Pathfinder Player Core 2

If WOTC owns IP rights to the word "focus" in the sense of an item used to aid in casting a spell, then IP law is seriously fscked and needs to be corrected.

Note: "focus" is defined similarly to "locus" on page 303 of the Core Rulebook.

The word "focus" is Latin for "domestic hearth". "Locus" is Latin for "place". My dictionary has definitions for both, but does not suggest a meaning in a magical context for either. However, "focus" is a lot closer than "locus" to the intended meaning.

If WOTC owns IP rights to the word "focus" in the sense of an item used to aid in casting a spell, then IP law is seriously fscked and needs to be corrected.

I thought that was changed not because of legal reasons, but to avoid confusion with Focus Points.

My Subscription Order is still "Pending" (for 10 days now). Can I get an update?

Same. Still don't understand why digital downloads don't become available all at the same time. Maybe this week.

Removed a post and some quotes.

If WOTC owns IP rights to the word "focus" in the sense of an item used to aid in casting a spell, then IP law is seriously fscked and needs to be corrected.

Note: "focus" is defined similarly to "locus" on page 303 of the Core Rulebook.

The word "focus" is Latin for "domestic hearth". "Locus" is Latin for "place". My dictionary has definitions for both, but does not suggest a meaning in a magical context for either. However, "focus" is a lot closer than "locus" to the intended meaning.

It's less specific elements, and more an percentage of them. Like, if WotC sue that Pathfinder as a whole is too similar to D&D, and present to the courts 50 instances of similarities, or if they manage to present 200 similarities, the latter case have WotC more likely to win.

There's some similarities that would be very hard to remove, like "having casting classes, some being named Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, Cleric, and Bard". It's way easier to rename focus and some other singular terms.

At one point, you really want to get down to like 50 similarities, but you're still at like 54... There are some choice that must be done. So you rename Focus component to Locus, you rename mithril to dawnsilver, Attack of Opportunity to Reactive Strike, and Flat-Footed to Off-Guard. While you manage to keep a couple of other seemingly random ones.

So yeah. The problem is not "Focus component" as a singular thing, but as a part of the whole.
Another problem is that nobody know the "minimum" percentage that can "pass". It's always dealt "case by case", and two different judges could also have different pivot points (or other person/group responsible to make that decision). So you always want the smallest amount of similarities.

(Note: all the numbers used are random and only for illustrative purposes.)

Ed Reppert wrote:

If WOTC owns IP rights to the word "focus" in the sense of an item used to aid in casting a spell, then IP law is seriously fscked and needs to be corrected.

Note: "focus" is defined similarly to "locus" on page 303 of the Core Rulebook.

The word "focus" is Latin for "domestic hearth". "Locus" is Latin for "place". My dictionary has definitions for both, but does not suggest a meaning in a magical context for either. However, "focus" is a lot closer than "locus" to the intended meaning.

It's less specific elements, and more an percentage of them. Like, if WotC sue that Pathfinder as a whole is too similar to D&D, and present to the courts 50 instances of similarities, or if they manage to present 200 similarities, the latter case have WotC more likely to win.

There's some similarities that would be very hard to remove, like "having casting classes, some being named Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, Cleric, and Bard". It's way easier to rename focus and some other singular terms.

At one point, you really want to get down to like 50 similarities, but you're still at like 54... There are some choice that must be done. So you rename Focus component to Locus, you rename mithril to dawnsilver, Attack of Opportunity to Reactive Strike, and Flat-Footed to Off-Guard. While you manage to keep a couple of other seemingly random ones.

So yeah. The problem is not "Focus component" as a singular thing, but as a part of the whole.
Another problem is that nobody know the "minimum" percentage that can "pass". It's always dealt "case by case", and two different judges could also have different pivot points (or other person/group responsible to make that decision). So you always want the smallest amount of similarities.

(Note: all the numbers used are random and only for illustrative purposes.)

