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Is this just a re-release of the game or were there any significant changes from the last one?

It doesn't include the Dodge City expansion, but it is compatible with it since the card backs have not changed.

It isn't as much of a new edition as it is a revision of the older edition. If you already have the 3rd edition, there is really no need to have the 4th edition.

I have always considered commoner to be the same as laborer. However, they have a smaller hit die than experts, which I have considered skilled craftsmen. Am I wrong in this thinking?

Personally, I have never liked the way NPC classes are handled. If a character is 15th level it should be roughly equivalent to any other 15th level character. I am not saying that they should be as combat worthy as adventuring classes. They should have abilities related to their place in their community. Is Pathfinder considering to rework NPC classes like they did the adventuring classes?

Bonus Skill Points
This is a real simple, solid idea that isn't so good that no one can resist it. However, I would add the stipulation that this bonus skill MUST be used only on class skills of the favored class. That just makes more sense to me.

I think the best way to handle favored class is to grant +2 bonus to in class skills. It's simple and only needs to be done once.

Why do clerics choose two domains? I know it is standard in 3.5, but it seems like such an arbitrary number. Seems more appropriate to base it on Wisdom modifier or something.

I just wanted to give a quick breakdown of each section of PRPG with a general rating and a brief opinion for each section. I would also like to see what others think of the PRPG in a similar format. Thanks.
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Races (9/10) – Favored classes should grant skill bonus for class skills instead of HPs.
Classes (9/10) – Finally, a fighter worth playing.
Skills (7/10) - I liked skill points, but a conversion would be easy.
Feats (9/10) - The combat feats are brilliant!
Combat (8/10) – Changes to grapple were good, but damage should be an option.
Spells and Magic (10/10) – Finally, specialists and domains done right.
Running PRPG (9/10) – I like the alternate experience progressions.

I really enjoyed almost everying in PRPG. When is the next one?

I really like the idea of awarding +1 hit points to races for taking the Favored Class.

However, I think that it would be more appropriate to offer some sort of skill bonus for in class skills, instead of hit points. This would reflect the races affinity for the class. Bonus hit points doesn't do that.

If this has already been addressed, please direct me to the thread.

I don't see that as an improvement, unless you don't want your casters casting higher level spells that have a save or effect.

As I pointed out, I am looking at this from a roleplaying point of view, not a game mechanic point of view. I prefer to base the rules on roleplaying, not roleplaying on the rules. If I wanted a lot of rules without roleplaying, I would just buy 4th edition (where all the roleplaying is done for you).

Devil’s Advocate: Using spell level as a basis of spell save DC already takes into account caster level. Only higher level casters can use higher level spells.

However,the point of this thread was that this mechanic doesn’t take into account spellcasters of different levels casting the same level of spell. From a roleplaying standpoint, I think it should. Is there a mechanic that can do this without upsetting the balance of the game? Probably not. Using Spell save DC 10 + 1/2 caster level – spell level + ability modifier comes close. I may institute it as a house rule and see how it works.

3. Combination: Using the system in the 3.5 OGL for characters, and using the system in the Skills chapter of the Pathfinder RPG for NPCs and monsters (noting that they would not get additional skill choices at higher levels). This system gives NPCs and monster that multiclass a slight edge (depending on the class), but makes them quite a bit easier to create.

Aftrer more consideration, I really like option 3. It seems to be the best (or worst) of both worlds. Instead of combination, it should be considered a compromise.

Not sure how you got a DC 25+Ability for the 9th level spell at 20th... I came up with 24 (10+ 1/2 (20+9)= 10 + 1/2(29)= 10+14.5= 24.5; rnd down to 24 (always round down on stuff like this.

Sorry, an aberration of excel. Regardless, anything that increases the power of a spellcaster is unbalancing. As many people have already pointed out, spellcasters are powerful enough.

