It seems I turned my head and "Bam!" all kinds of stuff going on a Paizo and with the new Pathfinder RPG. I have questions that might sound stupid to all of you "In the know/ closing following the RPG fans". Can you help me out with a few questions so I can join the ranks of the cool kids? I know that most of this information is scattered about on various threads but I am so overwhelmed and you are such helpful gamers that I thought I would this new thread.
I have down loaded the free pdf version(s)currently available. The final print version comes out in August of 2009? We should see a complete free pdf Beta this August of the book featuring all core rule book classes... Is this correct?
The rules are 100% backwards adjusted for 3.0 and 3.5?
How tied to the Pathfinder world are the rules? Can my homebrew survive or will major tweaks be needed?
So much product I don't know where to start! And it all came out so fast! What is currently available and what is on the horizon!
What else did I miss?
Thanks!
|
It seems I turned my head and "Bam!" all kinds of stuff going on a Paizo and with the new Pathfinder RPG. I have questions that might sound stupid to all of you "In the know/ closing following the RPG fans". Can you help me out with a few questions so I can join the ranks of the cool kids? I know that most of this information is scattered about on various threads but I am so overwhelmed and you are such helpful gamers that I thought I would this new thread.
I have down loaded the free pdf version(s)currently available. The final print version comes out in August of 2009? We should see a complete free pdf Beta this August of the book featuring all core rule book classes... Is this correct?
That is correct. The Beta softcover and pdf will be almost complete (some DMg stuff is not going to be present) and out this August, the complete hardcover will be out August 2009.
The rules are 100% backwards adjusted for 3.0 and 3.5?
This is rather controversial. It cannot be 100% compatible as it would just be a 3.5 reprint, but it is the stated goal that adventures, characters and monsters created for 3.5 can be run in Pathfinder with minimal, if any, conversion.
How tied to the Pathfinder world are the rules? Can my homebrew survive or will major tweaks be needed?
Like D&D 3.5 assuming Greyhawk as the default setting, Pathfinder uses Golorian for such things as which gods exist and how they behave, but apart from that it will be as setting dependent as 3.5, i.e. not very. Your homebrew should be fine.
Hope that answers the major questions you had. Bear in mind, I'm not a Paizo employee, though.
What Paul Watson said (i.e. a confirmation or at least an "agree").
It seems I turned my head and "Bam!" all kinds of stuff going on a Paizo and with the new Pathfinder RPG.
To save time, I'll just tell you to go and buy everything. It all rocks. Literally everything! :D
But in case you're not one of us hopeless addicts (yet), let me see:
I have questions that might sound stupid
Bah. They're not close to stupid. Not even normal stupid - and the net has elevated stupidity to new heights (in a very inverted way, since it's really lows).
I know that most of this information is scattered about on various threads but I am so overwhelmed and you are such helpful gamers that I thought I would this new thread.
No worries. The "RTFM"-crew is usually not here.
I have down loaded the free pdf version(s)currently available. The final print version comes out in August of 2009? We should see a complete free pdf Beta this August of the book featuring all core rule book classes... Is this correct?
Yep. The plan so far is this:
In August - just in time for GenCon - the Beta Version will be released. The pdf will be free, the print version will be 25 bucks (considering that this is a 400 page full-colour book, the price is really good - it's hardly more than cost for them, and I know I couldn't print it myself for that price, not to mention binding a book of that size properly).
Since this is a beta test book, there will still be updates, in the form of free downloads (and I guess the pdf will be kept up to date)
And in August 2009, the final version will be out, both as Print and PDF.
The rules are 100% backwards adjusted for 3.0 and 3.5?
They take care to keep things compatible. Sure, you will have to convert some things, but it's not a big deal, and you can actually keep stuff like monsters and so on like they are in your 3.5 books without the game breaking down, or can go for some quick-and-dirty half-conversions. For example, the new classes only add things - they never subtract.
How tied to the Pathfinder world are the rules?
