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Sorry if this has been asked before. I know we can use all manner of third party stuff in home games, but PFS seems (to me) to be the "official" pathfinder list of things that are legal anywhere PF is played. Here are my questions...
1. There is a LOT of awesome third-party stuff for Pathfinder, such as extra archetypes, spells, revelations, etc. that I would LOVE to use with my PFS characters. Is there any chance that some of these may become legal for PFS someday?
2. Since some of these awesome ideas have been published by third-parties does that preclude them from ever being incorporated into PFS? An other way of wording it: Since these guys thought of it first does that mean that Paizo cannot use it, even if they wanted to?
Sorry if this has been asked before. I know we can use all manner of third party stuff in home games, but PFS seems (to me) to be the "official" pathfinder list of things that are legal anywhere PF is played. Here are my questions...
1. There is a LOT of awesome third-party stuff for Pathfinder, such as extra archetypes, spells, revelations, etc. that I would LOVE to use with my PFS characters. Is there any chance that some of these may become legal for PFS someday?
2. Since some of these awesome ideas have been published by third-parties does that preclude them from ever being incorporated into PFS? An other way of wording it: Since these guys thought of it first does that mean that Paizo cannot use it, even if they wanted to?
1. Is it possible, sure. All Paizo has to do is say (for example), "all Jon Brazer Enterprises books are PFS legal." Do I believe that will happen, no. I am willing to bet that PFS will stay Paizo only.
2. Since most of us release our material as open content, Paizo could use it the same way we use their open content material. That I find to bemore likely then them saying another company's material is legal. To date, however, I am not aware of Paizo using anyone's material.
Developer
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Paizo certainly could use open content in something they publish.
As for 3rd party being PFS legal, this is highly extremely seriously unlikely. Not impossible, but close to it. PFS is a vehicle for expanding the Pathfinder brand and gaining new players to the system, as such they limit it to content they produce.
Further there's a feeling of less control over 3rd party material. By limiting it to Paizo products they have more control over the in-game material.
I'd find it more likely that a 3rd party monster or monster template show up in a scenario than options for players. They can just import the stats wholesale, not requiring other purchases by GMs, and any subsequent changes or errata to the creature can be incorporated or ignored as campaign coordinators see fit, since the scenario only cares about the printed stat block copied over, not what the 3pp says about the creature later. Even so, as a means for showcasing Pathfinder at conventions and the like, the incentive remains to keep Paizo products central in PFS.
The only way I see this happening is if Paizo did a
"The Year's Best Pathfinder Compatible" product, the same way Monte Cook did for d20. this book would then be part of same series as Advanced Player's Guide, Ultimate Combat, Ultimate Magic, is. Then it could become PFS legal.
As to this happening only Lisa knows :)
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The only way I see this happening is if Paizo did a "The Year's Best Pathfinder Compatible" product, the same way Monte Cook did for d20. this book would then be part of same series as Advanced Player's Guide, Ultimate Combat, Ultimate Magic, is. Then it could become PFS legal.
Yep, I've proposed that before (and Rite was awesome in supporting it, as an idea), and I continue to believe it's both a good idea, and the only workable way to add 3pp to PFS.
But there'd have to be a lot of demand for it before Paizo would see any reason to take time and money to make it happen. And, to be clear, I think that's perfectly reasonable of them.
What I think my be more of a possibility would be a 3PP developing their own PFS-type of set up, similar to what Paradigm Concepts did with Living Arcanis with WOTC's Living Campaigns. The 3PP uses the PFS rules set as the basis for their "3PP Society" set up and Paizo supports the "behind the scenes" like the reporting. While not exactly what you are looking for these seem like a reasonable possibility.
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The only way I see this happening is if Paizo did a "The Year's Best Pathfinder Compatible" product, the same way Monte Cook did for d20. this book would then be part of same series as Advanced Player's Guide, Ultimate Combat, Ultimate Magic, is. Then it could become PFS legal.Yep, I've proposed that before (and Rite was awesome in supporting it, as an idea), and I continue to believe it's both a good idea, and the only workable way to add 3pp to PFS.
