This is not the normal request for advice that you find, but something more along the lines of what I should do in regards to my subscriptions.
Yes, I know this is a forum favorable to PF2e and that is why I came here. I want to support Paizo in it's efforts, but I'm not sure if doing so will benefit me currently.
I have, after deliberations on the matter, decided that I am not going to be running Pathfinder 2e. My group was already sort of hostile to PF (they all are 5e people, but humor me with PF from time to time as long as I GM) so getting them onboard with PF2e is simply not going to happen.
So, for the past few weeks I've been trying to run PF2e adventures (the two that I have) while converting it on the run to PF1e. It is a LOT harder than I thought it would be to convert between the two, especially backwards from PF2e to PF1e.
Overall, it's taking more time to do so with prep than I have. I really don't want to continue the experience (it's actually made it very unfun to a degree, especially after around level 2). Instead I'm looking at running more PF1e adventures (already compatible, and I have a lot of them I've never run thus far, just about everything after Mummy's Mask).
So, my dilemma. With me going with this, I cannot see myself ever running any of the PF2e adventures in the future. It's just too much work with the current group. This means anything I'm getting with PF2e are things I'll never use.
This has me debating on my subscriptions on what I should do. I know there are many pro-PF2e and Pro-Paizo people here, and I'm looking to see that viewpoint in trying to make my decision. I don't want to jump to a hasty decision, but as I said, I simply cannot see myself making use of any of the stuff I'm going to be getting from the subscriptions here on out.
I do support how Paizo supports diversity, and how it tries to make a welcoming environment. This is why it is a dilemma. Right now I'm thinking of getting rid of the subscriptions, but the thought also makes me cringe as well. It feels like I'd be letting them down if I did that, and I don't want to do that.
So...as the forum says, even if not about the rules...looking for advice on what I should do and the reasons why.
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If you are not using the material from the subscription then it will be better to cancel it, no point on spending money on that.
But even if cancel it you can always keep an eye in what is being released and buy what interest you, be it for lore or just inspiration for your own homebrew.
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Since you indicate that you would like to continue the subscription, except for the problem of not having anyone interested in playing PF2, I think a better question might be if anyone has suggestions on convincing a 5E group to go with PF2 and what benefits (and to be fair drawbacks) such a group might see from a switch.
If the subscription is worth keeping, PF2 fans should be able to come up with some pretty good answers.
Unfortunately, have not yet made the jump to PF2, I can't personally help with this, but I would also be interested in what people have to say.
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Does your 5e group only run prepublished stuff?
If not you could convert the adventures and/or the monsters?
And even if you don’t they’re filled to the brim with inspirations (I play in APs but I run in my own setting).
I run prepublished stuff for Pathfinder. They have another DM that runs 5e and they normally just run the DM's own created campaign.
Last one prior to the 2e module and AP vol 1 that just came out was the Giantslayer AP that I ran.
I tried to convert 2e to 1e, and at first it worked decently but as they go up levels it gets tougher to do quickly and thus requires a lot more pre-prep work than what I normally have time for. I found that I wasn't having fun anymore with that and tried to figure out why. The converting just wasn't fun for me.
I think a little conversion, or easy conversion I don't mind, but when it gets a little tougher...I really don't think I enjoy it all that much to be honest.
5e adventures to PF would be nightmare to convert I think with my current schedule these days.
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I hate to be this guy, but this problem seems to boil down to, "I want to play 2e, my group doesn't. My group wants to play 5e, I don't. We settled on PF1." I've always GM'd and generally made the final call on system, but I have never had FUN playing a system that my players didn't enjoy, even when I loved the system.
I ran PF1 for a die-hard 4e group and it was miserable. I eventually switched to running 4e for them before I, too, realized that I just wasn't having fun. And while I know it's hard to say, but maybe just getting a group that wants to play the system you want is probably the best solution. The good news is that there are plenty of people out there looking for a GM. It's not too far of a stretch to find people interested in what you are.
(But also I realize that people have radically different life situations, so that isn't always the easiest. Good luck!)
Ok, it sounds like you are asking for an excuse to continue a subscription. You even specify you want to support the company. Your money is yours to do with, if you want to keep the adventure path coming, for whatever reason, and can afford to do so, that is your decision.
If you have already been gotten the first in Age of Ashes and want to keep it until the end, so you know you will have a complete AP you can pull out if you get the chance in the future, then do that. If after that, you still feel your chances of needing another one is low, drop the subscription. While your money is yours to spend, I'd personally recommend that you find things you can spend your money on that you would have a chance to potentially use.
For instance, of you frequently GM, and you want to continue to 'support' Pazio financially in some meaningful way. Look at other subscriptions you could potentially use. The Pathfinder Maps subscription, or the Pathfinder Pawns subscriptions are things you could possibly use as a GM. Alternately, the Lost Omens subscription might have content you could use to move history of your Golarion forward if you want it to remain similar. You can use the mechanical elements as potential inspiration for new things for 1st edition, not that there is a lack of mechanical content for 1st edition. If truly your goal is to feel like you are supporting them, find the most useful thing you can find that they offer, that is in your acceptable price range.
You might, instead of AP's, could keep your eye out for the Adventures (formerly modules) line, and see if when they come out, and if they look like decent one-shot adventures, get it, and you might be able to get your group to try it sometime. You might wait to see what the next FreeRPG day module is when it comes out next year and get it, as it would probably be short and entertaining.