Basically not at all. They didn't four-e the setting to the rules. The book will contain a new list of gods, but that's not more tied to Pathfinder Chronicles than 3.x was tied to GreyHawk. And there will probably some extra weapons, which, while originating from Pathfinder, aren't something that could never exist in other settings (like the eartbreaker hammer, the sawtooth sabre, or the war razor)
Can my homebrew survive or will major tweaks be needed?
Your homebrew will be perfectly fine without any tweaks in the flavour department. They take care to make a ruleset that can support a lot of styles of play, just like 3e (maybe even a bit more). You will not have to spellplague your world into submission or anything like that.
So much product I don't know where to start! And it all came out so fast! What is currently available and what is on the horizon!
Well, since I can't just tell you everything in full detail, check out [url]http://paizo.com/pathfinder[/url] (Up there in the blue bar with the Paizo Logo Golem), it shows the different product lines. Also, read through the blog, lots of nice stuff there.
But for a summary:
The big flagship line are Pathfinder Adventure Paths. Those were also the first to use the Pathfinder name. They're serialised adventures (just like Dungeon's APs like Shackled City or Age of Worms).
Once a month, you get a new part of a bigger adventure, and 6 of them form a complete adventure path, taking the campaign from level 1 to 15 or so (it varies from path to path). They're 90-something pages, about half of which is the adventure itself. The rest is supporting material: A bestiary with half a dozen or so monsters that fit the adventure and the area it plays in, write-ups about areas/nations, cities, cultures, races, deities... as well as the "Journal" - serialised fiction written in as journal entries by Eando Kline, Pathfinder. The Journal shows you a bit more of the world (as it's usually not about the area the players are in), while the support material is great help if the players stray off the beaten path.
The 1st AP, Rise of the Runelords, is already finished, and the 2nd, Curse of the Crimson Throne is nearing its end as well. The 3rd, Second Darkness, will begin in August if I recall correctly.
Pathfinder Chronicles is the Campaign World behind Pathfinder: The planet Golarion, especially the Inner Sea Region (you could compare it to Faerûn on planet Toril, where most of the Forgotten Realms action happened). In August, there will be the Campaign Setting Hardcover with the usual comprehensive overlook of the world and how to play there. Beyond that, there's already several support books that concentrate on some aspects of Golarion: For example, there's Gazetteer (like a "campaign setting lite"), Classic Monsters Revisited (a simply amazing book containing reinventions of 10 classic D&D monsters, like orcs, goblinoids, lizardfolk, ogres, trolls. They're the same old races, but in an entirely new light. The whole book is brimming with greatness), Guides to Korvosa (where the 2nd Adventure Path mostly takes place) and Darkmoon Vale (where several Adventures take place).
Chronicles products are mostly rules free. I'd say there's about 90% pure flavour in there, with only occasional hard rules refernces and items (like a new feat here and there)
Pathfinder Modules (formerly Gamemastery Modules) are single adventure modules also set in Golarion, who are all stand-alone (though some are more or less connected). They've got letter codes like U for Urban adventures or D for Dungeon and so on.
Pathfinder RPG will be Paizo's evolution of D&D 3.5. Like we said: Backwards compatible with 3.5, tries to fixes some of 3e's problems without throwing the game and its history away. Beyond the core rulebook (which will contain the stuff from PHB and DMG), and a very likely monster book (to take the MM's place), there will probably be additional rulebooks, all focussing on rules aspects, and remaining as setting neutral as possible
Pathfinder Companion will start in August, I think. They're basically smaller player's guides (as opposed to Chronicles products which are larger, and only mostly for players - the Guide to Korvosa for example has a Secrets chapter that is off limits to players) about one aspect of the game world - like Elves, Osirion (Golarion's Egypt), or the Second Darkness Adventure Path. They will contain some rules parts - especially Player Traits, which help you get some background abilities, and also tie your character into the world.
Pathfinder Accessories Contains non-book game aids and fan items like item cards, t-shirts and dice.
Pathfinder Miniatures are metal miniatures (from Crocodile Games) of the creatures, NPCs and iconic characters from the Adventure Paths. They're lagging a big behind, with figures for the first two issues of pathfinder being available, but that's ideal for someone starting late.
