The Beginner Box

Thursday, May 5, 2011

For many months now, a good portion of the staff here at Paizo has been slaving away in secret, working on a project that has only been mentioned in hushed tones and vague inferences. While its existence has become common knowledge, few outside the halls of Paizo know much about this rumored product. Well, the time for secrecy is over! Now it is time to take our first look at the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Beginner Box!

Personally, I have wanted to do this project since the early days of the Pathfinder RPG. A beginner set not unlike this one is what got me into gaming over 20 years ago. While I can't go into all the details of this impressive box just yet, it is time to give you some of the basic details about what to expect from the Beginner Box and what it will contain.

First off, this box is designed to contain everything that a new gamer needs to begin playing the Pathfinder RPG, from dice and pawns to a simplified rules set and an exciting starter adventure. There are enough rules in this box to take characters all the way up to 5th level, and plenty of tools for the GM to create countless hours of play. But that's not all. Take a look at this list of components.

  • A 64-page Hero's Handbook, detailing character creation, spells, equipment, and general rules for playing the game
  • A 96-page Game Master's Guide packed with adventures, monsters, magical treasures, and advice on how to narrate the game and control the challenges faced by the heroes
  • A complete set of 7 high-impact polyhedral dice
  • More than 80 full-color pawns depicting tons of heroes, monsters, and even a fearsome black dragon
  • Four pregenerated character sheets to throw you right into the action
  • Four blank character sheets to record the statistics and deeds of your custom-made hero
  • A durable, reusable, double-sided Flip-Mat play surface that works with any kind of marker

Suffice it to say, that is a lot to pack into one box. I am going to have a lot more to say about this particular product in the coming months (especially during the banquet at this year's PaizoCon). Until then.

Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer

More Paizo Blog.
Tags: Pathfinder Roleplaying Game
51 to 100 of 146 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | next > last >>
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

Kevin Andrew Murphy wrote:
Will the bound books in the box be added as PDFs to subscribers downloads? Ditto character sheets? Ditto tokens?

I can't talk about the box set specifically, but I *can* tell you that the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Subscription, of which this is a part, says this:

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Subscription wrote:
As a subscriber benefit, we'll throw in a FREE PDF of each product that you'll be able to download immediately after we ship your subscriber copy.

The Exchange RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16

seekerofshadowlight wrote:

We all know Paizo likes to use Icons on the covers they use in products. Based off the four lined up icons on the side of the box we are getting: Mage, Rogue, Cleric and Fighter, and human and elf as races at least.

"Mage"?

And I would guess that either Harsk or some other dwarf will be showing up somewhere. Can't have a D&D-style game without elves and dwarves.

I also hope that either the iconic monk, or else some other non-Caucasian-skinned characters, feature prominently.

Paizo Employee Chief Creative Officer, Publisher

AlanM wrote:
Hmmm, if this is part of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Subscription, does that mean no Bestiary 3 this year? That would be too bad if that's the case...

Please note that we've only announced products through October of this year. Any products due in November or December will not be announced for about another month or two.

Starting at some nebulous point in the future, we'll be going back to product announcements in roughly 3-month batches. We've been doing them monthly to go with a change in the way our book distributor requests this info, but it's caused me no end of headaches and I'm very eager to get back to the old system for a litany of reasons too boring to go into a thread like this.

Contributor

thebluecanary wrote:
Why is this cool? Isn't it just a dumb down version of the main game?

Even if this was just "a dumbed down version of the main game," which it isn't, this is a cool product because you can hand it to a beginner and say, "here's *everything* you need to get started playing Pathfinder." And they won't boggle at having to read the 576-page Core Rulebook just to "get started"... and won't also have to buy a flip-mat, dice, and miniatures.

It'll be a great product for teenagers. Or college students. Anyone you know who *could* be a gamer, but doesn't have an all-in-one-box game to hook them.

Liberty's Edge

joela wrote:
Anyone else thinkin' usin' the box set as the beginnin' of their E5+ campaign?

Do you have something against the letter 'g'? ;P

Dark Archive

Will the two booklets have new artwork in them?


I can't tell for certain, but from the picture, it looks like it's a dark blue box, which is a crazy awesome detail for an old 'blue boxer' like myself.

Best wishes for the launch.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

The description of this sounds almost exactly like the 3.5 Starter Kit. I guess when a formula works, you don't mess with it. :)

Liberty's Edge

I am looking forward to the Beginner Box. So, I will wait for any further announcements with anticipation.

Sovereign Court

5th level?

It seems like this is missing a great opportunity to have a product that can be firmly utilized around E6 play.

Not to say that it would be officially an E6 game, but that a group of players could just have this set, exclaim "we are playing E6!" and have this set be the horizon around which the game runs.


Mok wrote:

5th level?

It seems like this is missing a great opportunity to have a product that can be firmly utilized around E6 play.

Not to say that it would be officially an E6 game, but that a group of players could just have this set, exclaim "we are playing E6!" and have this set be the horizon around which the game runs.

