How are 3.5 and Pathfinder the same and different?

[Edena_of_Neith]

Edena_of_Neith here.
I've never read anything concerning Pathfinder (other than the name) and know little about it, except that it seems to be a derivative of 3.5 Dungeons and Dragons. And apparently there are similarities between the two games.

Can anyone tell me what the similiarities are? The differences? Just the generalities of the matter?

Just curious, here.

Yours Sincerely
Edena_of_Neith

 

[Darrin Drader]

This would be an excellent question for August when the final version is released. Apparently the Beta went farther with the changes than the final will. For me the question will become whether to have my home game adopt the official final PFRPG or keep using the Beta.

I'm very happy with the way the beta plays.

 

[czak]

If you have the time to read, you can always download the beta for free: paizo.com - Pathfinder RPG

 

[Leif]

Dowloading the Beta is excellent advice! You should definitely do that. That being said, the similarities definitely outweigh the differences. Differences that imediately spring to mind: Wizards and Sorcerers have d6 hit dice and Rogues have d8 hit dice, Bards get spells at first level, there are fewer feats and spells available (Pathfinder RPG is comparable to the ph, so there aren't the 'supporting books' availabe, although the D&D books are easily usable.) Those are the main differences that spring to mind.

All in all, Pathfinder is highly recommended by me!

 

[ruemere]

While reading the PFRPG beta may be a bit of an undertaking, it's a preferable course of action to summarizing the changes. Most of the changes are diminutive and easy to miss.

The big ones are:
- more class features
- class features continue up to 20th level
- feat every 2nd level
- CR of a PC class is (level - 2), CR of an NPC class is (level - 3)
- there is different encounter design system
- we have Combat Maneuver Bonus now (it does not work as well as advertise, but with some tweaking it is ok) to standarize subsystems for all combat maneuvers
- skills were cleaned up a lot
- skill points are easier to distribute now

General changes:
- quite a lot of spells work changed a little
- magic items are created with a skill check

Regards,
Ruemere

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

Could I import 1E, 2E, and 3E ideas into Pathfinder easily?
Could I create a feat rich Pathfinder game (ala, my 3 feats/level threads in other forums.) ?

Thanks for the feedback, folks!

 

[Kerrick]

This thread will probably pretty well summarize everything you want to know.

Could I import 1E, 2E, and 3E ideas into Pathfinder easily?

I don't think importing things from 1E/2E into PF would be any harder than doing it into 3E (and it's certainly easy to convert 3E/3.5; they're very similar).

Could I create a feat rich Pathfinder game (ala, my 3 feats/level threads in other forums.) ?

Three feats per level? Good lord. I wouldn't recommend it; PF already ramps up core class power, and giving them that many feats would likely break the system.

 

[Voadam]

PF is about as different from 3.5 as 3.5 was from 3.0 or Arcana Evolved IMO.

Biggest differences:

One combat maneuver bonus (BAB +str +1 per size over medium) to resolve different combat actions instead of different mechanic formulae for trip vs. grapple vs. disarm vs sunder, etc.

Slight bump in races, each gets more stat bumps.

Slight bump up for most classes, more features throughout levels for most, rogues can sneak attack undead and constructs, cantrips are at will, turning simplified, etc.

Negative for me is the unnecessarily fiddly monk and barbarian class ki and rage point mechanics.

HD increase to match BAB, d6 for 1/2, d8 for 3/4, d10 for 1/1.

Various starting hp suggestion options to bump up 1st level hp.

Some feats redone.

Save or die type spells changed to damage or 3.5 hold person save each round mechanic.

Polymorph/alter self changed to various spells with simpler changes.

Skill list condensed and 1st level does not get x4 skill points but +3 competence bonus for class skills.

Favored class gets a minor bonus (+1hp or 1 skill point/level) instead of multiclass penalty.

 

[Scott DeWar]

I am particularly fond of the skill point system clean up and simplification and the favored class bonus rplacing the penalty.

persoonally.

in my most humble opinion.

right now i only have two active characters being played PF

1) fighter 3, wizard 3, spell sword 1
with plans on getting +1 wizard and +1 swift blade for the next two levels.

2) monk 3, scorcer 4 with possible plans in the direction of enlightened fist.

I also like the at will cantrips and the back up for arcane spell casters of doing something when all spells are exhausted.

 

[Leif]

I am particularly fond of the skill point system clean up and simplification and the favored class bonus rplacing the penalty.
persoonally.
in my most humble opinion.
right now i only have two active characters being played PF
1) fighter 3, wizard 3, spell sword 1
with plans on getting +1 wizard and +1 swift blade for the next two levels.
2) monk 3, scorcer 4 with possible plans in the direction of enlightened fist.
I also like the at will cantrips and the back up for arcane spell casters of doing something when all spells are exhausted.

Hey, SD, you're not strictly playing Pathfinder there, are you? Sounds like you've got a fair amount of 3.5 house-ruled into those games!