Pathfinder Chonicles Miniatures are also metal miniatures, but they're more for the campaign setting in general (not that they're useless to AP users, or vice versa).
By the way, if you find you like the stuff, take a look at the subscriptions: They're ongoing subscriptions (so you won't have to shell out the dough for a whole year in advance - you pay the stuff as they deliver), and you get free PDFs with everything. And if you get the Pathfinder Adventure Path subscription, you get 30% off those AP books, and 15% off the MSRP of everything else in the paizo store, except PDFs that are not from Paizo. This includes the minis and even the other subscriptions - and subscriber tags next to your name and associated bragging rights ;-).
Thanks for the help friends. Just a few more questions.
This August when the Beta is released it will be available as a free pdf AND a print version (which has a cost). Is the print version going to be available at most retailers/ local game and hobby stores OR just online and at Gen Con?
Little confused about and between the Pathfinder Chronicles and the Pathfinder Companion. They both appear as campaign setting books. What is the difference?
Have they announced if this rules set plans to adapt the other minor PC classes like the Scout, the Knight, Favored Soul, etc...?
Thanks again!
|
|
Little confused about and between the Pathfinder Chronicles and the Pathfinder Companion. They both appear as campaign setting books. What is the difference?
The Pathfinder Companion is designed to be player friendly. Thus, they are shorter and contain no spoilers.
Have they announced if this rules set plans to adapt the other minor PC classes like the Scout, the Knight, Favored Soul, etc...?
I don't think they legally can.
|
|
I don't think they legally can.Legalities only concern commercial products. People can incorporate as much or as little WotC 3.5 material into their Pathfinder game as they'd like. There might be a small amount of conversion needed, but based on everything I've seen, it will be minimal.
3.5 had the issue of power creep as it went on, so I'm not worried about most prestige classes. There might be an issue with the other core classes from the PHB 2, the Psionics Handbook, and the Miniature's Handbook, etc., but as I said, there was power creep and though I have limited experience with them, my impression of them was that they had an edge on the PHB core classes. In other words, there probably won't be a problem with them.
I intend to allow the 3.5 supplement books to work in conjunction with Pathfinder once I get the game going. If I run into problems, I'll post them.
All true. I was just saying that Paizo can't release an official conversion.
Chief Technical Officer
|
This August when the Beta is released it will be available as a free pdf AND a print version (which has a cost). Is the print version going to be available at most retailers/ local game and hobby stores OR just online and at Gen Con?
We are making it available through retail, but it's a short print run, so if you see it, act quickly!
Little confused about and between the Pathfinder Chronicles and the Pathfinder Companion. They both appear as campaign setting books. What is the difference?
Pathfinder Chronicles books usually cover a single topic in great depth; they're generally rules-light.
Pathfinder Companions are 32-page player-friendly books that mix setting material and mechanics such as Prestige Classes, all related to a particular theme.
I have a good game store and I can try and order the Beta.
So the Chronicles are rules light/ setting the and Companion is a rules book? Either out now?
|
I have a good game store and I can try and order the Beta.
So the Chronicles are rules light/ setting the and Companion is a rules book? Either out now?
Chronicles has the pathfinder gazeteer, guide to Korvosa, and guide to Darkmoon vale out now. the first companion comes out in August.
as to the backwards compatability, they have said multiple times that they are trying to make it about as painless as converting 3.0 to 3.5 and vice versa
|
Just want to add Jib, that I would never buy these products through a FLGS. As much as I would love to support them, Paizo really trumps that option. I have kicked myself for months since I decided to buy from my FLGS, and then realizing that I really screwed myself. For the past year I have been without a computer (internet really) off and on. I decided to buy from my local FLGS, and in the process I really missed out on a very big bonus.
Paizo gives you the PDFs of "just about everything you buy from them" for free. It is a bonus for buying from them directly (and it is a big one). I therefore have PDF gaps in my subscriptions. I just about bought every single Gamemastery Module through my FLGS, and I have no PDFs of any of them. STUPID!
