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Well, using all of the great above advice, I worked on some character thoughts and rolled one up. Even got to play my very first PF adventure yesterday at a Society local event. It was great!!! The game is great. The character building advice helped a lot. Now I'm hooked... Just need to find a way to play more... As much as possible that is. At least I have these forums to pass the time between.
It seems that I'll still be able to play my beloved RPGs for years to some. But, maybe, I need to get myself a console finally. I'm without one now, and the great games are coming out for the XBox and the PS3 - do I need to get one?
Another thing you can do is just start making up 1st level characters. Think up a bunch of them, just to play with the rules for creating 1st level characters. That sounds like a pretty good idea. I'm going to do that. Some time to learn the character creation rules. Some time to peruse the skills, feats, spells, etc. And then I'll have some loose characters on my desk. To think about, and look at. Maybe ruminating about a group will help me start to fill in some details. Let them almost start to make themselves. Hmmmm.... I will definitely be doing some of this. Thanks
I don't mean to say that a lot of options are a bad thing at all. Actually a great thing. And I'm learning that the game has done a great job of quantifying some of the things that were nebulous before. I think I was just noticing that it can be a little overwhelming to a noob. Especially when there are some who take "maximizing builds" very seriously. But thanks for all of the great advice. I'm going to be spending some time throughout the day and evening working on this, so I'll definitely be asking questions.
That was not meant to be demeaning or patronizing or anything like that, so I would like to apologize if I came across that way. Sometimes I try to be too helpful and it comes out like that. Not demeaning or patronizing in any way... Actually, great advice, and I really appreciate it. That's exactly what I'm looking for. In fact, I brought my stuff to work today, and plan on working on it a little during breaks and tonight - in prep for playing tomorrow. So, I will definitely be back here with more questions throughout the day and evening. Thanks again for the help, and I'll be asking more.
So, as I continue to reacquaint myself to RGPs (specifically for Pathfinder) after 20 years, I have one overwhelming observation. It can be really stressful making a character. I was used to picking a class and rolling someone up. But now... It's a very involved process. There are decisions to be made that affect the rest of the character's life profoundly. And, figuring out the best ways to stack bonuses... I'm definitely no powergamer. But I still find it scary. Reading the forums doesn't always help. Half of the time, I can barely understand what people are talking about. Reading build discussions makes me wish I had paid more attention in stats class. Now, understand, that I don't mean to suggest that this is a bad thing. Just different. But, I am going to play PF this weekend for the first time in a Society game. I'm looking upon this as a great intro to the game. A way to learn the mechanics, and enjoy. I'm really looking forward to it. But, as I sit and try to make a character, I feel partially paralyzed. I mean, I had a similar feeling when I tried to play some LFR at a local game store. When I went there I had people giving me a really hard time about my proposed character. How I had assigned my ability scores wrong. Picked the wrong skills. Etc. Now some people were simply teaching me, and that's what I desperately need and look forward to. But a few others were... How to say.. Anyway, just an old gamer, learning to be a new gamer... But figured I'd put my thoughts out there. Excited to be learning PFRPG though. I'm literally carrying the book with me everywhere I go and reading it during breaks at work and everything... As you can see, I got addicted fast and am subscribed to almost everything. Well, I look forward to reading your thoughts...
Wow, thanks so much. I do have the shiny new hardback, and love everything about it. One of the most beautiful books I own. Currently I'm doing exactly what you said, and I plan on following your advice exactly. Sounds like a perfect way to get into the game. Luckily, I've found a Society game going on nearby and am going to play a little too... Starting this weekend actually. Nothing better than playing to learn some new stuff... I will be posting away ad nauseum. Thanks again for the help.
I'd recommend taking a break from the high-fantasy big world-building series for a while and try Planet Stories. I'm pretty free with opinions, so I can get more specific if you want. Well... I'm intrigued... And always open for some advice. Sure, be more specific.
I just wanted to throw this out there, and, while showing my age, I wanted to add a plea for the continued development of free-standing RPG for computers and consoles. While I understand the communal fun of MMORPGs, they're just not my things. My RPG computer gaming harkens back to the days of Dungeon Master on the Atari ST, the Bard's Tale series on my Tandy, and all of the TSR D&D games. I had so much fin, and so many hours with those games, that I think about them often. But where are the immersive RPGs for Mac and PC now? I know about the graphic intensive monsters that are out there - I just want to create party and scour some dungeons... Anyone?
