xorial's page

A note on what I would like to see in any prestige classes. A character should be GREAT at what they do, when sticking to their base class. A PrC should fill a niche, or make the characters absolutely freakin' awesome. An example: a base class archer should be able to do amazing things, but a PrC archer needs to add something unique & OUTSTANDING to the mix. Not overpowered, but just have something you cant envision as a feat tree. If you cant do that, then please just have the abilities be a unique feat tree.

The books I would like to see:

Bestiaries are fine. Good ones, that is. Some of the MMs were awesome, while a couple were just some much dead tree waste.

Psionics: I tend to avoid using them, but still a sucker to buy them. I keep looking for a rules set that works. Different is fine, as I see it as an add-on system & doesn't need to be completely BC to me.

Epic rules that work would be VERY nice.

Back to psionics, I always thought they could use a modified sorcerer for a psion anyway. Was thinking of a kalashtar only bloodline for my old Eberron campaign.

I like prestige classes. That being said, I HATE a thousand of them that do the exact same thing. I am in favor of more alternate builds for base classes where appropriate, akin to 2e kits. Some situations call for PrCs, while others should be an alternate build or even a new base class.

Flavor books for Arabian style settings, oriental adventures, and the like are good ideas too.

Vehicle rules for those of us that like airships & fantasy type vehicles.

I understand that if all of my suggestions came out, that it would still take a few years for all of them to come into play.

I can't understand the fuss. I just ran 2 different adventures this past week using 3.5e adventures with PFRPG rules. The ONLY thing I had to look at was CMB, which is close to how I ran it anyway before PF. If you want combat moves to go more akin to 3.5e, then make them opposed CMB rolls.

As for BC, there were going to be differences to begin with. The only glaring change I absolutely HATE is the Fly skill. I just ignore it & go about my business.

The only classes that seem to be totally incompatible are those that were created before the powercreep got in to heavy in WotC's own products. An example would be the Psionics classes. I have never been that big a fan of them anyway, so I wont miss them. I always converted the Psi stuff in my old Eberron campaign to magic anyway. Was considering making a Dream Bloodline for the sorcerer as a replacement, but my players aren't big into playing Eberron anymore.

I guess the main reason I have few, if any concerns, is that I always ran my games with quite a few house rules anyway. What I dont like, I will just house rule.

I already ignore it's existence. I have a hard time seeing a flying creature needing this skill. Just as I see no need for a character to use a "Walk" skill. If I need to make some kind of check, I imagine it would be an acrobatics skill check. If there is a need for anything related to flying, I imagine a Fly Feat could be used to allow a character to use acrobatics for the check. I still am not in favor of that.

I have noticed that a large number of suggestions that are ignored are those suggestions that would radically change something. The key to PFRPG is it is supposed to remain compatible with 3.5e. Radical changes would make this difficult to impossible. Right now, a few hit points, feats, and basic skill realignment pretty much convert older material for use. Too big of a change means major work for DMs & pretty much bypasses the intention of the design.

I have suggested before on another thread, I think Init should be a Ref check. It is after all a reaction thing, which is what is covered under Ref saves.

Montalve wrote:

?_?
no ride skill?
where did the horses and the knights went? :S

well... welcome to 'La Resistance!'

and yes kudos to Paizo

It sounds like I'm making it up, but after a careful study of the rules it appears that mounts only provide a bonus ability now in 4E. Each monster provides an extra ability. Riding is apparently automatic except for a falling flying mount that can use an Athletics check to pull out.

There is also no skill to pilot all the vehicles introduced in the magic and item book either. I used Nature for ride since handle animal was under it but that was not satisfying.

I played 4E for four months without realizing the skill was missing because no PC could yet afford a mount. When they bought riding horses I thought I'd have a little fun with Riding checks to control the non-war riding horses in combat.

And I sat in stunned silence when I realized the skill was missing. I'd never noticed it before.

It seemed really odd because I'd seen it Ride used as a skill challenge in Star Wars Saga to great effect (I swiped it for McWoD). To just see the skill pulled seemed, in my opinion, to indicate a real lack of playtesting.

So I have higher hopes for Pathfinder. Since the playtesting isn't completely being done in secret.

I'm still excited about Pathfinder.

That is a fine example of the problem I have with 4e. They have removed all of the skills & rules that helped run allot of non-combat encounters. Some classes, as previously written, weren't JUST about combat. Now, in 4e, all classes are combat monkeys with just a different style of combat. Good for s computer game or wargame. Lousy for a ROLEPLAYING game.

initiative link to level:

fighter-classes (high BAB):+1/2 level
medium BAB : +1/3 lvl
low BAB : +1/4 lvl

Close to my idea, but I still think just using the existing Ref Save is best. Jason could put in a Middle Save progression, but that may cause a big stink in the backwards compatibility.

To all of those that welcomed me....Thank You.

Another reason I am still excited is that allot of the rules in the Beta are really close to house rules I have been using for a number of years. It is funny that when I posted some of them on the WotC forums, I was told they ruined the balance of the game. Now I see myself partially vindicated.

I still very excited. Planning on starting a new campaign based on the PFRPG rules, leading into a converted Red Hand of Doom. I have looked at 4e very hard. It looks to be a nice system, BUT it doesn't FEEL like D&D to me. I plan on stealing some things from it, but hey, doesn't every good DM do that? LOL

There is a simpler remedy that doesn't tax the skill points & lets initiative improve with level. Initiative is a REFLEX thing. Why not make Initiative equal to a Ref save?

I would let Rangers get just bonus combat feats at the appropriate levels. Since there is no real benefit from the style other than what you get from the feats to begin with.