But feel empowered to do what you want to do, getting what you want to get from it, as long as you can afford to. It might be worth seeing what would be of the most value to you given your circumstances, but in the end it is your judgement, and your money.
Another way you can probably 'support them' would be to watch their Youtube/twich videos and subscribe to what you are interested in. Watch the things like the Geek and Sundry PF2 adventure and encourage others to watch it is well to help people get potentially exited about its potential and give it a real chance with a positive outlook.
As someone mentioned, perhaps opening the door to new player group if you have time. volunteering to run a module or one shot that you have converted from first edition already, into second edition, you might get some players interested in playing second edition.
I think there are lots of options, but that is your dilemma. They are choices you'll have to weigh and decide. Some of them are potential paths you can try walking down, but may not have to be long term commitments. Others might be harder, due to time constraints or personal commitments.
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If you cannot sell your group on PF2e and converting is too hard there is little reason to keep your subscription. If you want to support Paizo's ethos you could always send an email to customer service and ask if you can just donate to them directly. I expect they would appreciate the sentiment but tell you not to worry.
That said I'm surprised you have a 5e group that will reluctantly play PF1e but refuse to give PF2e a chance. PF2e has:
* No more full attacks.
* No more math tax feats.
* Magic items are substantially less mandatory kinda/sorta.
* You just add your proficiency bonus to things like 5e does.
* Combat rules are substantially simplified just like 5e.
I would seriously suggest they let you run a one shot with pretend that you make and give the game a chance before they write it off completely.
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Yeah I'd have thought 2e pf would be much more the speed of a 5e preferring group than 1st ed pathfinder.
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Yeah I'd have thought 2e pf would be much more the speed of a 5e preferring group than 1st ed pathfinder.
This. PF2 is way more similar to 5e IMO, but groups of players who are really powerfully anti systems outside their own preferred one usually aren't basing these feelings on rational comparisons. They just don't like it, and will look for any reason to convince themselves.
I think Ruzza's post is probably the best advice you're going to get on the topic.
About two years ago I stopped GMing because I've just had enough of it and my players couldn't muster the time anymore to really delve into their characters the way you need to in PF1 (I didn't like 5e though, so ended up with a small indie game called Open Legend).
Back then I had a similar decision to make as you: Keep my AP subscription, even if I don't run games anymore in that world and don't use the system anymore, or ditch the subscription? Honestly, the answer was quite easy for me: I kept the subscription active most of the time unless I didn't like the premise of an AP. There are still so many valuable assets (NPC art, monster art, maps, etc.) and ideas (encounter designs, plot threads, storylines, villains, etc.) in there that I never regretted still being subscribed. Having tons of ideas at my hands when I might run out of them is invaluable to me.
I understand though that converting or translating stuff to PF1 is quite difficult (one of the reasons I stopped GMing it) but, at this point, PF1 has so much material that reskinning monsters or using previous material as inspiration should be a decent option, so I found there is always a use for having unused adventures lying around.
Yeah I'd have thought 2e pf would be much more the speed of a 5e preferring group than 1st ed pathfinder.If they were doing both from a standing start. But the OP's group is already familiar with PF1 whereas they would need to leant PF2 from scratch (and buy new book yet). I can see how starting over would be a tougher sell than continuing with PF1, even if the former would be a better fit on paper.
That said, possibly silly question, but is there no possibility of finding/joining/forming a second group that will play PF2?
_
glass.
As far as I know I'm the only one running any Pathfinder games at all in my area.
Most of the others who play RPGs currently are playing 5e. There is an older group that plays AD&D (not sure of which version...sorry).
Part of it is probably that there aren't even any stores that carry RPGs in our area.
We had one a few years ago which mainly focused on Magic the Gathering, but you could order Pathfinder stuff through them (along with D&D stuff) and they sold dice, but they are no longer there (I think they went out of business).
The closest groups that run anything else are probably around 40-50 miles away. I suppose if I wanted to travel that distance regularly I could find a PF2e group there.
That's also where the closest store that sells anything for RPGs is that I can find. There used to be other stores closer, but they went out of business.
After that, the next group is around 65-75 miles away.
If I were willing to travel that distance I could probably find groups that play all sorts of different RPGs and anything and everything.
I had a really tough time convincing the ones that will play PF1e to even play PF1e in the first place. They changed over to 5e pretty strongly pretty early on. It was only after a little while that I was able to convince them to play PF1e again.
Part of it may also be that I and the one of the current influencers of RPGs in our area had a pretty big falling out a few years ago (2-3?) that was...very much not a friendly falling out with each other. It makes it harder to work along with some of the players in the community.
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Thank you everyone for your advice.
I didn't want to make a hasty decision, and to try to make the best decision I could possible.
I've considered what everyone wrote here and looked at the options and took into consideration what was suggested. In the end, I decided to go with one of the ideas posted here.
I've decided that I'll end my subscriptions overall as I probably won't be using the stuff in the APs or modules as much...BUT that doesn't mean I'm out of it.
I won't be a subscriber but I plan on doing more picking and choosing. I'll buy some PF2e stuff in PDF format (which means no more discount for me) which I find interesting.
With the Subscription model it felt that I was bound to just the adventures and such overall, but if I drop it I think I'll expand into the Lost Omens (when it has things that look interesting) and expand into other areas (scenarios, etc) with a pick and choose method.
Thanks once again for all your suggestions.