Hello,
I haven't played this stuff since 1st Edition AD&D in the 80's. Now that my son is old enough and wants to play, we are playing Pathfinder. I'm GM'ing him through some adventures, but I'm running into trouble with some things and bogging down the sessions and ultimately relying on "house rules" and such.
Any help, GREATLY appreciated!
How do I determine who the monsters attack? Is it just me as GM making the monsters always attack our fighter with the highest AC? Or is there a more structured Rule to it? I can see a monster attacking something that is capable of hurting it first, but how is this determined?
For example..
Fighting a bear (for example). He can move 40 feet, then attack twice with 2 claws attempting to grab as per the description? Or move 40 feet and only bite? More, if the party is up on the bear, does he always attack with everything, (bite, 2 claws) without penalty?
AND, if our fighter and our cleric are both melee attacking the bear, how do I determine who the bear attacks and can he attack them both? At what point would he run away if he was getting overwhelmed and hurt badly?
Next, our Cleric's channel energy. She is in melee and our fighter is hurt and she's out of cure light wounds. So she uses channel energy to heal all in a 30 foot radius. Does that include the bear in the example above? I'm assuming so.
Next, an Elf can always use a longbow? So my elf wizard can use a longbow, but not a crossbow? And what are "martial weapons". It's driving me crazy as I keep seeing it, but there isn't a definition in the back index of the CR.
Finally, for tonight at least, my 1st level Wizard finds a fireball scroll. Can I read it off the scroll to cast it? More importantly, can I copy it into my spellbook or do I have to hold on to it for a few more levels?
Thanks so much. This Rules forum is some great reading!
Hello,
I haven't played this stuff since 1st Edition AD&D in the 80's. Now that my son is old enough and wants to play, we are playing Pathfinder. I'm GM'ing him through some adventures, but I'm running into trouble with some things and bogging down the sessions and ultimately relying on "house rules" and such.
Any help, GREATLY appreciated!
Welcome!
How do I determine who the monsters attack? Is it just me as GM making the monsters always attack our fighter with the highest AC? Or is there a more structured Rule to it? I can see a monster attacking something that is capable of hurting it first, but how is this determined?
Who the monsters attack is completely up to you, and what you think makes sense. (So it can depend on the intelligence/tactics of said monsters.)
For example..
Fighting a bear (for example). He can move 40 feet, then attack twice with 2 claws attempting to grab as per the description? Or move 40 feet and only bite? More, if the party is up on the bear, does he always attack with everything, (bite, 2 claws) without penalty?
If the bear moves more than 5-ft he can only attack once ~ but he can choose to bite OR one claw.
AND, if our fighter and our cleric are both melee attacking the bear, how do I determine who the bear attacks and can he attack them both? At what point would he run away if he was getting overwhelmed and hurt badly?
If the bear doesn't have to move (or only moves 5-ft) he can attack both fighter and cleric, or just one, as long as he one uses one bite attack and at most two claw attacks.
As for running away, that is very much a call. For me (and this is totally a personal choice) unless the animal is starving, they will run when they have taken about half their hit points in damage.
Next, our Cleric's channel energy. She is in melee and our fighter is hurt and she's out of cure light wounds. So she uses channel energy to heal all in a 30 foot radius. Does that include the bear in the example above? I'm assuming so.
Unless she has a feat called 'Selective Channeling' which lets her exclude people from the effects of her channel energy, then yes she will heal the bear. Note, if that bear were undead, she would neither heal nor hurt it as channel has to be used explicitly to heal OR to harm, not both.
Next, an Elf can always use a longbow? So my elf wizard can use a longbow, but not a crossbow? And what are "martial weapons". It's driving me crazy as I keep seeing it, but there isn't a definition in the back index of the CR.
Yep, ability to use shortbows and longbows are a elf racial trait.
