Paizo is not sticking with 3.5, in August of 2009 they will be releasing their own system seemingly to be geared towards those that don't like 3.5 but also don't like 4e. So what are your plans now, if you intend to stick with 3.5?
Because 3P will be backward compatable with 3.5 and 4E will not...
I plan on checking out 3P in August 2009 and if I dont care for it I will be playing 3.5 and converting the Pathfinder moduals back to 3.5
As far as I’m concerned, Pathfinder is just 3.6 edition, just rolled out the way 3.5 should have been. I’ve already downloaded the Alpha and will probably start using it this week. I like everything I’ve seen so far.
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I trust Paizo to deliver on the promise of backwards compatibility. I also trust them to only put their stamp of approval on changes that a majority of us grognards can live with.
If Paizo had converted to 4e, I would have given their stuff a shot, albeit reluctantly. With the decision they have made, I have no reluctance about supporting them at all.
Personally, I see what Paizo is doing as being a further derivation on 3.5, sort of a 3.55. I don't feel it's accurate to say that Paizo is NOT sticking with 3.5. Of course, I would also argue that what Wizards is doing is really New D&D 1.0, and not 4.0, but that's not really the point.
Paizo is not sticking with 3.5, in August of 2009 they will be releasing their own system seemingly to be geared towards those that don't like 3.5 but also don't like 4e. So what are your plans now, if you intend to stick with 3.5?
I wouldn't say they aren't sticking with 3.5; they are just cleaning up a few things. In my opinion it's not much different than just a new campaign guild. There are a few changes, but I feel it's still very much 3.5. I'm all for Pathfinder RPG. I'm sure I'll change somethings in it as I would all others. It's differently not 4e, but I don't think it's changed some much that it's no longer 3.5.
So Paizo all the way.
Fizz
If Paizo had converted to 4e, I would have given their stuff a shot, albeit reluctantly. With the decision they have made, I have no reluctance about supporting them at all.
Actually, it is specifically because Paizo made the decision they did that I am starting a subscription with them. I will purchase the Beta version at GenCon, even though I can download it, and I will purchase the final version in 09, even though, frankly, I don’t have to. Paizo has earned a loyalty from me that WotC will never be able to again. Paizo’s inclusive play test idea is such a stark contrast to Wotc’s “you’ll take what we give you” nose-flag, that I expect to feel a sense of ownership in the finished product. I’ll be able to say, “I had a hand in creating these rules. Look how we improved (whatever).”
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(shrug) All of the Pathfinder adventures will be perfectly playable under the SRD-only D&D 3.5, same as always. If I want to play any adventure under "full-bells-and-whistles" 3.5, I'd have to adapt the adventures to allow for Warlocks, Warblades, and possibly Warforged Warmages, same as always.
The publication of Pathfinder Rules System is necessary to allow an in-print version of the SRD-rules set, so game stores will still stock Pathfinder adventures. It's not intended to take away your 3.5 options.
You seem stressed, Pres Man. Relax. These people love the game, too.
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Paizo is not sticking with 3.5, in August of 2009 they will be releasing their own system seemingly to be geared towards those that don't like 3.5 but also don't like 4e. So what are your plans now, if you intend to stick with 3.5?I wouldn't say they aren't sticking with 3.5; they are just cleaning up a few things. In my opinion it's not much different than just a new campaign guild. There are a few changes, but I feel it's still very much 3.5. I'm all for Pathfinder RPG. I'm sure I'll change somethings in it as I would all others. It's differently not 4e, but I don't think it's changed some much that it's no longer 3.5.
Fizz
This is the wonderful thing about 3e - its flexibility. It doesn't of necessity break the system to blend things from this book or that book. You of course run across things that are broken, but those are easy enough to say "Well that was a mistake. Let's try a different set of feats, rules, etc."
(shrug) All of the Pathfinder adventures will be perfectly playable under the SRD-only D&D 3.5, same as always. If I want to play any adventure under "full-bells-and-whistles" 3.5, I'd have to adapt the adventures to allow for Warlocks, Warblades, and possibly Warforged Warmages, same as always.
