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Clarification on the interaction of stealth, perception, and switching from exploration to encounter mode. I legit get headaches reading all the back and forth on how it's supposed to be done. I need a flowchart or something because it's way too complicated for my tiny brain right now.
It REALLY bugs my longest player. It used to bug me a long time ago (not PF2E of course, but when similar changes would happen in the past with other RPG stuff), but not so much anymore. But the player I talk about often gripes a bit about how he feels its disheartening to 'know' he'll never be able to do the kinds of things that 'people in the past' used to be able to (he often uses PF1E style magic when describing his vision of Thassilon, and how 'that could never happen now'). How there are so many abilities that people just 'up and lost' one day. I'm working on getting him past it. I think since I'm starting a new campaign, a view of history that fits with current abilities is best, particularly when anyone can have any ability now (ie, NPC creation rules aren't PC creation rules). Double so since history is an imprecise narrator. I'd rather see the fresh innovation and ideas rather than paying continued homage to sacred cows whose time has come and gone, and gripes aside, I'm pretty sure midgame that my players prefer it too, even if some of them grumble occasionally.
Why did everyone know to use Halfling? I'm terrible at these but trying to learn to build better.
Sometime in late October, after the first round of errata is released. Acrobat isn’t being playtested though, and it’s a proper hardcover, hardly a splatbook. The 4 classes will be Investigator, Oracle, Swashbuckler, and Witch. Do we know if Investigator is just a new name for the Inquisitor or not? I was kind of thinking it likely was, with Inquisitor sounding harsh for some of the more good-aligned ones but that could just be me. Swashbuckler should be awesome, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit I'm dying for Witch.
Ravingdork, I apparently (ok, not apparently, I really am) am terrible at picking apart abilities and understanding where they come from. How does Jihiro get 16d6 from Flaming Sphere? Oh oh oh, okay, duh. I was thinking you meant in a single cast and I was all like holy wow I wanna do that lol. Thanks Raving. =)
Ravingdork, I apparently (ok, not apparently, I really am) am terrible at picking apart abilities and understanding where they come from. How does Jihiro get 16d6 from Flaming Sphere?
Oh really? I thought it was strange that all the Generals were available at low level, but I thought it was just because it was a new system. Darn, I didn't need to agonize over that skill feat selection after all lol.
Are there any other places to read more about Casmaron? I read in the Guide about the Minotuar who seiged Absalon, and that really got me interested (especially when they liked TB's recent attack to Voon's also) but I don't know if/where to read more about it? Like stuff about the older ruins, what might have happened, current places, etc? I didn't know if maybe an Adventure Path or other material might have mentioned it?
No no, I get that. What I'm saying is I fear that it doesn't count because it's not just a strike, it's actually a Power Attack or a...Unless I'm misreading, p. 462 agrees with you. If Strike is called for, activities that include a Strike as a subordinate action don't apply. Erm...not entirely? Forgive me, I'm not trying to be dense, I'm actually trying to understand this. Where I guess I'm confused is this line from the book: "Using an activity is not the same as using any of its subordinate actions". Wouldn't the Power Attack be doing exactly that? That's where I'm tripped up? I hope that makes sense.
No no, I get that. What I'm saying is I fear that it doesn't count because it's not just a strike, it's actually a Power Attack or a... Unless I'm misreading, p. 462 agrees with you. If Strike is called for, activities that include a Strike as a subordinate action don't apply.
Do casters do enough damage now to justify waiting around an entire day to get back a handful of spells? With few encounter-enders, I'm thinking it might be a hard sell.
Hi! Sorry to bother you with this rather trivial problem. I was going to update my main forum avatar's pic, but when I got to the screen with the 'Change' button, there's a big warning that someone is already using my avatar name. I thought I could make a new alias and set it as default and take care of the problem, but it didn't change it at all. I can't seem to find a place to change my actual original avatar name nor can I update it's avatar pic either. I'm totally fine with changing the original name since someone else is somehow using it now, as I have no real tie to it if it's helpful. I'm just not sure what to do from here. Thanks for any help!
If my Paladin serves a follower of Sarenrae a delicious bouillabaisse, unaware that the Sarenrite is allergic to shellfish, and they die from anaphylaxis should my Paladin fall? Fall into a bout of depression, maybe. Can you imagine the luck?
I think Goblins are a shoo-in to get picked up by Nocticula. How much more Redeemed can you get?
