I'm not a beginner when it comes to Pathfinder, so I'm not sure how much use I would get out of this. However, I do have to say that I like what I see in the preview. I really like the way the monster stat blocks are done. They look nice, are broken up well, and look very easy to read.
-Kcinlive
The Kyra PDF doesn't seem to be working...
Should be working now! Sorry about the confusion there :)
I love the streamlined rules! It all seems to work almost exactly the same way, but much more easy to understand. If you guys were going to do a Pathfinder "2nd edition" (or even something like a 1.5 edition) I would love to see it look a lot like this.
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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Is the Ogre supposed to have an init of +9? With a Dex mod of -1, even with improved initiative, I can only see a +3 (and I'm pretty sure he doesn't have that feat). Of course, maybe the basic game does something different with Init based on reach, or some other change to the base rules for it.
Looking good. The only thing I noted as something I'd like to see is an action type directly printed with each ability. So, something like Rebuke Death [SA] or Rebuke Death [Standard]. For abilities that don't require an action, like Improved Initiative, it could have [NA] or [None]. I know there's a summary of action types on the left-hand side, but having the action type directly with the action (as it is with the monster attacks) would be really good for younger players I think. Unfortunately I'm sure with the October ship date, this is not an option. I could see rebuilding the character sheets as a separate piece to add it however.
OH NO the monster stats look like 4e statblocks it's over Gary is rolling in his grave the end of the world 1 star out of 5 cancel subscriptions I was betrayed oh wait that's actually a pretty sweet looking statblock there, sold!
I'm fairly certain Gary didn't like 3rd edition because he felt things were too complicated. With his rules, monsters could be described in two sentences. (Orc, 2HD, AC 15, +5 Axe 1d12.)
I like the simplified monster layout. It is very similar to the monster notes I use for games.
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OH NO the monster stats look like 4e statblocks it's over Gary is rolling in his grave the end of the world 1 star out of 5 cancel subscriptions I was betrayed oh wait that's actually a pretty sweet looking statblock there, sold!I'm fairly certain Gary didn't like 3rd edition because he felt things were too complicated. With his rules, monsters could be described in two sentences. (Orc, 2HD, AC 15, +5 Axe 1d12.)
I like the simplified monster layout. It is very similar to the monster notes I use for games.
I'm very curious as to what the OSR crowd will say about the Box.
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OH NO the monster stats look like 4e statblocks it's over Gary is rolling in his grave the end of the world 1 star out of 5 cancel subscriptions I was betrayed oh wait that's actually a pretty sweet looking statblock there, sold!I'm fairly certain Gary didn't like 3rd edition because he felt things were too complicated. With his rules, monsters could be described in two sentences. (Orc, 2HD, AC 15, +5 Axe 1d12.)
I like the simplified monster layout. It is very similar to the monster notes I use for games.
Gary liked seeing his ideas grow and expand as each edition came out. While he did not agree with each and everything that was presented through each edition he did support each one in his own way. Same with Dave. I know Dave continued to play and even taught using D&D in some ways too.
Now on a personal note. Having played about 37 years now, going through each and every edition of D&D and now Pathfinder too... with Pathfinder through Alpha, Beta and now the actual rule sets and all the books for the most part. I love the box set and am truly looking forward to it. The teaser for the Box set... I have to say I am MORE then impressed! I look forward to receiving it as part of my subscription.
I got some grand kids and friends kids that would absolutely love this!! Teaching newer players will be easier too. (NEW to RPG's that is :) )
Pathfinder in and of itself in my opinion is fairly easy to learn and have taught many new to RPG's how to play but this box set will make it so much easier in many ways.
Thanks! :)
(I guess I am about as old school as one can be without being TOO old hehe) (been playing since 1974 and am only 44) :)
What I most want to see is the Wayne Reynolds cover art without the logo on it. Any chance we can get that posted as a preview?
