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My apologies if this is the wrong section for this, or if this is already discussed someplace else.
Im considering buying one of the pathfinder adventure paths, and I am wonderinw what everyones thoughts are on which one is the best to play through?
Im specifically asking in regards to:
Rise of the Runelords
Curse of the Crimson Throne
Second Darkness
Legacy of Fire
Council of Thieves
Kingmaker
Serpent's Skull
Carrion Crown
Feel free to simply rate them in order of preference, or even give specific details about why whichever one is your favorite.
Thanks!
Just to let ya know some of those are 3.5
3.5
Rise of the Runelords
Curse of the Crimson Throne
Second Darkness
Legacy of Fire
Pathfinder RPG
Council of Thieves
Kingmaker
Serpent's Skull
Carrion Crown
Also Serpent's Skull just started and Carrion Crown will not be out till Serpent's Skull is finished.
My apologies if this is the wrong section for this, or if this is already discussed someplace else.
Im considering buying one of the pathfinder adventure paths, and I am wonderinw what everyones thoughts are on which one is the best to play through?
Im specifically asking in regards to:
Rise of the Runelords
Curse of the Crimson Throne
Second Darkness
Legacy of Fire
Council of Thieves
Kingmaker
Serpent's Skull
Carrion CrownFeel free to simply rate them in order of preference, or even give specific details about why whichever one is your favorite.
Thanks!
What do your groups like in a game, and how hard to you like your games to be? AoW is liked by many, but it is brutal, and increasingly hard to find. SCAP and STAP are also known for TPK's. I player RotR, and I like it a lot. I am currently DM'ing Kingmaker, but it requires more prep time due to the sandbox nature of it.
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I like the idea and story of Council Of Thieves quite a bit. The only thing about that one is that I don't think that it's the kind that fits my style to run, although I'd love to play in it.
I'm running my first full AP (althogh only a month at a time) now, which happens to be Kingmaker. What I like about that one is that a lot of it can be done in any order. I'll probably end up incorporating a version of Serpant Skull's treasure pit in this somewhere.
I did do an abbreviated version of Legacy of Fire about a year ago.
I do like all of the APs.
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Curse of the Crimson Throne retains a special place in my heart. I'm running Rise of the Runelords for the second time (and will hopefully get to complete it this time), but CotCT is by far my favorite. I'm really hoping that Carrion Crown will take the top spot, since I love me some horror adventures, but we'll see.
Jeremy Puckett
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What do your groups like in a game, and how hard to you like your games to be? AoW is liked by many, but it is brutal, and increasingly hard to find. SCAP and STAP are also known for TPK's. I player RotR, and I like it a lot. I am currently DM'ing Kingmaker, but it requires more prep time due to the sandbox nature of it.
While I was still developing my last campaign, which was a homebrew, I emailed all of my rpg playing friends to get their opinion on preferences as far as monsters, traps, setting, etc. About half I didnt even get a response from, a few gave me spcific answers, and the rest were the "Oh, I like everything." kind of crap. So, really, what the group likes isnt really a concern for me.
As far as how difficult it is, I dont think is neccessarily an issue, as I could always let monsters die early, or make alterations to make it easier, if its too tough, etc.
Also, Im still really new to Pathfinder, so out of the acronyms you used, I recognize TPK (obviously), and RotR.
What do SCAP and STAP stand for?
Also, ive heard the term 'sandbox' thrown around alot in regards to Kingmaker, which sounds interesting to me. But again, i dont know what people mean by 'sandbox'.
Thanks again for the help!
What do SCAP and STAP stand for?
Also, ive heard the term 'sandbox' thrown around alot in regards to Kingmaker, which sounds interesting to me. But again, i dont know what people mean by 'sandbox'.
SCAP = Shackled City Adventure Path
STAP = Savage Tide Adventure Path
Sandbox means that Kingmaker, in general, is more choose-your-own-adventure and less linear, relative to the other APs. For example, the setup of the first chunk of Kingmaker (the only part of it I've played so far) is roughly: You need to explore/map/pacify this fairly large swath of wilderness. What angle you take to that and what order you do it in is largely up to you.
Though I've only played a couple of those, I'm really really enjoying Kingmaker. Besides the sandbox nature of the AP, you also should check if your group is interested in the kingdom building and mass combat "mini games" that are incorporated. They can take up a fair chunk of time and involve some number crunching. If this isn't for you (or your group) then I might skip it. There are rules which allow you to run the "kingdom in the background" but it kind of takes something away from the game.
That said, if you embrace these things it is (IMO) the best AP they've done.