Not exactly the same thing. Allowing a warforged warmage does not change how an elf wizard works. Nor does it change how skills and feats work (though it might allow for new feats) or how the combat system works.
The publication of Pathfinder Rules System is necessary to allow an in-print version of the SRD-rules set, so game stores will still stock Pathfinder adventures. It's not intended to take away your 3.5 options.
Sure, but the PRPG is not 3.5, at least no more than True20, Iron Kingdoms, etc is. The fact that they are looking at changing: races, classes, skills, feats, combat, spells. I mean you can put a chevy engine in a ford body and try to call it a ford, but it ain't.
You seem stressed, Pres Man. Relax. These people love the game, too.
Well I will admit I am frustrated that people keep trying to say that PRPG is 3.5, when it clearly is not. I am sure they love "the game", but their game is not 3.5. When the poll was out asking if people were planning on sticking with 3.5, going to 4th edition, following Paizo wherever, etc; I voted for sticking with 3.5. Now I read pro-4e saying things like, "Well you pro-3.5 guys got your wish." And I feel like I am taking crazy pills, no, the true pro-3.5 folks did not. The folks that said, "I'll follow Paizo wherever.", did.
Well I will admit I am frustrated that people keep trying to say that PRPG is 3.5, when it clearly is not. I am sure they love "the game", but their game is not 3.5. When the poll was out asking if people were planning on sticking with 3.5, going to 4th edition, following Paizo wherever, etc; I voted for sticking with 3.5. Now I read pro-4e saying things like, "Well you pro-3.5 guys got your wish." And I feel like I am taking crazy pills, no, the true pro-3.5 folks did not. The folks that said, "I'll follow Paizo wherever.", did.
Some folk just refuse to be pleased...
Some folk just refuse to be pleased...
I am pleased that 3.5 will have 18 months more of life with Paizo, if that counts for anything.
The publication of Pathfinder Rules System is necessary to allow an in-print version of the SRD-rules set, so game stores will still stock Pathfinder adventures. It's not intended to take away your 3.5 options.Sure, but the PRPG is not 3.5, at least no more than True20, Iron Kingdoms, etc is. The fact that they are looking at changing: races, classes, skills, feats, combat, spells. I mean you can put a chevy engine in a ford body and try to call it a ford, but it ain't.
That's an invalid analogy. It would be more appropriate to say you’re pulling out the Chevy engine, cleaning it, replacing all the gaskets, breaking the glaze in the cylinders and putting in new rings.
pres man...
I agree with you that 3P is not 3.5
Theres alot of new changes hapening with the Pathfinder RPG. Those saying its 3.55 and not close to 3.75 do confuse me.
It seems to me that the change from 3.0 to 3.5 was less dramatic than 3.5 to 3P.
So yes I agree that it is a major revision. Its not 3.5 with minor fixes.
Having said all that...3P is still a much better option than 4th edition.
pres man...
I agree with you that 3P is not 3.5
Theres alot of new changes hapening with the Pathfinder RPG. Those saying its 3.55 and not close to 3.75 do confuse me.
It seems to me that the change from 3.0 to 3.5 was less dramatic than 3.5 to 3P.
So yes I agree that it is a major revision. Its not 3.5 with minor fixes.
Thank you. I was truly feeling like I was going a bit crazy.
Having said all that...3P is still a much better option than 4th edition.
Oh, I agree, if my only choices were to go with 3P or 4e, I would go with 3P most likely. Yet, I don't plan on going with either of those choices. 3.5 works great for me.
pres man...
I agree with you that 3P is not 3.5
Theres alot of new changes hapening with the Pathfinder RPG. Those saying its 3.55 and not close to 3.75 do confuse me.
It seems to me that the change from 3.0 to 3.5 was less dramatic than 3.5 to 3P.
So yes I agree that it is a major revision. Its not 3.5 with minor fixes.
Having said all that...3P is still a much better option than 4th edition.
