Jeremy Reaban's page

Difference #3: Back compatability is a priority with Pathfinder (not so with the others).

So they say, but the Alpha rules show otherwise.

What I'd like to see is the "core" Pathfinder basically be 3.5 with grapple and polymorph fixed, and then all the "3.75" changes in additional sourcebooks. Sort of like Unearthed Arcana or even the PHBII and such.

This might be a bad suggestion, but maybe we can see the Pathfinder original rulebook as mostly identical to 3.5 (with say, the new rules for grappling). But then a lot of the changes in the Alpha document as say, optional rules or as "new" character classes.

Alzrius wrote:

I didn't see a thread for this idea already, so I'll say it here: Paizo, please don't make ANY changes to the 3.5E rules set for the Pathfinder RPG. Seriously, none at all.

Why bother doing a product, especially a product that you know out of the gate has problems that can be fixed? I think people need to get over the idea of rules being set in stone 'cause it simply isn't going to happen. 3.5 already changed 3.0 rules and the world didn't end. 3.5 even in it's lifespan changed how actions work, they changed shapeshifting who knows how many times, they added new things, etc.

Well, part of the thing is, not everyone agrees on what the problems are. A lot of people like the skill system the way it is. Others think it's "broken" and like Paizo's "fix".

Some of Paizo's fixes seem to make things worse. Like giving more hit points to wizards (and spell powers), who are already a bit overpowered.

And indeed, those that think 3.5 has a lot of problems are the ones more likely to go to 4e... Pathfinder should be for those that like 3.5

I think the point of this is that even after Pathfinder RPG is released everyone should still be able to use their 3.5 SRD and 3.5 house mods with it with DMs mostly converting on the fly.

Those who want to use the Pathfinder RPG can. Those who use 3.5 and all it entails for them also can.

I'm not sure that's true, though. While obviously all the 3.5 books in the world won't vanish when 4e comes out, it does seem likely that 3.5 books will be pulled from store shelves.

Sure, there's always eBay for used copies. But not everyone can use ebay, for whatever reason (like they are kids). Nor is the 3.5 SRD really a replacement unless you happen to have a laptop (and use it at the gaming table) or a laser printer.

Speaking as someone who is still mostly a 3.0 player, the more I look at the Alpha rules, the less I think it's "3.75" and more almost something else, like Star Wars SAGA edition.

I'm not saying they should leave it completely unchanged, but I think they can change some things (like grappling) without completely re-doing the classes and skill system and races

I much prefer skill points. However, in practice, most players did exactly what Pathfinder will be doing - max out certain skills. It happens due to the way d20 ties the maximum skill level to character level (Which I've never liked, myself, but it's been that way sicne the begining)

I think if Disable Device and Open Locks get folded together, it would almost be too powerful (or too useful).

I do think it makes though. And while I do think Dexterity is probably useful for picking locks, the real trick is know how to do it (Int), especially more complicated locks

That certainly makes more logical sense, I think. Both involve manipulating mechanical devices.

I like most of it quite a bit, but some of the skill consolidations bug me.

For instance, Forgery becoming part of Linguistics. That just doesn't make much sense. Make a craft skill if they want to get rid of it from the main list, IMHO.

Similarly, it's quite a bit different opening a lock than picking a pocket. And opening a lock has a lot of legit purposes, not necessarily theft.

I can live with the rest, but those two bug me.