I guess I question the why of doing this.
One of the reasons given was the issues with not having the rules for 4e, but isn't this doing the same thing? Now other 3rd parties will have to wait until after june-09 to release the updates(ed) versions, lesser of two evils or something?
I understand as a community we are supposed to hate the man, and root for the underdog and all that, I just don't get it. Do you really think the fence sitters will wait another year?
I think that is why backwards compatability is such a big issue for PathfinderRPG. The theory is that you just keep playing 3.5 and plug in the Pathfinder rules when and if you wish too. So there isn't really a wait, you get to keep using that shelf full of 3.5 material, and rules changes are small enough to allow for character and campaign continuity while still improving the game and adding interesting new options.
well
1 4e IS NOT backwards compatible
2 pathfinder is not as radical a change as 4e
3 pathfinder gives paizo control of there own product without realing on anyone else
4 has any one see the GSL
5 if your gonna expand a game it must be in print
6 if using said game why not fix what flaws you can
thats the ones off top my head im sure others will put it better.
I think that is why backwards compatability is such a big issue for PathfinderRPG. The theory is that you just keep playing 3.5 and plug in the Pathfinder rules when and if you wish too. So there isn't really a wait, you get to keep using that shelf full of 3.5 material, and rules changes are small enough to allow for character and campaign continuity while still improving the game and adding interesting new options.
Unfortunately based on the Alpha, things are not backward compatable. If you take a 3.5 character and run it in a Pathfinder RPG game, the character is WAY underpowered (under skilled, under-feated, under abilitied). Of course I take the postision about the only things needing fixing are: Wizards/Clerics need metamagic feats like fighters need combat feats, armor needs to be DR to make heavy armors a good reason not to fight someone in heavy armor if you aren't, skill points need to be uped at the low end (all 2+ to 4+) and then some of the combat crunch should be looked at. Basically add a few feats to the 3.5 character, fix the armor listing, and the RPG should work...if backward compatability is really a design issue.
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I was the one that said any 3.75 effort would be a waste of time. I took it back.
What convinced me was the desire to tell a specific kind of story and have control over the tone of the setting. I don't see Pathfinder as a generic 3.5 alternative - I see it as a specific tool to game Pathfinder style.
I am still going to play 4E. I love Eberron and 4E seems to be the perfect fit for its style of play.
I am no longer looking for one rules set to play every game (never really did) I just want rules that match the tone of the settings I enjoy.
I was the one that said any 3.75 effort would be a waste of time. I took it back.
What convinced me was the desire to tell a specific kind of story and have control over the tone of the setting. I don't see Pathfinder as a generic 3.5 alternative - I see it as a specific tool to game Pathfinder style.
I am still going to play 4E. I love Eberron and 4E seems to be the perfect fit for its style of play.
I am no longer looking for one rules set to play every game (never really did) I just want rules that match the tone of the settings I enjoy.
It's interesting.. I was one of the people that was completely Pathfinder oriented, for the style and tone of the game. I still am, that hasn't changed, and I'm still a Superscriber. Nobody needs to feel betrayed.
What added to that was an interest in 4th Edition for games that aren't like Pathfinder. I am picking up 4th Edition too, and since Eberron is going to be converted over- I might look at that too.
I'm happy with how things worked out, but the unexpected side effect was an honest curiousity about 4th Edition. As you say, different games for different styles.
One of the reasons given was the issues with not having the rules for 4e, but isn't this doing the same thing?
No.
PF is going to be designed to be backwards compatible with 3.5, and the D&D we know in general. (Yes, we don't know that yet, but Paizo's saying that they want to make it compatible. And Paizo I believe. They have the reputation).
Now other 3rd parties will have to wait until after june-09 to release the updates(ed) versions, lesser of two evils or something?
If the rules really are going to be compatible, they can just keep releasing stuff for 3.5 right now - and keep doing it, practically forever. All they'll have to do is change the requrements text come august 09: "Works with revised 3rd-edition rules by wizards" becomes "Works either with 3rd-edition rules by wizards or the Pathfinder RPG by Paizo".
I understand as a community we are supposed to hate the man, and root for the underdog and all that
We do? I mean, I do despise wizards, but not because they're "the man", but because of what they've been doing and saying for some time now, and what they've done to the game and campaign setting I like.
But that's not the reason I like Paizo and support Pathfinder. The reason is that they deliver top-notch stuff, and haven't so far given me any reason to despise them.
I just don't get it. Do you really think the fence sitters will wait another year?
Not all, no. But a lot will. In the meantime, they will keep playing the game they have been playing for years (haven't died so far, I think they'll survive another year), using the best adventures out there.