2 out of 5 rating for Pathfinder Playtest: Rulebook
I had downloaded this book in hope to see a 5th edition variation from pathfinder. We like the 5th edition, but there is a lack of german stuff for it. Pathfinder offers great varieties of material in german. So it could have been a chance.
We left 3rd edition, because we didn't like to consult countless books for the optimal combination of feats and stuff. 4E was ... special, but with the 5th edition we are 'at home'. A variation would be a good step for us, but it is clearly not.
When I read through the possible next edition of pathfinder, I was shocked. They have found a way to flood you even more with feats. There are class feats, skill feats, combat feats, racial feats, general feats ... nearly everything defining your player character is achieved by collecting feats. I looked up the alchemist as a full class, interested in the design. Actually, it is nothing more than a root class with feats. Give him hits, give him access to skills and ... you guessed it feats and the class is done.
Reading the book I often wondered, why do they even do a second edition, when they only replace former class features by feats, adding some minor rule here, renaming stuff there and perhaps describe stuff differently than before. They say, you can use most of your pathfinder 1 stuff/adventures with the second edition as well (with minimal adjustments). I believe them, because the changes aren't big enough to name this ruleset a second edition. In my opinion it is a Pathfinder 1.2 "Fun with Flags.. ah Feats Edition"
Hopefully the playtests have told them, there is much to change yet and perhaps even worth a second playtest time. Generally it is a well fleshed out system with some issues as in every "untested" ruleset. Everyone fond of feats as the defining part of the game and everything beside this, feeling like the old pathfinder with a little makeup might enjoy it. Fans of the 5E should avoid it, no matter what changes might go into this ruleset once it is finalized.