I agree that 3.55 is not a good way of illustrating the changes. Actually, I was never sure why it was called 3.5 in the first place. It should have been 3.1 (which would have made 3P, I guess, 3.2) In any event, my group had started refering to it as 3.6, but now that you say 3P, I think I like that better.
I plan on using 3.0 3.5 and pathfinder all look like there work fine to me.
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You know, pres, there's a lot of odd things in the alpha version of the rules which probably won't be there in beta, or in the final version.
This is Jason's opportunity to offer things up to us, and we playtest, and we see if they work or not. If not, then it doesn't go into the final rules.
I suspect that the hardcover edition of Pathfinder Rules System will be a couple notches more conservative than the alpha test rules.
The true answer is that exactly what I will do depends largely on the decisions of the others with whom I play D&D. If they all switch to 4E, for example, I will either (1) switch to 4E, too, or (2) try to find another group that plays a game I want to play.
But if I were making my decision in a vacuum, I'd just keep playing 3.5 and create my own material if I have to -- like we did in the Good Ol' Days (which weren't really all that Good, but were definitely Good Enough).
You know, pres, there's a lot of odd things in the alpha version of the rules which probably won't be there in beta, or in the final version.
This is Jason's opportunity to offer things up to us, and we playtest, and we see if they work or not. If not, then it doesn't go into the final rules.
I suspect that the hardcover edition of Pathfinder Rules System will be a couple notches more conservative than the alpha test rules.
Really wonderful Chris, thanks. And I am sure you'll love it. It is just not what I want, so please stop with the whole green eggs and ham bit, I don't want any swine thanks.
Now back to the actual topic. If you plan on sticking with actual 3.5, what is your long term plan? Make your own book(s) of the SRD with the 3.5 rules? For myself, awhile back I started putting together a player's guide. Right now it is in word and pdf formats. It doesn't have any art, mainly due to my lack of drawing ability, and I don't want to step on any copyright issues.
Because 3P will be backward compatable with 3.5 and 4E will not...
I plan on checking out 3P in August 2009 and if I dont care for it I will be playing 3.5 and converting the Pathfinder moduals back to 3.5
Ditto.
OR 4E turns out to be pretty good then I might start a 4E game but keep using 3.5 or 3P, too.
If a person out there can stand up and say they play 3.5, actual honest-to-goodness out-of-the-box(books?) 3.5, with no houserules, modding, tweaking, or alteration of any kind, I'll give them an E-cookie.
Maybe its just me, but I have never met anyone who didnt have at least one houserule or optional rule in play. I'd say, since the game is evolving as people play it and make decisions on what they do and dont like, that very few people have EVER played 3.5, or at least continue to do so. They're all playing 3.501 or higher.
Personally, I was already at about 3.77, on personal houserules. I guess the Pathfinder stuff will bring me fully to 3.8.
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I'm with Pres Man here. Pathfinder RPG may be incredible, but it's not keeping the SRD in print, it's an "upgrade". It leaves those who wish to run existing 3.5 adventures, whether from old issues of Dungeon magazine, Rise of the Runelords, Red Hand of Doom, or any third-party adventure campaign that requires the 3.5 core ruleset, out in the cold.
You could run old Dungeon adventures using new Pathfinder RPG rules, but that requires ALL players to purchase the new Pathfinder RPG rulebook, or print out the PDF, and become familiar with the changes. Despite claims of backward compatability, you really can't play a 3.5 PHB character in the same group as Pathfinder RPG characters without suffering an inferiority complex.
So why don't you simply run Pathdfinder adventures using the 3.5 rules, without buying the Pathfinder RPG? What are you doing right now when you try to run a publish adventure that feature some class, feats, abilities or monsters that you don't have in your 3.5 core rulebook...? I don't have any Wotc splat book and don't have a clue what a swift action is or what is suppose to do a duskblade or a scout... But I still can run any publish adventure easily... don't you?
Does the Pathfinder RPG will use new races or new classe that will invalidate the use of the pathfinder adventures??? So now you will see wizards or rogues stats with a little bit more hit point and a few new abilities... so what? If you use any WoTc splat book your are already use to that... All you have to do is use the class as they are in the core 3.5 rules with whatever houserule you choose to add...
