Hello!
My history with tabletop RPG's has been rather short. I first started getting into to them when I picked up the Beginners Box in February and have since then plunged into the world of Pathfinder.
So far me and my fiancee have been playing the RotRL AP. While I have been GMing the game I often find it hard to remember rules on how to play the game, magic spells, weapons, etc. I always try to read one of the core Pathfinder books every night to help with that. But I'm not sure if this is helping me.
I think I came to this realization when I posted a question on the "Ask James Jacobs" thread about bows and the effects of the full round action on them. I thought that bow required a move action to reload but another poster informed me it was a free action. Doh! My finacee has been using up her move action in our game to reload her bow up to this point. She gave me the "Are you serious Andru?" face and I sheepishly admitted "Yeah....my bad"
I realize that as somebody new to this I can make mistakes. But I'm asking you, the veterans, what are some helpful tips that I can use to remember rules?
So just ask the Paizo community on rules questions? I can do that.
So just ask the Paizo community on rules questions? I can do that.
Yup. You'll have responses in the hundreds.
We are helpful!
I would add obsessed, but the two aren't mutually exclusive. ;-)
Just don't ask how to control power gamers...or about potted plants. =bSo just ask the Paizo community on rules questions? I can do that.Yup. You'll have responses in the hundreds.
Ha! I saw those threads :)
We are helpful!
That's actually good to hear!
I've been playing Pathfinder since the alpha version of the playtest, and there are still rules that occasionally escape my attention, though it's usually because I'm remembering the old 3.5 D&D version. As has already been said, the more you play, the more the rules will start to stick. I find it best to crack the book to a particular rule any time I'm the slightest bit fuzzy or unsure, just to be safe.
Or Alignment. Or Monks. Or Stealth...Just don't ask how to control power gamers...or about potted plants. =bSo just ask the Paizo community on rules questions? I can do that.Yup. You'll have responses in the hundreds.
or batman
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The official DM screen has a lot of information on it for quick reference.
D20pfsrd has a Gamemastering Quick Reference page that you could print out or keep open on a laptop during play.
Another thing is... your players should also have an idea of how their abilities work. It's not easy for you to always remember every last detail about how a class functions, that's 75% on the player to do. You should still have a general idea of the info, though.
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The official DM screen has a lot of information on it for quick reference.
D20pfsrd has a Gamemastering Quick Reference page that you could print out or keep open on a laptop during play.
Another thing is... your players should also have an idea of how their abilities work. It's not easy for you to always remember every last detail about how a class functions, that's 75% on the player to do. You should still have a general idea of the info, though.
If you do get the DM screen print out the chart that shows what actions are in combat (move, standard, full, ec.) and whether they provoke Attacks of Opportunity. Its a great chart to just have on hand.
Another thing not to ask about here: Magus doing....well, anything. I've been arguing for 3 days on one thread already over...nevermind, I won't derail your thread.
Anyway, some very simple questions you may want to ask don't have specific rules to govern them. When you ask those questions, you have the potential to stir up a hornet's nest of interpretations and opinions that are largely written (on the boards, anyway) as RAW (Rules As Written - get used to the term; it comes up a lot).
On the plus side, when you do inadvertently stir up the aforementioned hornet's nest, it sometimes leads to clarification of RAW on the FAQs. YOU have the power to literally change the game.
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One serious way I can suggest to better learn the rules is to mix up who you play with. It's easy for groups to fall into unintentional "house rules", and it's only when you play with a new group that you realize you were doing it wrong.
PFS is great for this, since online or in convention play you get a never-ending stream of new drop-in players and GMs.
The official DM screen has a lot of information on it for quick reference.
D20pfsrd has a Gamemastering Quick Reference page that you could print out or keep open on a laptop during play.
Another thing is... your players should also have an idea of how their abilities work. It's not easy for you to always remember every last detail about how a class functions, that's 75% on the player to do. You should still have a general idea of the info, though.
The local game store has a Pathfinder GM screen so I will definetly pick that up.
I'll keep that link in my favorites as a reference!
In my experience so far in leveling up the player's characters, I try to make sure to tag along in the process just to see what they will be getting in terms of class specific skils or powers and how they work. But your right, sometimes it hard to remember some of them but I'm slowly getting there and the players help in reminding me.
If you do get the DM screen print out the chart that shows what actions are in combat (move, standard, full, ec.) and whether they provoke Attacks of Opportunity. Its a great chart to just have on hand.The official DM screen has a lot of information on it for quick reference.
D20pfsrd has a Gamemastering Quick Reference page that you could print out or keep open on a laptop during play.
Another thing is... your players should also have an idea of how their abilities work. It's not easy for you to always remember every last detail about how a class functions, that's 75% on the player to do. You should still have a general idea of the info, though.
Thats a good idea. In the past I had to constantly look through the core rulebook but that will make it quicker and easier!
Another thing not to ask about here: Magus doing....well, anything. I've been arguing for 3 days on one thread already over...nevermind, I won't derail your thread.
Anyway, some very simple questions you may want to ask don't have specific rules to govern them. When you ask those questions, you have the potential to stir up a hornet's nest of interpretations and opinions that are largely written (on the boards, anyway) as RAW (Rules As Written - get used to the term; it comes up a lot).
On the plus side, when you do inadvertently stir up the aforementioned hornet's nest, it sometimes leads to clarification of RAW on the FAQs. YOU have the power to literally change the game.
I'll check out your thread to see what you mean about the Magus.
And thanks for the tip about RAW. I guess I should research specific rules and ask about them if it still does not make sense to me.
One serious way I can suggest to better learn the rules is to mix up who you play with. It's easy for groups to fall into unintentional "house rules", and it's only when you play with a new group that you realize you were doing it wrong.
PFS is great for this, since online or in convention play you get a never-ending stream of new drop-in players and GMs.
Pathfinder Society right? I'll definetly look into the possibilities of PFS. I think the lodge here is a little far but I'll check it out.
Another tip: if you're apprehensive about doing something because of the memorization or work involved, my advice is jump in headfirst and just do it. For example, I avoided summon spells because it's an overload of choice, and it's extra actions to manage, and it seemed very daunting, but once I dove in and started summoning creatures, I realized how uncomplicated it really is.
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Another tip: if you're apprehensive about doing something because of the memorization or work involved, my advice is jump in headfirst and just do it. For example, I avoided summon spells because it's an overload of choice, and it's extra actions to manage, and it seemed very daunting, but once I dove in and started summoning creatures, I realized how uncomplicated it really is.
But don't jump in too deep and leave yourself unable to get back to shore...like allowing Master Summoners...