I am still learning the pathfinder game system and so far enjoy it very much. However there is something that I (and I am guessing many other newbies) would love to see and that is an updated core rulebook.
A new version of the Core Rulebook with examples of rules application/cross referencing/extensive index would help new players learn the system SO much faster. Many of the rules are confusing at first and more examples of usage in the text would help tremendously. Also, when a rule is dependant on other rules, include the pages to the other rules (cross reference). And please create a MUCH expanded index in the back of the book.
I would buy the new version and I already bought 2 copies of the Core Rulebook for my group + a PDF.
There's some kind of an introductory set that's going to be officially announced in a couple months. That might be more appropriate for first-timers.
D&D isn't the sort of game that's easy to just pick up and learn, in any of its current editions. The best way is to have an experienced player involved, who can explain concepts. What you ask for makes sense, but would easily double the word-count of the book, making the Core upwards of a thousand pages. Still, I understand your pain.
It would increase the page count, but I don't know if it would take it to 1000 pages. Gurps does a pretty good job in these areas without feeling like excessive page count. It would be nice to see Pathfinder Core Rulebook incorporate these helpful additions. It would be worth it to all of us Gms/Players.
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It would increase the page count, but I don't know if it would take it to 1000 pages. Gurps does a pretty good job in these areas without feeling like excessive page count. It would be nice to see Pathfinder Core Rulebook incorporate these helpful additions. It would be worth it to all of us Gms/Players.
Funny, most complaints from new players I hear is that the book is too big as it is.
Beginner Box should fix that problem.
I am less interested in size and more interested in usability, however if the system is awesome then I want the page count to never end!
I am less interested in size and more interested in usability, however if the system is awesome then I want the page count to never end!
In theory, I'm with you. The problem is practicality. Here are the biggest things:
1. The cost of a larger, comprehensive book becomes prohibitive to consumers.
2. The rules, while condensed into a single source, become more complex with each subsequent release, meaning it becomes less accessible to new players. This is, in the game development world, what we call shooting yourself in the foot.
3. The more content is in a single release, the harder it is to restrict content within a play group. It's easy to say "No Ultimate Magic or by GM approval only." It's much harder to have to run everything by the GM in case of ludicrous. It is not uncommon to have restricted content in a play group, particularly if some members of your group do not have interest in buying particular sources (this goes back to point 1).
Believe me, it's hard to manage the 3 primary source books (Core, APG, UM) in my lap as it is. Ultimate Combat is going to require a reading stand or two (I currently use my wife's music stand while sitting). Throw in the content from Inner Sea or any of the APs...yeah. Despite this, I do not want a tome the size of a Jordan novel just to play a game, even if it is just a conglomeration of the current source material. You can easily piecemeal this together in PDF form if you buy the PDFs and download by chapter, then merge the docs (or even just organize them by folder).