Paizo Releases Pocket Battlecry! Edition, Brings Mass Combat to Tables

Paizo released a pocket edition of Battlecry! on December 18, 2025, shrinking the full 224 page hardcover into a smaller, more portable volume while preserving all rules and systems. Battlecry! supplies mass combat mechanics for Pathfinder Second Edition, introduces battlefield roles and new martial options such as Commander and Guardian, and lays out associated systems that let referees manage large scale engagements without losing tactical detail.

The most immediate practical value is portability. The pocket edition reproduces the hardcover content verbatim, so you get the same mass combat framework and role options in a size that fits a bag or a side pocket. That makes it easy to keep the rules on hand during sessions where a single skirmish could escalate into a larger conflict. It also lowers the barrier for groups that want to trial mass combat without buying or hauling a full size book.

For game masters the release has clear table side benefits. Running large encounters no longer requires toggling between multiple reference sources or relying solely on digital copies. The Commander and Guardian options give GMs ready made roles to assign within a battlefield, helping organize player contributions and streamline adjudication. The systems in Battlecry! focus on scalable conflict, so you can slot small party actions into broader engagements without losing narrative momentum.

Availability and price matter to communities. The pocket edition is available directly from Paizo and through local game stores, offering an accessible price point for tables wanting an easy reference copy. Local stores can support immediate pickup for groups planning weekend sessions, and stocking the pocket edition makes it simple for new players to grab a compact rulebook.

This release comes at a time when many tables are experimenting with larger scale play, and the pocket edition of Battlecry! lowers the logistical friction for running those games. Carry the pocket edition to your next session to test mass combat scenarios, and use the battlefield roles to structure larger encounters with clarity and speed.