Lead Designer
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With the Leadership feat and monster cohorts from the bestiaries, the cohort level for such monsters are usually grossly above the monsters' individual CRs. I was wondering what exactly the idea was behind that design decision.
Is it simply to give the option but discourage taking it because monsters should stay exotic, or is it an actual power level balance issue?
(I can see how a part of the CR of an NPC with class levels comes from gear, while with a monster all the CR comes from the monster itself, so the gear that an NPC would need is calculated into that CR)
Its a power balance issue. CR is supposed to represent a challenge for four PCs of that level. If we gave you a cohort close to your CR that would be a huge power upgrade for the cost of a single feat.
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Lead Designer
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Jason if you saw a 3pp book that was effectively a giant book of new classes for pathfinder, what would you think?
Designing classes is really tricky business. If a 3pp actually managed to pull of a huge book of them, and the majority had a good conceptual niche and rules niche, I'd be really impressed.
If you could pic 10 monsters from movies/TV shows to have in pathfinder, what would they be?
They can be anything even if copyrighted.
So, I understand if you don't want to talk about it yet, but I'm really hoping that the Swashbuckler actually uses the Grit class feature and doesn't have that ability renamed to something else, like how the ninja uses the monk's ki system. I really like the idea of making a swashbuckler and then taking the No Name grit feat in order to make a character with flavors of Zorro. ;-)
Edit: Oh, crap. I need to ask a question, don't I? Um ... in your current campaign, the one with shades of Razmir's Cult in it, how many players use a custom miniature to represent their character? Like, a miniature especially purchased and/or painted just to serve in your campaign? What's the racial breakdown of that party?
I'm not sure how much you had to do with the iconic characters, but here goes:
How did the iconic Pathfinder characters of the CRB come about? Before the art orders went out, did you already have a character concept? Did you know their sex, race, background story, etc.? Or was that all put together once the artists sent back their creations?
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Lead Designer
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If you could pic 10 monsters from movies/TV shows to have in pathfinder, what would they be?
They can be anything even if copyrighted.
Hmmm
The Xenomorph from Alien
Ring Wraiths
Hobbits (not a monster, but I still want to have them in the game)
Those bat guys that liquified you from Beastmaster
The wolf from the neverending story
Dementors
Weeping Angels
Most of the Bugs from Starship Troopers
The beholder from Big Trouble in Little China
Skeksis from Dark Crystal
Many of those have analogs in the game already.. but that would be my list.
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Lead Designer
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Edit: Oh, crap. I need to ask a question, don't I? Um ... in your current campaign, the one with shades of Razmir's Cult in it, how many players use a custom miniature to represent their character? Like, a miniature especially purchased and/or painted just to serve in your campaign? What's the racial breakdown of that party?
Of the five players in my game, 3 use a painted mini, 2 use prepaints.
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Lead Designer
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I'm not sure how much you had to do with the iconic characters, but here goes:
How did the iconic Pathfinder characters of the CRB come about? Before the art orders went out, did you already have a character concept? Did you know their sex, race, background story, etc.? Or was that all put together once the artists sent back their creations?
We generally just give Wayne, the Sex, Race, Ethnicity, and a brief about the class and let him work his magic. There we some additional detail with the CRB iconics, but those were actually ordered by the Pathfinder Adventure Path Team before work on the CRB was fully underway.
How did you feel when the Iconic Ranger wasn't an archer or two weapon fighter?
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Lead Designer
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Hi.
Have you been annoyed by people compalins about FAQS?
Nope, we expect that as part of the process. Whenever a rule changes, some folks are not going to agree. Ultimately we are trying to do what is best for the rules system and that is not always going to be popular, especially when we fix a broken toy.
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Lead Designer
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Jason what is your stance on dwarfs vrs elves?
I like both in my game and think that when used together offer a good point/counter point for the game. I usually play off dwarves as all about industry, progress, and greed whereas elves are about nature, the old ways, and and society. Together they offer competing views of civilization wherein humans are a blend of the two.
So... I like both.
What's your next project for Minotaur Games?
Do you plan on releasing any tie ins to the Advanced Class Guide or Ultimate Strategy when they're released?