If Paizo were only doing a reprint of the 3.5 OGL that you already have.. why bother to buy the Pathfinder RPG in the first place?
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So why don't you simply run Pathdfinder adventures using the 3.5 rules, without buying the Pathfinder RPG?
Many DMs haven't even heard of Pathfinder. They invite a new player to their standard 3.5 D&D game, but the player doesn't have a PHB, because they're all OUT OF PRINT, but brings along his new Pathfinder RPG instead, because he's been assured it's "backwards compatible" with the 3.5 rules. His DM takes one look at his character and says "I'm not allowing that POWER CREEP into my game, can't you just create a standard PHB character?"
Pathfinder RPG is great, but I wouldn't allow an Arcana Evolved character into a standard 3.5 D&D game, despite claims of compatibility - Pathfinder RPG is no different.
If this DM haven't heard of Paizo or Pathfinder and don't intend to use their product, I fail to understand why Paizo should accomodate this DM by publishing something that you can already get for free on the Internet? The pathfinder RPG is there to support the core business of Paizo: Publishing their adventures!
Basically, all you want is a print copy of the SDR without any change? Do you really believe that a market exist for that? The people who don't want any change to the core 3.5 already buyed the core 3.5 rules a long time ago... and probably a lot of splat book too...
If a person out there can stand up and say they play 3.5, actual honest-to-goodness out-of-the-box(books?) 3.5, with no houserules, modding, tweaking, or alteration of any kind, I'll give them an E-cookie.
Sure, everyone has their little tweaks, but the question is, is my tweaks the same as your tweaks and will 3P's be the same as either of ours? Frankly, I have little hope it is anywhere the same as mine. You want to see what my house rules are? You want to see the extent that I believe it is approriate to move away from the RAW? Ok, here you go:
-Half-orcs have no CHA penalty, may treat double-axe as martial.
-Orcs may treat double-axe as martial.
-Elves favored class is bard.
-Gnomes favored class is wizard (not just illusionist).
-Humans and Half-elves can truly treat any class they have as favored, not just the highest.
Classes:
-Monks and Paladins can multiclass freely, alignment permitting.
-NPC classes are always treat as favored.
-Rogues get a free search for traps when coming within 5' of them, like elves and secret doors.
Feats:
-You can use manyshot with a sling.
-You only take penalties when two-weapon fighting when you get an extra attack (this could also go in the combat section).
Equipment:
-Greatclub is a simple weapon.
-Falchion does 1d10 damage.
-Tetsubo is a martial bludgeoning weapon that does 1d10(M)/x4.
-Katana is an exotic one-handed weapon like the bastard sword that does 1d8(M)/18-20.
-All masterwork ammunition costs 7 gp regardless of type (arrow, bolt, shuriken).
Combat:
-A charge can be readied. The character can't have used any other type of movement in the round and must limit themselves to the readied action only. They can only charge up to their movement.
There it is. And you know what, I would be totally fine if none of it was included in any kind of official update, because I realize that it is all subjective. It is things I like to see, but I realize that nobody else probably wants the exact same changes. That is why it is nice to have a common starting ground. But compare my houserules with the changes introduced in Alpha (which a lot of people are rightly excited with) and maybe you'll see why I am disappointed. I tried to make small changes, not wide sweeping changes. It is hard to say, "I like 3.5" and then say, "except for all the rules of 3.5." If you want to see alot of wide spread, fundamental changes to 3.5, you don't really like 3.5. It is just like saying you like strawberry ice cream but only if it was chocolate instead.
But again, I am glad you are excited about 3P. Good for you, you should definitely participate and try to get the CHANGES you want, put in. I don't want changes to the overall system, so there isn't much reason for me to participate. A fundamental premise of 3P is that there will be changes, why should someone that doesn't want changes, who probably wouldn't buy the product if it has fundamental changes to it, bother to participate. The product isn't for me, it is for you other folks. Please, go and enjoy it.