Spell___________________________________________________Caster Level_________________________________________________________
Level 1st ___ 2nd __ 3rd ___4th ___5th __ 6th ___7th ___8th ___9th __10th __ 11th _ 12th _ 13th __ 14th _ 15th __ 16th__17th _ 18th __19th _ 20th
1st___11___ 11 ___ 12 ___ 12 ___ 13 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20
2nd ___11_ _ 12 ___ 12 ___ 13 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20 ___ 21
3rd___ 12___ 12 ___ 13 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 21
4th___ 12___ 13 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 21 ___ 22
5th___ 13___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 22
6th___ 13___ 14 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 22 ___ 23
7th___ 13___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 22 ___ 23 ___ 23
8th___ 14___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 22 ___ 23 ___ 23 ___ 24
9th___ 14___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 22 ___ 23 ___ 23 ___ 24 ___ 24

This is a summary of the options. Choose whichever one you like.

DC: 10 + spell level + ability
Based on spell level. This doesn't consider relative power of spellcasters of different levels.

1st ___ 2nd ___ 3rd ___ 4th ___ 5th ___ 6th ___ 7th ___ 8th ___ 9th
11 __ _ 12 _ __ 13 _ _ _ 14 _ _ _ 15 _ _ _16 _ _ _ 17 ___ 18 _ _ _ 19

DC: 10 + 1/2 caster level + ability
Based on caster level. Reflects difference in power levels but make wizards more powerful at higher levels.

1st _ 2nd _ 3rd __4th __5th __ 6th ___7th ___8th ___9th __10th __ 11th _ 12th _ 13th __ 14th _ 15th __ 16th__17th __ 18th __19th _ 20th
11__ 11__ 12___ 12 __ 13 ___13 ___ 14 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 __ _ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20

DC: caster level + spell level + ability
Based on caster level and spell level. Low level spellcasters should just stay home. Higher level spellcasters are way too powerful

Spell________________________________________________Caster Level_________________________________________________________
Level__ 1st _ 2nd _ 3rd __4th __5th __ 6th ___7th ___8th ___9th __10th __ 11th _ 12th _ 13th __ 14th _ 15th __ 16th__17th __ 18th __19th _ 20th
1st _ __ 2 ___ 3 ___ 4 ___ 5 ___ 6 _ _ _ 7 _ _ _ 8 _ _ __ 9 _ __ 10 ___ 11___ 12 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 21
2nd ___ 3___ 4 ___ 5 ___ 6 ___ 7 _ _ _ 8 _ _ _ 9 _ _ _ 10 _ __ 11 ___ 12 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 22
3rd ___ 4 ___ 5 ___ 6 ___ 7 ___ 8 _ _ _ 9 _ _ _ 10 ___ 11 ___ 12 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 23
4th ___ 5 ___ 6 ___ 7 ___ 8 ___ 9 _ _ _ 10 ___ 11 ___ 12 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 23 ___ 24
5th ___ 6 ___ 7 ___ 8 ___ 9 ___ 10 ___ 11 ___ 12 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 23 ___ 24 ___ 25
6th ___ 7 ___ 8 ___ 9 ___10 ___11 ___ 12 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 23 ___ 24 ___ 25 ___ 26
7th ___ 8 ___ 9 ___10___11___ 12 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 23 ___ 24 ___ 25 ___ 26 ___ 27
8th ___ 9 __ 10 ___11___12 ___13 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 23 ___ 24 ___ 25 ___ 26 ___ 27 ___ 28
9th ___ 10 _ 11 ___12___13___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 23 ___ 24 ___ 25 ___ 26 ___ 27 ___ 28 ___ 29

DC: 10 + 1/2 (caster level + spell level) + Ability
Also, too powerful at higher levels.

