I have just about zero background in any tabletop RPG (I've read some DnD version 2 stuff from long ago) and I've recently begun reading the Pathfinder Manual with the intent of getting a group together to give this thing a whirl.
While it is too soon for me to make much of an observation (other than it seems more flexible as far as character customization than the v2 stuff I read), however I did want to point out that terms are used in the manual what I was unable to find a definition for (in the manual).
'DC' being a case in point - it is used in many places throughout the document. I did a full search of the manual for an explanation, including the glossary and came up empty handed. I was finally able to determine its definition by asking Mr. Google. Other acronyms have been equally baffling to me. I would love to see acronyms like this added to the glossary.
I humbly submit this in the most positive, helpful manner.
Thanks!
Bobby
Glossary good! I don't know if there's going to be room for it though...:( There will be an index, though, so hopefully that will help.
Oh, and ask away about acronyms, this board is pretty helpful. :) Soon you too will be a master of DC, SR, DR, BAB and CMB.
~innocent look~ What about SNAFU, FUBAR, and those other acronyms, Lilith? ~RUNS~
Oh, welcome to the nuthouse, Bobby! Pick out a padded room, a nice white jacket and wait for the poodles to come "service" you.
Welcome bobby...avoid the off topic section lest ya be drawn into madness :}
The game should be open and accessible to non-veterans. The game should be complete in itself so someone with some time and a little effort could learn the game without having a veteran either IRL or on the boards to guide him. When I started playing we had no mentor or internet to lean on and I would like that tradition to continue.
CEO
|
Hey Bobby:
I expect that there will be some definitions in the final rulebook. The Beta isn't meant to be a complete RPG, but rather a book that veteran roleplayers can use to help us playtest the new rules using their 3.5 D&D rulebooks to fill in the gaps. The final Pathfinder rulebook due out in August, on the other hand, is meant to hold the fort on its own, so I expect that Jason will be filling in a lot of the info that will help new players get started in that book.
-Lisa
Welcome to the hobby.
d20srd.org Is your friend. Most of what you don't find in the book is there.
Since we're playing "baffle the newblood with acronyms", let's add REMF, YMMV, BBEG, NPT, ROTRL, COTCT, SD, PF RPG, and, of course, IYKWIMAIYDTMBIDN.
I forgot to leave cookies for the new guy...*leaves fresh cookies for the new guy*
Welcome bobby...avoid the off topic section lest ya be drawn into madness :}
Madness or conflict... or both.
xp
I believe we forgot gish and grognard, although not acronyms.
Welcome my friend.
As Lisa mentioned, the Beta is not a complete book, but rather a "patch" for the existing 3.5 system. d20srd.org can probably answer 90% of your questions.
I think Paizo needs noob playtesters very badly, a lot of us old guard have blind spots when it comes to rules changes. Be sure to report things that don't make sense, and don't feel silly about it! This game will need to win new players as well as old in order to succeed!
This is probably relevant then:
I had never touched any 3e products until early January, when I found Pathfinder. I eagerly downloaded the Beta Manual and devoured it. I'd been away from D&D for over a decade, having played a little bit of 2e as well as 1e and the "Basic" D&D boxes from the '80s.
For me, the PF Beta material seemed quite thorough, although there were a few things that threw me, as I was coming from 2e. First of all, rounds in 2e were 1 minute long each! In the 3.x world, rounds are now six seconds, I believe--10 rounds in a minute. Also like the OP, I found DC confusing at first, but quickly got the gist of it. I was perfectly happy with THAC0 back in the day, so actually the whole d20 concept, but especially the "higher the armor class, the better" thing, threw me. I have now landed on my feet, though. ;)
Skills and Feats are new from the core 2e books; although I think some of the add-ons to 2e may have incubated these concepts. Again, I felt comfortable with proficiencies, so I kind of shrugged about skills. Now that I have had a chance to work with them some, I am gaining an appreciation for them and their associated checks. I think that there are times to use them and times not too, though. Currently I am ambitiously designing my first PF/3.x adventure and I'm finding that in some situations, skill checks would hinder my storyline; that is, if the PCs fail the check, they miss out on something that will advance the story or a sub-plot. So for those instances I am inclined to abrogate the skill check, or at least allow it to be fudged in the party's favor if they fail--that is, it may set their progress back a little bit, but should not keep the adventure from moving forward.
