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2012-02-16, 12:09 PM (ISO 8601)
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[PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
One thing I have noticed about the boards is that, on average, classes with excellent optimization guides get played more often than classes that don't. Unfortunately for Pathfinder aficionados, most of the best 3.5 optimization guides don't apply to Pathfinder because they use class features, feats and items unavailable to "PF Pure" games or were written at the launch of Pathfinder, before Ultimate Magic, Ultimate Combat, and the Advanced Player's Guide.
I would like this thread to serve three purposes:
1. To act as a compendium of optimization guides for Pathfinder classes.
2. To inspire people to make optimization guides for those classes that lack them.
3. To inspire people to make better optimization guides for outdated or incomplete guides.
Core Classes:
Barbarian
-How to become the Lord of Rage by N. Jolly
-Elewan's Pathfinder Barbarian Guide
-Anger Management: A Pathfinder Guide to the Barbarian by Novawurmson
-BARBARIAN AM SMASH - A Practical Guide to Breaking Faces
Bard
-Treantmonk's Guide to Bards: Pathfinder Core Rules
Cleric
-Rogue Eidolon's Guide to Clerics Abridged)
---Domain advice only
---Some people have problems accessing Rogue Eidolon's guides
-Tark's Big Holy Book of Clerical Optimization
-Axe’s Guide to Finding DivinityRIP
Druid
-Treantmonk's The Druid Handbook Part 1: The Wild Mystic
-Treantmonk's The Druid Handbook Part 2: The Spirit of the Beast
-Treantmonk's The Druid Handbook Part 3: Druid Spells Examined
Fighter
-Rogue Eidolon's Guide to Fighters
---Some people have problems accessing Rogue Eidolon's guides
Monk
-Treantmonk's Guide to Monks
-kcmorris' A Guide to the Qinggong Monk (Pathfinder)
-A Comprehensive Guide to the Monk by Revel
-streamofthesky's Zen Archer Handbook
Paladin
-A Guide to the Paladin through the eyes of a D&D 3.5 player by T.G. Oskar
-Cryptic's Guide to the Pathfinder Paladin: Being a God's Wrecking Hammer
Ranger
-Treantmonk's Guide to Rangers
-Lastoths Guide to Archery Rangers
Rogue
-Rogue Eidolon's Guide to Rogues
---Some people have problems accessing Rogue Eidolon's guides
Sorcerer
-The (almost) Complete Guide to Sorcerers: A Minstrel's Take on God's Hot Sister
---The document has been heavily vandalized/obscured by random comments. "Click the green button at the top right, and select 'Viewing.' It hides all of the suggestions and comments, leaving only the guide."(thanks to Squab and Extra Anchovies for pointing this out)
Wizard
-Treantmonk's Guide to Pathfinder Wizards: Being a God
-THE COMPLETE Professor Q's Guide to the Pathfinder Wizard
Advanced Player's Guide:
Alchemist
-Ogre's Alchemist Guide
-N. Jolly's Guide to Alchemical Genius
Antipaladin
-Bodhi’s Guide to the Optimal Paladin & Antipaladin
Cavalier
-The Cavalier's Code: An Optimization Guide
Inquisitor
-Jadeite’s Guide to the Inquisitor
-Bodhi’s Guide to the Optimal Inquisitor
---Needs Spanish translation
Oracle
-Channeling the Cosmos: A Guide to the Oracle by Sean FitzSimon
Summoner
-Saph's The Summoner's Handbook
---Finally, a GitP guide!
-Summoning Information - a guide to an alternate Eidolon
-Getting into Someone Else's Skin: N. Jolly's mini guide to the Synthesis Summoner
Witch
-streamofthesky's Witch Handbook
-Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble (A guide to Witches: Pathfinder Rules)
-The Viking Irishman’s Guide to Witches
Ultimate Magic:
Magus
-Walter's Guide to the Magus
-Myrrh, Frankincense, and Steel: Kurald Galain's Guide to the Magus
Ultimate Combat:
Gunslinger
-Cieyrin's The Gunslinger's Handbook
-Surpassing even The Boss: N. Jolly's guide to the Pathfinder Gunslinger
-Drake_Rocket's Guide to Grand Gunslinginger Greatness
Ninja
-Death from the Shadow: A Guide to the Ninja
-Also see the Rogue guides, as the classes are mostly the same.