But there'd have to be a lot of demand for it before Paizo would see any reason to take time and money to make it happen. And, to be clear, I think that's perfectly reasonable of them.
I think a "Year's Best Pathfinder Compatible" product of some kind from Paizo would be great!
Maybe someone (the OP perhaps, should start a new thread with We Need a Year's Best Pathfinder Compatible product from Paizo title (or something like that) and then we can see what kind of interest there really is in something like that ... as could Paizo :)
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The PF module from KQ #17 is PFS legal, so there is some support for third parties. The big problem is staff time to review the material. Putting third party material in a module (monsters, traps) seems like an easier sale than opening up new options for players.
A best of publication would seem to be doable and since Paizo has indicated that a PFS coordinator position will be forthcoming, that may be something feasible within the year.
The simple solution to staff time is to hire a freelance editor paying him via the cost of submitting a product for consideration. Yet paizo will still have the consideration of the cost of artwork.
The PF module from KQ #17 is PFS legal, so there is some support for third parties. The big problem is staff time to review the material. Putting third party material in a module (monsters, traps) seems like an easier sale than opening up new options for players.
A best of publication would seem to be doable and since Paizo has indicated that a PFS coordinator position will be forthcoming, that may be something feasible within the year.
This would be best done of by the guys doing Wayfinder. Fair and repected, that is what you want from the people doing this.
This would be best done of by the guys doing Wayfinder. Fair and repected, that is what you want from the people doing this.The PF module from KQ #17 is PFS legal, so there is some support for third parties. The big problem is staff time to review the material. Putting third party material in a module (monsters, traps) seems like an easier sale than opening up new options for players.
A best of publication would seem to be doable and since Paizo has indicated that a PFS coordinator position will be forthcoming, that may be something feasible within the year.
Yes Tim Nightengale would be a good hire for this but, I also think you know Monte Cook would be a good hire, there are few respected freelancers who have not done any third party work (yet) :)
I hear some guy named Erik Mona use to run Living Greyhawk. Anyone heard from him lately? Maybe he'd be interested in the position?
I hear some guy named Erik Mona use to run Living Greyhawk. Anyone heard from him lately? Maybe he'd be interested in the position?
The assumption was that he (and any other paizo employee) would not have the time.
The assumption was that he (and any other paizo employee) would not have the time.
That was my (poor) attempt at humor.
That was my (poor) attempt at humor.
Even if no one else did I found it amusing.
Yes Tim Nightengale would be a good hire for this but, I also think you know Monte Cook would be a good hire, there are few respected freelancers who have not done any third party work (yet) :)
Instead of making it a "best of" which can have all kinds of opinions, why not do a Sample of Pathfinder 3PP" products? Everyone has three pages to submit a "sample" of a product and 1 page for an ad. Give it away for free and do it every year. It is fair to everyone and a great what to support 3PP and Pathfinder. It would be a win-win.
What I think my be more of a possibility would be a 3PP developing their own PFS-type of set up, similar to what Paradigm Concepts did with Living Arcanis with WOTC's Living Campaigns. The 3PP uses the PFS rules set as the basis for their "3PP Society" set up and Paizo supports the "behind the scenes" like the reporting. While not exactly what you are looking for these seem like a reasonable possibility.
I would love to try something like this.
That sounds like a good idea, LPJ!
There is also Legend of the Shining Jewel.
With some real minor tweaks (remove item creation feats, choose faction), our upcoming pregens would be appropriate for PFS play. In fact, we built them with that in mind, among other things.
I included some links so you can see what I mean.
Basically, nothing that Paizo doesn't explicitly say is PFS legal isn't, and won't be. I don't think they'll adopt much if anything entirely from a 3PP source, especially since with OGL, they can just re-use the material in their own products.
Did you just volunteer to organize that? :)
Well not me. I just think there is away to do this simple and effective where the fans, Paizo and 3PP get everything we want: More cool products!