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We're playing Out of the Abyss and my players are getting creative. Say an enemy (quaggoth) falls 100 feet and lands on another creature (another quaggoth). How much damage would that do to the creature below that is crushed? 10d6? Half that? Also, how would you adjudicate an attempt by an unarmed character to steal a prone enemy's sheathed weapon (shortsword)? I was thinking maybe contested Dexterity checks, but is that too easy? Thanks!
Let's say I have a 1st level PC with 8 maximum hit points, but due to a recent battle with goblins, has 4 current hit points. Now let's say he levels up. He rolls and adds his Con modifier, adding 6 to his maximum hit points for a total of 14. But what happens to his current hp? A) Leveling up restores his hp, effectively giving him 14/14 hit points. B) Leveling up grants him 6 hp, so he is at 10/14 hp. C) Leveling up only affects his maximum hp, not his current, so he is still at 4/14. Which is it? Anything in the rulebooks?
If my character has a +1 shield and uses it as an improvised weapon, do I add the +1 bonus to the attack and damage rolls? Also, are there any rules on throwing a shield? (In case you can't tell, this is my Captain America character build.)
I have used two working CC numbers and both have prompted a "problem with transaction" message when I confirm my order. I know they both work for all kinds of purchases (bought me dinner tonight), including websites. Can anyone push this order through? I'm just trying to get the Kobold Guide to Plots and Campaigns PDF.
Paul Weber has done an amazing job making these cards. It's all the equipment from the PHB, plus spell slot cards, treasure cards, condition cards, initiative cards, and more. He's even got magic item cards in the works right now. I can't wait to see them. Best of all, it's completely free. You can support him on Patreon (I'm supporting him), but he doesn't even push that. He really is just doing it for the love of the game.
Wizards of the Coast unveiled the results of their latest survey and I was surprised by a number of things. First of all, fighter was the most played class. What! To date, I've only seen two fighter PCs. (Cleric, rogue, wizard, paladin were the next most popular classes.) Slightly less surprising, human was the most played race. Perhaps the greatest surprise of all to me was that, after new feats, respondents most wanted new character classes. Here I was thinking that 5e class archetypes could fill out any concept niches not already covered. Aren't people worried about bloat and power creep?
I have some used decks of Pathfinder cards and a few softcover books I need to get rid of to make room in my game closet. First person to ask for them, gets them free. I will even pay for shipping (USA only please). The items include:
To keep shipping costs low, you have to either take all the books, all the cards, or the lot of it.
From yesterday's WotC post: At this stage, we’ve begun considering what the first, major mechanical expansion to the game might look like. What does everyone hope this means?
A podcast I listen to mentioned that a certain RPG is everyone's second favorite RPG. I think the commenters meant it metaphorically but it made me wonder. Is there a consensus on what the best alternative is? When you can't play your favorite, what do you reach for instead? I'm also broadening my horizons and wanted to hear some ideas of RPGs that are good but not necessarily the most awesome. So, what's your second favorite RPG?
I've been running Jade Regent for the last 15 months. In the interest of time and to wrap sooner, I'm contemplating omitting part two ("Honoring the Past") from the last book in Jade Regent. It seems like a mere sidequest and that it could be taken out without leaving a noticeable hole. But I wanted to hear from those who have run or played it. Is it worth leaving in? Yes or no? The more specific your reasons the more helpful they'll be to me. Thanks!
I'm starting a new campaign at first level soon. I want to start it in a homebrew town and at first level. Basically, I want to seed it with as many story ideas as possible and then see what my players latch on to. I know there's Rise of the Runelords, Jade Regent, Murders Mark, The Dragon's Demand. What else?
In a campaign I'm running, I have a few players who talk over and interrupt the person whose turn it is in combat, but one player does it much more than the others. Calling him out on it mid-game hasn't helped. One time when I asked him to pay attention, he blurted out, "Why? It's not my turn." Usually he's on his phone, cracking jokes, or interrupting the person whose turn it is to ask a question. Occasionally, he's started a YouTube video with a piece of music he thinks is thematic or interesting, even when it's a huge distraction. A lot of his humor references obscure TV and films, so all but two of us are just puzzled. But then when it's his turn he jumps in, barrels blazing, really happy to be there. I don't really understand his mentality. I'm of the mind that even when it's not one's turn in combat, listening to the story unfold is its own reward. My PC is just one character in a team of heroes. I mean, when I watch Avengers, I don't tune out whenever Iron Man isn't on screen. Anyway, I wouldn't mind it except that some of the other players told me in confidence that it's distracting and slows down combat. They're also a bit annoyed that he doesn't pay attention to what they're doing though they're kind enough and interested enough to listen when his initiative is up. It's a pretty stark contrast to my other group where we work much more like a team of characters and players. I'm also convinced that his character is breaking the game. I need to check his sheet but his 11th-level samurai constantly puts out a lot more damage than anyone else. He misremembers how his class abilities work a lot, even after I've explained to him several times. But maybe that's a separate issue that can't be addressed here. Anyway, I want him to continue playing. He loves the game. He's a good friend. We attend the same church every week. Uninviting him isn't an option I'm willing to explore. I focused on the negatives for this advice post, but he brings a lot to the table too. To paraphrase a famous musical, how can I make him stay and listen to what we say?
