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Tyranthraxus
Senior Scribe
Netherlands
423 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 17:01:15
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I saw a copy of the PF Core Rules at my local game store. I have the Beta pdf but I only have the funds to support one system and I made the change to 4E. But honestly I have no interest in most the 4E books or DDI, with the exception of Reams stuff.
So I was thinking of blowing some life in my 3.X supplements by taking another look at PF. What are the major differences between the Beta and the core rules besides one being a hard cover book? If I buy the Core Rules will the beta be enough for the rest of the players?
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Hawkins
Great Reader
USA
2131 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 17:26:21
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| Why don't you just check the Pathfinder core rules at the Pathfinder RPG Reference Document (Paizo hosted Pathfinder Open Content) or d20 Pathfinder SRD (basically d20SRD.org for Pathfinder)? The Pathfinder RPG is pretty much entirely made up of open game content (OGC). |
Errant d20 Designer - My Blog (last updated January 06, 2016)
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back. --Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking-Glass
"Mmm, not the darkness," Myrin murmured. "Don't cast it there." --Erik Scott de Bie, Shadowbane
* My character sheets (PFRPG, 3.5, and AE versions; not viewable in Internet Explorer)
* Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Reference Document (PFRPG OGL Rules)
* The Hypertext d20 SRD (3.5 OGL Rules)
* 3.5 D&D Archives
My game design work:
* Heroes of the Jade Oath (PFRPG, conversion; Rite Publishing)
* Compendium Arcanum Volume 1: Cantrips & Orisons (PFRPG, designer; d20pfsrd.com Publishing)
* Compendium Arcanum Volume 2: 1st-Level Spells (PFRPG, designer; d20pfsrd.com Publishing)
* Martial Arts Guidebook (forthcoming) (PFRPG, designer; Rite Publishing)
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Hawkins
Great Reader
USA
2131 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 17:33:49
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| My group uses most of the old 3.x supplements in tangent with the Pathfinder RPG core rules. Before the switch, I successfully played a Pathfinder Sorcerer in a 3.5 game. That being said, there are some things that do not transfer well (such the Bo9S discipline that uses the Concentration skill as a core mechanic). I think the two big things that I noticed when I got my shiny new Pathfinder Core Rulebook is that Concentration is not longer a skill and there was a Combat Maneuver Defense (CMD) to complement the Combat Maneuver Bonus (CMB, previously "Grapple" in 3.x). Concentration is a roll any spellcaster can make where they roll a d20 and add their caster level + their spellcasting ability modifier. Having a CMD actually further simplifies the Grapple/Combat Maneuver system. |
Errant d20 Designer - My Blog (last updated January 06, 2016)
One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back. --Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking-Glass
"Mmm, not the darkness," Myrin murmured. "Don't cast it there." --Erik Scott de Bie, Shadowbane
* My character sheets (PFRPG, 3.5, and AE versions; not viewable in Internet Explorer)
* Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Reference Document (PFRPG OGL Rules)
* The Hypertext d20 SRD (3.5 OGL Rules)
* 3.5 D&D Archives
My game design work:
* Heroes of the Jade Oath (PFRPG, conversion; Rite Publishing)
* Compendium Arcanum Volume 1: Cantrips & Orisons (PFRPG, designer; d20pfsrd.com Publishing)
* Compendium Arcanum Volume 2: 1st-Level Spells (PFRPG, designer; d20pfsrd.com Publishing)
* Martial Arts Guidebook (forthcoming) (PFRPG, designer; Rite Publishing)
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2011 : 10:45:38
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| I did not play beta, but remember that a few classes were changed in one or two abilities. Minor ones, e.g. monk's stunning fist bonus, bard's jack of all trades, wizard's arcane schools, paladin's mercies and clerics aura. The Core Rules is probably closer to 3.5. They'll be fine with beta. For mostly copying 3.5 rules the book is not worth 50$. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36874 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2011 : 11:53:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Quale
I did not play beta, but remember that a few classes were changed in one or two abilities. Minor ones, e.g. monk's stunning fist bonus, bard's jack of all trades, wizard's arcane schools, paladin's mercies and clerics aura. The Core Rules is probably closer to 3.5. They'll be fine with beta. For mostly copying 3.5 rules the book is not worth 50$.
It does, on the other hand, combine the PHB and DMG into one book. And with Pathfinder outselling D&D, it shows that people like the rules and think they're worth spending money on. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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Penknight
Senior Scribe
USA
538 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2011 : 12:19:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Quale
I did not play beta, but remember that a few classes were changed in one or two abilities. Minor ones, e.g. monk's stunning fist bonus, bard's jack of all trades, wizard's arcane schools, paladin's mercies and clerics aura. The Core Rules is probably closer to 3.5. They'll be fine with beta. For mostly copying 3.5 rules the book is not worth 50$.
It does, on the other hand, combine the PHB and DMG into one book. And with Pathfinder outselling D&D, it shows that people like the rules and think they're worth spending money on.
I wasn't aware Pathfinder was outselling 4E! Was there a release about it by chance, or anything that you might be able to link here for us, Wooly? |
Telethian Phoenix
Pathfinder Reference Document |
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4460 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2011 : 13:13:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Penknight
I wasn't aware Pathfinder was outselling 4E! Was there a release about it by chance, or anything that you might be able to link here for us, Wooly?
There was something about the Paizo selling more than WotC products according to the ICv2 reports. These are reports and sales from local gaming stores (NOT all retail brands such as Barnes and Nobles, the late Borders, and Amazon.com sales) which makes the claim dubious IMO.
A more accurate quote would've been "Pathfinder was outselling 4E in local gaming stores, so says the ICv2 reports".
As for the books themselves, I hear they're pretty decent with good artwork. However, a big reason I've never bought them was because I have a laptop and internet access to the d20pfsrd which has all the information I could want from the main book, the APG, and the Beastaries. Pretty much Paizo only sees my $$ when they put out a really good Adventure Path (which is pretty reguarlarly, i'll admit). |
Diffan's NPG Generator: FR NPC Generator |
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Ayunken-vanzan
Senior Scribe
Germany
657 Posts |
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 09:11:28
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| Imo APG is their only mechanics book worth the money cause it offers new concepts. Ultimate Combat is disappointing with gunslingers, ninjas, samurai, half-useless archetypes and piecemeal armor. |
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Tyranthraxus
Senior Scribe
Netherlands
423 Posts |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 12:49:16
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| Thanks for the info guys. If I ever run a 3.X game again it will probably be a homebrew mix of 3E, PF, and 4E... and possibly a few minor things of the other editions . |
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Pathfinder Beta vs. Core Rules
