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Hello all!
I am in the process of trying to get my group to switch from 4e to Pathfinder. Currently I am waiting for the beta book I ordered to arrive but was hoping someone could give me a few bullet points on how the Pathfinder rpg differs from 3.5. Any info is much appreciated so I can pass it to the other players in my group.
Thanks!
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Hello all!
I am in the process of trying to get my group to switch from 4e to Pathfinder. Currently I am waiting for the beta book I ordered to arrive but was hoping someone could give me a few bullet points on how the Pathfinder rpg differs from 3.5. Any info is much appreciated so I can pass it to the other players in my group.
Thanks!
I just started up a new group and made a quick-sheet to give my players an idea of the differences. I continue to find new little changes here and there though, so this is far from a comprehensive list!
Races
Stat bonuses changes: almost every race gets +2 to one mental and one physical stat and one -2 penalty to another stat (Humans and Half-elves choose one +2)
Racial weapons more flexible
Each race has 2 favored classes
Humans get 1 free martial weapon
Classes
All classes have abilities better spread across levels, with very few "dead levels" now
Some classes have bigger Hit Dice (sorcerer/wizard d6, rogue d8, ranger d10)
Starting hit points: we have a choice, but I prefer the option of "max HD + Con score"
Barbarian
now uses "rage points" to maintain rage, which also allow the use of other abilities while in a rage
Bard
New bardic performances added
Cleric
Orisons are now unlimited per day
Domains changed to allow more powers, not spells per day
Turning now simplified
Free weapon proficiency in their deity's favored weapon
Druid
Wild shape a bit nerfed with change in polymorph spells
Fighter
Gains "armor training" and "weapon training," more feats
Monk
only small changes as I can see
Paladin
Turning changed
Holy bond: choose either a mount or a celestial-bonded weapon
Other healing abilities added
Ranger
Now gets "favored terrain" bonus, can share bonuses with allies
Rogue
Rogues now get customizable "talents," like their higher-level special abilities used to be, but across levels now
Sneak attack usable on most creature types now (not focused on "vital organs" so much as "the weakest spot")
Sorcerer
Now choose a bloodline, which grants them related abilities, feats, and spells
No automatic familiar
Unlimited cantrips per day
Wizard
Choosing to specialize (or even not specializing) now results in regular "school powers"
Arcane bond: choose either a familiar or a bonded magic item
Unlimited cantrips per day
Skills
Many skills folded together:
Old Skill New Skill
Balance—Acrobatics
Concentration—Spellcraft
Decipher Script—Linguistics
Forgery—Linguistics
Gather Information—Diplomacy
Hide—Stealth
Jump—Acrobatics
Listen—Perception
Move Silently—Stealth
Open Lock—Disable Device
Search—Perception
Speak Languages—Linguistics
Spot—Perception
Tumble—Acrobatics
Use Rope—(removed)
Fly skill added
Class/cross-class skills changed: if you have training (1+ rank) in a class skill you get a one-time +3 bonus to that skill
Feats
many feats change due to turning, combat maneuver, and skill changes
many new combat feats as well some combat feats simplified or modified (Power Attack, Cleave)
[My houserule (from BoXM) is per day on-the-fly metamagic feats]
Combat
Combat maneuvers (grapple, bull rush, etc) streamlined with Combat Maneuver Bonus
Spells
Cure/inflict minor wounds removed (due to unlimited 0-level spells)
Polymorph spells changed, broken out into beast shape, form of the dragon, and such, with much more limited powers granted by the shape change
XP costs are gone for all spells, changed to gp costs
Characters get a feat every odd level instead of every 3 levels.