Frederic's page

I agree that Pathfinder remains the best system to use. I also agree that it could be further improved. Because experienced players like so many options it is easy for beginners to feel overwhelmed. I like the idea of a tiered class system.

Tier one basic classes level to unlock Tier two advanced classes which level to finally unlock prestige classes. I would keep a modest number of basic classes with each subsequent tier branching into more and more options.

Maybe it is naive to hope that a system might be devised which allows mechanical advantages to come with leveling up that do not also complicate game play but a tiered class system might offer that solution.

D.

Vampire Hunter D.

Coolest Anime antihero ever.

Pugwampies. Pugwampies suuhuuuuuuck.

yeah, I always liked FR. Still run my Pathfinder Games there. If you want to mod AP stuff for it I agree with Bellona.

There is so much great material in the old FR books. I think sub races are awesome and when you allow them with both traits and racial feats there are so many options for players. Lots of fun.

Wild Elves, Arctic Dwarves, Ghostwise Halflings... Who doesnt want to try that?

I agree with most posters here about potential room for improvement to the core mechanics beneath the PF game system.

I hope that changes reduce redundancy among classes and, as stated by others, rely on more scaling class abilities than tacked on bonuses.

I might be in a minority opinion in my preference for graceful simplicity but I would even prefer that just a handful of base classes were described in the core rule book which opened up through specialization at mid level to more complex and focused mid tier and high tier prestige classes. Like "Warrior" opens up into Ranger Knight Paladin Magus etc through meeting feat requirements over time. In this way simple, user friendly classes at the start of a campaign still allow for sophisticated archetypes later without redundancy among class abilities or muddied roles in party play.

Again, I might be alone in that vision.

Having played D2 table RPGs up from their simplest origins, D&D, AD&D 2nd 3rd, 3.5 and now Pathfinder I share your interest in Roleplay. Many of the younger players of this latest iteration grew up on World of Warcraft and view table games as derivative analog versions of that game. There is the notion of "Winning" the game through optimized character creation designed to defeat encounters easily.

The mechanics of the system allow for this type of play and honestly Id say it has become the norm. My own group with its deliberate emphasis on role play and character development represents a minority. Having played and GMd so many games I know that the challenges designed by the GM are merely aimed at providing opportunities for the story to be told, that rushing to their conclusion to "Win" offers fleeting rewards.

It is true that you wont find our voices loudly subduing dissent on these boards. We aren't here trying to "Win" a debate any more than we are trying to "Win" at Pathfinder. We are along for the ride. The quest and the journey are our destination. But know that you are not alone. Old school gamers still play for fun with imperfect strategies and characters in worlds of their own making under these rules, certain that just around the next bend, true adventure awaits.

I love role play. Speaking in character and interacting directly with other players and NPCs in character. I reward XP for this in my own games and I cant really enjoy a game that omits this kind of play. Maybe I'm old fashioned but that is why I come to the table. If I wanted Diablo I'd be online.

I think this could be a good fix. Have you considered using the bonus feats in exchange for the Ki pool? Maybe the option to trade each feat for the alternate Ki ability a la cart.

This is a relevant thread. There is some ambiguity here. For example in the Advanced Players guide p74 among the Barbarian Archetypes is the Beast Totem Barbarian. The lesser ability in this Archetype grants two 1d6 claw attacks! Does my human barbarian grow huge claws when he enters a rage? Or does this only function if I happen to play a clawed race? I would assume that the claws just grow in. There are legitimate questions being asked here for which I have no certain answer.

Also the Antipaladin,

Name is stupid and class is nearly unplayable in a party setting. The interpretation of the rigid paladin alignment restriction into the evil antithesis makes party co op absurd. Even in an evil campaign what? Lets work together for... greater evil! No. It doesn't make sense and there could have been a cool alternative to the non LG divine warrior. Elemental Paladin? Dark Knight? Just like FF DK. Vampiric sword and done. Badass, but no. We get a necrophiliac skeleton herder who has to kill a kitten every 15 minutes or lose his abilities altogether.

Breastplate Armor.

Every warrior should be wearing this in some form. There is no way that "a single piece of sculpted metal" should provide 6 points of AC. Don't get me wrong, breastplates are very cool but 6 is too much. It takes out a lot of interesting variation. I cant believe that a Helmet does nothing to protect you but covering your chest makes you nearly invulnerable. Yeah "Fantasy" blah blah but let me believe it is plausible.