Ok, so, I saw a post on another site discussing the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, and it got me thinking. I'm a big reader, as most gamers are, and am always looking for good books as well as thinking about what it is that I like in fantasy fiction. Now, I read all kinds of things. And am not even against reading fine literature periodically; even enjoying it sometimes. But I read fantasy because I'm looking for certain things. Because I'm in a certain mood. But, I must be honest - I don't always get into the same books that everyone raves about. There are a lot of great writers in the fantasy genre. Some writing new and exciting things, and others treading over old ground. I'll give my thoughts about a few, but I'm sure I'll get flamed for some of this: George R. R. Martin... Great writer. Built an incredible word with awesome characters. Complicated but believable political factions and intrigue. But I petered out after three books. You see, I got excited about Jon Snow and what was going on beyond the wall. The mysterious creatures, etc. But that was such a small part of the books. I found myself wishing for more monsters and magic. You know the cliched stuff. Stephen Erikson... The Malazan Book of the Fallen Series. Read two of them. A lot going on. A great writer. Another very creative guy. But too convoluted for me. Robert Jordan... Actually, the Wheel of Time stuff had more of what I was looking for, but it was quite voluminous. I think I got through 3 of them. But I may get back and try it again... So, what I really wanted to get to was a few general thoughts about fantasy fiction. I think a lot of the writers spend a lot of time trying to write themselves out of the cliches and reputation of the fantasy genre. But I really like that stuff. I don't need high literature. I want heroes and evil. Demons and dungeons. Cool magic spells and cooler magic items. Things that make me think about my games. I like the other stuff too, and will be reading all of the above, I'm sure. But what are the best dungeon delve books? The ones that have a linear plot. A book about killing a lich? A book about exploring an old keep. You know, the fictionalized books about things that the modules are all about. So I'm starting to re-read the Icewind Dale trilogy and thinking of some others. Any thoughts anyone...? Please.
My question is very general... Advice for a starting DM? The big problem is, though, that I have very limited player experience. So, how do you suggest learning to love the game from the perspective of a DM without really having the player background? And, how do you avoid feeling left out from the building of personal characters? Thanks for your thoughts.
That's definitely great advice. But I think I have a slightly different problem. The players I will have will be experienced... I'm just the one who'll be the GM... I volunteered, and I want to do it... Just a little nervous is all...
I might suggest running a published adventure first and reading the whole thing (plus taking notes) beforehand. Oh yeah... No problem there. I am definitely not taking on campaign building at this time... Or any time soon. In fact, my subscription to the adventure path series and the modules just went in. So, I assume that I will have plenty of good stuff to run.
Ok, so, the deal is this... I am getting back into RPGs after some time off (15 years). And Pathfinder is the reason. I've been wanting to get back to gaming, and following the lead up to PF has just gotten me so excited that I'm taking the plunge. So, as I search for players, and get to know the game and read my brains out, I have this plea for advice: Locating players is always hard - but I have ben able to get some folks willing to play, and I think I can get a couple more. Meaning - I'm the one starting to organize play... Meaning, I'm going to be the GM... Ok, I'm not only fine with that, but I like the idea. And I've been telling all the players that they will need to be somewhat patient in the beginning. But I thought that it may be a good idea for a thread - as I know I have a lot to learn What are some core pieces of advice for someone not only new to PF, but also getting started back up in RPGs altogether??? Is such a thing possible????
Thanks again for all of the advice everybody. I've been crippling my bank account following a lot of it. So far, I have the Chronicles Campaign guide coming and I signed up for the Chronicles subscription as well and the RPG subscription. Once I get through reading the Golarion book, I hope to be a little more up to speed on the world. All of the subscriptions are painful though. I really want them all!!!! Or at least maybe the Adventure Path...
I was scanning around the forums, but I didn't see a place to try and hook up with other local gamers. There was a section under the Society message board, but not for other gaming that I saw. I'm near Hartford, CT - so anybody nearby? I'm new to PF, but not gaming. I'd be willing to get into GM'ing if necessary. Hope to hear from some locals.
Hello all... I'm new to Pathfinder. Just getting started reading the book and loving everything I read. As an old-school D&D gamer from about 15 years ago - I'm now getting back into gaming, and Pathfinder is definitely the way I'm going... Now just to find some other players here in surrounding Hartford, CT. Anyway, I did want to ask a few questions being new to the whole thing, and I don't want to purchase confusing combinations of materials. I am interested in subscribing to some of the book releases, however, I want to make sure that I'm getting the right things. First of all, I want to become acquainted with Golarion and I have none of the 3.5 stuff. So, since I'm starting with the PF RPG, should I get the 3.5 Golarion book? Or will there be something different I should start with for the PF RPG? I know there are some other things forthcoming, but I didn't see anything about a new general setting book. I guess I can also turn this thread into an even more general question: As someone totally starting with the new Pathfinder RPG, and no background in the 3.5 stuff... What else do I need? And in what order would you suggest I pick them up? Thanks for all the help. I'm very excited to be getting back into gaming, 15 years is too long to wait. And I'm sure I'll end up having to run the game so I'll probably start a thread on new GM'ing advice as well... (now to find those players...) |