Samurai
-None that I can find; mostly the same as Cavalier
Advanced Class Guide:
-Arcanist Optimization Guide by Thelemic Noun’s
-CTP's Guide to the Bloodrager
-Raining Blood - The Bloodrager's Guide to Pleasing the Metal Gods
-Happy Feet, Wombo Combo - A guide to the Brawler by Secret Wizard
-The Investigator's Grand Turnabout: N. Jolly's guide-addendum to the Pathfinder Investigator
-Pseudo Guide to the Skald: How to be Metal by Kalvit
-Potato Salad: A Mini-Guide to the Slayer by Novawurmson
-Piercing the Heavens: N. Jolly's guide to the Pathfinder Warpriest
Pathfinder Unchained:
-Thread: CTP's Unchained Rogue Mini-Guide
-Unchained Monk: You Are Already Dead by Secret Wizard
-The ABC's of VMC (Variant Multiclassing) by Novawurmson
-Amateur Night - A Guide to Variant Multiclassing by Secret Wizard
Occult Adventures
-Sucking Counts as Airbending, Right? A Guide to the Kineticist by Kira_the_5th
-Mastering the Elements: N. Jolly's guide to the Pathfinder Kineticist
-Kineticist's Wild Talents by Element and Level by /u/AngelZiefer on /r/Pathfinder_RPG
-A Useful Guide for Kineticist Use of Burn, Damage, and Infusions by F50
-CTP's Guide to the Pathfinder Psychic
-Leasing Your Body for Fun and Profit: CockroachTeaParty’s Guide to the Pathfinder Medium
-One Man’s Junk is Another Man’s Power - CockroachTeaParty’s guide to the Pathfinder Occultist
-Phantom of the OP-era: A Guide to the Pathfinder Spiritualist By CockroachTeaParty and Nova Wurmson
-The Grandeur of Delusions - A PF Mesmerist Guide by Novawurmson
Other Pathfinder:
-Bigtuna's Getting X to Y - A Pathfinder guide to using your ability scores
-Everybody starts somewhere: N. Jolly's guide to creating Pathfinder Characters
-Seize the Initiative; a resource to always being first by Yanisa
-The Big Fat Feat Compendium (WIP) by Novawurmson
-A Guide to Traits by Dragonamedrake
-[PF] A Brief Guide to Martial Tanking by watchwood.
-CTP’s Guide to Pathfinder Mythic Adventures
-[PF] CTP's Guide to Words of Power by CockroachTeaParty
-[PF] Oradin Mini-Guide. Or, How to be a Healbot, minus the 'bot', by grarrrg
-Archetype Combos: Doing all the work b/c reading charts is bloody annoying by Cieyrin
-Pathfinder: Dipping for Fun and Profit (mostly Profit) by grarrrg
-Pathfinder Player Race List by grarrrg
-Words of Power Handbook by The-Mage-King
-Strategy Articles and Player Aid Downloads for PFS
-Why work when others can do it for you - a guide to Summoning
-Spells from Summoned Monsters
3rd Party Pathfinder
Psionics Unleashed:
Psion
-Mind Over Everything: A Pathfinder Psion Handbook
Psychic Warrior
-On the Melding of Martial and Mental Mastery: Jackissocool's Guide to the Psychic Warrior
Soulknife
-Psyren's Sharpening the Mind: A Guide to the Pathfinder Soulknife
Wilder
-Where the Wilder Things Are: The Pathfinder Wilder by Novawurmson
Psionics Expanded:
Aegis
-Armor of the Mind: The Aegis by Novawurmson
Cryptic
-[PF] Seeing the Writing in the Walls: A Cryptic Handbook by Gee-Chan
-[PF] Trapsmith, Tattoo Artist, Master Thief: Unraveling the Cryptic
---WIP
Dread
-Fear Itself: a guide to the Dread by Psybomb
Marksman
-[DSP/PF] You Only Get One Shot: The Marksman Mini-Guide
Tactician
-Novawurmson's The Chess Master: A Tactical Guide to the Tactician
---WIP
Vitalist
-Psyren's Mental Medicine: a Vitalist Handbook
Path of War & Expanded:
-Collected Path of War Guides from Elricaltovilla
---Includes guides for the Harbinger, Stalker, Warder, Warlord, and Zealot!
-PoW Discipline Weapon reference tables by Greenish
-Path of War - Ranged Maneuver List by Ilorin Lorati
Akashic Mysteries:
- PsyBomb's Guides to the Akashic Mysteries
---Includes guides for the Daevic, Guru, and Vizier!