Shooting from the hip, here's my one-sentence take on PROs/CONs for PCs/GMs from the games I've read:
Rise of the Runelords
PRO PC - classic monsters, classic hook, classic D&D
CON PC - don't learn the "big plot" until 2/3rds of the way through, feels disconnected/meandering until then
PRO GM - tons of support material on the forums, more than any other AP
CON GM - severely lacks polish, will have to fill in gaps or correct a few 'broken' encounters/scenarios
Curse of the Crimson Throne
dunno, but heard it's great
Second Darkness
heard it sucks, avoid
Legacy of Fire
PRO PC - great story, great encounters, feels very high magic
CON PC - strongly flavored (Arabic) can turn some people off
PRO GM - a tight railroad where you always know what to do next
CON GM - there's one spot (end of book 3) where the railroad gets painfully tight
Council of Thieves
except for book 2 (which is amazing), heard the rest of the AP is 'meh'
Kingmaker
PRO PC - choose your own adventure! wander anywhere! great AP!
CON PC - if your group can't agree on what to do next, or prone to backstabbing, or has trouble being self-motivated, you're in serious trouble
PRO GM - has tons of support (2nd only to RotRL)
CON GM - a sandbox, you never know what the PCs will do next, so you have to prepare for everything at once
Serpent's Skull
PRO PC - classic Indiana Jones story
CON PC - the opening can feel forced, but then goes natural
PRO GM - can be railroady at times
CON GM - can be sandboxy at times
Carrion Crown
not out until next year
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Rise of the Runelords
Serpent's Skull - with the note on what I have seen so far.
Curse of the Crimson Throne
Kingmaker
Council of Thieves
Legacy of Fire
Second Darkness
Keep in mind Serpent's Skull is not done but so far i am liking it a lot and it might move into first place. Also the only AP i really didn't care for was Second Darkness which I thought was ok. The rest I all liked, so the difference between Legacy of Fire and Rise of the Runelords is not huge.
I would say what type of game do you like? Since each AP tends to appeal to slightly different campaign feels.
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I would say what type of game do you like? Since each AP tends to appeal to slightly different campaign feels.
In my last reponse, I complained (cause honestly thats what it is) about those who would be playing in my games not really narrowing it down when I asked the same kinda of questions, but honestly, im probably the same way.
If i had to narrow it down, I could Im sure, to help the dm figure out what to do, but from what ive heard about each of these APs, they each sound interesting, and sound like something id be interested in.
I bought Sandstorm back in 3.5 days, but never got around to using much of it for any game, so Legacy of Fire would satisfy my urge for that kind of setting, I think.
I was going over ideas in my head for a low level 'Found a city and defend it as it grows" idea, and less than a week later I discovered Kingmaker.
Council of Thieves sounds good cause of the urban setting, which sounds to be kinda mysterious and I would hope have some riddles and puzzles, which I like, too.
I also really wanna play a game (more than run one) set mostly on board a ship, or dealing with pirates, etc.
So, Im just as unhelpful as most of my players lol.
Basically, as long as the story is good, Im interested.
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Well my general overview of each would be.
Rise of the Runelords - The most classic DnD feel. Ala the giant series etc. There is a over all plot but it is fairly lose.
Serpent's Skull - What is out and been said it seems like a very go explore the deep wilderness and find a lost city to explore.
Curse of the Crimson Throne - Fairly urban focused by still fairly classic DnD feel.
Kingmaker - very sand boxy and it is about the PC's making their own country.
Council of Thieves - The most urban based and I would say the most social based of the AP's.
Legacy of Fire - Very Arabian Nights feel and likely the highest fantasy feel.
Second Darkness - The most rail roady of the AP's, that lends it's self least to plug and play. By that I mean it fits a certain play style fairly well if the PC's fit in well. Typically takes the most work by the GM to tweak it to fit their group etc.
I've not read Serpents Skull or Carrion King yet so my take does not yet include them.
Curse of the Crimson Throne
Kingmaker
Legacy of Fire
Rise of the Runelords
Council of Thieves
Second Darkness
The first two I like so much that I plan to convert and run them when I get a chance with one of the two groups I play with.
The next three are all ranked very close by me. Its possible that one day I will use them but considering how long it takes to run a campaign they'll probably never be used.
Second Darkness was the weakest of the lot as far as I am concerned.
@Disturbed1: I have found that if you ask people questions that are too open-ended, you don't get good responses. If you ask specific questions, you get higher-quality answers.
Five quick questions I would ask:
- how much structure vs self-direction do you like in your plotlines?
- what is your favoriate alignment to play and why?
- how much of a stomach do you have for horror / a close-up view evil?
- do you like specific-genre settings that you have to write characters into, or do you prefer an "anything goes" character creation process?
- how much tabletime do you prefer spending on combat vs noncombat activies? express in percentage terms.
Answering these questions will narrow down your AP choices real fast, and give your GM a lot of material to work with.