If this DM haven't heard of Paizo or Pathfinder and don't intend to use their product, I fail to understand why Paizo should accomodate this DM by publishing something that you can already get for free on the Internet?
So because you'll be able to get the Beta rules for free, nobody is going to buy them in print? Paizo already gives away free player guides for their AP, does that mean nobody buys the hardcopies? Of course they do, so I think that point is pretty meaningless.
The pathfinder RPG is there to support the core business of Paizo: Publishing their adventures!
And they have done a great job of using their own material and combining that with the wonderful work of other 3rd party producers of 3.5 products to give an even greater spread. I would wager that some of these other 3rd party companies have see a rise in sales with Pathfinder featuring some of their products. Why turn away from that?
Basically, all you want is a print copy of the SDR without any change? Do you really believe that a market exist for that?
No, I'd love a professionally made product that includes some of the new gear, deities, PrC, etc from the Pathfinder, and other products. But, yes I would love for the fundamental rules to be untouched.
The people who don't want any change to the core 3.5 already buyed the core 3.5 rules a long time ago... and probably a lot of splat book too...
Unless ... you know ... they haven't played 3.5 yet. What if a brand new player comes to my table and wants to play in another year. "Where can I get a PH?" "Maybe on Ebay." Not to mention just someone that wants to replace their books because they are so worn out. It would be nice to have a professionally made product from a company. Of course, one can get by without it, heck I have a player that still uses the SRD that he printed out. So, yes, I am disappointed that there will not be any professional 3.5 books out there soon, but that is the great thing about OGL/SRD, I don't need to depend on some publisher to keep my game alive. I would love to support one, but if nobody is looking out for me and mine, why should I worry about them and their's.
I plan to buy the Pathfinder RPG, continue my Pathfinder Adventures subscription, and blend/tweak as necessary. I'm primarily an OGL/d20 license guy anyway rather than straight-up D&D.
If a person out there can stand up and say they play 3.5, actual honest-to-goodness out-of-the-box(books?) 3.5, with no house rules, modding, tweaking, or alteration of any kind, I'll give them an E-cookie.
Maybe its just me, but I have never met anyone who didn't have at least one house rule or optional rule in play. I'd say, since the game is evolving as people play it and make decisions on what they do and don't like, that very few people have EVER played 3.5, or at least continue to do so. They're all playing 3.501 or higher.
Personally, I was already at about 3.77, on personal house rules. I guess the Pathfinder stuff will bring me fully to 3.8.
I like Black Bards point here. The game was vastly simplified when the 3.0 rules were set forth. Wait, maybe "streamlined" would be a better word to use. People who had never played D&D before were able to grasp its logical rules set.
Having said that however, there were of course things that got held over from previous editions that stretched the new rules sets boundaries. These things HAD to be kept though, they make D&D what it is and not some other system like GURPS or SHADOWRUN.
The greatest thing to me about the game of D&D is a players ability to do ANYTHING as long as they can imagine it. A game like that will always break out of the confining boundaries of any rules system that you impose on it eventually. With this in mind, Black Bard is doing what we all have been doing since the new rules were adapted by our groups. Expanding a very decent rules system to still encompass the imaginations of our players. This is why I frown in principle on bringing in a new (i.e. 4.0) rules system so soon after changing from 2nd edition to 3.0. I just don't feel this rules system has been given enough time.
How much time is enough you may ask? That may be best left to another thread. I personally will chime in for about a 10 year life cycle for a set of rules for the game. One decade has a nice weighty feel to it. Also, with the incredible rate at which computers are expanding their programs and computing power/speed, we may see version 5.0 in the year 2020 being a simulator experience anyway...
Just my two coppers,
-Roth
Paizo is not sticking with 3.5, in August of 2009 they will be releasing their own system seemingly to be geared towards those that don't like 3.5 but also don't like 4e. So what are your plans now, if you intend to stick with 3.5?
I'll go with Paizo and purchase their Pathfinder products.