You know what folks, I have this little festival of hurt feelings we're having right now here in one browser tab and the Facebook PF2 playtest group (which just passed 1.000 people in couple of hours) in the other tab and let me tell you, there's a world of difference when people post under anonymous aliases and when they (mostly) post under their real names in a public group where their friends and family can see their posts. :P That's just the Russian bots. :) (JK, obvs) My thoughts, as if anyone actually cares: Do we actually know that there's more non-standard options going to be available? Like has it been mentioned anywhere or something? Because ~without~ them, it feels (and this is purely subjective on my part) like they're going for the VTT angle that 4E was supposed to take before THE GREAT TRAGEDY. And since 5E dropped the digital implementation ball ~and~ Paizo has experience with publishing online game content now, that's kind of a Blue Ocean for them. I could see it happening, but I don't know if it IS happening. But a lot of the complaints are easily explained from that lens, so I don't know what others think about that thought. Not that that's necessarily bad, 4E was never fully implemented, what DID get implemented had plenty of fun segments (and admittedly a few unfun ones, I'm looking at you samey magick items), and if anyone could do it right it's Paizo, but is it just an illusion caused by wanting to test only the most common archetypes is kind of my question.
Since we're just talking theory, I'd love to see the Summoner in core. To me it is THE draw of the system now - no other game has such an interesting, fun, and versatile class for my tastes. I know there are some ways to game it so it becomes broken as all heck, but that's not the reason I love it (or anything I would ever do). I love having the option of a good background character who isn't averse to hiding behind her BIG FRIEND, for instance, or any of the other nice combinations you can build. And if you play gestalts, rogue and summoner are fun fun fun. Besides, if you can't see the appeal of Mr. Giggles the Hydralisk, I don't know what to tell ya!
It seems Real Life has decided to interfere with my regularly-scheduled year. I need to cancel my subscriptions for the time being please. As I'm not sure when I'll be able to pick them back up, I'll restart them at a later date when possible. Thank you for everything.
Thank you so much Katina! I really appreciate it. Have a great week! =)
Hi, My package was never delivered from the USPS and the numbers that I have for it don't seem to be tracking numbers for USPS.com. The UPS-MI website shows that it was handed off just a couple of days after shipping, but that's the furthest I can get with it. I'm at a loss as to what to do next, and the USPS site seems to indicate I should contact the shipper? Help! =) Thank you!
Nirmathas as Ireland? I guess I can see it. For some reason, somewhere along the way I made an association of Nirmathas=Tennessee and it's been hard to get out of my head ever since. But for the life of me, I can't remember why!
Absolutely beautiful, Ascalaphus! I'm looking forward to getting some approval to playtest this in our freshly-underway RotRL game. One thing: Power Attack is still listed in the 'Changed Feats' section in the 1.1 document as well as the 'Cut Feats' section. Also, I throw in my support for Precise to be rolled into Point-Blank. The two seem to thematically work together to begin with.
Personally, I have no problems with the summoner. As a player/GM who only dabbles in the lightest amount of optimization (and even then only rarely), it works out quite well. I wouldn't let anyone play it who enjoyed optimization though, because it's potential is far and beyond the 'norm'. I might allow it under those circumstances with the 'new' advanced classes coming out, but that remains to be seen. But a flavor-style eidolon instead of a spreadsheet-made combat monster can be an excellent character without robbing the other players at the table of their fun. I guess it comes down to the old standby rule: know your players. ...which would make it darn difficult for PFS, and probably lends to why its so heavily restricted.
You're not the only one 'doing it wrong', but I'll be darned if it doesn't seem like there's few enough of us. I had the distinct misfortune of playing under a DM who had that 'everything is a trap' problem before, although in his case it was 'everything is a Sivak draconian'. Darn annoying, those Sivak draconians. But I'm usually surprised if an NPC or 5 isn't regularly on the PC's must-visit-to-chat list, or joins the party, or is someone that they buy gifts for at Yule and so on. I can't stand the 'everyone but a PC is a DM trap' method of playing, personally. I'm sure it works for some of course, just...not me.
I was just telling one of my players that he should expect to be broke for most of the summer because Paizo is, and I quote, "gunna take ALL da moneyz". ...not that that's a BAD thing, mind you!
You do a good job of covering your bases, so I'll just make a little note: Welcome home. =)
If Ssalarn is right and it is an absolute requirement to use a move action to Handle Animal to get the mount to charge (and from all appearances he's right on that), could this fall under the heading of 'only being allowed to take a standard action' and its resultant variety of charge? That would allow both mount and rider to charge while still fulfilling all the roll requirements, albeit at a reduced distance (as per the Charge rules under Standard Action).