If you loved the Class Guides in the recently-released Strategy Guide, you might just love these homebrew ones for the nonCore classes. Here's the first of many more to come!
This is the scenario I'm playing tonight. An ogre mage will sneak into camp when everyone but the person on watch is asleep. He'll cast deep slumber on the person on watch, then grab one of the PCs and attempt to fly away with her. But how, rules-wise, would I do that? I thought a grapple might do it, but would it also involve pinning (2 CMD checks)? What about flying; would there be a penalty on the Fly check for flying with a resisting captive? Thanks!
Let's say I have a wand of whatever and I've spent all 50 charges. I'm down on my luck and have no other weapons, so I decide to wield it as an improvised melee weapon. How much damage does it do? The rules say To determine the size category and appropriate damage for an improvised weapon, compare its relative size and damage potential to the weapon list to find a reasonable match. I don't see a reasonable match....it's basically just a stick.
Vote for each class or just your favorites. Trying to get some data for a project I'm working on.
In my weekly home game, we rotate snack duty. I served a culinary disaster of a snack my last turn (though everyone still ate it) but I was wondering if anyone had any good snack recipes. Low cost would be a plus. Thanks!
I couldn't find a clear answer to my question. When taking the Skill Focus feat, one must pick a skill and apply it to that skill only. But if I pick Craft to receive the +3 bonus, do I need to specify a particular Craft (i.e. alchemy, traps, etc.) or does it grant +3 to any Craft skill check? And what about Skill Focus (Profession)? Thanks!
What do you think of these, Paizanos? Half-orc template
Half-elf template
The special materials section of Ultimate Equipment includes things like wyroot and living steel and darkwood and mithral. But some can only be applied to wood weapons and some only to steel. But I can't find a simple way of determining which weapons are made of wood and which are made of steel. Is there a comprehensive list somewhere? It would be really bothersome to look at the description of the dozens or hundreds of weapons there. Any help?
Well done! This looks amazing and thanks for the new content.
According to the rules, a staff can only be used by a person with the spells the staff contains on her spell list or with ranks in Use Magic Device. What about staves such as the Staff of Belittling? It has one spell (reduce animal) that can only be found on the druid or ranger spell lists. The rest of the spells can only be found on other spell lists, such as the sorcerer/wizard list. If I don't have any ranks in UMD and don't multiclass, is it impossible to use all of this staff's spells? Are all staves with spells divided among several spell lists this way?
I'm trying to describe oracle mysteries to a completely new player. But I couldn't quite find the words. I'd like an in-game explanation about how a PC might see their oracle abilities. What is a 'mystery' to the oracle herself? Any explanation about why it manifests as waves or flames or time-warping? Or are the mysteries a secret even to the oracle? And if so, would that ever become clearer as she levels up or learns about her powers? I mean, we're talking about a 'mystery' that then produces 'revelations'. Are those roleplaying cues? "I didn't know what I had become but slowly the gods revealed to me the source and purpose of my powers." What's your take?
In the rules as written, Perform (unless you're a bard) functions pretty much like Profession. You make a skill check and make a little money for your talent. But I have a flame oracle PC in my group and she wanted to know what else Perform can do. What does everyone else think of it standing in for Diplomacy as well? That way it works like Wild Empathy but on people instead.
Hello all, Inspired by the Hero Handbook from the Beginner Box, I set out to make an intuitive, easy-to-use Character Sheet Generator on Google Docs. What I've created presents the player with lists of easy options in a simple format. It then generates a character sheet very similar to the one found at the back of the Core Rulebook. It's a work in progress, but right now you can make a 1st-class character using any of the races, classes, feats, and gear found in the CRB. I'll be expanding to include levels 2-20 and the Advanced Player's Guide options soon. Sometime after that I'll include the Advanced Race Guide options, prestige classes and archetypes. I'd love it for you to give it a test-drive and post your comments and constructive criticisms in this thread. I especially want it to be straightforward and easy for new players. I also aim to save players and GMs time. Let me know if it meets those two goals. Thanks!
For those of you who have played Jade Regent to its end, how many people besides the four main NPCs were in your caravan? Even a rough estimate would be useful. I'm running the AP with only two players and I'm thinking of replacing the typical caravan rules with a heavily modified Leadership as a bonus feat they receive at 2nd level (instead of the usual 7th). And then running combat as a normal encounter with a CR appropriate to the party's level. In short, each player can take two cohorts (from among Ameiko, et al) but must always leave at least one with the caravan. Additionally, they hire (not attract) followers which must stay with the caravan. I want to give them a leadership score bonus that is appropriate to the AP. So, how many people were in your caravan? And how did that number swell or fluctuate throughout the course of the AP?
