

Sidebar #9 – Playing a Sidekick by Nick Esposito is a role playing game supplement published by Fat Goblin Games for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. As such, it is covered by the Open Game License and some parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result.

This is available from DriveThruRPG as a six-page PDF. One page is the front cover and front matter and one the Open Game License.

The opening paragraphs state that this is intended to help sidekicks be the role played, accompanying an NPC.

Taking the Sidekick to Center Stage starts by saying the relationship between the sidekick and the individual they are accompanying needs figuring out, with some suggestions.

New Feats for Sidekicks has some new feats intended to make the sidekick more interesting. This is followed by Appropriate Feats, which has suggestions of existing feats from a range of supplements.

Familiars of the Martial Classes is on using familiars outside the traditional spell-using classes.

Familiar has some archetypes.

Methods by Class is the final section and has lists of classes from many supplements with suggestions on how they could have a familiar.

Sidebar #9 – Playing a Sidekick in Review

The PDF lacks bookmarks and is short enough that it doesn’t need them. Navigation is okay. The text maintains a two-column colour format and appeared to be free of error. Bar a black and white illustration on the front cover and a standard piece of Fat Goblin artwork, there are no other illustrations. Presentation is okay.

The idea behind this supplement feels interesting; using a different role for a player, which could include animals and spirits, with the NPC taking what is normally the primary role but is now secondary. However, the execution feels incomplete. It seems more like a list of suggestions than any real attempt to develop the idea fully. There is a definite feeling that a much larger supplement could have been made from this. Sidebar #9 – Playing a Sidekick is an okay supplement, but feels lacking, and it can be found by clicking here.