But the terms Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, Cleric, and Bard were around long before the grandparents of anyone ever involve3d in D&D were born. Pretending that those terms were IP would be as ridiculous as trying to claim Elf or Dwarf. They can't claim dragons in general even if they can say that evil chromatic and good metallic dragons are IP.

Elfteiroh wrote:

Ed Reppert wrote:

Note: "focus" is defined similarly to "locus" on page [num] of the Core Rulebook.

The word "focus" is Latin for "domestic hearth". "Locus" is Latin for "place". However, "focus" is a lot closer than "locus" to the intended meaning.

It's less specific elements, and more an percentage of them. Like, if WotC sue that Pathfinder as a whole is too similar to D&D, and present to the courts [num] instances of similarities, or if they manage to present [num] similarities, the latter case have WotC more likely to win. It's way easier to rename focus and some other singular terms.

At one point, you really want to get down to like [num] similarities, but you're still at like [num]... There are some choice that must be done. So you rename Focus component to Locus, you rename mithril to dawnsilver, Attack of Opportunity to Reactive Strike, and Flat-Footed to Off-Guard. While you manage to keep a couple of other seemingly random ones.

So yeah. The problem is not "Focus component" as a singular thing, but as a part of the whole.

(Note: all the numbers used are random and only for illustrative purposes.)

But the terms Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, Cleric, and Bard were around long before the grandparents of anyone ever involve3d in D&D were born. Pretending that those...

Mind your spelling, priest.

Pagan priest wrote:

But the terms Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, Cleric, and Bard were around long before the grandparents of anyone ever involved in D&D were born. Pretending that those...

Mind your spelling, priest.

Well, that's what I get for trying to type while watching a movie with subtitles.

Elfteiroh wrote:

Ed Reppert wrote:

If WOTC owns IP rights to the word "focus" in the sense of an item used to aid in casting a spell, then IP law is seriously fscked and needs to be corrected.

Note: "focus" is defined similarly to "locus" on page 303 of the Core Rulebook.

The word "focus" is Latin for "domestic hearth". "Locus" is Latin for "place". My dictionary has definitions for both, but does not suggest a meaning in a magical context for either. However, "focus" is a lot closer than "locus" to the intended meaning.

It's less specific elements, and more an percentage of them. Like, if WotC sue that Pathfinder as a whole is too similar to D&D, and present to the courts 50 instances of similarities, or if they manage to present 200 similarities, the latter case have WotC more likely to win.

There's some similarities that would be very hard to remove, like "having casting classes, some being named Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, Cleric, and Bard". It's way easier to rename focus and some other singular terms.

At one point, you really want to get down to like 50 similarities, but you're still at like 54... There are some choice that must be done. So you rename Focus component to Locus, you rename mithril to dawnsilver, Attack of Opportunity to Reactive Strike, and Flat-Footed to Off-Guard. While you manage to keep a couple of other seemingly random ones.

So yeah. The problem is not "Focus component" as a singular thing, but as a part of the whole.
Another problem is that nobody know the "minimum" percentage that can "pass". It's always dealt "case by case", and two different judges could also have different pivot points (or other person/group responsible to make that decision). So you always want the smallest amount of similarities.

(Note: all the numbers used are random and only for illustrative purposes.)

But the terms Wizard, Sorcerer, Druid, Cleric, and Bard were around long before the grandparents of anyone ever involve3d in D&D were born. Pretending that those...

You missed the "part of the whole" part

Again removed a post and some quotes. Please move on in the conversation.

Out of curiosity, does the Barbarian Dedication multiclass feat also get rid of the -1 to AC while raging?

Out of curiosity, does the Barbarian Dedication multiclass feat also get rid of the -1 to AC while raging?

No, it does not. Archetype dedication retains the -1, which somewhat 'protects' the barbarian's class niche (like monk archetype's 1d4 Flurry of Blows cooldown).

Master Han Del of the Web wrote:

Out of curiosity, does the Barbarian Dedication multiclass feat also get rid of the -1 to AC while raging?

No, it does not. Archetype dedication retains the -1, which somewhat 'protects' the barbarian's class niche (like monk archetype's 1d4 Flurry of Blows cooldown).

