some questions from an inexperianced GM

[alkatrazshock]

maybe should split this stuff up, but I figured ill just roll it altogether, as of right now though, only 2 things have came up, 1 is likely simple, 2 is likely complicated, but anyways

1. so looking at the warpriest, 2 of my PCs made them, we couldn't find a "spells known" part, I can find them for pretty much any other caster, but I couldn't for the life of me find any part about how many spells they know at a time, so any guidance on that and where to find it?

2. I had a PC make a summoner, a class I know nothing about, and thus when reading through the summoner, I was pretty confused about some stuff, so if anyone could provide me with some tips on how to simplify the summoner thing, that would be cool, like how the eidolon works, how you figure out what it looks like (assuming the demonic chicken was a planned thing for balthazar) and generally how they work, I'm not very good at knowing how druids work either, which is likely a linked problem, also any tips for a first feat for a summoner, I couldn't find any feats that seemed directly linked to the summoner or his abilities

thanks for any help

[Rostam]

Warpriest uses the clerics spell list up to level 6 spells look here under spells - http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/advancedClassGuide/classes/warpriest.htm l
And "knows" all of them, he just swaps them out everyday like a cleric would.

As for simplifying the summoner, I've got nothing. Maybe ask him not to play it if you aren't comfortable or try learning how it works. Not much help there.

[Heretek]

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/hybrid-classes/warpriest
Says it right there under Spellcasting. Exactly the same as a cleric so they know everything but only prepare X spell per days, minus only 6th level casting and far fewer spells per day of course. So if you have 2 spells per day you can say prepare Bless and Divine Favor, or Divine Favor and Divine Favor. If the spell isn't prepared, you can't use it.

As for the summoner, do yourself a favor, just tell your PC "Sorry, but I'd prefer if you tried something else." Or at the very least make them switch to Unchained Summoner.

[n00bxqb]

#1 rule for an inexperienced GM should be to limit players to the Core rulebook. Makes things a million times less frustrating for everyone.

[Create Mr. Pitt]

n00bxqb wrote:

#1 rule for an inexperienced GM should be to limit players to the Core rulebook. Makes things a million times less frustrating for everyone.

I think this is incorrect. I think there are as many confusing things in core as periphery. However, you should make things as simply as possible. Unchained summoner, for instance, may be more manageable for you as of now. A warpriest should be pretty straightforward as per the link above.

[Heretek]

The Core book is the most unbalanced thing Paizo ever made. Limiting to purely CRB is dumb.

[alkatrazshock]

well one core thing that would help me understand the summoner better is if I knew how the skill ranks worked for the eidolon, cause there is a chart that says 4 for a level 1, but then in the detailed paragraph, it says an eidolon receives 6 + its INT modifier per hit dice, I see that the intelligence modifier is -2, so does that mean basically its 4 x whatever their hit dice is and they tried to already do that math?

[My Self]

n00bxqb wrote:

#1 rule for an inexperienced GM should be to limit players to the Core rulebook. Makes things a million times less frustrating for everyone.

This I would mostly agree with. While many elements are very unbalanced, there are fewer things to keep track of, and all your feats are in one place. Make sure you are familiar with all abilities, spells, and feats in play. If you can do that outside of the CRB, awesome for you. If you can't, limit it to the CRB and familiarize yourself with it.

Just as some GM tips:
-Be familiar with everything you can
-Know what you are unfamiliar with and familiarize yourself
-Be prepared to negotiate with players or improvise
-Know when to put your foot down and ban an option

[n00bxqb]

Heretek wrote:

The Core book is the most unbalanced thing Paizo ever made. Limiting to purely CRB is dumb.

Maybe for experienced players and GMs, but when you have a GM who doesn't have a firm grasp of the core concepts of the game (such as skills, as above), it's just begging for arguments, slow-downs, and other issues.

Running 1 game with core only isn't going to kill anyone and it'll make the GM's life a lot easier.

[n00bxqb]

alkatrazshock wrote:

well one core thing that would help me understand the summoner better is if I knew how the skill ranks worked for the eidolon, cause there is a chart that says 4 for a level 1, but then in the detailed paragraph, it says an eidolon receives 6 + its INT modifier per hit dice, I see that the intelligence modifier is -2, so does that mean basically its 4 x whatever their hit dice is and they tried to already do that math?

Yes, 4 skill ranks per hit dice. 6 + (-2) = 4

[alexd1976]

Our group has just outright banned summoners... they are fairly complicated.

As GM, it is your right to restrict class choices. If you want it to be simple, just allow the stereotypical roles:

Cleric
Fighter
Rogue
Wizard

There is enough variety there to get a good idea of how the game works, you can run a short campaign to get used to stuff, and branch out from there.

[The Sword]

If you are at all unsure, there is nothing wrong with sticking to core for your first campaign or set of characters. With 8+ detailed hardbacks plus a million pathfinder guide to.... Anyone is going to get overwhelmed.

Samsara warpriest/kineticists are not necessary for someone new to the game - there is plenty in the core book to get you started.

This isn't about balance it is about how much can be absorbed in one go.

The PFSRD is your friend for looking stuff up but even that isnt easy for starting out.

[MrCharisma]

n00bxqb wrote:

#1 rule for an inexperienced GM should be to limit players to the Core rulebook. Makes things a million times less frustrating for everyone.

The idea behind this is "limit players to books you've read".

It's not about how balanced the book is, it's about the GM having a handle on what the players are going to throw at him/her.