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Paizo is not sticking with 3.5, in August of 2009 they will be releasing their own system seemingly to be geared towards those that don't like 3.5 but also don't like 4e. So what are your plans now, if you intend to stick with 3.5?
While the Alpha does propose some rather large changes, I believe that the playtest community will probably blunt some of those changes to ensure backwards compatibility. Even if the Pathfinder rules aren't identical to 3.5, if the stat blocks and monsters are close enough, then the adventurers will be compatible. In all honesty, I really don't need new rules that much. I'll buy them from Paizo since I love their work, but what i really need is adventure material and campaign sourcebooks.
I suspect that the final result will be close enough to 3.5 to allow quick and dirty conversions on the fly.
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If a person out there can stand up and say they play 3.5, actual honest-to-goodness out-of-the-box(books?) 3.5, with no houserules, modding, tweaking, or alteration of any kind, I'll give them an E-cookie.
Maybe its just me, but I have never met anyone who didnt have at least one houserule or optional rule in play. I'd say, since the game is evolving as people play it and make decisions on what they do and dont like, that very few people have EVER played 3.5, or at least continue to do so. They're all playing 3.501 or higher.
Personally, I was already at about 3.77, on personal houserules. I guess the Pathfinder stuff will bring me fully to 3.8.
I think I play 3.35. :)
To me, the Pathfinder RPG's changes to 3.5 will essentially be Unearthed Arcana II.
I don't use everything in UA, and I don't expect to use everything in the Pathfinder RPG.
But the fact that Pathfinder adventures will be backwards compatible with 3.5 means it really won't matter what I use and what I don't.
Yay!
Now back to the actual topic. If you plan on sticking with actual 3.5, what is your long term plan?
I still have no definate plan for what edition I'll be playing by the end of this year, let alone for the next couple of years.
If I stay 3.5 over the next several years, I will continue to buy the Pathfinder adventures and run them per the 3.5 rules. I like the game, it's easy for me to run a game that I enjoy and my friends enjoy.
So why don't you simply run Pathdfinder adventures using the 3.5 rules, without buying the Pathfinder RPG?Many DMs haven't even heard of Pathfinder. They invite a new player to their standard 3.5 D&D game, but the player doesn't have a PHB, because they're all OUT OF PRINT, but brings along his new Pathfinder RPG instead, because he's been assured it's "backwards compatible" with the 3.5 rules.
Let me introduce you and the "many DMs" to D20srd.org.
You don't need a PHB to make a character, the xp chart isn't necessary to make a character, so everything you need to make a 3.5 PC is right there.You obviously have access to the internet, otherwise you couldn't post here, so showing D20srd.org to new players shouldn't be a problem.
His DM takes one look at his character and says "I'm not allowing that POWER CREEP into my game, can't you just create a standard PHB character?"
Why do so many people (both on these boards and on ENWorld too) fail to grasp the fact that the Pathfinder RPG rules that you so willingly categorize as "POWER CREEP" are ALPHA PLAYTEST RULES and NOT the finished game???
I was initially depressed after reading some of the Alpha changes. I went into my office and looked over all my 3.0/3.5 books (and I've got an awful lot) and thought about how much work I was going to have to do to "upgrade" them.
Then I had an epihany.
I do not need the Pathfinder RPG. I've got everything I need already to run D&D for my players for as long as I want to. I don't have to change my Power Attack or use chain/combo feats. I don't have to come up with cool powers for all the domains in my Spell Compendium. I'm bloody well keeping skill points.
I don't need any of that and I won't be wasting my money on any of it.
I do, however, intend to cherry pick like hell. I'm going to use the slower experience gain charts to replace +1 and +2 level adjustments. I think some of the racial ability changes freaking rock (yay half-orcs)!
A good DM uses published rules as they're written simply as a template. Take what you like, modify what you want, and discard anything you don't like. I've never played in any campaign that was run the same way by two different DMs.
Once you shell out the dough and take it home, the rules are yours to toy with. Just have fun while you're doing it.
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Let me introduce you and the "many DMs" to D20srd.org.