Cool, got it. Thanks for the answer.

August 1st is almost here!

Hopefully the Champion multiclass also has a smaller aura with a locked size to follow the pattern of changing to better protect class niches.

seansps wrote:

My Subscription Order is still "Pending" (for 10 days now). Can I get an update?

Same. Still don't understand why digital downloads don't become available all at the same time. Maybe this week.

Yeah I'm really sad bout it, I have to wait even longer to read it. :(

Do we know which timezone the PDF will be available at midnight?

Do we know which timezone the PDF will be available at midnight?

Paizo's timezone is Pacific Time. :3

Don't assume midnight availability on GenCon release months. They sometimes hold them until the keynote to make the physical attendees feel like they didn't miss out. I know they're doing that for the Starfinder 2 Playtest, they might be for the other normal purchaseable books.

Hopefully the Champion multiclass also has a smaller aura with a locked size to follow the pattern of changing to better protect class niches.

I don't see where either the remastered Champion dedication or the pre-remaster version grant an aura.

Don't assume midnight availability on GenCon release months. They sometimes hold them until the keynote to make the physical attendees feel like they didn't miss out. I know they're doing that for the Starfinder 2 Playtest, they might be for the other normal purchaseable books.

In my time zone Aug 1st is nearly over (UTC+11). Will have to wait until tomorrow at the very least.

I was staying up until midnight PST to get it. I watched as it went from "Available 1 August" to "PDF Unavailable". A little disappointed, but I waited this long for it, so I can wait until the morning.
I'm looking forward to it.

This is really dissapointing, was really hoping to get it before bed :c

Don't assume midnight availability on GenCon release months. They sometimes hold them until the keynote to make the physical attendees feel like they didn't miss out. I know they're doing that for the Starfinder 2 Playtest, they might be for the other normal purchaseable books.

I mean just in general 'Available 1st Aug' is horrible UI and it should've actually specify more accurately, at least as a hover/click tooltip.

Thinking availability of the digital version will stop someone from buying the physical (or on the flip-side unavailability force them to) I think may be more than a little bit off on theory vs reality TBH.

Also, some customers cannot afford the space of the larger hardcover for any of a number of reasons.

...and may be getting the.pdf for pro forma reasons.

I was staying up until midnight PST to get it. I watched as it went from "Available 1 August" to "PDF Unavailable". A little disappointed, but I waited this long for it, so I can wait until the morning.

I'm looking forward to it.

Why does Paizo make giving them money so hard.

Coyotekin wrote:

I was staying up until midnight PST to get it. I watched as it went from "Available 1 August" to "PDF Unavailable". A little disappointed, but I waited this long for it, so I can wait until the morning.

I'm looking forward to it.

Why does Paizo make giving them money so hard.

Very true, I want to pay them and they don't want it

Coyotekin wrote:

I was staying up until midnight PST to get it. I watched as it went from "Available 1 August" to "PDF Unavailable". A little disappointed, but I waited this long for it, so I can wait until the morning.

I'm looking forward to it.

Why does Paizo make giving them money so hard.

I've never seen an announcement that it will be available at midnight, and honestly: doing midnight sales is not always a great idea. You'd think "it's Online Sales, so no casheer has to stay up til midnight", but the support team has to do a night shift, because if anything regarding sales and so on isn't working, you will have to deal with a lot of disappointed roleplayers at a time you usually are asleep.

And also: this post is written by someone who reloads the page every few minutes...

Gorgo Primus wrote:

Hopefully the Champion multiclass also has a smaller aura with a locked size to follow the pattern of changing to better protect class niches.

I don't see where either the remastered Champion dedication or the pre-remaster version grant an aura.

Which is weird, as the champion archetype can get access to the champion's reaction feats. Those, however, require the aura to actually work.

You'd think "it's Online Sales, so no casheer has to stay up til midnight", but the support team has to do a night shift, because if anything regarding sales and so on isn't working, you will have to deal with a lot of disappointed roleplayers at a time you usually are asleep.