I strongly get the sense we're missing important details here. Any chance of an elaboration, OP? Maybe a 'train of circumstances' to help us get into the mind of the character a bit more? Making a dark pact because of a bad weeks seems to be a serious overreaction to...something. The question is, what?
Okay, I didn't catch that each check was a separate step, so that makes sense (as do all the other clarifications). Thank you so much for the help, and for the guide! I'm loving this game so far, and the other player was one who didn't think it sounded interesting at all when I first ordered it. Then he heard me play a solo scenario from in the other room (and die horribly with great bombast lol) and was too intrigued to not investigate. Thus began the adventures of "Valeros the Ultimate Guy and Pipsqueak". Anyways, thanks again!
Last night I played Burnt Offerings, Attack on Sandpoint. Two players, Lini and Valeros. Lini is off-location when Valeros encounters the main villain (I forget his name, Rip-something). This villain requires two combat checks to beat because of his Giant Gecko. Valeros reveals his Flaming Mace. That card is only good for the first check if it is revealed before the first check, right? Or can it be used for both checks? If it can NOT be used for both checks, can Valeros reveal the card for one check, then discard the card for the other? Or is he stuck with only his melee check because he has already played a weapon card in some manner (unless he has an Item to help out, which for this case he did not)? Finally, I am unclear about the intent of 'assisting'. I can offer Valeros a Blessing even though I am off-location as Lini. Can I make the second combat check for him though, using the same strategy I would if I were encountering my own mob (discard for d10, reveal for +d4)? I don't think I can, but the assist section is hard for me to wrap my head around. Thank you!
But i don't see how you can have a lot of fun when constantly running the numbers of how effective your character will be in every situation. While I don't agree with your assessment of what people play, allow me to give you a demonstrable answer to your dilemma of 'not being able to see' how others are having fun. http://angrydm.com/2014/01/gaming-for-fun-part-1-eight-kinds-of-fun/ After consuming this single article, at least that one question will be perfectly clear. Happy gaming! =)
@Moondragon I'm also starting a druid gestalt in my one-player RotRL campaign. I haven't heard of this chart; do you have a link to it by chance?
Hrm...how about a Law instead? "No matter how insane the character, there is always a game being played somewhere where the character makes perfect sense."
Ok, that's what I thought, and you state your reasoning very well. As a side note, why is it so often the rogue who does something like that? *sigh* At least in my opinion, you've done exactly the right thing. Coming off of a bad experience is typically when you have the most solidarity from a gaming group; use that solidarity to express your concern about their characters power levels. Scotty is absolutely right about increasing monster challenges to make up for relative power level ('power' being used as a generic, all-encompassing term); however, I do think that they'll be willing to work with you if you just ask them directly to make new characters more in-line with the expected power of the game. It's entirely possible that they're used to such high scores because the previous DM felt that the game wasn't a challenge without them, thus making scores for both characters and bad guys an arms race of sorts (a problem I found myself getting into not so very long ago), so by lowering their own scores it will likewise lower enemy scores (of hand-created enemies, obviously). This also gives you a chance to get a bit of experience in adjusting CR's and the not-quite-concrete definitions of what CR expects from the party without it threatening a TPK. I wish you the best of luck with your new game, and don't forget to put in a good gnome or halfling! =)
To make sure I'm reading this clearly, the DM refused initiative or anything else and simply allowed attacks/autokill for no other reason than because the offending murderous player wanted to kill more unconscious characters, all while other defending characters were still conscious? If this were the case, I'd fire more than a DM. I hope you and your now-smaller group of players have a new place to play, because in my opinion, it's better not to play than to deal with drivel like party-murdering 'pvp' and other passive-aggressive table behavior. I think you did the right thing walking out, again, provided I've read this right. Regarding how to get them to play lower stats, simply explain to them what you told us: you're just not experienced enough yet, and you would have extreme difficulty in meeting an appropriate challenge for stats like that without the experience, but that you're willing to work with them if they'll start properly low to help you learn. The olive branch typically works pretty well with most players, at least in my experience.
Quoted for emphasis, because this is exactly what I'm talking about. This is why I am genuinely puzzled by the 10 Strength Barbarian. He can have the exact same character -... Expression. That's why. I swear, this article should be required reading for anyone wanting to post on an RPG forum (myself included!): http://angrydm.com/2014/01/gaming-for-fun-part-1-eight-kinds-of-fun/ 90% of these threads are nothing but back-and-forth over the subjective definitions of fun. Seriously...give it a read if you haven't. Back on the quoted post, from the article...
