Director of Games
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Hi there Everybody,
This is the official playtest schedule for the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. Over the next five months, we will be playtesting specific portions of the book, according to a simple schedule. During each sections playtest period, a specific playtest forum will be created (similar to the Ability Scores and Races forum). Comments in that forum should be limited to the specific topic covered by that forum. Although the forums will not be created until their playtest period arrives, the forums will remain open after the period has ended. Note that the design team will spend most of its time on the current forum, so if you want your ideas heard, save them for the appropriate forum, during the appointed time.
After each playtest period has ended, the design team will post up errata and changes that resulted from the previous period. Note that there is no schedule for these updates, as they depend upon available time and design schedules.
Also note that the overall playtest period is slightly shorter due to our productions schedules and timetables.
If you have any questions about the playtesting process, please post them to this thread. Thank you for participating in this process.
Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing
Topic - Playtest Period
Classes: Barbarian, Fighter, Ranger - 15-Sep to 28-Sep
Classes: Cleric, Druid, Paladin - 29-Sep to 12-Oct
Classes: Bard, Monk, Rogue - 13-Oct to 26-Oct
Classes: Sorcerer, Wizard - 27-Oct to 9-Nov
Skills and Feats - 10-Nov to 23-Nov
Prestige Classes - 24-Nov to 7-Dec
Equipment and Description - 8-Dec to 14-Dec
Combat - 15-Dec to 28-Dec
Magic and Spells - 29-Dec to 11-Jan
Running the Game, Additional Rules, NPCs - 12-Jan to 18-Jan
High Level Play - 19-Jan to 1-Feb
Magic Items - 2-Feb to 15-Feb
Open Comments - 16-Feb to 22-Feb
Thanks for the update
So, is there any interest in seeing general playtest reports? I can only get my group together infrequently for example, and focuing our game on a certain aspect would not appeal to them. However, this weekend we'll be playing for a day and a half, splitting time between Rise of the Runelords (10th level) and Shackled City (5th level). I planned on taking notes and posting observations, but it sounds like these are really not needed anymore unless we are focusing on certain areas.
I'm more than happy to post comments, but I also don't want to add to the static if these type of posts are no longer relevant.
I beleive Jason has said they will be interested in general playtest reports, and they should go in the area for the general playtests for the Beta, but specific issues that relate to whatever is the "current" focus of the playtest should also be brought up in that forum as well.
So if someone is playing a fighter, and something about the fighter comes up in the general playtest, post the general playtest (if you want to take the time to do that), but then you also put issues with the fighter (or good things that have worked well), in the first scheduled playtest.
Considering the amount of feedback given so far and the kinds and types, I would strongly suggest to Jason and/or James that the schedule be revised to give longer amounts of time to topics that prove more delicate.
I know you've done that with classes, but I think spells might warrant this as well.
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Creative Director
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Considering the amount of feedback given so far and the kinds and types, I would strongly suggest to Jason and/or James that the schedule be revised to give longer amounts of time to topics that prove more delicate.
I know you've done that with classes, but I think spells might warrant this as well.
We have to leave some time for stages like entering these changes into the document, editing, layout, and of course shipping. We also have to have to coordinate translations and getting the rules in a relatively solid state in time for the author of the first PF RPG Adventure Path and module to start working. All of that pretty much locks us in to the schedule we've got here.
That said, there are a few "catch all" weeks built into the schedule (like final comments and high level play) where things like spells can probably have some bleed over.
ALSO: Just because we're not on "Spell week" for example, playtesters shouldn't throw out their spell concerns. They should, instead, keep a list of their concerns and be ready to post them once "Spell Week" starts up.
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Creative Director
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Jason, thanks alot for the update.
Questions I have:
Let's say were discussing classes and someone sees an issue with certain feat, item and/or spell combinations. Do we wait for the appropriate playtest period or can we bring it up in the classes forums? What about class(not prestige class) combinations that fall in different topics?
Just two examples:
Monk/Fighter with Monk's Belt and (Improved) Vital Strike
Fighter or Barbarian with x4 crit weapon and Devastating Blow.
(Edit: On second thought at least one of the examples seems more like an items/feats overlap)Also, are the topics meant for comments on PFRPG only or also good for discussing compatibility and possible abuse of splat book content?
The playtest schedule is fluid, but basically, use common sense. For things that overlap with other categories, I suspect posting them in either of those two categories' areas should be fine.