Anyhow, I digress. The point of this post is to give kudos to the paizo folks for a great job with collecting and presenting the OGL material of 3.5 and bringing it together with their new flavors and tweaks as Pathfinder. I'm not an RPG novice, but I had been away from D&D long enough to where the changes in the game were not welcomed by me. I'm glad I looked into PF, though, and found even the beta version an excellent primer on 3.5 mechanics.
It does help as well to play with some people who are familiar with the game, though; I benefited also from finding a group locally that I could sit down and play a session with. I would strongly suggest to bobby or any other newbie that he do this if possible, too. It can really bring together some of the more difficult or nebulous concepts.
More noobs! I command it!
Seriously folks, I don't think Pathfinder is "done" until a twelve-year-old can pick up the book and play it. Not because that's the target audience, but rather that's the level of intelligence and mindset the target audience (myself included) has after a few drinks.
wow....your few drinks and my few drinks are on different levels it seems
Holy Cow!
Look at all of the posts! This is great. I'm not used to so much response on internet boards. I just checked back expecting little response and was pleasantly surprised. Also a little embarrassed that I didn't check back sooner!
Thank you very much for your responses... the cookies were delicious and the poodle service was above my expectations!
I'll definitely check out d20srd.org. That has risen to the top of my priority list.
We've assembled a group of 4, plus myself who will be attempting to act as DM - so 5 total. We have very little D&D experience between us... but for me, that is a positive. I like the exploration and discovery that accompanies being a noob at something. However I also realize that we will be frustrated at times, so it's good to know that an active board like this one exists.
The group is currently reading over the pathfinder manual and getting an idea of what types of characters they'd like to play. Here's the group composition based on early selections:
1. ?/Monk,
2. ?/?,
3. Half-Elf/Druid,
4. Gnome/Bard
Our plan is to do the "Hallow's Last Hope" campaign. I am the only one reading that particular document.
In general, I have to say I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all of the details. I imagine that is a common feeling for noobs. I have so many questions. I would love to see a sample snippet of play to help me understand some of the mechanics. (Perhaps this already exists). Something like a single player, exploring a single room and fighting a single monster. I feel like that would help a ton.
I'm guessing we are two weeks out before we attempt our first gathering. At that time we will roll up characters and if we have time, begin the campaign. I'm sure I'll be stopping back between now and then... more often than I had originally planned!
That's probably enough drivel from me. I think I see a few in the back of the room starting to nod off...
Thanks again for your help!
BobbyR
SAD and MAD too, with a side dish of Punpun...
|
If you want some examples of play check out the Play-by-Post threads. Not quite the same as playing live but you should get a taste of the flow. There are also a couple active Pbp's in Falcons Hollow so they would be a good resource for ideas and inspiration.
Welcome to the boards.
Welcome to the hobby.
d20srd.org Is your friend. Most of what you don't find in the book is there.
Since we're playing "baffle the newblood with acronyms", let's add REMF, YMMV, BBEG, NPT, ROTRL, COTCT, SD, PF RPG, and, of course, IYKWIMAIYDTMBIDN.
Uh, KaeYoss, do you know that your last acronym (IYKWIMAIYDTMBIDN) is the first (and only) one present on Google (complete with a link to this page)?
BTW, what do you mean with that?
Uh, KaeYoss, do you know that your last acronym (IYKWIMAIYDTMBIDN) is the first (and only) one present on Google (complete with a link to this page)?
BTW, what do you mean with that?
He meant IYKWIMAIYDTMBIDN
If you know what I mean, and I think you do, though maybe I dont know?
He meant IYKWIMAIYDTMBIDN
If you know what I mean, and I think you do, though maybe I dont know?
Great, thanks. I was trying to understand the meaning... I just guessed the 'If you know what I mean...', but the rest was too much obscure... being English not my native language and all...
Now, since PunPun (mentioned by Abraham spalding) I already know (duh...), and some of the others are acronyms for the Adventure Paths, the only one I don't understand is NPT. Oh, well, no matter.
Sorry for the OT, though ;) ...
"Sir, I think we should keep the VP's PC on the QT, because if it leaks to the VC, he could end up MIA, then we'd all be put on KP."
~Airman Adrian Cronaur
Welcome to Pathfinder Bobby.
You're gonna make mistakes, you're gonna spend your first few sessions paging through the book.... A LOT...
The Kobold King series is great, good start, I'd go ahead and run D0, then D1...then D1.5...
Make sure your party is good too, otherwise they don't have much motivation...
Hmm, I guess the lumber boss could poison them, tell them they have 5 days to rescue his son for the poison will kill them...that would be good motivation...I wish I'd thought of that for D1...stupid evil characters...oh well my players had fun LoL...