Spell_________________________________________________Caster Level_________________________________________________________
Level _ 1st ___ 2nd __ 3rd ___4th ___5th __ 6th ___7th ___8th ___9th __10th __ 11th _ 12th _ 13th __ 14th _ 15th __ 16th__17th _ 18th __19th _ 20th
1st ___ 11 ___ 12 ___ 12 ___ 13 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20 ___ 21
2nd _ _ 12 ___ 12 ___ 13 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 21
3rd ___ 12 ___ 13 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 21 ___ 22
4th ___ 13 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 22
5th ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 22 ___ 23
6th ___ 14 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 22 ___ 23 ___ 23
7th ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 22 ___ 23 ___ 23 ___ 24
8th ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 22 ___ 23 ___ 23 ___ 24 ___ 24
9th ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19 ___ 20 ___ 20 ___ 21 ___ 21 ___ 22 ___ 22 ___ 23 ___ 23 ___ 24 ___ 24 ___ 25

DC: 10 + 1/2 caster level - spell level + Ability
Not much of a change at lower levels. Higher level casters are reduced in power.

Spell _________________________________________________Caster Level_______________________________________________
Level _ 1st __ 2nd__3rd__4th__5th __6th__7th __8th __9th__10th _ 11th _ 12th _ 13th __ 14th _ 15th __ 16th__17th _ 18th __19th _ 20th
1st ___ 10 __ 10 __ 11 __ 11 __ 12 __ 12 __ 13 __ 13 __ 14 __ 14 ___15 __ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18 ___ 19 ___ 19
2nd ___ 9 ___ 9 __ 10 __ 10 __ 11 __ 11 __ 12 __ 12 __ 13 __ 13 ___14 __ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17 ___ 18 ___ 18
3rd ___ 8 ___ 8 ___ 9 ___ 9 __ 10 __ 10 _ _ 11 __ 11 __ 12 __ 12 ___13 __ 13 ___ 14 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16 ___ 17 ___ 17
4th ___ 7 ___ 7 ___ 8 ___ 8 ___ 9 ___ 9 ___ 10 __10 __ 11 __ 11 ___12 __ 12 ___ 13 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15 ___ 16 ___ 16
5th ___ 6 ___ 6 ___ 7 ___ 7 ___ 8 ___ 8 ___ 9 ___ 9 ___10 __ 10 ___11 __ 11 ___ 12 ___ 12 ___ 13 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 14 ___ 15 ___ 15
6th ___ 5 ___ 5 ___ 6 ___ 6 ___ 7 ___ 7 ___ 8 ___ 8 ___ 9 ___ 9 ___ 10 __ 10 ___ 11 ___ 11 ___ 12 ___ 12 ___ 13 ___ 13 ___ 14 ___ 14
7th ___ 4 ___ 4 ___ 5 ___ 5 ___ 6 ___ 6 ___ 7 ___ 7 ___ 8 ___ 8 ___ 9 __ _ 9 _ __ 10 ___ 10 ___ 11 ___ 11 ___ 12 ___ 12 ___ 13 ___ 13
8th ___ 3 ___ 3 ___ 4 ___ 4 ___ 5 ___ 5 ___ 6 ___ 6 ___ 7 ___ 7 ___ 8 __ _ 8 _ _ _ 9 _ _ _ 9 _ _ _ 10 ___ 10 ___ 11 ___ 11 ___ 12 ___ 12
9th ___ 2 ___ 2 ___ 3 ___ 3 ___ 4 ___ 4 ___ 5 ___ 5 ___ 6 ___ 6 ___ 7 __ _ 7 _ _ _ 8 _ _ _ 8 _ _ _ 9 _ _ _ 9 _ _ _ 10 ___ 10 ___ 11 ___ 11

I am curious about something. Everyone that wants to keep skill points, is this just from a players perspective? I have not seen many mention anything (I know there are some) about skill points from a GM perspective. Also I do not buy these GM's who say it is easy to stat NPC's and monsters with skill points in 3.5. You have professional designers who think it is a pain (I do too even though I am not a designer), so I do not think you are going help your argument to have a blanket skill points are good attitude. I personally, don't know if Jason does, but I assume he does, want to hear more about simplfying things from a GM perspective while keeping the "wonderful" skill points method for the players. How does one keep it "balanced" and "backwards compatible". Mabye more people should latch onto option 3.