I'm about to run Jade Regent, our first adventure path, and following it up with Rise of the Runelords. I was wondering what to buy besides the AP itself. There are gazetteers and map folios, pawns and miniature, player companions and campaign settings, and item and face cards. What do you consider essential, useful, cool, and don't-bother?
Here are mine: 1) Paizo is constantly on the messageboards, fielding questions. I learned this quickly. Like many others, one of my first posts was a criticism leveled at Paizo. Two staff members stepped in and explained their perspective. I disagreed and a conversation ensued. But they both made some very good points and it led me to reading up on the topic. I found this robust discussion going on on the messageboards, one that had started years before my comment. So, I started listening instead of talking. I learned a lot about the gaming community and company. Eventually, I sent a private message to one of those first two staff members with my question. And she sent me a thorough, thoughtful response just a couple of days ago. What other hobby company does that? Then, when I had a question about a specific module, the author of the module himself leaped at the chance to discuss it with me. The author. Amazing. He wanted to know how it turned out. So, I posted how the module ended for my party and he was really enthusiastic about the unorthodox conclusion. And then there's James Jacobs' thread... Enough said. 2) I remember the old 3.5 adventures. They don't hold a candle to the adventure paths and modules of Pathfinder. I'm reading Rise of the Runelords in preparation to run it. And I can't wait to get my players going. 3) Golarion used to bother me...quite a bit. It looked like a Frankenstein's monster of a world, all these parts that don't go together. But now that I've thought about it, it's actually a brilliant business model and it suits me just fine. I just focus on the parts of the world that interest me and let the rest be. And every other player can do the same. The content for Varisia alone could keep my players going for years. 4) Paizo resurrected Dungeons and Dragons for me. I would still be using 3.5 books and resenting their premature switch to 4e. But here's Pathfinder, most of what I loved about D&D and lots more to love. The APG classes are awesome. The ARG is inspired. I can't wait to get the Strategy Guide. All the content is supported by maps and cards and pawns. 5) The diversity. Men and women. Every race. Any sexual orientation. I know they're not totally there yet in this department. But I like that they're striving for inclusion. I like that the goal is so that anyone who picks up the books will think, 'Hey, that person looks like me. This product is for me too.'
I have a player who would like an animal companion at first level for our new AP. But she's not crazy about playing a druid. How many other ways to get a companion at first level. I count five. Any others? Mad dog barbarian
Also can anyone clarify the rule for nature oracle and sylvan sorcerer? It says you receive an animal at first level but at-3 druid level (minimum 1). Does that mean it stays at first level until your PC attains 5th level?
Can it be done? What modifications would you suggest? I wondered about giving each PC a sidekick, a secondary NPC that begins with only a level in Warrior, Adept or Expert to start. (Like a Sam to their Frodo.) Has anyone does something similar?
We have a great gaming group. One GM and 4 players. Everyone gets along and we all have about the same sense of humor and playing style. We just really click. Sadly, two of us are leaving for the summer. Those staying can either drop down to only two players or find a couple of replacement players. Only problem is, there's only so much room at our table. So when fall comes round, how do you thank the new players for a great summer game while also saying, uh see you? In other words, how do you go about finding someone to only temporarily take an empty chair at your gaming table?
And, if you're feeling talkative, why? Mine would be Animal Community Good Knowledge Liberation.
I'm currently running the module Feast of Ravenmoor for four 3rd-level players. Two of them are very sneaky, with Stealth scores like you wouldn't believe. Most of the creatures don't have a high enough Perception score to spot them, even when they roll their skill check poorly. Instead of walking through the front door of the Chenowitz farmhouse, they started sneaking around it, peering between the slats of boarded-up windows, scoping out the backyard first, etc. One even climbed up onto the roof and looked down the chimney. It's totally a smart move, so I can't blame them. I just don't think they're going to go into the house now that they've established that the cultists aren't there. And while Alizna the "weaver" knows something is out there, I'm playing her like she wouldn't rush out to attack. More like a spider, staying put and waiting for prey to come to her. So, do I just let them avoid several big encounters? They're about to walk into the fields and end the campaign. Should I lure them back into the farmhouse somehow?
I'm in the process of making a campaign set in an alternate-reality 18th-century Earth setting. Instead of deities, we would simply have different religions. I'm trying to do this in such a way that it doesn't offend and is as accurate to the real thing as possible. (I'm less concerned about game mechanics implications, but I'm all ears on that front too.) Tell me what you think of the following: || **Religion** || **AL** || **Domains** || **Favored Weapon** || **Holy Symbol** ||
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