Anyway, I am now getting PDFs for the Pathfinder Adventure Paths, Pathfinder Chronicles, Pathfinder Modules and Pathfinder Companion (though I have yet to get an issue of Companion, starts in August).
Right after realizing this I jumped back aboard and Paizo introduced their Pathfinder Advantage program just weeks later. Basically, if you sign up for the subscriptions you get 15% off their normal price. I saw this as an added bonus, and it just sealed it.
If I were you I would order the products you missed in one big order after you sign up for the subscriptions. Then you will have all the PDFs for all the Paizo products. I hate to middle out the FLGS, but the PDFs are plain cool. You get to see the product before you get the print copy.
On a side note, the authors on the boards have said repeatedly that they will not use previous content in other material. If Darkmoon Vale has a lot to tell you in that booklet, the information in the Gazateer or the Campaign Setting Book will have very little to none overlap of exact/duplicate information. Paizo wants these products to shine even after they release their all encompassing Campaign Setting Book (due in August).
Cheers,
Zuxius
I have a good game store and I can try and order the Beta.
So the Chronicles are rules light/ setting the and Companion is a rules book? Either out now?
Companions are probably more a mix of setting information and appropriate rules for the setting. They're probably no more rules-heavy than the setting books wizards used to churn out. They'll start in August with the Second Darkness Companion (which takes the place of the Player's Guide), others about topics like elves will follow.
The Chronicles stuff we've seen so far have been very easy on the rules:
The Guide to Korvosa only had some very light rules-information about the city itself (i.e. how many people live there and GP limit - and I only mention them since they were in the classical D&D format) and a secrets chapter in the back, which consisted of a couple of pages with some rules information. The Guide to Bloodsworn Vale should be very similar to that.
Classic Monsters Revisited had one stat block for each critter (of which there were 10) and sometimes some extras - a feat or two, an extra weapon, stats for a common variation of said monster.
The Gazetteer had one alterate class feature for each core class, and the relevant information about the 20 core deities (plus Aroden), and the prevalent alignement for each nation I think.
|
Chief Technical Officer
|
Companions are probably more a mix of setting information and appropriate rules for the setting. They're probably no more rules-heavy than the setting books wizards used to churn out. They'll start in August with the Second Darkness Companion (which takes the place of the Player's Guide), others about topics like elves will follow.
It's kind of hard to describe what the Companion is like. While I don't want to compare it directly to Dragon magazine (because it's really *not* that), I will say that we've listened to some of the things that Dragon readers have been missing, and the Companion incorporates some of those things. (Once people see a Companion or two, I think folks will really get it.)
|
Creative Director
|
The Pathfinder Chronicles books aren't really going to follow any real solid pattern for crunch vs. flavor content. Some, like Guide to Korvosa, will be mostly flavor. Others, like Into the Darklands and Gods and Magic, will have a bit more crunch.
Until we make the switch over to the Pathfinder RPG in August 2009, though, we are unlikely to have a Chronicles product that's crunch-heavy, though.
Thanks! I will buy from the local game/ comic store since they give me a nice 10% discount and will bend over backwards to get my stuff. When I enter the store it would remind you of the TV show Cheers. Instead of "Hey Norm!" I get a "Hey Jib"!
|
|
Paizo gives discounts too. :)
http://paizo.com/pathfinder/v5748btpy7xpn
30% the Adventure Pathes.
15% off everything else (except PDFs.)
AND..
Free PDFs of all products you receive as part of your subscription. :)
Paizo gives discounts too. :)
http://paizo.com/pathfinder/v5748btpy7xpn
30% the Adventure Pathes.
15% off everything else (except PDFs.)AND..
Free PDFs of all products you receive as part of your subscription. :)
Still I like to support the guys at the shop. They do lots of nice things for me like special orders. I even get a freebie now and again!
Of course I do support the Paizo too! I even dropped some money on Paizo last year at Gen Con. Handed it to Lisa Stevens herself. She was preoccupied at the time. I love the Paizo!