Spheres of Power
-The Orrey a Handbook to the Spheres of Power by stack
-stack's PF SoP Elementalist Handbook
-stack's Risky Business: A Thaumaturge Handbook
-How to Win Friends and Influence People - The Eliciter’s Handbook by A.J.Gibson
-Hedgewitch class guide
-Mageknight class guide
-A Voice from Beyond - The Soul Weaver Handbook by A.J.Gibson
Pact Magic Unbound, Vol. 1:
-Pacting in Pathfinder - The Occultist Handbook, By Psyren
In the Company of Dragons, Rite Publishing
So you want to be a dragon? A real one? Sure, I'll help! (Guide to Draconic Exemplar) by Almarck
...and here's a whole 'nother "Guide of Guides" if this one wasn't enough for you!
...and ANOTHER!
If you know of a guide, find a guide, or write a guide for any of these classes, please comment with a link!Last edited by Novawurmson; 2022-02-15 at 06:06 AM.
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2012-02-16, 12:13 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
Just a note... Rogue Eidolon's guides never show up for me and apparently this is a common problem...
Blarg...
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2012-02-16, 12:14 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Nov 2011
Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
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2012-02-16, 12:36 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
kcmorris has many other guides, in addition to the Qinggong Monk. Note however that these are not full compendiums, analyses, or breakdowns of the class like treantmonk is famous for, but just a few main pointers. "X is what you should focus, Y is a trap, Z is a respectable alternative" sort of advice, kind of like a longwinded forum post, but a little better formatted than most.
It's still great for getting SparkNotes version of a class's strength/viable builds, though.Intelligence is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put tomato in fruit salad. Charisma is convincing someone it's a good idea anyways.
I am a 12/13/13/17/15/17 True Neutral Sorcerer2.
Tainted Bonds, a newly-created Touhou x D&D 3.5 CYOA. Just read these before posting anywhere. Talk about it here.
Awesome remastered ballista avatar by Savannah!
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2012-02-16, 12:43 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Apr 2011
Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
There's a similar thread at the Paizo boards which is probably worth poaching.
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2012-02-16, 12:49 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Nov 2011
Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
I mostly ignored kcmorris' guides that I read over; most of them that I saw just covered one archetype in little detail. I specifically included the Qinggong guide because every Pathfinder Monk should be taking Qinggong.
I'm going to go ahead and start on a PF Barbarian guide. Monk will be next, with Tactician being updated from time to time (but unfortunately unfinished until Psionics Expanded is released on the SRD).
@jmelesky: Well, that improves this list quite a bit. Making changes...
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2012-02-16, 12:55 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
They're not on specific classes but my Archetype Combos Guide and grarrrg's Class Dipping Guide are helpful for figuring out what works together and what can be gained with a bit of investment.
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2012-02-16, 01:00 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
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2012-02-16, 03:12 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
Ninja is basically a Copy/Paste Rogue. Recommend changing the text to something like "None specifically, see Rogue for general ideas"
Samurai/Cavalier is the same situation, just there there is no real Cavalier guide. *shrug*
Also, I have a fairly up-to-date 'Player Race' guide. Good for quick-ish reference on Stat adjusts and Sizing. Does NOT go into great detail (like most race guides), but it can point you in the right direction.
Unless someone else has a better one somewhere?Last edited by grarrrg; 2012-02-16 at 03:17 PM.
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2012-02-16, 03:28 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Nov 2011
Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
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2012-02-16, 11:49 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
There's my guide to Word of Power...
I'm still working on it...Avatar by Ceika.
Steam account. Add me to argue aboutphilosophywhatever!
Advertized Homebrew: Fire Emblem 4's Holy Blood as Bloodlines
Extended Signature.
Using a different color of text for sarcasm is so original.
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2012-02-17, 10:10 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Nov 2011
Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
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2012-02-17, 10:27 AM (ISO 8601)
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2012-02-17, 10:30 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
Thank you so very much for posting this Nova!! I do have the Piazo one fav'ed and now this one is too!
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2012-02-17, 01:39 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
Nice one Nova :D
But there is one problem, some of these guides are either incomplete (Barbarian one wasn't changed in these past 5 month, your guide is still in progress...) or, like walters, designed for PFS -> not optimal enough. Would be great if you could mention things like that.Have a nice Day,
Krazzman
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2012-02-17, 02:34 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Nov 2011
Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
Yup. The next step in this "Guide to the Guides" is to make notes on what guides are incomplete, core-only, etc. Some of these guides I've read in detail, repeatedly (such as Treantmonk's Ranger handbook) and some of them I've only skimmed once. If anyone wants to help make notes on them, I'd appreciate it.
