I know this topic has been discussed before on other message boards to great extent, but I would like to open it up to those who love the BB and don't really want to move on to the core rule book (for whatever reasons they have). It looks like Paizo is not going to offer an expansion BB for lvls 6-10 and I don't have a problem with that. I have read the arguments regarding it. I don't want to debate it, I just want to discuss an option to the following question.
The Question: My group wants to keep playing BB but what do we do after lvl 5?
After reading the E6 variant of D&D 3e, I feel that it could be easily applied to the BB, perhaps called P5 or something. If you haven't read up on E6, then do so and come back to my post and join in the discussion. I'd like to hear what you have to say. Google D&D e6.
In its simplest terms, once characters get to Lvl 5, they remain there and gain another feat for every 6000 xp they attain. Hit points and the number of spells you can learn remain the same (unless you choose toughness feat for +3 hp). At lvl 5, they are already mighty heroes in their own right. Groups of orcs still pose a problem, and they remain mortally tied to their 5 hit die. CR 5 Manticores that can eat a whole village should always remain a challange, even for the most seasoned hero. If you want more monsters, go buy a Bestiary and use any monster CR8 or less. After awhile, they may even be able to take on a CR10. Your players will rely more on their wits and less on +5 broadswords.
As your players continue to adventure, their characters will still improve. Skills can be upgraded through Skill Focus, new combat maneuvers can be learned, and magical prowess can improve.
If your Wizard and Cleric players want more, allow them to begin crafting scrolls and potions at their gp cost of the scroll/potion listed on pg 51-53, followed by a Spellcraft DC check of 15 + spell level.
I hope this helps.
Also, you can also still use Herolab Starter edition to continue to add Feats to your characters after lvl 5.
Yes, adventure paths are designed for use with the core rule set. But one could always modify the adventures to suit P5.
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I like the idea of using E6 as a follow on to the Beginner Box. Characters grow slowly in power, and campaigns can continue until they reach a natural stopping point, when the PCs can be retired and it all begins again at 1st level.
However, what you are describing is actually E5, not E6 i.e. bringing it in a level early.
It does matter a bit, because in E5 you would never get your base attack bonus up to +6, so you never get a second attack. You also miss out on +1 to all your saving throws at 6th level (assuming no multi-classing). Sorcerers would never get 3rd level spells (not an issue if you aren’t using sorcerers).
E5 does have the advantage of not needing to design 6th level yourself. This is easy to do if you are familiar with the full game, but if you aren’t then it defeats the object of wanting to stay with the Beginner Box. (Having said that, there are no doubt plenty of people on this site who would happily design 6th level character rules.)
Very true. I agree with everything you said.
Why not just continue the BB Class's all the way to 20? It doesn't seem that it would be that hard. Sure,you couldn't sell it as Pathfinder BB and perhaps Paizo might not want this as a third party thing but if it was just for your groups use....
Have they said anything to anyone working on a BB alternative?
I hate some of the rules in PF core (for example, I find it ludicrous that plate reduces the dex that you can utilize. To tell the truth, with custom made plate, it's LESS intrusive on your agility then heavy cloth or really heavy leathers...)...
So for the most part, with MY PF games, I use the rules from the Beginner box when I DM. However, we've gotten all the rulebooks (for when others GM of course) and we use all the classes as well as feats and abilities. We keep what we like from the BB, and take what we like from the core rules.
I'd imagine that you could do the same thing but sticking mainly with the Beginner box, but using the Core rulebook to expand on level advancements and other bonuses.