New to Pathfinder and everything, and looking to create my own encounter

[Zeeky Von Vepermont]

So basically, just got the beginner box last week and planning on trying out the game formally this weekend, having had played it with a single friend through the first 3 rooms, so that we can get a idea of making our characters, combat, etc.

Since she's already played a little of it, I figured, I'd try spicing up the dungeon abit, by adding a couple encounters, more notably, a animated statue (albeit a very weakened version of one) at the beginning where the acid worn statue is first seen. When a player examines it, I plan on having it suddenly grab whoever's in front of it it, which brought me to a couple questions on skill checks.

I want people to get a perception check against it, see if the notice it's unusual, and if so, they aren't taken by surprise. Also, was wondering, what knowledge checks would make most sense for it?

Now for perception & knowledge check, when will I have the players roll for it? When they enter the area it's in, when they examine the statue, or before it grabs?

Also there's a "Glass vial of orange liquid (magic)" that you get from the chest in the beginning of the adventure, is that anything in particular or can I just make up whatever it is?

[Azure_Zero]

Welcome to the forums.

When I make encounters I do a mix of prepared and on the wing, as players are a unpredictable element at times.

The perception check is a good, you'll use Know(Arcana) for knowing it's an animated statue.

Roll the perception check first, and if they succeed then the knowledge check. For when it'll be your call.

GMing is not a science and it's not an art, but a blend of the two.

[glio]

The GM guide specifies that the "glass vial of orange liquid" is a cure light wounds potion.

But you can also make up whatever. Up to you.

[Rtrt Ell]

The animated statue great idea for the new pathfinder and I M a GM I have someminor experience d&d 4e I only played a game and found it stupid so I got Pathfinder and really enjoy it I placed your most of the adventure though I am
not 100% satisfied I don't think there's enough monsters but I haven't heard anyone else complaining in this area

[Rtrt Ell]

Played it Sorey

[Harry Canyon]

Rtrt Ell wrote:

<snip>...though I am

not 100% satisfied I don't think there's enough monsters but I haven't heard anyone else complaining in this area

Well it is the Beginner's Box set. :-) You could always get a copy of the Bestiary and modify critters you want to use. Why do you need to modify them? I'm pretty sure some of the skills in BB are amalgamations of multiple skills in the main game; there are no attacks of opportunity, fewer feats, et al.

Take care,

Harry

[Rtrt Ell]

Thanks I guess I'm going to do that pretty quick but now I'm planning on getting the core rulebook but would you suggest getting the beastare first or went straight to the core rulebook

[Harry Canyon]

Rtrt Ell wrote:

Thanks I guess I'm going to do that pretty quick but now I'm planning on getting the core rulebook but would you suggest getting the beastare first or went straight to the core rulebook

Hmm... It depends. If you're still wanting to learn/play the Beginner's Box you might just want to wait. Learn the basics before expanding. :-) One thing you might consider is the GamesMastery Combat Pad. It's a sweet little product that will help you keep track of combat.

Also, you can try mock combats by your self. Put some goblin (or what not) tokens in one of the rooms and place a character (I'd start with the fighter) in there as well. Run each 'party' and get a feel for how the rules work.

You might also try finding a demo game at your FLGS*

Hope that helps some. (And makes sense. ;-)

* Favorite local game store

Take care,

Derek

[S'mon]

Personally I think the BB has a fantastic selection of monsters, remininiscent of the old Moldvay/Mentzer Basic D&D boxes; I think it's amazing what a wide selection of critters they got in there, including plenty of higher-level nasties. My only complaint would be that a few low-level classics like kobolds, gnolls, bugbears are not there*. Conversely the inclusion of the high-level (well, CR 3/level 4) BBEG NPCs is great for adventure design. They can also be reskinned easily - the Orc Boss makes a great human Barbarian warchief; Orcs make good barbarian mooks; conversely the Evil Human Cleric can be an orc shaman, the Evil Human Wizard could easily be a Good Elf Wizard, and so on.

*Luckily EdOWar has the solution! :) http://edowarsblog.wordpress.com/downloads/