3.x versus PRPG in 2009


Alpha Playtest Feedback General Discussion

Dark Archive

Those who have seen/played both 3.x and PRPG Alphas have an inkling of the differences and similarities between the two games. Come August 2009, do you plan to:

Stick with 3.x and run Pathfinder modules, making changes as necessary (i.e., ignore/remove CMB, etc.)?

Switch to PRPG and run Pathfinder and 3.x modules, converting the latter when necessary (i.e., add bloodlines to NPC sorcerers,etc.)

Switch to 4E. (Just kidding! :)


My plan is to switch to PFRPG and convert characters, NPCs, etc.. The way things are developing, I'll need far fewer house rules than I currently use to patch [what I see as] the problem spots in standard 3.5. If anything, I suspect my conversion time will decrease with PFRPG compared to the time I currently need to make published adventures work with my homebrew.

Spoiler:
Which was actually the reason why I'd originally supported 4E's rules... until I finally had them in-hand.


joela wrote:
Come August 2009, do you plan to:

D - Use the Pathfinder RPG as a source of inspiration for 3.5 House Rules and stick to my huge backlog of Dungeon adventures for material.


I plan on converting my next campaign (probably CotCT) to PRPG. I'm currently running STAP, and I will probably do so for another 1,5-2 years. I have no plans on converting this campaign halfway through, although I am considering testing some elements from PRPG in this campaign.


joela wrote:

Those who have seen/played both 3.x and PRPG Alphas have an inkling of the differences and similarities between the two games. Come August 2009, do you plan to:

Stick with 3.x and run Pathfinder modules, making changes as necessary (i.e., ignore/remove CMB, etc.)?

Switch to PRPG and run Pathfinder and 3.x modules, converting the latter when necessary (i.e., add bloodlines to NPC sorcerers,etc.)

Switch to 4E. (Just kidding! :)

I honestly can't predict this. I will be picking up the main rulebook, but I don't know what, or where I might be running RPG wise. I've only got the next few months planned out, and it doesn't involve 3.5 or 4th. So I'll be picking up the book for sure, and still have my subscription (maybe more) but have no clue what I might be playing.

Scarab Sages

I will be running CotCT using the PRPG like I currently am. (I'll just have the finished rules instead of the playtest rules...)

Dark Archive

fray wrote:
I will be running CotCT using the PRPG like I currently am. (I'll just have the finished rules instead of the playtest rules...)

fray, you don't think our monthly games will last THAT long, do you? Oh, wait....

Sovereign Court

I liked the alphas, but am really waiting for the beta to decide myself. I think I'll definitely use the new core classes, probably the combat rules, everything else will be on a case by case basis.

What's annoying especially is if many spells get rewritten, as that would require to re-memorize them.

But that's really too early. Also, I have plenty of 3.x modules left to run, so I'll choose the path with least work for me and my players.


Going PFRPG all the way.

Liberty's Edge

I will be changing to P3.5 once the Beta is out, but I plan to start using some of the Alpha suggestions right away. Furthermore, my next campaign will start off in the Pathfinder World instead of the Realms.


seekerofshadowlight wrote:
Going PFRPG all the way.

Me too. We'll use Alpha 3 or Beta if it is out when we start CotCT and go from there.

Liberty's Edge

Undecided.

We currently intend to run the Beta, but we might not do so. We didn't consider any version of the Alpha 'playable'. Only Alpha 3 had all the classes, and the Combat Feats were just something we were never going to use.

Regardless of our Beta Testing, I will buy the final product and make a decision at that point. I would like to say that we'll be playing Pathfidner for sure, but I really do want to see a product that is better than 3.5. If Pathfinder fails to deliver, I'll probably fall back on an entirely new system I'm working on.

Liberty's Edge

Converting to the PRPG, even with my epic game.

Dark Archive

Switch to PFRPG.


As PRPG fail to adress the main problems of 3.5 and that the final release will probably be more a cut and paste of 3.5 rules and SDR to accomodate the intended targets of PRPG (those who still want to play 3.5) I will switch to 4E (no kidding) and run Pathfinder and 3.x modules I have already...

Scarab Sages

I'm already strong-arming, errr, converting my group to Pathfinder RPG. We'll play using the Alpha 3 until the Beta comes out, then use that till the real thing is out next year.


Like evilash, I'm using 3.5 for my current Shackled City campaign, but any future campaigns will probably use at least a few rules from Pathfinder.


Switch to Pathfinder RPG.

Run Pathfinder APs (both 3.5 & PRPG) and old APs (Dungeon and other box sets) converting only BBEG's and chief lieutenants(sp?).

-- david
Papa.DRB


When 3.5 came out, we switched over, but retained some of the 3.0 rules (facing, cover, etc.) that we liked. Probably the same for PfRPG - use Paizo's rules, but retain whatever 3.5 elements (e.g., Great Cleave, save-or-die spells) we might prefer.