I GM much more often than I play. I still prefer using v3.5 skill points. It allows me to make more vivid, 3-dimensional NPCs.

I am not sure why everyone thinks it makes the GMs job difficult. I just think some classes should get more skill points.

Let me ask this question then:

Let's use the 10 + 1/2 caster level + Ability score modifier for our new determination of saves. Why is the fireball spell of this mage as easy or difficult to save against as his meteor swarm? You waited till you were 17th level as a wizard to get that mighty spell, but as far as your opponents are concerned, one's as easy as the other to reduce damage for (if you're not directly hit, that is).

Easy..."Four 40-ft.radius spreads"

Also, consider how many feats and prestige classes (and domains, etc.) grant a boost to caster level. Factor this into your equation as well.

Spell Save DC 10 + 1/2 caster level - spell level + Ability? Higher level spells are more difficult to cast?

Are you thinking 10 + 1/2 caster level + ability modifier?

Exactly! It makes all levels of spell actually useful and doesn't inflate the spellcasters power. It is a realistic reflection of the spellcasters ability.

1. Pathfinder: The system presented in Skills chapter of the Pathfinder RPG.

While this way is quick and simple, it seems more appropriate for a video game, to a roleplayeing game. It doesn’t take into account NPCs that would be skilled in certain areas without being high level characters. What about the old blacksmith that has worked years at the forge and never adventured a day in his life. Because of his limited level, his skill would be limited. However, the 15th level fighter that visits his forge sees the blacksmith and decides to pick up the trade. He instantly becomes more skilled than the blacksmith. Why should ALL skills be based on character level? I don’t think this type of system works for a RPG.

2. 3.5 OGL:The system presented in the 3.5 OGL.

This system is obviously broken. There is too much of discrepancy between skill light and skill heavy classes. Most people focus on maxing out a few skills. It can be cumbersome for some people.

3. Combination: Using the system in the 3.5 OGL for characters, and using the system in the Skills chapter of the Pathfinder RPG for NPCs and monsters (noting that they would not get additional skill choices at higher levels). This system gives NPCs and monster that multiclass a slight edge (depending on the class), but makes them quite a bit easier to create.

Interesting idea, but it doesn’t fix the problem. It just combines two problems together.

4. Hybrid System: In this system, characters would get a number of skill ranks equal to the number of skill choices granted by the Skills chapter of the Pathfinder RPG. Skill ranks granted by the first level of your class must be spent on class skills. Skill ranks granted after first level and those granted by a high Intelligence score at first level could be spent on any skill. Instead of the class skill/cross-class skill distinction, your bonus in a skill would be determined in the following method.

0 ranks – Untrained: Bonus = ability modifier + racial modifiers (or modifiers)
1 ranks – Trained: Bonus = 1/2 your character level + modifiers
2 ranks – Skilled: Bonus = your character level + modifiers
3 ranks – Expert: Bonus = your character level + 3 + modifiers
4 ranks – Master: Bonus = your character level +6 + modifiers
There are a few additional rules to go with this. At first level, you can have no skill higher than 2 ranks (or the skilled level). Many of the prestige class requirements would need an alteration to require expert or even master standing in some skills.

Again, interesting idea, but it still doesn’t fix most of the problems associated with each system. Why should ALL skills be based on character level?

5. Scaled Skills: At first level, this system works like the system presented in the Skills chapter of the Pathfinder RPG. The only difference is that the number of skill choices is changed (classes with 2 choices still get 2, classes with 4 choices get 3, classes with 6 or more choices get 4). From this point onward, characters gain skill choices based on their class levels. In other words, additional skills are class dependent benefits. Classes with 4 initial choices (in this system) get a new skill every other level. Classes with 3 initial choices (in this system) get a new skill every 3 levels. Classes with 2 initial choices (in this system) get a new skill every 4 levels.