These topics are primarily focused on PFRPG only. Opening things up to how they could be abused by non-open books like Complete Arcane or Book of Nine Swords needlessly complicates the scene. Let's try to keep things focused on the PF RPG alone, and if/when we come to a point where we're doing something like a Paizo splat book, we'll build those contents to work with PFRPG then.
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Creative Director
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So, is there any interest in seeing general playtest reports? I can only get my group together infrequently for example, and focuing our game on a certain aspect would not appeal to them. However, this weekend we'll be playing for a day and a half, splitting time between Rise of the Runelords (10th level) and Shackled City (5th level). I planned on taking notes and posting observations, but it sounds like these are really not needed anymore unless we are focusing on certain areas.
I'm more than happy to post comments, but I also don't want to add to the static if these type of posts are no longer relevant.
General playtest reports of high level play will be SUPER VALUABLE. Keep those notes handy and post away when we get to the High Level block of the playtest. As for most other notes, try to separate them out into their own issues and post them in the appropriate blocks if possible...
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General playtest reports of high level play will be SUPER VALUABLE. Keep those notes handy and post away when we get to the High Level block of the playtest. As for most other notes, try to separate them out into their own issues and post them in the appropriate blocks if possible...So, is there any interest in seeing general playtest reports? I can only get my group together infrequently for example, and focuing our game on a certain aspect would not appeal to them. However, this weekend we'll be playing for a day and a half, splitting time between Rise of the Runelords (10th level) and Shackled City (5th level). I planned on taking notes and posting observations, but it sounds like these are really not needed anymore unless we are focusing on certain areas.
I'm more than happy to post comments, but I also don't want to add to the static if these type of posts are no longer relevant.
What point are you considering "High Level"?
My group has always considered it above Level 10, but I get the impression you may mean around Level 15?
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Director of Games
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What point are you considering "High Level"?
My group has always considered it above Level 10, but I get the impression you may mean around Level 15?
I think we will be looking at levels 10 and higher, but the primary focus will be on levels 15 and higher.
Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing
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What point are you considering "High Level"?
My group has always considered it above Level 10, but I get the impression you may mean around Level 15?
I think we will be looking at levels 10 and higher, but the primary focus will be on levels 15 and higher.
Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing
Thanks. Now to cook up some ridiculous High Level adventures!
Maybe one of your fabulous authors could cook up a pdf downloadable adventure for say 20th level for everyone to playtest? You could then include elements of everything you want to 'test'. Any chance of this happening?
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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Once the appropriate design forum opens per this schedule, will appropriate threads in the general forum be moved over? For instance, there's a thread on spells and suggested fixes/changes, once the spells forum is up, can that thread get moved instead of everyone copy and pasting pretty much the whole thread into a new one?
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Creative Director
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Maybe one of your fabulous authors could cook up a pdf downloadable adventure for say 20th level for everyone to playtest? You could then include elements of everything you want to 'test'. Any chance of this happening?
We've talked about providing pre-made playtest adventures or encounters... we aren't yet sure how to juggle that plus still do the normal monthly Pathfinder product yet though. But we're working on figuring it out anyway... No promises though! :)
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Maybe one of your fabulous authors could cook up a pdf downloadable adventure for say 20th level for everyone to playtest? You could then include elements of everything you want to 'test'. Any chance of this happening?We've talked about providing pre-made playtest adventures or encounters... we aren't yet sure how to juggle that plus still do the normal monthly Pathfinder product yet though. But we're working on figuring it out anyway... No promises though! :)
Just throwing this out there:
Why not just provide the skeleton of the adventure - plot, locations, maps, NPC class layout and descriptions. Allow the DM to build the monsters and NPCs themselves (as that has inherent value) but give them the resources so they don't have to plan an entire adventure. If the adventure requires a certain ability to function, include a list (for example, the adventure assumes the BBEG can teleport, make sure the DM knows to include this).
It would mean less work for you in the making...but could mean more in the processing, as everyone would have a different experience to report on. Maybe that is a good thing.
Can we get this thread "stickied", so that we don't have to search for it for the next few months?
Nice. I've put the schedule on my Windows wallpaper.
Great idea - thanks! Have copied!
tfad
After each playtest period has ended, the design team will post up errata and changes that resulted from the previous period. Note that there is no schedule for these updates, as they depend upon available time and design schedules.
