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5e has more class and race choices in the PHB than Pathfinder has in the CRB.Pathfinder CRB has way more character building options and also has magic item listings, rules for intelligent items, and game mastering rules. I wasn't even comparing PF's CRB to 5th Edition in my earlier statement. While not as many classes as 5th Edition's PHB, 4th Edition's classes had a ton more crunch into it and the book had magic items. That book was about 35 bucks.
I'm not trying to make this into a PF vs 5e argument. I'm just saying that I expected more content for a $50 book when the previous edition had more pages, a competitor had twice the page count, and a percentage of the book was made free.
Pathfinder offers more character building options, that's true.
5e offers more in-game options. To me, that's infinitely preferable.
5e offers more in-game options. To me, that's infinitely preferable.
How so? What do you mean by "in-game options?" 5th Edition gives you VERY few options on a per-level basis. After 4th level, you don't have much agency in how your character grows aside from multiclassing.
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That's because the game isn't creating your character; it's playing your character.5e offers more in-game options. To me, that's infinitely preferable.How so? What do you mean by "in-game options?" 5th Edition gives you VERY few options on a per-level basis. After 4th level, you don't have much agency in how your character grows aside from multiclassing.
I'm not really sure that's true for 3.x.
Another change of note: Casters don't get bonus spells for high ability scores (how could they? Scores are capped at 20), so all 20th-level full casters have 4/3/3/3/3/2/2/1/1.
However, the sorcerer and wizard (and possibly the other classes; I could not care less about the cleric, druid, or bard) have mechanisms to regain spell slots during the day. The maximum level of spell slot restored is 5th, but due to bounded accuracy and universal save DCs, these can be just as effective in a combat situation at level 20 as they were at level 10.
I like having agency over character builds on a per-level basis. Not only does it give me something to ponder and more to look forward to, but, more importantly, it allows my character's abilities to develop and change along with all other aspects of them. I love dynamic characters, ones whose attitudes and personalities change depending on the events that unfold. I like having the character's mechanics reflect that. However, this is a preference of mine. I understand many prefer keeping their character build options static from creation. That's fine.
That being said, I'm not trying to start edition wars. When I judge how much content 5th Edition's PHB has, I'm comparing to other games, not just Pathfinder. Shadowrun and Numenera have comparable prices to their CRBs and both have twice the page count. Both these games came with setting content, GMing rules, sample bestiaries, and even adventures. And 5e's PHB uses up a lot of space with larger fonts, more illustrations, and huge margins (though I do agree it's much easier on the eyes).
Another change of note: Casters don't get bonus spells for high ability scores (how could they? Scores are capped at 20), so all 20th-level full casters have 4/3/3/3/3/2/2/1/1.
However, the sorcerer and wizard (and possibly the other classes; I could not care less about the cleric, druid, or bard) have mechanisms to regain spell slots during the day. The maximum level of spell slot restored is 5th, but due to bounded accuracy and universal save DCs, these can be just as effective in a combat situation at level 20 as they were at level 10.
Sean K Reynolds talked about this before. I'd take his suggestion and simply revise the spells per day tables so they automatically account for the minimum ability score necessary to cast them. Eliminate any bonus spells you would get from above 20 Int/Cha/Wis, which will likely not significantly harm full caster's already excellent end game.