If I remember well, in an other thred it was explained that they won't go beyond 5th lever in a beguinner kit, because some rules get more complex beyond that point, and would take up more book space. I.E. BAB allowing multi attack.

Grand Lodge

+1 to Paizo!!! Now throw in a case of Mountain Dew and it is on!!!!!!
World Domination!!!! hahahahahha

Lantern Lodge

Evil Lincoln wrote:
Matthew Morris wrote:
(I don't know why, but I always picture Ms. Frasier being about 5' nothing and 98 lbs soaking wet. Never been able to make it out to Seattle to say hi)
In truth, she is 6'5" and build like a weightlifter. I've seen her fold pennies with her fingers. Better watch what you say about her...

Nah, she can't be 6'5" because she is *significantly* shorter than I am. And the penny folding has never really impressed me as much as the origami she does with nickels and quarters.

Its actually kind of like working with a shaved badger.

Minus the shaving.

And less badger and more Wonder Woman.

Silver Crusade

Evil Lincoln wrote:
Matthew Morris wrote:
(I don't know why, but I always picture Ms. Frasier being about 5' nothing and 98 lbs soaking wet. Never been able to make it out to Seattle to say hi)
In truth, she is 6'5" and build like a weightlifter. I've seen her fold pennies with her fingers. Better watch what you say about her...

You know, as her fiance, I feel the need to speak up here on her behalf. Noone sees her in the same light as I do and I get to see her true self... which is 3'12", green, has a maniacal laugh and a penchant for fire. Also, she has the cutest ears. =)

Contributor

Sara Marie wrote:

Nah, she can't be 6'5" because she is *significantly* shorter than I am. And the penny folding has never really impressed me as much as the origami she does with nickels and quarters.

Its actually kind of like working with a shaved badger.

Minus the shaving.

And less badger and more Wonder Woman.

Man this explains the letters of approval from the Guild of Calamitous Intent. I thought it was just junk mail!

Sovereign Court

Why is it always a Black Dragon in these sets? I think it was a Black Dragon all the way back in 1992's Dragon Quest!

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber
cappadocius wrote:
Why is it always a Black Dragon in these sets? I think it was a Black Dragon all the way back in 1992's Dragon Quest!

You realize you just asked why a Paizo product bears similarities to older edition products, right? :)


Awesome news guys. Congratulations!


cappadocius wrote:
Why is it always a Black Dragon in these sets? I think it was a Black Dragon all the way back in 1992's Dragon Quest!

For one thing Black Dragons are good fit both power wise, size wise, and environment wise. The swamp living aspect makes them a bit more creepy without being totally remote (a mountain) or having to explain how come people don't bump into it more (planes, forest, coast).

White dragons are just to dumb and remote, and small, to be good BBEG dragons.


This looks like a truly great idea for bringing in new players.


Mordo wrote:
Mok wrote:

5th level?

It seems like this is missing a great opportunity to have a product that can be firmly utilized around E6 play.

Not to say that it would be officially an E6 game, but that a group of players could just have this set, exclaim "we are playing E6!" and have this set be the horizon around which the game runs.

If I remember well, in an other thred it was explained that they won't go beyond 5th lever in a beginner kit, because some rules get more complex beyond that point, and would take up more book space. I.E. BAB allowing multi attack.

Also, having it be E6 (rather than E5) would be more important if there were a sorcerer class in the set, for instance. Out of the cleric, rogue, fighter and wizard, only the fighter gets something particularly interesting at level 6.


Question, if you can answer it, will it be more like Holmes which lead players to AD&D by design? or more like BECMI and stand alone as a game in itself, a more simplified Pathfinder, taking characters to high levels with more releases?


You guys can't be making a profit off of this - so much stuff for such a low price point!

Either the margins are wafer-thin, or you're not gaining any money (perhaps even losing money) on this in the hopes of reigning in more customers for the rest of the PF line. That, or you're employing slave labor down in the RPG mines to keep manufacturing costs low.

Also, I'm glad it comes with high-impact dice, for all of my maximum velocity rolling I do.

Liberty's Edge Contributor

'Rixx wrote:
That, or you're employing slave labor down in the RPG mines to keep manufacturing costs low.

Cost issues aside, understand that Paizo treats its employees incredibly well. The general company attitude is very "pro-creative" and even in crunch times like this there's a strong element of care and camaraderie from the CEO on down.

Or, to be a little more poetic: The secret ingredient in every Paizo product is love.


very nice, we so need one of these things for new people to pick up and get into too. Take that 4e!


Erik Mona wrote:

... at some nebulous point in the future...

Are we there yet?

Paizo Employee Director of Game Design

As one of the GMs around here, let me assure all of you that my secret ingredient is spite. It makes all of my adventures that much more evil.

Jason


I cannot see much appeal to a beginner if the content of the box is just normal Pathfinder wih all its tedious overcomplicated rules but only for the first 5 levels. What a beginner set really would need is a extremely simplified version and low rule complexity.

Liberty's Edge Contributor

Jason Bulmahn wrote:

As one of the GMs around here, let me assure all of you that my secret ingredient is spite. It makes all of my adventures that much more evil.