As for simple, marital, and exotic weapons: Take a look at the weapon section of the equipment: http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/equipment.html#simple-martial-and-exotic -weapons
Finally, for tonight at least, my 1st level Wizard finds a fireball scroll. Can I read it off the scroll to cast it? More importantly, can I copy it into my spellbook or do I have to hold on to it for a few more levels?
If your first level wizard wants to use the fireball scroll (4th level spell) he needs to make a caster level check. Since a wizard has to be at least 5th level to cast fireball the caster level check for him to use the scroll is DC 5 (1d20+ caster level [1 for him]).
If instead (and this information is in the Magic section here: http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/magic.html#adding-spells-to-a-wizard-s-s pellbook)
Assuming he has the gold (read special inks/etc), then he needs to make a Spellcraft check DC = 15 + spell level (19 in the case of fireball).
Thanks so much. This Rules forum is some great reading!
I hope at least some of that was useful.
Just an addendum,
Some animals have a special attack called 'Pounce'. For example, tigers and lions. This allows them to do a move and then attack with all their natural attacks. So a tiger could move and then claw/claw/bite as part of his pounce.
Martial weapons are any weapons on the weapon chart that are listed under the header of Martial. Exotic weapons are listed under Exotic header, and simple under the Simple header.
How do I determine who the monsters attack? Is it just me as GM making the monsters always attack our fighter with the highest AC? Or is there a more structured Rule to it? I can see a monster attacking something that is capable of hurting it first, but how is this determined?
For example..
Fighting a bear (for example). He can move 40 feet, then attack twice with 2 claws attempting to grab as per the description? Or move 40 feet and only bite? More, if the party is up on the bear, does he always attack with everything, (bite, 2 claws) without penalty?
AND, if our fighter and our cleric are both melee attacking the bear, how do I determine who the bear attacks and can he attack them both? At what point would he run away if he was getting overwhelmed and hurt badly?
If you don't think the bear intelligent enough to make a decision (reasonable, I think) then decide randomly by openly rolling a dice. (Then the attacked player won't feel picked on). It's target on the next round might be the one that hurt it most. Most modules I've seen have a line to advise whether and when a creature will run, surrender or fight to the death. I agree with chavamana that most animals won't. (If it's defending it's cubs though, look out)
And what are "martial weapons". It's driving me crazy as I keep seeing it, but there isn't a definition in the back index of the CR.Finally, for tonight at least, my 1st level Wizard finds a fireball scroll. Can I read it off the scroll to cast it? More importantly, can I copy it into my spellbook or do I have to hold on to it for a few more levels?
Thanks so much. This Rules forum is some great reading!
Martial weapons are any weapons in the martial section of the weapons table. I suppose they're weapons you would expect the wielder to have needed training to use, such as that received by a first level fighter.
You can attempt to read it off the scroll, but there is a chance of failure as you're not a high enough level to cast it. I can't see anything in the rules on adding spells to a spellbook that says you can't copy it into your spellbook.
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How do I determine who the monsters attack? Is it just me as GM making the monsters always attack our fighter with the highest AC? Or is there a more structured Rule to it? I can see a monster attacking something that is capable of hurting it first, but how is this determined?
You should play monsters according to their nature, motivations and mental abilities (without overthinking it).
A mindless zombie attacks whoever it was ordered to attack, or if it has no orders, the closest living thing. A bear might defend its territory by attacking the most physically threatening opponent, or try to get an easy meal by knocking out and dragging off a weak-looking creature. An experienced soldier or canny old wolf might fight with cunning tactics to defeat a group of foes. An evil wizard should use tricks as smart and as cruel as you can dream up.
I promise I am not trying to be a jerk, but have you read the Core Rulebook cover to cover? More then once?
I know it sounds like a dredge of a task but it is informative and makes you more familiar with the rules. You won't memorize them all (rules) but you will have better idea where to look.
I promise I am not trying to be a jerk, but have you read the Core Rulebook cover to cover? More then once?
