| Phoenix Rising |
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I've got mixed feelings about the high-level overview points you've provided. On the concerned side, I dread the automatic progression ideas.
If my character does not continue to train a skill, he or she should not get better at it; my street rat turned oracle will not contine to improve at sleight-of-hand or bluff - they're fluff skills that are sufficient to give her a slight edge and character, as are her sporadic in-game attempts to keep up her kn:local skill.
Worse is the thought of progression on magic items. A +1 sword will always be just a +1 sword unless I get someone to magic it up. It does not become a +2 sword when I make 5th level, nor does it magically gain the ability to help me on my saves. Want to give my cloak of the montebank some extra bonuses, fine - so long as they're static. The occasional story-plot or feat-requiring legendary item might power up along the way...
The other part that worries me is the aggressive attempt to force balance in to the game.
I'm not a "separate rules for monsters" GM. I'm open to a system that allows me to shortcut full builds or quickly create CR-balanced encounters, but in the end I want to be able to see a full stats block and some relation to a PC rules-based set of qualities. I don't want a system for monsters built for balance over interchangeability.
Also, I'm concerned when you say you don't want a wizard casting a spell to out-stealth the rogue. That's one reason why you have spell-casters - to one or twice per day exceed the normal limits of your party... In the same way, true strike is a one-shot sure hit - more certain than the fighter.
I'm intrigued if not necessarily sold on the change in actions. This is one of those "we've done it for so long..." things. If it opens up new possibilities like standing up without provoking for 2 actions, then I'm good with it.
I am also intrigued by the new character build system, some of which sounds interesting. Without the rules, it's hard to say how cool it is. I will say that the CRB could certainly use an update on the character creation process - the 5e overview was well done, e.g..
What really excites me is the evidence that you're breaking out of the same-old, same-old mold with distinguishing actions and abilities. PF1e classes and archetypes really haven't been breaking out of the mold much IMHO.
I'll join the chorus in saying you'll do yourselves and a base of loyal fans a favor if there's a decent 2e to 1e conversion guide that allows traditionalists to keep up their AP subscriptions without waiting for 2e rulebooks to re-create their favorite things. I'll also echo the desire to have more playtest time - earlier is better in hasing all of this out. I'm not sure if I'm crossing this border yet with you; I'd like to see what an updated system offers, but considering how much I didn't like from Unchained that serems to be echoed here, I'm concerned.