So I'm sure everyone has noticed the way Pathfinder notes fractions. For example, for some things it's "1/2" but for others it's "1 for every 2."
This (along with seeing someone somewhere say as much) led me to assume that Pathfinder rounds fractions (the former expression) up, while not doing so for written-out (the latter) expressions.
This, however, is not the case (as stated by one small line in the CRB), which brings up the question of "Why consistently use two separate methods of notation if they mean the same?" Is it simply lack of communication? Was it initially meant to be different but changed somewhere along the way? I was under the impression that books need to keep their word count down, so why ever write it out when a fraction will suffice?
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Unless specified otherwise, you always round down in Pathfinder. The difference in wording is very likely for clarity purposes.
The differences also come up with favored class bonuses. If something says you gain one use a day for every two levels, and you have a favored class bonus that gives you +1/2 a use a day, then you still can't use the favored class bonus to complete halves on odd levels, as the former wording never gives you "one half of a use".
From what I recall, aren't fractions generally used in line items (like entries in a table) whereas when something is spelled out fully in paragraph form (such as class features) they generally use the "every n levels" phrasing.
It's likely because "we can devote this many column inches to fleshing out a class feature to make it entirely clear" but things like tables are more space limited.
When you're introducing a feature like "how weapon training works" you want to be as clear and explicit as possible and "every n levels" has the advantage of avoiding the question of "how you round fractions."
Just a different way to phrase the same thing and they can use which one flows better.
* where is 1/2 used outside of FCB?
Just a different way to phrase the same thing and they can use which one flows better.
* where is 1/2 used outside of FCB?
Things like adding '1/2 of class level' instead of adding '+1 for every 2 class levels.'
so we have. 1/2, half, and 1 for every two
Yeah, it looks like just wording and space. My guess is you'll see strong correlation between wording used and what is or the author and which is used. they all mean the same.
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There was a post a couple years ago I believe where it was clarified that not all wording used is parallel even if the mechanics behind them are. This is to keep rules text from getting stale and repetitive.
There was a post a couple years ago I believe where it was clarified that not all wording used is parallel even if the mechanics behind them are. This is to keep rules text from getting stale and repetitive.
So they actually said they write poorly and confusingly on purpose so that people reading through the rules won't get bored? That's insane.
There was a post a couple years ago I believe where it was clarified that not all wording used is parallel even if the mechanics behind them are. This is to keep rules text from getting stale and repetitive.So they actually said they write poorly and confusingly on purpose so that people reading through the rules won't get bored? That's insane.
Afraid so.
No, what's insane is that words may or may not be referencing rules when they are used. And may mean something other than what they say.
It's only tangentially related, but multiplying also has some unique rules in Pathfinder, too.
Namely: doubling. If you double, and then double again, your final value is 300% original value instead of 400%.
Yeah, a little confusing, but what it means is you double the original twice rather than double it and then double the result. A better way to note that would be to increase by 100% rather than double.
There was a post a couple years ago I believe where it was clarified that not all wording used is parallel even if the mechanics behind them are. This is to keep rules text from getting stale and repetitive.
I remember this, and I understood it, but I don't like it.
If they had some manner of standardised notation, say S for spell level, C for class level, L for character level, H for Hit Dice and so on, this could all be condensed into simple formulae. Other RPGs do this. But as Stephen Hawking said, every equation in a book will halve its sales, so I can see why they might not.
don't assume different syntax has any intent behind it, the dev team is a TEAM, and hires a lot of people to write stuff for them. They all work the same way.
It's only tangentially related, but multiplying also has some unique rules in Pathfinder, too.
Namely: doubling. If you double, and then double again, your final value is 300% original value instead of 400%.
that's because it assumes multiplication is actually additive.
when it says double, it means add the thing again, so when you double it a second time, you add it again, a second time.