So The Warden includes not only a new class, but additional options for other spheres/classes focused on endurance. Ultimately it's the quality content I expect from DDS.

The Warden specifically is interesting. It's focused on something that is generally considered 'bad' in the context of pathfinder, which is protecting your allies. While exceptions exist, generally it's considered more valuable to be able to incapacitate enemies than protect allies. After all dead enemies can't generally hurt you.

Despite that, the class looks really fun and feels right at home in pathfinder. It's what the paladin always wishes it was. I already have players interested in playing it, and its protective buffs are an easy and powerful way to add additional challenges to create difficult encounters without killing the XP budget. The ability to pick your focus sphere helps define your role, while a number of options still allow for taking the fight to the enemy.

If the warden has a downside, aside from its defensive focus it almost seems TOO good. This is more a gut reaction than any real analized evidence of the fact but it probably stems from having SO many abilities. It's focus on defense is quite possibly considered a detriment to offset its wealth of abilities, but its hard to imagine any class really being better than the warden. It's mid combat, mid caster (with access to full for its sphere of choice), and plenty of talents that it can use to easily fulfill a powerful party role without compromising its defensive abilities. It's basically always going to have to be considered if anyone wants to play a buffer, support or tanks character of almost any variety because its JUST that good. I wouldn't be surprised if wardens became a staple of sphere groups, replacing the warrior or priest roles in most any party.

The rest of the options in the book further expand what you can do as is the norm for DDS books. The warden is worth the price tag, but the rest of the options sweeten the pot. Many of the options are defensive in nature which is on theme, but the avatar and elemental options are welcome and flavorful.

Overall, nothing that I feel should take off a star and plenty to make it worth its price tag. Especially if you're invested in the system already with Ultimate Spheres of Power and Spheres of Might.

Rare is it that there is a marriage of humor and mechanics that works. Yet DDS outdid themselves with this tome. While a support book to their main series, it is deserving of mention as a hilarious addition to the repretoire of DM and Player alike. Even better, they dropped sneak peaks of behind the scenes things being worked on!

If nothing else, the content can be reflavored as something else. Perhaps wielding the powers of citrus fruits is not your lot in life and you'd prefer to simply wield acid. Perhaps the call of the KnightKnight isn't for you and you'd prefer the title of Gallant or Knight of the Realm. The fact remains that if you'd prefer to live a less flavorful life, the mechanics within are all completely viable and just a step away from different names.

For the rest of us, the Fondue Cannon is far too hialrious to not use.