You don't need a PHB to make a character, the xp chart isn't necessary to make a character, so everything you need to make a 3.5 PC is right there.
You obviously have access to the internet, otherwise you couldn't post here, so showing D20srd.org to new players shouldn't be a problem.
This isn't about me, I'm already quite familiar with D20srd.org. This is about my 11yo nephew who only owns the PHB, or former Living Greyhawk players looking for a game at the next convention, or any GM who purchases Pathfinder at his FLGS and hasn't visited paizo.com or know what d20srd.org is. Few people I know use laptops at the gaming table or have ready access to a printer.
When I attended my first convention, I arrived with only my PHB in hand with no idea what to expect. Games were scheduled back-to-back, often running over-time with little-to-no-break in between. I was assigned to a table, feeling quite bewildered, the game starts in 5 mins, everyone around me is chatting loudly, I stare at the blank character sheet in front of me. Fortunately, I'm familiar with the 3.5 rules, so I had my first Living Greyhawk character scratched up within moments.
Fast-forward to Day 3 of the convention, I'm having a great time with my new Living Greyhawk character, but this session only high level tables are available. However, I am offered a Living Arcanis intro table instead. I have never heard of Arcanis, much less own a copy of the Player's Guide to Arcanis. However, I was pretty much able to play my half-orc monk in the Arcanis setting with no adjustment (with a few small adjustments, he actually became a dark-kin monk).
Arcanis has since become a favourite setting, and I have purchased many Arcanis RPG books to support both continued convention play, and a home campaign, something that would never have happened without that first intro game. This is the kind of success Paizo would hope for with Pathfinder Society organised play.
Fast-forward 12 months, same scenario, only this time replace "Arcanis" with "Pathfinder". (Also consider Pathfinder Society will remain core 3.5 for the first year before transitioning to Pathfinder RPG).
The 3.5 rules created a common baseline that everyone was familiar with. The further you depart from that, the more difficult that transition becomes.
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Why do so many people (both on these boards and on ENWorld too) fail to grasp the fact that the Pathfinder RPG rules that you so willingly categorize as "POWER CREEP" are ALPHA PLAYTEST RULES and NOT the finished game???
Paizo have released these alpha rules for playtesting and asked for our feedback. Compared to the SRD, the alpha release clearly demonstrates power creep, this can't be ignored.
Now, whether this is a good thing for the game, or a bad thing, can be debated.
Good:
- a new and fresh approach
- fixes some of the perceived problems with 3.5
- get something new at every level advancement (no boring levels)
- balances the core races/classes compared with the race/class power creep perceived in WotC's recent sourcebooks
- appeals to players looking to power up their game (perhaps as a counter to 4E)
Bad:
- not viable to have a mixed table of 3.5 PHB characters with Pathfinder RPG characters (perhaps a new player invited to a home game or convention), because Pathfinder characters WILL be more powerful than PHB characters
- Perceived to be another alternate take on the Core rules, similar to Arcana Evolved, Iron Heroes etc - another company's house-rules that aren't as compatible with the Core as they would like you to believe.
For Pathfinder RPG to be truly compatible with the game we all know and love, you should be able to have two players at the same table, one using the PHB, and the other using Pathfinder RPG in the same game. I don't believe, as it looks now, that will be possible.
Whereas WotC re-invent a new edition every few years, because the Core three books (not their adventures) are their biggest sellers; I feel the main purpose of Pathfinder RPG is to keep people playing 3.5 so that Paizo can sell their highly successful Pathfinder adventure paths, modules, chronicles etc. It shouldn't matter whether those players are still using the PHB, Pathfinder RPG, or a mixed table of both. Pathfinder RPG's goal should be to place 3.5 rules in the hands of new players who may not already have a PHB.
I think the changes Paizo are proposing in their alpha rules would have a greater chance of success if it were truly seen as the new Core product for the 3.5 RPG industry, and not just one company's version of 3.5 rules. If other companies were to support the new Pathfinder RPG rules, and use them for their own campaign settings, that would carry a lot more weight and be visible to a much wider audience.