Even though this statement is about skills, it all comes down to the same thing. It's no different than the person who wants to play a 'charismatic character' putting a 16 in CHA instead of merely dumping skill points into Diplomacy and Bluff. It's a statement. It's central. Expression. Either it matters to you or it doesn't, and neither one is wrong. Just like most of the back and forth in this thread, and even the usage of the SF itself.
Shelyn and ZK and Gozreh are all fantastic. But I have to admit, before I opened that Lamashtu pic, I have never really been able to envision anything even remotely scary about that Goddess. My how times change! Spectacular artwork! Glad I've already decided to set aside money for this one, because missing it would be painful.
Gray, might I humbly suggest that perhaps you might try PM'ing individual players who responded in your thread and striking up a conversation with some of them if you feel that your style isn't adequately represented and/or you don't understand why hostility is being presented? I'm sure several of us would be more than happy to help you navigate through dealing with other playstyles, their goals and intentions, and so on without the blanket negative terminology attached to 'normal' (and, in some smaller ways, 'traditional'). It's not real hard to learn, but it does sort-of require making the mistake first (and dealing with the fallout) if you don't have someone you can simply ask for guidance/input/thought/etc. Just an idea that occurred to me (and one that, once upon a time, I wish I had taken more advantage of -- would have saved me a lot of headaches).
@Jdragon: After talking with my GM, it seems he agrees with us on the animal companion idea and gestalting part-Druid. So that much is a go, and that's a plus! He also seems willing to play a party mate or two (not counting AP NPC's), while making hirelings available in the old AD&D sense (only with slightly boosted morale, although he warned me that loyalty won't be assured...which is fine by me). He also -really- like the touch of Mythic, although I will have to get that book to figure out how it works. Sounds simple enough, and something I wanted to get eventually anyways. @TheHairyAvenger: 25 pt. That, I could get behind happily. Is your player gestalting/animal companion'ing (or both)? Also...might I inquire as to his/her race/class? And an open question: While I don't suspect there is, is there any reason that a gnome would be a poor racial choice? Something that might be particularly bothersome for gnomes? I appreciate all the help and expectations; lord knows my GM will get his payback soon, as he's countered my request by asking me to run Second Darkness for him. Solo. *gulp* =)
As a longtime 2E player, I can say that it took me a long time to wrap my head around the phrase 'everyone optimizes'. It is, however, true. It just doesn't mean exactly what it may look like it means. But there are a ton of people on the board who build characters first and use the mechanics to make that character playable. The amount of optimization may vary, but that doesn't make the approach any less useful. For instance, while I may use Intensify Spell to boost up the damage of a lower level spell of my Magus (one method of optimizing a magus that is considered 'standard'; I felt so proud when I found it, only to discover it was a common strategy. Le sigh!), I don't use what I consider silliness like using Arcane Mark to eke out an extra attack via Spellstrike. It's a perfectly legal thing to do, but my players and the other GM's all agree that its beyond the intent of the imagined genre ideal (read: its cheesy to us). Different people have fun in different ways, and the amount of optimization is one of those ways. It doesn't make it wrong, and it doesn't make it 'not normal'. Normal is one of those concepts that is supposedly passing away, and while I highly doubt the truth behind that, it is fair to say that people are becoming more aware of how much wiggle room 'normal' actually has. So yes and no. You'd probably get on fine with my group of old folk, popping health Geritol to simulate in-character healing (hehe!), because like Motley Crue once said, "when I'm enraged, and hittin' a mage, adrenaline rushin' through my veins I'd say we are still kickin' ***" What do ya mean those aren't the lyrics?! =D
Hrm. Much to ponder. FWIW, I've done many solo games over the years (a necessity for quite a long time, but not always) so this won't be completely new; its that I haven't ever tried an AP this way before. We're used to having much lower-tone games with solo players, and that's hard to match up with an AP. So I definitely appreciate your input on it; gestalting is a good idea, particularly if I can get the animal companion from a druid (for instance). A 50 point buy, that's...steep. I don't think I'd like a game that high-powered, and I might be better off waiting for another player. I'll run it by the GM and see what he thinks will be best too (since any other support will likely come from him, in addition to the other regular NPC's). Thank you for your help, Slayer. =)
Well, I finally got a member of my group to finally agree to run Rise of the Runelords for me! However, there is one teensy little problem. I'm the only player. My question is pretty simple: has anyone else done this, or know of someone who has? Did they use multiple characters (my least favorite choice) or GM-run NPC's, or hirelings...? How much adjustment should my GM plan on, and are there any particular problem spots he might want to know about? I've never read through RotRL, and while I know who the BBEG is, and a couple other tiny plot points, I don't know anything about how it all comes together or anything like that. With that in mind, please, no major spoilers! Thank you so much for any help. OH, I should mention that I'll be using the Anniversary Edition, but we have the CRB, Bestiary 1/2/3, and APG so books won't be a problem. Edit: Also, as the only player, are there any classes that you would consider just a horrible idea to play? I'm thinking about a gnome sorcerer, or perhaps even a gestalt with druid, but I'm still undecided at the moment.
