I've been reading more in the past couple days then I have in the last 3 months. Which is probably good for my brain. And for that Paizo I thank you.
From reading all the forums and playtest books, I've completely changed my opinion about 2ed. But it required some introspection, and maybe a 4th level potion or two.
Day 1. I save pdfs to my phone and computer, and other computer, and tablet... whatever you get it. I start making a bard and I get upset. This guy is garbage. Then looking a the bestiary I find that he probably won't be great at debuffing. My problem: I tried to make a jack of all trades good at nothing and won. Bard in 2ed was changed to be what it pretended to be in 1ed. Bard was finally the compliment to cleric. Instead of healing and defense, the bard now hands out pain and murderous tendencies. I had expectations of the same old but somehow magically improved while not being scary and new. When I opened up to the idea I found that it felt just like it did, but now was much much better. Inspire courage was the coolest cantrip on the planet. It virtually increases my fighter's threat range. But then oh no...
Day 2. I say day two cause it was 12:** something, so it was a new day. I found the +1 level to proficiency. I WAS WAITING FOR THEM TO FIX THAT IN 2ED. WHAT THE O'DOUL'S IS THIS?!?! I found a nice kind positive forum and asked kindly. They said, "Yeah. Level 13+ is kinda supposed to be broke though." My problem: I wanted them to change the game the way I wanted it changed, the way I imagined. Not everyone expected the same thing. Staying in 1st ed wasn't going to remove this problem either. And the playtest isn't over, so there is hope that Paizo does something like +1/2 level to proficiency.
I realized somewhere around the second potion about 18 ounces (YEAH I KNOW THAT'S LIKE 18 POTIONS!) the problem was my expectations. In both cases, if I just gave it a chance, I was actually at least just as impressed with 2ed.
Lastly, cause I like taking potions and working with power tools in the garage (not recommended), as long as 2ed is fairly easy to house rule, we can also change it to what we as groups want at the table. And then we'd have 1ed, 2ed, 3.5, and 5th to homebrew from. And just like the potion drinker that made the turducken, we have the ability to make something unpalatable to all but our close circle of friends.
Keep spirits up friends. I think this is going to be just fine.