What I most want to see is the Wayne Reynolds cover art without the logo on it. Any chance we can get that posted as a preview?
I love the streamlined rules! It all seems to work almost exactly the same way, but much more easy to understand. If you guys were going to do a Pathfinder "2nd edition" (or even something like a 1.5 edition) I would love to see it look a lot like this.
I totally agree with Rixx here! Not only for my benefit (because I am still struggling with it), but for those who want to get into the hobby.
I am excited about this box set, especially after we played with two new people (who had never played rpgs before). They did a good job trying to keep up, but they were still not experienced enough to loan them that 500+ rule book and hope they know what to do with it ;)
There really are a number of similarities here with 4E design. Then again, some of the designers involved often work or have worked for both companies. "Play this character if" resembles the 4E design, as do the monster stat blocks. Nothing is inherently wrong about that, though I never liked the former. In any RPG I prefer that space to be used for more details on the class with actual text instead of bullets. I get the point, but I prefer the more recent (Essentials) 4E design that eliminates this.
Mostly we just wanted to give first-time players a sense of what the four major character types were like, and hence what they were about to get into, in as fast and fun a way as possible.
What Erik said. Basically, if you and 4 friends are opening the box for the very first time, it's very handy to have those bullet points on the front of each pregen so you can decide which one you want to play.
Note that the layout was designed by Sarah, who comes from a videogame background and wanted to present the pregen info in easily-digestible chunks.
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Note that the layout was designed by Sarah, who comes from a videogame background and wanted to present the pregen info in easily-digestible chunks.
You
The simplified skill list looks interesting. I'm assuming this is the limited list of skills available in the starter game, and that the starter game does not provide a full listing of skills (including for such strange-sounding or odd-application skills like Fly and Use Magic Device).
[sarcasm]
I'm realy glad to see Knowledge (geography), a critical skill to many classes and builds, rather than Survival, a skill that is confusing in its application and not critical to any character themes.
[/sarcasm]
I might be missing the fact but is the 4e comparison based on just design or is there a gameplay change that I am not seeing?
The comparison people are making must be based on visuals, as the BBox rules work like Pathfinder.
Shouldn't Krya have two more orisons?
Yes, but this is a pregen, and we had limited space (mainly because her channel energy text required 4 lines), so we didn't list all of the orisons she'd normally get. The trick to the pregen is presenting the information the player needs to functionally play that character, and later, when they read the included player book, they'll see they have more options.
Mostly we just wanted to give first-time players a sense of what the four major character types were like, and hence what they were about to get into, in as fast and fun a way as possible.What Erik said. Basically, if you and 4 friends are opening the box for the very first time, it's very handy to have those bullet points on the front of each pregen so you can decide which one you want to play.
Great points. It is tough to balance something being easy to grasp for new players with something that can turn off other players. It's an audience problem and 4E had it, right? Saying things like "Play a dragonborn if you want... to look like a dragon" captured what I didn't like about early 4E design (and I'm a big 4E fan). It took accessibility to a silly level. I mean, I see the picture and the name, I get that my PC would look like a dragon! :-) At the same time, if I look at Eclipse Phase pregens I can say that it takes me too long to figure out what role they play.
It's a hard balance to find. I personally prefer having a few clear titles (things like "Healer and Diplomat") and not oversimplify to that part of the audience that is familiar with RPGs. All this said, I'm just enjoying discussion and I like what I see here!
What I most want to see is the Wayne Reynolds cover art without the logo on it. Any chance we can get that posted as a preview?Right here?
Nope. Unless I'm missing something. He wants (and so do I!) the beginner box art with no text on it (other than the golem in the lower right, I assume). Is it possible to get our hands on that? I'd love that as my wallpaper.
Is someone with only the Beginner Box going to be able to generate a character to play in Pathfinder Society?
Might be a bit of an odd question, but here goes:
What's the font used for the "handwriting" on the character sheet?