Again, why should ALL skills be based on character level?

6. Scaled Hybrid: This is a blend of options 4 and 5, where the rate by which you get new skills depends on your class, but the bonuses derived from these skills is like in the hybrid.

And finally, why should ALL skills be based on character level?

Keep skill points but reallocate them to each class to a minimum of 4 skill points.

Increase maximum skill rank to a flat 20/10, class/cross-class, irrespective of level. If the number of skill points you have is related to level, why should max skill rank also be related to level?

Do away with restriction between multi-class skill points. Once a skill is a class skill, it is always a class skill regardless of what class is increased. Chances are, if you are putting points into a skill, you are using it and you should be able to increase a skill that you are using.

Why not opposed rolls instead of a fixed 15? With a fixed DC you can easily get into a situation whereby you cannot do a special attack no matter what the case. Opposed rolls do not add that much complexity and give you a chance to have a hail mary

Using the standard DC of 15+CMB, you still have a 5% chance of succeeding (rolling a 20).

When two people roll dice is essentially each is setting the DC for the other. Having one roll with the defenders DC at 10 would be basically the same. However, a DC of 15 substantially favors the defender. DC 10 seems more appropriate to me, especially considering the changes made to grapple.

Are the people at Paizo also having a debate over the use of skill points or is it just here on the messageboard?

My guess is that they are letting us have it out before stepping in and cleaning up the mess.

Regardless, whatever Paizo decides to go with, not everyone will be happy. They should make sure to include optional rules for both sides.

Having it be 15 + CMB does indeed favor the defender. I do not feel that performing a Combat Manuever against a foe should be a 50% chance as this would make it a frequently better option that just attacking. While this does not matter much for Bull Rush, Grapple can be a severe hindrance.

Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer

Fair enough! Advantage to the attacker. With grapple, it should be more difficult to hold someone than to get away. Regardless, in a grapple, the role of attacker and defender alternate. So, it seems to balance out.

This is one of things about the d20 system that I have never understood. Why is the DC for a spell save based on spell level and not caster level? A 15th level wizard should be able to cast a more effective 1st level spell than a 3rd level wizard.

If PRPG used caster level as the basis for spell DC, higher level spellcasters would still have a use for their low-level spells.

Would this type of rule make high-level spellcasters too powerful?

I really like the rules for the Combat Maneuver Bonus. But, why use 15 + target’s CMB? Why not 10?

If two people roll a d20, 50% of the time you will roll higher than your opponent. Why not have the DC be 10 + modifiers? If you do it this way, it still relies on one roll and has the same odds as standard v3.5. Having a DC of 15 + always favors the defender.

General questions regarding casting beyond daily allotment:

Should it require a check? If so, what type?
Should it do damage? If so, what type?

I believe in the Midnight campaign setting, when you go beyond your daily capacity you take temp CON damage equal to the spell level. Or something like that.

I think any damage from casting beyond your ability should result in damage to the relevant ability. Wizards take Int damage, clerics take Wis damage, sorcerers take Cha damage.

In the 3.5 system, if a character rolls a 20, they automatically hit. The threat roll is to see if they actually do critical damage.

Just do away with the threat roll. If the character would have hit on a roll of 20 (not considering it automatic), then it is considered a critical hit. If it character could not hit without the automatic hit, the character hits but doesn’t do critical damage.

It just speeds up combat and maintains the excitement of rolling the initial 20.

I don’t like critical threats. Part of the excitement of playing 2nd edition was rolling a 20. I just don’t think 3rd edition has the same explosive exhilaration when you roll a 20. Since 3rd edition has been around, I have never heard anyone complain about critical threats. Does anyone else get this feeling? Has anyone considered using straight critical hits in PRPG? Just curious.