This is great news. I am curious, will this errata and changes be "official" meaning the changes that we see from these errata, should they be used in our games immediately? are they going to be something we will definitely see in the finished product?
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Topic - Playtest Period
Classes: Barbarian, Fighter, Ranger - 15-Sep to 28-Sep
Classes: Cleric, Druid, Paladin - 29-Sep to 12-Oct
Classes: Bard, Monk, Rogue - 13-Oct to 26-Oct
Classes: Sorcerer, Wizard - 27-Oct to 9-Nov
Skills and Feats - 10-Nov to 23-Nov
Prestige Classes - 24-Nov to 7-Dec
Equipment and Description - 8-Dec to 14-Dec
Combat - 15-Dec to 28-Dec
Magic and Spells - 29-Dec to 11-Jan
Running the Game, Additional Rules, NPCs - 12-Jan to 18-Jan
High Level Play - 19-Jan to 1-Feb
Magic Items - 2-Feb to 15-Feb
Open Comments - 16-Feb to 22-Feb
Any reason there are no race playtests?
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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Any reason there are no race playtests?
Topic - Playtest Period
Classes: Barbarian, Fighter, Ranger - 15-Sep to 28-Sep
Classes: Cleric, Druid, Paladin - 29-Sep to 12-Oct
Classes: Bard, Monk, Rogue - 13-Oct to 26-Oct
Classes: Sorcerer, Wizard - 27-Oct to 9-Nov
Skills and Feats - 10-Nov to 23-Nov
Prestige Classes - 24-Nov to 7-Dec
Equipment and Description - 8-Dec to 14-Dec
Combat - 15-Dec to 28-Dec
Magic and Spells - 29-Dec to 11-Jan
Running the Game, Additional Rules, NPCs - 12-Jan to 18-Jan
High Level Play - 19-Jan to 1-Feb
Magic Items - 2-Feb to 15-Feb
Open Comments - 16-Feb to 22-Feb
The ability score and race playtest forums have been up since Beta's release on 8/13.
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Creative Director
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My question, if it isn't pestering, is when do we hear from Paizo the summary of changes and updates to the Abilities and Races section?
I would suspect soon! That playtest window just ended, but we'll need some time to sift through everything and get it all worked out. There's no official schedule for when we'll get the results posted, though... aside from "BY THE TIME THE BOOK IS SHIPPING TO THE PRINTER AIEEEEEE!!!!" of course...
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I would suspect soon! That playtest window just ended, but we'll need some time to sift through everything and get it all worked out. There's no official schedule for when we'll get the results posted, though... aside from "BY THE TIME THE BOOK IS SHIPPING TO THE PRINTER AIEEEEEE!!!!" of course...My question, if it isn't pestering, is when do we hear from Paizo the summary of changes and updates to the Abilities and Races section?
Thanks! Part of the fascination with the playtest is what is being done with all our input ... :)
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Chief Creative Officer, Publisher
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Nathan,
Everyone is free to participate in an open playtest!
What we suggest is downloading the Pathfinder Beta rules and integrating those rules into your current 3.5 campaign as a test, or starting up a new campaign specifically to playtest the rules.
It doesn't even need to be a campaign, really, just a few friends sitting together and giving the rules a good test drive and working over.
If you don't have a regular group of gamers in your area, I suggest dropping by one of the regular Tuesday night chats or posting here in the Community area to try to find other gamers in your area who might be interested in giving Pathfinder a shot.
We will never have too many playtesters. Welcome aboard!
We will never have too many playtesters. Welcome aboard!
Oh my God I'm on the Paizo boards, aren't I ? ;o) I wish we heard this on DD4... even if it's not a bad game.
Bran, back on the boards.
Can we have a section on more systemic issues? I mean things like multiclassing or power level or things that integrate into or affect too many sections at once or fit none of the sections.
Can we have a section on more systemic issues? I mean things like multiclassing or power level or things that integrate into or affect too many sections at once or fit none of the sections.I think that that is what the "open comments" section is for.
Hmm, you may be right, but shouldn't "systemic issues" be among the first things to be addressed, as they have reprecussions accross the board? I certainly think so.
It strikes me that campaigns "in progress" - or just starting up like my own - can still submit feedback from thier playtesting regardless of whether or not the 'schedule' is open. After all, a later date playtest may well provide a little something that none of the other playtesting caught.