I know it sounds like a dredge of a task but it is informative and makes you more familiar with the rules. You won't memorize them all (rules) but you will have better idea where to look.
I think I disagree on this. There's quite a lot in the rules that don't apply to first level characters and a straightforward opponent. For example, you only need to know 'trip' if some-one in the combat is likely to use it. You only need know the feats that combatants actually have. And if, for example, the combat has a wolf with trip, then you're more likely to remember it because it's relevant to the fight.
I have mostly read the rulebook cover to cover, several times, and there are still things we get wrong, especially the first time they crop up in the game, and it's OK. We forgive each other, move on and try to get it right next time.
When I started GMing, we had a standing rule at the table. If we couldn't find the right rule in 5 minutes, then I made a call and jotted a note to look it up later. Once we had all read and understood what the rules actually were, then that was what we would do from that point forward (but we won't revise history).
I would recommend reading the following sections of the Core Rulebook:
-combat chapter all the way through
-Spells chapter (but not each individual spell)
In the Bestiary I recommend reading the chapter at the back that describes all of the animal special abilities (like Pounce, Grab, etc) as well as reading the section about creature types (What are the traits of all undead, etc) that you will be sending at the players in your next session.
Hello,...
How do I determine who the monsters attack? Is it just me as GM making the monsters always attack our fighter with the highest AC? Or is there a more structured Rule to it? I can see a monster attacking something that is capable of hurting it first, but how is this determined?
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Chavamana and Starglim have some good ideas on this one. I don't trust myself to be totally unbiased so before the encounter I usually think about the opponent's intellect and goals and make up some rules for myself to determine the opponent's behavior.
Often those rules involve chance. Sometimes it's a completely random chance. eg if there are 4 party members I roll a d4. Sometimes I weight the roll depending on different factors. Four a four member party I might roll a d6 and the two closest party members each get an extra opportunity of being targetted.
Other times, I will roll perception or intelligence checks for the opponent's to realize that one of the party members is a bigger threat than the others. Depending on the opponent's bravery or commitment, they will avoid or try to neutralize that party member.
The key for me is to make up the rules beforehand. That way I think I can more fairly represent the world as it is.
I promise I am not trying to be a jerk, but have you read the Core Rulebook cover to cover? More then once?
Obviously, no. LOL.
I read all of the beginner box, played through it, and started reading the Core. That's where I ran into "is a martial weapon" and "can be treated as a martial weapon" with no reference in the index to "martial" at all. I guess I'll have to page through the weapons as the beginner box just gave you weapons without them being, martial, special, exotic, whatnot.
And there are seemingly a billion differences between the BB and the CRB.
Thank you all so much for your responses! I'm sure I'll have more questions after my next session.
I used to play, like I said, a long time ago. And to be honest, Pathfinder is 10,000 times harder to play than AD&D first edition. So, so, so many more rules. The 576 page monsterbook is a deterrent for sure.
On the flip side, the combat is SO MUCH more realistic being broken down into 6 second increments and individual initiatives. The combat system, once learned (and moving quicker I'm sure), is awesome and should resolve any arguments just because of the complexity of it.
That is why I was surprised that there isn't an "in stone" rule on determining who gets attacked. It's nice to see the GM still has some imagining to do. :+)
One final question popped up about this stuff, and I'm sure it's in the CRB, but I'll ask anyway:
Said bear above is being flanked by the fighter and the cleric. Can he attack both with his claws and bite? Is there a section in the CRB that addresses exactly this? If there is I'll get to it tonight as I'm going to read the combat section thoroughly.
Thanks a lot for all the great help and keeping the burners on low! ;+)
He can make one attack with each natural weapon per round as a full attack action.
He can attack both the fighter and the cleric.
But he has to split up his attacks. There's no facing in the combat system, so he can 'spin in place' without actually moving and claw/claw the fighter and then bite the cleric, but he can't make a bite/claw/claw against both. He could bite/claw one and claw the other.