While I agree that Armor should be DR, it would seriously change the game and make backward compatability a problem. But, it could be done.

Skillp points re 3.5 ed are too customizable IMO.

Come on. When is too many choices a bad thing? If you want max rank, just take them. Leave me my skill points.

Whatever PRPG decided to go with, I will always use skill points. It just makes more sense to me.

I agree with some others. KEEP SKILL POINTS!!!

Not everyone that is trained in a skill is equal. I like about skill points. It allows various degrees of expertise, despite the relevant ability.

This was what I disliked most about SW:Saga and is what I dislike most about PRPG.

First, you have to keep skill points.

While I like the cleaned up spell list, I think there should be a way to specialize in specific aspects of a skill. What if a character takes ranks in diplomacy but wants to specialize in bartering? Why not allow the character to buy a specialization for 2 skill points to receive a +5 circumstance bonus on that skill in the specialized situation? This could be applied to other skills as well. For instance, Appraise (gemstones), Theft (pick pockets), Perception (spot), etc.
Of course, you could only specialize in skill that are class skills.

Opinions?

My two CPs.
I agree with many of the others. Getting rid of the limited use skills was nice. However, I think Fly should just default to Acrobatics skill.

I like it. I would take it a step further, minor (0-level), intermediate (1-level) and major (2-magic) magic. However, I would also limit it to once a day, not twice.

What about overcastting? Overcasting allows a spellcaster to cast spells beyond her daily allotment by making a relevant ability check against DC 11 + spell level attempted. A successful check allows the caster to cast the spell normally, but the spellcaster becomes fatigued. If the check fails, the spell is not casted, but the caster is still fatigued. The spellcaster can make other attempts at overcastting, however, further overcasttings result in the spellcaster becoming exhausted. Any further overcastting results in relevant ability damage equal to the level of the spell attempted.

Opinions?

I like most of the stuff that I see from PRPG Alpha. However, I dislike the magical nature of Gnomes. Admittedly, I have never liked it. But, I do like the idea of Gnomes being innately technical and scientific, like Tinker Gnomes in Dragonlance. Gnomes and magic (illusions) just seems too cliché.

Which do you like, tinker or magic?

Can anyone tell me if there has been an ecology of the orcs?

No?

After a flawless execution of my dual Dragon & Dungeon magazine subscriptions since Paizo took over, I find myself suddenly missing my very first issue. Dragon #355 never arrived and it is now past the date where it will appear on the newsstand. I would appreciate some assistance in the matter. Thanks!

Don't feel bad. I have had this 4 different times over the past 5 years. However, since I often don't receive DVDs and other packages, I tend to blame incompetence (or dishonesty) of the USPS and their carriers.

When I brought the missing issues to the attention of Paizo, they were always prompt in sending replacements.

Read today's blog post and let us know your thoughts on how to handle the mysterious yellow kobold!

1) Kobold Cameleon.

2) Good Kobold.

3) Diurnal Kobold.

4) You know what they say about yellow snow.

Can anyone tell me if there has been an ecology of the orcs?

I have been reading Dragon and Dungeon magazine for almost 18 years. However, I never subscribed to either magazine until Paizo took over. Over the past 5 years, Paizo publishing has consistently published a top quality product that usually exceeded my expectations and continues to improve, even today. Therefore, having recently renewed my subscription to both Dragon and Dungeon (12 & 11 issues left), I will be transferring my remaining balance to Pathfinder and encourage everyone else to do the same. Given the quality of Dragon and Dungeon under the direction of Paizo and without the constraints of WOTC, I suspect Pathfinder to be ever better quality than either magazine.

Congratulations Paizo on an unfettered new beginning.

I would definitely buy a collection containing some of the best ecologies presented in Dragon. Anyone else interested?

Although it sounds like a great series, I wish it was more useful for an Eberron campaign. Haven't read it yet, so I'll reserve judgement.

Eberron's getting an entire online game. Give us Greyhawk fans an article or two.