I spotted the following item on Drive-Thru RPG: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/0/Name-Not-Found?products_id=120999&a mp;src=sub
Is this company licensed to use Paizo intellectual property and publish its own content on Golarion, such as Shaonti and Storval Plateau?
They are not.
They are not.I spotted the following item on Drive-Thru RPG: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/0/Name-Not-Found?products_id=120999&a mp;src=sub
Is this company licensed to use Paizo intellectual property and publish its own content on Golarion, such as Shaonti and Storval Plateau?
I was working on an email about this earlier but got called away for jack o'lantern duty before I could figure out who to send it to. I was hoping it was simply a matter of ignorance, but with the matching title font (Sabre), similar page background, in addition to the content, it's a pretty blatant violation of IP.
I've found a case where another 3PP has attempted to profit off the look and feel of Pathfinder's products. Who should I send the details to?
They are not.I spotted the following item on Drive-Thru RPG: http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/0/Name-Not-Found?products_id=120999&a mp;src=sub
Is this company licensed to use Paizo intellectual property and publish its own content on Golarion, such as Shaonti and Storval Plateau?
Much as I hate to add to the thread derailment:
The publisher has replied to the comments on the DTRPG page, and it really does look like an honest mistake from assuming the OGL covered a lot more than it does. He's also offered to withdraw it if there's any issues so someone from Paizo may want to get in touch (hopefully it's a case of catching it early enough that no harm is done!)
You guys should consider taking it to private e-mail.
Sorry for any impression I was trying to be underhanded here.
I know I don't think that, so hopefully nobody else does either :)
It's very easy to make mistakes with the OGL, especially where the Product Identity clause is concerned.
Actually, it would have *probably* (I can't say 100%, hopefully someone from Paizo can confirm) been absolutely fine if released under Paizo's Community Use Policy rather than the OGL+Compatibility License (which would also mean making it a zero-cost download, though)
(and yeah, this is getting off-topic for this thread, but please make a new forum post somewhere if you want a hand making sure your work meets with the OGL or any other license, we tend to be a helpful bunch and the Paizo staff themselves will likely chip in too that way if they see anything that's likely to be a problem)
Have you ever visited the Paizo Chat?
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I have a question:
Why do you keep trying so hard to be like me? We both know that it's not gonna happen.
Its cool, Cosmo. Jason will only ever get blamed for problems in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game while you will get blamed for absolutely everything else.
Hey Jason!
Hopefully this is an appropriate question, but it is something that has been bugging me. Have you guys thought about creating a version of the 'Natural Spell' feat that isn't limited to just Wild Shaping Druids?
The list of shapeshifting characters has been getting a lot longer lately, and it seems odd that out of all of them only druids can (easily) cast spells while in an animal form. Is this an intended 'feature' of druids, or just a case of an early feat being too specific in it's requirements?
1) What is worse? Questions regarding Bastard Swords or armor spikes?
2) Question regarding Bastard Sword + armor spikes = Pathfinder Design Team on sick leave?
Its cool, Cosmo. Jason will only ever get blamed for problems in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game while you will get blamed for absolutely everything else.I have a question:
Why do you keep trying so hard to be like me? We both know that it's not gonna happen.
I'm not sure which is worse ;)
Jason, do you play Monks at all and what is your feeling on them. Do you like them Eastern or any of the other numerous real-world types. How do you find your happiness with the character at higher levels?
Apologies if I asked this before...I can't find it if I did.
(Personally, I love the monk as is...even without archetypes.)
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Jason, I'm curious (in fact, I'm asking this in a couple of threads!)
When you play a session of your home campaign (or are playing in someone else's home campaign) are you able to 'turn off the professional game designer' in you and just have fun or is a part of you always observing and evaluating rules and such?
Jason, I'm curious (in fact, I'm asking this in a couple of threads!)
When you play a session of your home campaign (or are playing in someone else's home campaign) are you able to 'turn off the professional game designer' in you and just have fun or is a part of you always observing and evaluating rules and such?
As a sort of continuation of this. Has anyone ever argued a rule with you during a game? I have to assume most people defer to your rulings at the table, but I am wondering if someone ever challenged you on a pahtfinder rule question during play?
I have a question:
Why do you keep trying so hard to be like me? We both know that it's not gonna happen.
