Ok, this is my attempt to try to summarize, if not all, at least the most frequent feedback on the posts. It is by no means a review of the Pathfinder RPG Alpha Release 1, just an overview of people’s feedbacks, and my own.
The writing may not be grammatically the best, since I am not a native English speaker, but I believe I’ll do ok.
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Introduction:
Not much to say here, the author talks about his motivations and expectations for the Pathfinder RPG and how he started on the project.
There is something I would like to say about the expected changes for the Pathfinder RPG that I have not found on the boards, and couldn’t find a appropriate place to do it: More focus on the character, not his magical gear.
My biggest problem with 3 (and 3.5) edition (and I do mean, the biggest, worse even than any broken or bogus rules) is that it’s all about the magical items of your character, not his own personal abilities. In a 3.5 version the saying would go: “It’s the sword and not the arm that wields it”. A high level fighter is not cool because of his fighting abilities, but because of all the magical stuff he carries, really, if you are of high level and are not packed with magical stuff you’re nothing, you’re nearly useless. Imagine a 12th level fighter without any magical weapons or armor. He is no match for even an 8th level encounter.
So, what I would really like to see in Pathfinder is more focus on the character, go back to the roots of fantasy action. Let a 12th level fighter stand out not for his +4 Keen-Flaming-Electrical-Ghost-Touch Sword; but for his own fighting skills. “Sure a magical armor and a flaming sword would help, but no worry, I can do fine with my own breastplate the blacksmith just had repaired and my good ol’ sword”.
Really, if Pathfinder could accomplish this, I would consider it fine already. Iron Heroes accomplished the same, and for that I have a great respect for the system; although it could use a little clean-up too. I don’t know if other people share the same idea, this is my personal take on the subject.
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This is also a big issue with me. I like magical items, but I’ve always felt that they should be more like the icing on the cake and not the meat and potatoes of the character and the way it advances. Please keep the focus on the characters themselves instead of their magical equipment. I want to be able to run a 20th level Fighter without any magical gear and still stand a fair chance against an appropriate foe for my level.