He can make one attack with each natural weapon per round as a full attack action.
He can attack both the fighter and the cleric.
But he has to split up his attacks. There's no facing in the combat system, so he can 'spin in place' without actually moving and claw/claw the fighter and then bite the cleric, but he can't make a bite/claw/claw against both. He could bite/claw one and claw the other.
Awesome. Thanks for the answer to this. I'm actually starting to get excited to read the section in its entirety.
To answers the question about martial, pg 140-143 in equipment chapter, big thing is the chart.
Welcome back to role playing! I am glad your kids are having fun with you. I cannot wait till my son is old enough. Maybe when he has some friends I will finally have a reliable gaming group agains.
I have found 3.x and by extension Pathfinder and extension more of 1st ed far more than 2nd ed. Though certainly there are huge differences. If you have access to apps on either Ipad/Phone/Pod or an Android phone there are some nice ones free or very cheap that have all of the content that is open content like the website www.d20pfsrd.com. I find the apps a little bit faster to navigate but it gives you the option to more stream of consciously being able to move through the rules. So when something is mentioned you can skip right to it. Rather than rereading the rules a second time once you have all the definitions. It might help.
As for who to attack when. Resist the urge to be gentle, attack who makes sense to attack based on the creature that is attacking (this is what many have said).
Oh, and congrats on playing with your son. The "5 minute rule" mentioned above is a good idea for a new group. Just make a decision that seems sensible and look it up later, if you can't find it quickly.
Once you've run a few more encounters and gotten more familar with all the rules about combat, creature types, etc., you won't be looking things up nearly as often.
And of course, the main thing to do is have fun.
Awesome. Thanks for the answer to this. I'm actually starting to get excited to read the section in its entirety.He can make one attack with each natural weapon per round as a full attack action.
He can attack both the fighter and the cleric.
But he has to split up his attacks. There's no facing in the combat system, so he can 'spin in place' without actually moving and claw/claw the fighter and then bite the cleric, but he can't make a bite/claw/claw against both. He could bite/claw one and claw the other.
Not meaning to Hi-jack as it was something that was initially queried. But on a full attack as above the penalties are?
Is it -2/-5/-5 for a creature?
Aug, first, let me say welcome to another old dude. :)
Say goodbye to THAC0. It's all completely changed.
Secondly, bookmark the following two sites. You'll find them to be indispensable:
First is Paizo's PRD (Paizo Reference Document). If you only want to look up rules/stats/stuff on Paizo material, then this is your site:
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/
Second is the SRD, a similar, but 3rd party site. It's my preference, as it incorporates both Paizo material, and 3rd party publishers' material that was written specifically for Pathfinder. The great thing is that it tells you what the source book is:
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/
I second the previous statement about starting with the combat chapter. After doing so, everything else will make much more sense. Any questions, just bring them to the forum. Lotta good folks here who dig answering stuff.
Not meaning to Hi-jack as it was something that was initially queried. But on a full attack as above the penalties are?Is it -2/-5/-5 for a creature?
No concern.
If there are only natural attacks involved then there are no penalties.
The only penalties on natural attacks are for secondary attacks. Secondary attacks are things like tail swipes and wing buffets. Bites and claws are primary, and use the full BAB for each attack. Secondaries use BAB -5. What attacks are primary and what attacks are secondary is covered in the Bestiary under Natural Attacks in the back.
Here's something that has taken me forever to work out:
Combat is assumed to be at hustle speed, i.e. t movement or one movement an one standard action or one full round action CRB p, 170.
A character that moves at a hustle for more than 1 hour starts taking non-lethal damage and is fatigued CRB p. 171.
Concentrating to maintain a spell is normally a standard action, so a character can't concentrate on maintaining a detect magic spell and move for more that an hour a day, despite detect magic being essentially 'at will'.
I fretted about this for weeks when for my son's 'glow-under-det-magic' stealthy rogue with all his magical items.