Sadly, my group is currently fallen apart. They want to play but they have a lot of personal issues right now. That being said I'm going to get Beta (maybe two copies for history sake) and make the swicth. But in practicality My money is getting 3.5 ogl stuff from other settings, wizards and 3PP so that I have a complet set of stuff. I'm almost done with Dragonlance, but Blackmoor and KoK is still a struggle to get everything. Moreover I've just been invited to a monthly Conan game, I used to think that Conan was simply a harsh magic light game, playing the new rules for dodge and perry never mind armor rules, I'm now thinking of add some rules of conan to pathfinder. Is that insane?

When I get a game going again I think I'll use Pathfinder classes/spells/skills as my new base, but I'll have to update almost every base class I've Gotten over the years the Mystic form Dragonlance will be the hardest as I would have to come up with all new Divine Bloodlines, but this might be fune work. Yet I see Pathfinder as being and easiest game to convert any ogl stuff out there.

The other question I think is what will the industry do? I get the sense that Pathfider, Conan, True 20, hopefully Midnight and WOWRPG will stick with 3.5 OGL publishing "houseruled" they can all be converted to each other, but the days of 3.5 directly supported material is done. we've lost Dragonmech, and I think Iron Kingdoms, not to mention every single classic setting of D&D.

Dark Archive

Andre Caceres wrote:

Moreover I've just been invited to a monthly Conan game, I used to think that Conan was simply a harsh magic light game, playing the new rules for dodge and perry never mind armor rules, I'm now thinking of add some rules of conan to pathfinder. Is that insane?

...CUT...

we've lost Dragonmech, and I think Iron Kingdoms, not to mention every single classic setting of D&D.

1) Not at all! Try adding to the Conan "parry/dodge/armor as DR" system the wounds/vitality system from UA (or another variant of that concept) and take back the big bad monster factor on your giants, as opposed to the usual just another bag of HPs!

2) The Scarred Lands. Can't praise that setting enough.


Finish Age of Worms next Sunday. Starting Pathfinder, Rise of the Runelords in September, after a summer break.

Liberty's Edge

I don't really know yet. I'll prolly go with Pathfinder; I'll have 3.5 for anybody who doesn't do Pathfinder and try to convert them to Pathfinder maybe.
I really don't have any plans for 4e. I don't mean to start another brushfire, but there it is.


I am in the last quarter of Burnt Offerings. Probably finish in July, and then take a few weeks break. When I start up again, I think I am going to continue with Rise of the Runelords in 3.5e for at least adventure 2. Long term, though, the plan is to stay with 3.5e and Pathfinder, depending on player support (I GM).

I bought 4e PHB and have been trying hard to read it, but I just find it so sterile, mechanical, and bare.

In the long run, I think I will mix up Pathfinder RPG and Dark Heresy.


I will sadly wave Pathfinder a fond farewell as it sails off in new directions. I'll be sticking with 3.5 and have no interest in purchasing products I have to convert, no matter how easy or hard others may consider it.

Liberty's Edge

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber

I'll likely be playing 4e. I don't see the people I play with sticking with 3.5 for another year and none of them are really interested enough in 3P to buy it when it comes out.

Dark Archive

3.5 will last me through 2009 and decision will be in 2010. I'll buy the beta and final release copies, just won't decide whether to convert fully till then. I say "fully" because I'll take some of the good bits on the way.....like I am doing with the alpha.


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

I´ll probably exhort my players to change to Pathfinder when the beta comes out. However, I got some players who are very "rules-lite" and it could be difficult to make them change the system in the middle of the campaign. We´ll see how it goes. However, my next campaign will definitely use the PRPG and I´m 50% sure I´ll move from the Forgotten Realms to Golarion.

Grand Lodge

The way it is shaping up I plan on using PfRPG as my rules and Golarion as my game world. Run as many Paizo modules and APs as possible and probably forget that WOTC even exists.

Scarab Sages

Krome wrote:
The way it is shaping up I plan on using PfRPG as my rules and Golarion as my game world. Run as many Paizo modules and APs as possible and probably forget that WOTC even exists.

Seconded. :)

We might, once in a while, venture back into the Forgotten Realms (pre 4e BS) or Greyhawk for some good memories, but I can see the group I game with enjoying Golarion for the near future (next couple of years) anyway.

Dark Archive

For me, I'm going to be incorporating more and more PfRPG into my 3.x Eberron campaign and, hopefully, persuade my 3.x players over once the final version is released in 2009.


I'll stick with 3.5e, but a great deal of the houserules are inspired by the PF-alphas.


Converting mostly to Pathfinder RPG once the Beta comes out. I love DMing 3.5, but IMO PRPG feels like balanced house rules (although major house rules) - I just really like them. Those I talked to that I game with seemed pretty excited once things are more set.


I'll probably run PF with some houserules, and maybe some 3.5 rules put in.


joela wrote:
Those who have seen/played both 3.x and PRPG Alphas have an inkling of the differences and similarities between the two games. Come August 2009, do you plan to:

Sticking with 3.5, ignoring Pathfinder RPG. If the Pathfinder APs and modules can be run with 3.5 rules and little to no changes (ie. 3.0 to 3.5 level), then I'll keep buying. Otherwise Paizo gets dumped.

So far, so good! [For example, I can keep CMB for the NPCs even though the PCs have a "Grapple check" number, because CMB does the same thing and works the same way. I can do the same with most of the other stats and skills.]

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