Jason

Yes, Jason, but you LOVE being evil, and that loves drives you to work harder every day to make your evil products that much better and give them opportunity to to succeed. You're basically the sweet, kindly, snuggly mama duck of evil.

Paizo Employee Director of Game Design

Enpeze wrote:
I cannot see much appeal to a beginner if the content of the box is just normal Pathfinder wih all its tedious overcomplicated rules but only for the first 5 levels. What a beginner really needs is a extremely simplified version with fewer rules.

Perhaps you missed the bit about a simplified rules set.

Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing

Paizo Employee Director of Game Design

Crystal Frasier wrote:
...sweetly, kind, snuggly mama duck of evil.

You will pay for that.....

Jason

Liberty's Edge Contributor

Jason Bulmahn wrote:
Crystal Frasier wrote:
...sweetly, kind, snuggly mama duck of evil.

You will pay for that.....

Jason

You can't hurt me! I am apparently a 3-foot tall shaved badger who folds pennies with her fingers.


Jason Bulmahn wrote:
Enpeze wrote:
I cannot see much appeal to a beginner if the content of the box is just normal Pathfinder wih all its tedious overcomplicated rules but only for the first 5 levels. What a beginner really needs is a extremely simplified version with fewer rules.

Perhaps you missed the bit about a simplified rules set.

Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing

ok, I apologize if this is true and will take a look into it. Thanks for the correction.

Paizo Employee Director of Game Design

Enpeze wrote:
ok, I apologize if this is true and will take a look into it. Thanks for the correction.

No worries at all. I am here to keep things clear.

Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing


One question: if the rule set is simplified, how is the NPC and monster stat blocks and CR of the current APs and modules compatible?


Are spite and clarity just forms of love?

And can we please see a bigger picture?

Silver Crusade

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
Enpeze wrote:
One question: if the rule set is simplified, how is the NPC and monster stat blocks and CR of the current APs and modules compatible?

It's magic!

Paizo Employee Director of Game Design

Mairkurion {tm} wrote:

Are spite and clarity just forms of love?

And can we please see a bigger picture?

Yes and yes (go to the product page and click on the image)

Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing

The Exchange

This is a great move by Paizo. I don't think I'll be buying it but this isn't really targeted at me. Personally, I don't think the box is red enough.


kingpin wrote:
This is a great move by Paizo. I don't think I'll be buying it but this isn't really targeted at me. Personally, I don't think the box is red enough.

With only 64p rules I think its VERY red :)


You had me at "The". :)


Jason Bulmahn wrote:

As one of the GMs around here, let me assure all of you that my secret ingredient is spite. It makes all of my adventures that much more evil.

Jason

There's a reason you have a pile of spite tokens on your desk....


Liz Courts wrote:
Sara Marie wrote:

Nah, she can't be 6'5" because she is *significantly* shorter than I am. And the penny folding has never really impressed me as much as the origami she does with nickels and quarters.

Its actually kind of like working with a shaved badger.

Minus the shaving.

And less badger and more Wonder Woman.

Man this explains the letters of approval from the Guild of Calamitous Intent. I thought it was just junk mail!

Crystal knows the Sovereign?! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Which brings up the question: Is she an employee at Paizo, or just deepcover arching someone?

Jason Bulmahn wrote:
Crystal Frasier wrote:
...sweetly, kind, snuggly mama duck of evil.
You will pay for that....

OOOO! Great idea for Bulmahn's tattoo... now we just need to get him drunk at Paizocon.

Dark Archive

Marc Radle wrote:
joela wrote:
Anyone else thinkin' usin' the box set as the beginnin' of their E5+ campaign?
Do you have something against the letter 'g'? ;P

Aw yah makin' fun of me accent ahen!?! ^_^

Dark Archive

joethelawyer wrote:
Question, if you can answer it, will it be more like Holmes which lead players to AD&D by design? or more like BECMI and stand alone as a game in itself, a more simplified Pathfinder, taking characters to high levels with more releases?

IIRC, at least one Paizo staff member implied the beginner characters are compatible to the Core Rulebook.

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

Crystal Frasier wrote:
The secret ingredient in every Paizo product is love.

Also, we mix a few drops of Gene Simmons' blood into the red ink.

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

'Rixx wrote:
That, or you're employing slave labor down in the RPG mines to keep manufacturing costs low.

They prefer to be called "interns." (We have a current opening!)

Grand Lodge

Ambrosia Slaad wrote:
OOOO! Great idea for Bulmahn's tattoo... now we just need to get him drunk at Paizocon.

Hmmm.... lofty goals.


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

Just have to say I'm very excited about this product, looks awesome. I can't wait for the banquet.

And I, for one, never used the red box or blue box. My first D&D book had a pegasus and a red dragon on it.


A question the answer to which I hope isn't locked down: will the simplified rules variants be considered open content?

51 to 100 of 146 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Paizo Products / Beginner Box / Paizo Blog: The Beginner Box All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.