Paizo - thank you for the Pathfinder RPG!

[BPorter]

Amidst the various optimization threads, this class is nerfed/overpowered posts, and raging against errata/FAQ nerfs that somehow invalidated a character concept because one item was clarified to not provide the most generous interpretation possible, I just wanted to send a simple message to Team Paizo:

THANK YOU

I just had a tremendous weekend of Pathfinder RPG greatness, running two lengthy sessions for different groups/campaigns. Group A = six 11-yr olds. Group B = seven 16-yr olds. Both groups expressed what a blast that they had. Everyone participated and felt relevant, combat and skill checks ran fluidly, everyone had their moment to shine, and all while new players were introduced.

Combined Player List
Half-elf Fighter
Goblin Rogue
Human Magus
Human Wizard (Conjurer)
Elf Rogue
Dwarf Fighter (Crossbowman)
Human Slayer
Human Occultist
Gnome Alchemist (Chiurgeon)
Human Investigator
Dwarf Gunslinger
Human Fighter
Tengu Magus (Blackblade Magus)

My campaigns are designed as “open area” sandboxes with published adventures dropped into it. The session for the younger group was primarily published adventure; the session for the older group was 100% my adventure plots. But with the Pathfinder RPG, I was able to run both sessions painlessly.

Look, everyone runs a game their own way. I’m not a subscriber to “you’re doing it wrong”; play the game however you like. But after the guests had left and my kids are smiling ear to ear and each one makes a point to come and tell me “that was great, Dad” I took a bit of post-game prep to reflect on what went well and why.

Here’s the short answer: Pathfinder is a damn fine RPG.

RPG forums frequently turn me off because, as with most Internet-related commentary, negativity has an unfettered voice. I’m not saying I love every rule in Pathfinder or that every character concept or subsystem works exactly the way I want it to. But I am saying this: if I look at content, options, flexibility, & support, I feel it’s the best RPG. Others may edge PF out in a single category but nothing comes close in terms of those criteria combined. (My opinion, of course. YMMV)

So thank you, Paizo.

Thank you for taking a good RPG and improving upon it.

Thank you for making it your own by expanding it in new and unique ways like the APG, Occult Adventures, archetypes, hybrid classes, and new subsystems, etc.

Thank you for continuing to open up new design spaces within the existing game.

Thank you for not jumping on the Edition Re-Design Treadmill.

Thank you for providing new options for new adventures and stories; even for the ones that don’t scratch my particular RPG itches (e.g. gunpowder)

Thank you for sticking with the OGL so that my games are enriched by awesome third-party content (Frog God Games, TPK Games, Kobold Press, and Raging Swan Press - my go-tos 3PPs - props to you, too!)

Thank you for looking at other RPG designs for inspiration without attempting to make Pathfinder into a clone of another RPG.

Thank you for listening to your customers/fans in the forums.
But thank you just as much for recognizing/understanding where to draw the line and not compromise critical elements of the game…
…and when the loudest voices don’t equate to or exceed the silent majority.

Thanks to everyone at Paizo, but for this post, I want to single out and sincerely thank the Pathfinder RPG design team. Thanks for the best Fantasy RPG and thanks for your continued efforts to keep making it better. Your game and your efforts are greatly appreciated.

[James Risner]

I'm 100% in agreement! Well said!

[captain yesterday]

Thanks for all the smurfs.

[Valantrix1]

I also agree 100%. I am blind, and this is one of the few things I can truly enjoy in life now. I've been playing D&D and its many off shoots since the red box, and this is by far my favorite rules system of them all. Every month I eagerly await the new things coming out of Paizo and many other 3rd party publishers. Thank you for giving my life a bit of color and vivid descriptions of things I love. Rock on!

[Mark Seifter]

Thank you to all the players and GMs for being awesome and using the tools we wrote to tell amazing stories together!

[Xenok]

Huzzah!

[DocShock]

Hear hear!!!

[Goddity]

Encore! Encore!

[James Risner]

Woot

[TOZ]

...

[Stone Dog]

Thank you SO much for all the online support too. If it wasn't for Herolab, SRD pages and searchable PDFs, I wouldn't be able to run a game as smoothly as I do. I'm almost going to finish a campaign (reign of Winter) for the first time since '95 and it is all down to software tools to lean on.

[Harleequin]

QFT X 10

[Gorbacz]

TOZ wrote:

...

C'mon TOZzle, wipe those tears away and tell us how you really feel.

[Belle Sorciere]

I have yet to play or pick up more than the core rulebook, but I will be getting more next month. I appreciate the incremental changes from 3.5. I also appreciate some of the awesome stuff I've seen in the SRD (like magi, I really like magi. And witches).

[Tobias Funke, Actor, M.D.]

C'mon Hiding, you haven't lived until you've smurfed yourself!

Edit: Would you look at that, I blue myself again!

[Tacticslion]

Thanks, Paizo! I heart you! :D

[GM 1990]

BPorter wrote:

My campaigns are designed as “open area” sandboxes with published adventures dropped into it. The session for the younger group was primarily published adventure; the session for the older group was 100% my adventure plots. But with the Pathfinder RPG, I was able to run both sessions painlessly.

Look, everyone runs a game their own way. I’m not a subscriber to “you’re doing it wrong”; play the game however you like. But after the guests had left and my kids are smiling ear to ear and each one makes a point to come and tell me “that was great, Dad” I took a bit of post-game prep to reflect on what went well and why.

Gaming weekly with my wife and 3 oldest (2 youngest clamoring to get in, but I'm holding them off), I have to concur. Schools out and I'm scheduled to host a game for a few of my son's friends as well. We ran a very brief intro session during his b-day party last Nov and it was a big hit.

[Randarak]

Thank you Paizo, for producing a most enjoyable obsession (my wife concurs that I am a tad obsessed), and providing me with seemingly unending hours of recreation and enjoyable reading material.

I need more shelf space...or maybe a bigger house.

[quibblemuch]

Brubarubaruba! Brubarubaruba! Hear hear!

[ulgulanoth]

Thank you Paizo and each and everyone one of your amazing staff, present and past, for the amazing game and the great community you have help make

[TriOmegaZero]

Gorbacz wrote:

TOZ wrote:

...

C'mon TOZzle, wipe those tears away and tell us how you really feel.

Something about having nothing nice to say.

[captain yesterday]

Wait! We're supposed to send them love letters now! Man, I suck at that!

Can't I just call them and do a little dance.

[Cap Yesterday, Compulsive FAQer]

I FAQ'd it, I just can't help myself!

Also, is it an Open Area or A Sand Box. Those are two very different things. :-)

[Chris Lambertz]

Removed some baiting posts and the responses to them and locking this one to avoid it spiraling into a back-and-forth argument.

BPorter, we appreciate hearing such positive feedback and knowing that these kids had such a good time!

We also appreciate constructive criticism and the passion/enthusiasm of our community. While threads may get heated about errata or FAQs, we'd really prefer not to endorse commentary that may dismiss the points of view of folks who do not agree with a given change or ruling. The Pathfinder RPG can be complex, and everyone's experience is going to be different.