In my drowsiness, I read that as "Why do you keep trying to be hard like me?" I'm imagining Cosmo as this West Coast gangsta with a white tank top, bandana, and rottweiler that works at Paizo. :)
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Lead Designer
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Hey Jason!
Hopefully this is an appropriate question, but it is something that has been bugging me. Have you guys thought about creating a version of the 'Natural Spell' feat that isn't limited to just Wild Shaping Druids?
The list of shapeshifting characters has been getting a lot longer lately, and it seems odd that out of all of them only druids can (easily) cast spells while in an animal form. Is this an intended 'feature' of druids, or just a case of an early feat being too specific in it's requirements?
Its an intended druid feature and not something we necessarily want to propagate.
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Lead Designer
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Jason, do you play Monks at all and what is your feeling on them. Do you like them Eastern or any of the other numerous real-world types. How do you find your happiness with the character at higher levels?
Apologies if I asked this before...I can't find it if I did.
(Personally, I love the monk as is...even without archetypes.)
I have played monks, although admittedly not at very high levels. I generally avoid eastern influences in my game, but that is more of a personal preference than a guiding design philosophy.
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Lead Designer
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Jason, I'm curious (in fact, I'm asking this in a couple of threads!)
When you play a session of your home campaign (or are playing in someone else's home campaign) are you able to 'turn off the professional game designer' in you and just have fun or is a part of you always observing and evaluating rules and such?
It takes some work, and I will call out big rules errors, but I generally let the smaller stuff slide. Its better to have a smooth, fun game, than a technically accurate but argumentative session. I do note mistakes and issues as something to look at when I am "on the clock".
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Lead Designer
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As a sort of continuation of this. Has anyone ever argued a rule with you during a game? I have to assume most people defer to your rulings at the table, but I am wondering if someone ever challenged you on a pahtfinder rule question during play?Jason, I'm curious (in fact, I'm asking this in a couple of threads!)
When you play a session of your home campaign (or are playing in someone else's home campaign) are you able to 'turn off the professional game designer' in you and just have fun or is a part of you always observing and evaluating rules and such?
I get some arguments. Not too many. Occasionally, I am even wrong, which tends to happen due to the number of rules variants for the same rule floating around in my head (3.0, 3.5, Alpha, Beta, and final game variants.. not to mention things that never made it into any sort of print).
Can we get some spoilers from the ACG, like is the Warpriest a full BAB class and may we know anything about one or two of the other four classes?
Please, Please, Please, with sugar on top :)
edit: With beer on top ;)
edit 2: and with Smorgasbord!!!
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Some of those have been borderline ridiculous.. ugh.1) What is worse? Questions regarding Bastard Swords or armor spikes?
2) Question regarding Bastard Sword + armor spikes = Pathfinder Design Team on sick leave?
Borderline? Seems the rules-section of the messageboard posters need to step up their game.
Hey now, not everyone is bad. It's just that very vocal people have come out of the woodwork.
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Hey Jason,
So my group is not a big fan of wild shape (3.5 or PF versions) so we offer as an alternative the Fey Creature template using Druid level in place of HD (and acquiring it at 4th level). It hasn't come up in play yet but likely will be soon. I was wondering if you consider it to be too weak or powerful a replacement?
So I asked James about how to get Wayne Reynolds to have a messageboard presence and it led to me asking about James's history for inspiration for roleplaying games via the oft-remarkable art (WAR as a present, DAT as my favorite old-school). See this post.
How has the fantastical art of fantasy gaming inspired you or just stoked your passion for the hobby/lifestyle that is rpging?
Gotta ask the Creative Director, but it follows that you're gonna have to ask the Lead Designer, as well.
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Hey Jason,
So my group is not a big fan of wild shape (3.5 or PF versions) so we offer as an alternative the Fey Creature template using Druid level in place of HD (and acquiring it at 4th level). It hasn't come up in play yet but likely will be soon. I was wondering if you consider it to be too weak or powerful a replacement?
Not Jason, but I love the flavor of that. Sounds like fun.
Jason, I have started a poll over in general:
How many rounds does a typical encounter last for your group?
How many encounters per in-game "day"?
How many encounters per gaming session?
And for you devs:
How many of each do you design a AP for?
Finally do you mind if I include your answers in my poll?
What was the process that you guys went through for selecting the classes for the ACG?