If it was some kind of exclusive store just for a new product? Maybe.

This is just adding another PDF to be watermarked and downloaded to a catalog of hundreds of existing PDFs.

Their system is well tuned and a literal modern wristwatch has enough computing power to handle the data transfer aspect.

The only thing that's computational is the watermarking, and that's 100% something they already do in parallel on separate systems so it's what IT would call 'trivially' scalable.

This isn't a live-service game that's changing game interactions or has real-time communications here to restart a database or make special backups before a major release. It's adding a file download to a file server.

I've never seen an announcement that it will be available at midnight

It was certainly my expectation that Aug 1st meant midnight Aug 1st (PST). It has in the past (at least for non Gen Con books).

What we have here, as they say, is a failure to communicate. It really doesn't matter exactly when the book becomes available, but it should become available at a specific time that we are told in advance.

At the very very least, that "Pdf unavailable" tag should be a timer telling me WHEN it will be available.

Think that SF2e playtest is actually Gen Con books.

Old_Man_Robot wrote:

Coyotekin wrote:

I was staying up until midnight PST to get it. I watched as it went from "Available 1 August" to "PDF Unavailable". A little disappointed, but I waited this long for it, so I can wait until the morning.

I'm looking forward to it.

Why does Paizo make giving them money so hard.

I've never seen an announcement that it will be available at midnight, and honestly: doing midnight sales is not always a great idea. You'd think "it's Online Sales, so no casheer has to stay up til midnight", but the support team has to do a night shift, because if anything regarding sales and so on isn't working, you will have to deal with a lot of disappointed roleplayers at a time you usually are asleep.

And also: this post is written by someone who reloads the page every few minutes...

Midnight nothing, its nearly 6pm where I am.

Paizo's entire sales model is incredibly US centric. I've had to cancel all my subscriptions because its honestly not worth it.

I get its not a big deal, but it would be nice to be able to exchange my money for their good and services at a time that is convenient for me as a customer.

Nectarian wrote:

I've never seen an announcement that it will be available at midnight

It was certainly my expectation that Aug 1st meant midnight Aug 1st (PST). It has in the past (at least for non Gen Con books).

What we have here, as they say, is a failure to communicate. It really doesn't matter exactly when the book becomes available, but it should become available at a specific time that we are told in advance.

At the very very least, that "Pdf unavailable" tag should be a timer telling me WHEN it will be available.

Amen. I had scheduled my whole morning (releases 9 AM in Sweden) around this, and now It seems it will be released after 4 PM (since the key note is at 4 PM CET).

It's furiating when it could've been avoided by communication.

Facepalming hard right now over "PDF unavailable". Paizo, y u do dis?!

Well, for me it is 12:00 on the first of August......... still nothing

Gorgo Primus wrote:

Hopefully the Champion multiclass also has a smaller aura with a locked size to follow the pattern of changing to better protect class niches.

I don't see where either the remastered Champion dedication or the pre-remaster version grant an aura.

Correct, they don’t and are thus broken and need errata anyways. Hence my hoping for them to use a smaller aura when they fix it.

Wake up excited to purchase my PDF (been counting down the weeks, then days, then hours), PDF Unavailable. Nothing like starting the day with heartbreak and discontent. Thanks Paizo.

I just need to know if the pdf will actually be released today as announced, my group was postponing the start of a new campaign just for the pdf. We also are from Brazil, we dont have access for a physical product soon as this.

Wake up excited to purchase my PDF (been counting down the weeks, then days, then hours), PDF Unavailable. Nothing like starting the day with heartbreak and discontent. Thanks Paizo.

Same

I think all we Euro Paizo fans are on that boat.

This is so lame. Come on...

No, it makes a kind of sense, if they are aiming for a Gen Con Exhibit Hall 'live' time would be 1000 AM Eastern/0900 Central/0800 Mountain/0700 Pacific.

And since it would be a traditional 'draw' to Gen Con, they probably did the timing to match up with that, because otherwise there would be some Customer Service issues.

It's frustrating and I don't see how it benefits anybody.