Then i guess the real question is does eldrich heritage give you a real sorcerer level for the purpose of the feet and would the robes of arcane heritage acknowledge this as a sorcerer level for that bloodline? This goes back to what I was referring to when I mentioned effective bloodline level. "You gain sorcerer bloodline powers of the bloodline tied to Eldritch Heritage as if your sorcerer level were your character level – 2." The use of 'as if' seems (to me) to indicate that it is not an actual level for purposes of anything other than determining the bloodline power gained from the feat alone. Were this not true, it would (again, to me) read: "You gain sorcerer bloodline powers of the bloodline tied to Eldritch Heritage with a sorcerer level equal to your character level - 2." That said however, I do believe its reasonable and agree with Lemmy about that part. But by RAW I stand by my original assertion.
The item description indicates that the function happens when "a sorcerer dons" the robe. It further goes on to state that she treats her sorcerer level as 4 higher, not her effective bloodline level. Given these two facts, I would have to say no, it would not work for a non-sorcerer's feat.
I'm with Deadmanwalking and for the exact same reasons. Killing for selfish reasons, and knowing that you will continue to do so for the remainder of your existence is pretty much a classic definition of evil. Whatever has put you in that state is unfortunate, but your misfortune is not reason to preserve your life at the expense of potentially thousands of people over the course of your 'life'. You are not worth that much, as you are just one person just like them. This is absolutely no different than organ traffickers who murder innocents to get organs for someone who is too far down the waiting list to survive. It is unfortunate what has happened, but that doesn't make the activity any less evil. It is wholly irrelevant whether or not they are strangers.
Good luck out here in Indiana, Sean! Don't get lulled into inactivity by the fields and fields of endless corn, the four distinct seasons, or the glory that is Indiana Beach!
Extra skill points (2 per non-INT class per level) and extra feats (1 each at first and second level for every class). Call the Houserule 'Progression Adjustment'.
I'm glad I came along with subscription funds right at the end of an AP I don't even have the book for (WotR), in time for one that interests my longest-term player (MM), and one that interests me on deck (IG). I really lucked out in my opinion. To those of you on the fence thinking about unsubscribing but who haven't done so yet or haven't decided, may I gently mention that this kind of thing has been in the FRPG genre since the very beginning. Barrier Peaks may be one module, but there have always been a LOT more elements of sci-fi than most remember, whether it be the nuclear disaster of Blackmoor all the way to the spaceport in Waterdeep and Rafael, the nuclear physicist immortal of the Shadow Elves. Obviously I wouldn't want to talk you into something you don't want, but there is some serious 'old-school' elements in the offing imo...just ones that many have forgotten about. =)
Thanks for making this topic, OP. I had been wanting to make it too, but I don't like starting new threads (don't ask me why, I can't answer why). I waited a long time before finally ordering the Base, Add-On, and Skinsaw the other day (they haven't arrived yet). My very small gaming group was brought to a screeching halt by the illness of one member, so I needed something Pathfindery to fill the gap and this had to be it. I'm glad so many people make it sound like I didn't just toss my money away! Looking forward to at least 4 character play-throughs just on my own (but Lini first because Lini!).
Hello! Early Saturday morning I ordered a comic subscription to start with the new cycle (City of Secrets #1). It went through just fine and even shows up by my name, but my Order page shows that the comic itself is cancelled and says I cancelled it on Saturday. Is this just some strange hiccup, or is there something I need to do? I don't want anything cancelled. Thank you for your help!
Rogue Trader/Dark Heresy if the feeling arises, but more often Anima: Beyond Fantasy (Core only). The system lends itself to being able to create virtually anything in short order, so it's pretty fun to play around with. I've been looking for a board game (Forbidden Island -seems- interesting perhaps), but haven't committed to one quite yet. I don't have the best of luck with modern board games. I'm always up for a go of Stratego or Risk, though.
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