I am glad one of my player's hunches was correct in that playtest feedback would be necessary to be substantive by the February 2009 time frame. I know we'll wish this schedule had been seen earlier - d'oh!!
Prestige Classes - 24-Nov to 7-Dec
When we will see the update of the prestige classes?
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Contributor
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In case anyone is a user of Google Calendars and wants to keep track of the current topics open for discussion, I have created a playtest calendar using the schedule provided above. I'll check back occasionally and make sure the schedule is up to date, as well.
Cheers!
Paris
EDIT: I'm currently trying to figure out how to post a link to the calendar... okay, here it is:
Jason mentions they will try and have the web enhancement out before the playtesting schedule rolls around to Prestige Classes and are shooting for mid november in this thread ....
Well, there wouldn't be much point in playtesting prestige classes unless we actually can playtest them... and for that we need to have them!
Of course, we can use 3.5E prestige classes in the meantime without any conversion, but it is not going to give as accurate a picture in playtesting as if we had proper Pathfinder RPG prestige classes.
Great news and thanks for the update!
Topic - Playtest Period
Classes: Barbarian, Fighter, Ranger - 15-Sep to 28-Sep
Classes: Cleric, Druid, Paladin - 29-Sep to 12-Oct
Classes: Bard, Monk, Rogue - 13-Oct to 26-Oct
Classes: Sorcerer, Wizard - 27-Oct to 9-Nov
Skills and Feats - 10-Nov to 23-Nov
Prestige Classes - 24-Nov to 7-Dec
Equipment and Description - 8-Dec to 14-Dec
Combat - 15-Dec to 28-Dec
Magic and Spells - 29-Dec to 11-Jan
Running the Game, Additional Rules, NPCs - 12-Jan to 18-Jan
High Level Play - 19-Jan to 1-Feb
Magic Items - 2-Feb to 15-Feb
Open Comments - 16-Feb to 22-Feb
Additionally, as PF RPG is based (only?) on Open Content D&D material, is there any chance if we're about to see Psionics converted to PF RPG, since they are too Open Content?
Are you 100% positive about psinonics being open material. I thought I read somerwhere it was off limits. WotC did not include it in the SRD. I dont know for sure, I dont use them at all. But I remember this coming up somewhere on the boards.
Are you 100% positive about psinonics being open material. I thought I read somerwhere it was off limits. WotC did not include it in the SRD. I dont know for sure, I dont use them at all. But I remember this coming up somewhere on the boards.
Its really Open Content. It is one aspect of 3.5 that really needed some 3rd party support.
And are a couple companies that have strongly supported Psionics, that's another way that I know it's Open Content.
The problem has always been that the core for psionics has been a bit off.
I'd love to see Paizo do psionics. I promise right now to buy such a product when available. But here's the catch, I think they'd have to rebuild the core rules from the ground up.
There's realistically no way to stop what they're doing now and make time for psionics. In fact, they need the Monster Book before they can tackle psionics.
Not that I wouldn't want psionics too, I'm just being pragmatic.
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Are you 100% positive about psinonics being open material. I thought I read somerwhere it was off limits. WotC did not include it in the SRD. I dont know for sure, I dont use them at all. But I remember this coming up somewhere on the boards.
Ok. Go Here. in the middle of the page is a section called "Psionic Rules". That's how I know it's Open Material. It is in the SRD. As are many of the Unearthed Arcana rules and some of the divine rules from the deities and demigods book (I think it's from there).
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Are you 100% positive about psinonics being open material. I thought I read somerwhere it was off limits. WotC did not include it in the SRD. I dont know for sure, I dont use them at all. But I remember this coming up somewhere on the boards.Ok. Go Here. in the middle of the page is a section called "Psionic Rules". That's how I know it's Open Material. It is in the SRD. As are many of the Unearthed Arcana rules and some of the divine rules from the deities and demigods book (I think it's from there).
<Nitpicking>
The official 3.5 SRD is here. d20srd.org is technically based on the SRD, but is not the actual SRD. The SRD itself does not include the Open Game Content from Unearthed Arcana, but does include the Psionics content.</Nitpicking>
Note: I like d20srd.org, and use it quite a bit. It is an extremely useful reference, often easier to use than the official SRD, or even the Core Rulebooks it's based on. 8^) And, Unearthed Arcana is about as close as you get to being SRD content, without actually being so. So the confusion is understandable...