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2012-02-17, 07:45 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
Gunslinger's Handbook will get finished someday, it's just I keep getting kicked by RL, like finding out this morning there was a death in my family and I'll possibly be attending the funeral, depending on whether I can afford to get there or not. Things just keep piling on...
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2012-02-22, 08:17 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
Another thing I just saw...
Why only one Paladin Guide? There is another one on the paizo boards that is better than the one you listed here.
Just can't remember the name of the author right now... I think it was something with "H"...Have a nice Day,
Krazzman
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2012-02-26, 09:20 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Nov 2011
Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
I used my own compendium today when trying to build a Cleric.
...We need a better Cleric guide
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2012-02-26, 10:21 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
Why?
Just because one only covers Domains
Another assumes Clerics should never-ever-ever get into Melee (no not even then), and worries too much about PCS compatibility, and seems woefully out of date.
And the third... actually the Big Holy Book doesn't seem too bad. Although he is quite a bit biased/crazy in certain areas (he mentions Barb 2 being a good dip and "necessary to enter the Rage Prophet PrC"....yeah....).
Oh, and the fact that NONE of them cover Sub-Domains EVER?
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2012-06-02, 01:21 AM (ISO 8601)
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- May 2012
Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
Wow, you found the workings of my guide from my game forum.
That is far from complete, though. The most up to date version of my Witch Guide is here.
I also have a Zen Archer Monk handbook.
In addition to the paizo forum guide to the guides, you may also find the minmaxboards thread for PF handbooks useful.
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2012-06-02, 03:08 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
I think this might be thread necromancy, but I was planning on PMing a Mod to ask for permission to update this soon anyway.
I'll update with these links soon - prolly tomorrow.
Edit: OOOOOoooor I could do it hella later. Well, they're up now.Last edited by Novawurmson; 2012-06-26 at 12:15 PM.
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2012-06-02, 04:23 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
Whenever I read the Monk Guides, I always see the mention of supplying the Wizard with Wands to buff the Monk. I prefer to use the following Trait instead:
Dangerously Curious
You have always been intrigued by magic, possibly because you were the child of a magician or priest. You often snuck into your parent’s laboratory or shrine to tinker with spell components and magic devices, and often caused quite a bit of damage and headaches for your parent as a result.
Benefit: You gain a +1 bonus on Use Magic Device checks, and Use Magic Device is always a class skill for you.
It takes skill points to get it up, and it helps to have a decent Charisma score (there is a cheap headband for that though), but once you hit +19 (and you get a +1 on it from the trait) you can use any wand you want, no Wizard required.
Just saying.....That's Homunculus!
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2012-06-02, 05:16 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
Dangerously curious is great. It just takes a long time to get your UMD to +19 when charisma is your class's only dump stat. Even with charisma "only" dumped to 8, you're going to need to be level 16 (16 ranks -1 cha +1 trait +3 class skill bonus) just to be able to use those wands w/o chance of failure.
Also, I tend to suggest pearls of power, not wands. A wand of mage armor means that +4 AC is going poof anytime anyone casts dispel. Mage Armor at the Wizard's full caster level? That's gonna last. Ideally, you don't need to buy him pearls and he's enough of a team player to see the value in using some low level spells to help you out, but whatever.
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2012-06-02, 05:35 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
Because the trait seems to be invisible to the d20pfsrd.com search function (even searching for it by name fails to bring up anything) and rarely shows up in discussion, I might as well mention Underlying Principles also works if you can pull traits from outside the APG/UM/UC. It's mainly for (Anti)Paladins and possibly Rangers, who can't get both Magical Knack and Dangerously Curious at the same time.
Last edited by deuxhero; 2012-06-02 at 05:39 PM.
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2012-07-06, 08:05 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
Added "Strategy Articles and Player Aid Downloads for PFS and Pathfinder in general" by Harpy!
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2012-09-04, 05:49 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
I've found these guides by neonchameleon (here) useful:
Non-combat eidolons
a guide to summoning
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2012-09-04, 05:52 PM (ISO 8601)
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2012-09-05, 05:10 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
There is also this just shy of 200 pages long wizard guide.
From here
He seems to put a bit too much emphasis on the high levels and hates enchanting with a passion. I also get the distinct feeling that he loves blasting, and rates the spells accordingly.
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2012-09-05, 08:33 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [PF] Optimization Guides Compendium
Read over it and added it. I don't agree with all of his conclusions, but he does eventually get around to saying that a Wizard should buff and do battlefield control instead of using damage spells primarily, and there is a lot of useful information in there even if you need to dig a little.