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Nope. Unless I'm missing something. He wants (and so do I!) the beginner box art with no text on it (other than the golem in the lower right, I assume). Is it possible to get our hands on that? I'd love that as my wallpaper.What I most want to see is the Wayne Reynolds cover art without the logo on it. Any chance we can get that posted as a preview?Right here?
If you really really want it, I am sure Mr Reynolds would be happy to sell you the original. :)
If you really really want it, I am sure Mr Reynolds would be happy to sell you the original. :)Nope. Unless I'm missing something. He wants (and so do I!) the beginner box art with no text on it (other than the golem in the lower right, I assume). Is it possible to get our hands on that? I'd love that as my wallpaper.What I most want to see is the Wayne Reynolds cover art without the logo on it. Any chance we can get that posted as a preview?Right here?
I suspect the Paizo crew will beat me to that!
I suspect the Paizo crew will beat me to that!
Yup. Just ask Bulmahn. Though I really wish he had hung it some place more respectful than his washroom. Cest la vie.
Chief Technical Officer
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Note that the layout was designed by Sarah, who comes from a videogame background and wanted to present the pregen info in easily-digestible chunks.
To be clear there, Sarah's background is in designing strategy guides for video games, not video games themselves. And that experience improved the Beginner Box much more than you'd imagine. "How we teach you" and "how it looks" are very much intertwined, and there was much more of a collaboration between graphic design and game design than we've ever had in any other product.
Might be a bit of an odd question, but here goes:
What's the font used for the "handwriting" on the character sheet?
I believe that font is called Peter.
Note that the layout was designed by Sarah, who comes from a videogame background and wanted to present the pregen info in easily-digestible chunks.To be clear there, Sarah's background is in designing strategy guides for video games, not video games themselves.
WHAT??? Sarah told me she designed several classic Atari games such as Adventure and Pitfall. And I believed her!!!
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Chief Technical Officer
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WHAT??? Sarah told me she designed several classic Atari games such as Adventure and Pitfall. And I believed her!!!Note that the layout was designed by Sarah, who comes from a videogame background and wanted to present the pregen info in easily-digestible chunks.To be clear there, Sarah's background is in designing strategy guides for video games, not video games themselves.
If you don't know off the top of your head that Adventure was designed by Warren Robinett, you haven't really played that game.
I guess this also means she also didn't invent the invisible dot in the game that unlocks the room with WR's initials.....
Anyway, I am very pleased with how the Beginner Box turned out!
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From thinking I'll give this a miss to going get in one preview. Well done Paizo. Amazing what coolness you guys can come up with when not hobbled by the Ghost of d20 Past. I know PF 2 is a long way off but this Beginners Box shows all your collective Paizo neurons are firing in the right direction when PF 2 is planned in the future.
TSR is dead, Paizo is King, long live the King.
I believe that font is called Peter.Might be a bit of an odd question, but here goes:
What's the font used for the "handwriting" on the character sheet?
Any idea where it's available from? I can't seem to find it (if it's the right one).
I guess this also means she also didn't invent the invisible dot in the game that unlocks the room with WR's initials.....
I rocked Adventure and never found that darned invisible dot I was always hearing about. You mean it's not apocryphal?
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Chief Creative Officer, Publisher
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The monster stats in the Beginner Box just going to be like that for the Beginner Box? Or is that the way monster stats are going to be now?
This is a preview of how monster stats will look in the Beginner Box. The monster stat blocks for things like the Pathfinder Adventure Path and Bestiary 3 will be the standard format we've been using.
This is not a sneak preview of "Pathfinder second edition" or anything beyond a look at what the insides of the Beginner Box will look like.
This is not a sneak preview of "Pathfinder second edition" or anything beyond a look at what the insides of the Beginner Box will look like.
I'm just sayin'
Really easy to run monsters with all their abilities lined up there
Not havin' to worry about hit dice or boat loads of feats
Just sayin'