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OGL - Open Game License. (Permission to use rules of others, or giving permission to have others use your rules, as long as the original author is given credit in the OGL page.)
PFRPG - Pathfinder Role Playing Game
3.5 - Version 3.5 of the world's oldest roleplaying game (you kill dragons after invading their dungeons)
Pathfinder is based on the OGL (technically the OGL of the 3.5 rules), so can be considered an offshoot of 3.5. The Pathfinder Core Rulebook was published as "OGL". Subsequent generic rulebooks (Advanced Player's Guide, Gamemaster Guide, the three Bestiaries, Ultimate Combat, Ultimate Magic) are all tagged OGL. The Golarion/Pathfinder Campaign Setting books are all tagged PFRPG, with materials prior to the Core Rulebook being published (August, 2009) listed as 3.5.
Third party products using the Pathfinder Core Rulebook are also listed as PFRPG.
Personally, to avoid confusion, the generic hardbacks should be listed as PFRPG, not OGL. But, at least the Paizo OGL stuff, and the PFRPG stuff are completely compatible.
Also, the PFRPG (and Paizo OGL generic hardcovers which should be listed as PFRPG) materials are reasonable easy to use with old 3.5 materials (modules almost automatically, and rulebooks with some conversion).
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My 2 cents: (and I apologize for the longish post on a very minor issue)
As the original post shows, calling the products "OGL" is just confusing.
The only difference I see is that "OGL" products have their rules posted on the Pathfinder RD, and PFRPG products don't have their rules posted on the Pathfinder RD.
- Both product types (generic hardbacks tagged as OGL and campaign materials tagged as PFRPG) have an OGL page.
- The rules in both product types are open content under the OGL. (Aside: Support of the hobby in this way is one reason Paizo gets my money.)
- The OGL language exactly the same in both product types. Also the word "Pathfinder" is used in the titles of both. Also both types state compatibility with 3.5.
(Example below.)
OGL language from the title page of Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Magic:
This product makes use of the Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook, Pathfinder RPG Bestiary, Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 2, Pathfinder RPG Advanced Player’s Guide, and Pathfinder RPG GameMastery Guide. These rules can be found online as part of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Reference Document at paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/ prd. This product is compliant with the Open Game License (OGL) and is suitable for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game or the 3.5 edition of the world’s oldest fantasy roleplaying game. The OGL can be found on page 255.
OGL language from the title page of Pathfinder Campaign Setting:
Distant Worlds:
This product makes use of the Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook, Pathfinder RPG Advanced Player’s Guide, Pathfinder RPG Bestiary, Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 2, and Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 3. These rules can be found online for free as part of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Reference Document at paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd. This product is compliant with the Open Game License (OGL) and is suitable for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game or the 3.5 edition of the world’s oldest fantasy roleplaying game.
Hey,
Sorry for the noobish question, but can someone explain to me the difference between Pathfinder books (campaign settings and adventure paths) that have (OGL) and (PFRPG) after their titles?
What is the difference between books for OGL and books for PFRPG ?
Can I use both for Pathfinder?
Thanks!
With regard to campaign sourcebooks, modules, adventure paths and player companions:
The functional difference is that the (OGL) ones were written before the Core Rules had been released - the (PFRPG) ones were written afterwards.
You can use both in a Pathfinder game, but there are some things you'll need to tweak if you use a module from the OGL section. For example, you'll have to work out what a monster's CMD is. Having said that, even I can do it on the fly (and I'm no rules expert) so it isnt really all that hard - the distinction doesnt factor into my decision of whether to use a given supplement at all.
The confusing thing is with the Pathfinder RPG Rules product line - these all came out (obviously) after the release of the Core Rules. Technically they could all be regarded as (PFRPG) products, but as Vic pointed out, that's kind of redundant - a bit like labelling the 3.5 Monster Manual "Compatible with D&D version 3.5!"
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Hey,
Sorry for the noobish question, but can someone explain to me the difference between Pathfinder books (campaign settings and adventure paths) that have (OGL) and (PFRPG) after their titles?
What is the difference between books for OGL and books for PFRPG ?
Can I use both for Pathfinder?
Thanks!
All are equally viable at your game table. Just consider the first couple APs and some other supplements as v.3.5 material, then make basic adjustments on-the-fly as a game master.
If you are a player, check with your GM to help you make those adjustments. There's only a handful. For example, I still use my entire collection of v.3.5 / OGL material for my Pathfinder games... usually I find the Pathfinder stuff easier and simpler and better. But playing Pathfinder RPG means it's backward compatible, so one's gaming libraries are still great sources of material - again, just check with your GM, or if you plan to run a game just have a look at PAIZO's conversion guide... i think it might be free online here at PAIZO.
Good gaming, and welcome to Pathfinder RPG and the forums too =)
-Pax