Pathfinder and D&D 3.5 both use the OGL and SRD. So what are the main differences? I don't own any D&D books and have only played 1st edition AD&D years ago.
|
Pathfinder and D&D 3.5 both use the OGL and SRD. So what are the main differences? I don't own any D&D books and have only played 1st edition AD&D years ago.
The OGL is a system of publishing material that makes approved use of the material from the SRD and other Open Game Content (OGC). The SRD is the body of core work published by WotC and which is one of the sources of material that can be used under the OGL.
Or is your question about what are the differences between PF and D&D?
Both Pathfinder and D&D have "Open Gaming Content", which is freely reproduced as long as a copy of the OGL is included. Both also have non-open content, which you can't reproduce in any official capacity. For example, the spell "Cure Light Wounds" is open content. I could make a D20 RPG that incorporates it. However, the Beholder is NOT open content; it belongs to WoTC. Thus, I can't directly use the Beholder when publishing any materials.
The tricky part comes in when using materials in an unofficial capacity. On pen and paper, most games assume the ability to reproduce some materials for use in playing the game, such as photocopying character sheets or dungeon maps. However, when it comes to the internet, anything posted is, technically, "published". So, while you might photocopy the stats of a non-open content spell for your friend to use, posting the same stats on a website is risky.
In practice, I think it's only really an issue if you're publishing something. Anything you're using to actually run a game with you and your friends should be kept among your group and not distributed en mass.
As far as the differences between D&D and Pathfinder, they are many and varied. Comparing the PFSRD with the SRD (both of which are widely and legally available on line) will give you an idea of the differences. Pathfinder was designed largely as a revision of D&D 3.5, so many of the differences are things people thought were "wrong" with 3.5, such as character class power level, Prestige Class power creep, munchkin spells, etc.
So what are some of the Key differences between 3.5 and Pathfinder? I am assuming that Pathfinder extened the SRD to include its own protected content as part of the core rulebook. Are you also able to change the SRD under the OLG as part of your game?
Pathfinder is released under the OGL and based on the 3.x rules (i.e. the stuff you find in the wizards SRD), but it's not using the SRD. It has its own reference document, the PRD found at http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/
So what are some of the Key differences between 3.5 and Pathfinder? I am assuming that Pathfinder extened the SRD to include its own protected content as part of the core rulebook. Are you also able to change the SRD under the OLG as part of your game?
You can't really change the original SRD, because it's the SRD. However, you can, if you want, create a similar document (like Paizo did with the Pathfinder Reference Document)
Pathfinder has lots and lots of differences, from small to large. There's a conversion guide you can download on the paizo page, which will give you a good overview. Beyond that, it's best to read the new rules and see how they differ from the old.
Note that the PRD, unlike the SRD, contains (almost) everything from the Pathfinder Core Rulebook. wizards left some stuff out, like the XP table and some monsters.
All Paizo leaves out is art (you'll have to get the books for that) and IP from their campaign setting (which, unless I'm mistaken, is just the list of deities in the core rulebooks. The PFRPG stuff is mostly setting neutral, but in a few instances, they have to put in something to illustrate things, like the core deities list)
Some of the biggest differences between 3.5 and PF:
And concerning monsters:
A lot of the problems 3e had were addressed in PF, a lot of new ideas were added.