The Pathfinder modules are so beautifully styled and formatted.
The writing of the Adventure Paths and especially the beginner box is really great.
But the Pathfinder 3.5 system is just unplayable because the numbers become unmanageable and combat takes too long.
Here are some ideas that I have gotten during the 4th Edition play that I wanted to use to improve Pathfinder at the time. These may be similar to many 5th Edition ideas but there is a permanent record where I and others suggested these things first. Regardless of that, the system I have mended together here is different enough from 5th edition that we are all probably legally o.k. from IP infringement.
So here is a conversion guide for not only Pathfinder, but for any edition of Dungeons & Dragons. It is really simple.
1.) Copy the ability scores as they are.
If an ability score is above 20 for a mortal or a humanoid, that score becomes 20.
If an ability score is below 3 for a mortal or a humanoid, that score becomes 3.
If an ability score is above 30 for an immortal or a beast, that score becomes 30.
If a class level is above 20 for a mortal campaign, that class level becomes 20.
If a class level is above 30 for an immortal campagin, that class level becomes 30.
2.) Ability Score stats are AbilityScore - 10 / 2.
If you are untrained, roll this ability check without the benefit of your level bonus.
3.) Level Bonuses are back. Level / 3 round up for a range of +1 to +10.
If you are trained, add your level bonus to your roll.
If you are an expert, add your level bonus X2 to your roll.
4.) No single modifier is below -10 or above +10.
There are no automatic hits unless your target has the helpless condition.
The standard weapon and spell roll is
1d20
-10 to +10 Magic Modifier
-5 to +10 Ability Modifier
+1 to +10 Level Bonus
-10 to +10 Situation Modifier
Versus
Enemy Armor Class
Base 5
-10 to +10 Magic Abjuration and Armor Bonus
-5 to +10 Dexterity Modifier(Armor Bonus does not reduce this modifier)
+1 to +10 Level Bonus
ARMOR BONUSES
AC+0 No Armor
AC+1 Padded
AC+2 Leather
AC+3 Studded Leather
AC+4 Chain
AC+5 Ring
AC+6 Scale
AC+7 Banded
AC+8 Splint
AC+9 Full Plate
AC+1 Shield
or
AC+1 Reach Weapon(Your 2-handed weapon becomes 1-handed and is reduced by one die, example, 1d12 becomes 1d10)
Damage is
1d
-5 to +10 the relevant weapon or spell Ability Modifier
+1 to +10 Level Bonus with a 2-handed weapon or your Primary 1-handed weapon.
+0 Bonus for any Secondary off-handed weapon
Hit Points
Look at the hit dice of the pregenerated character or the monster.
This is its level.
Determine from the combined multi-class or single class, which of the 4 classes below, the character or monster is most like.
A Fighter with no spells?
A Skilled Rogue or Ranger?
A Fighter Caster Cleric, Monk?
A Caster with only spells?
CLASSES
FIGHTERS
(str+2)
(hp@1st 12+con mod)
(hp@2nd-30th(1d12(min 7)+con mod)
(proficient with up to plate armor)
(2 handed weapon damage 1d12+str mod+lvl mod)
(1 handed main weapon damage 1d6+str mod+lvl mod)
(1 handed off-hand weapon damage 1d6)
(starts with 1 weapon proficiency, 4 feats(some feats are fighters only), 2 skills, 2 actions/reactions)
SKILLED
(dex+2)
(hp@1st 10+con mod)
(hp@2nd-30th(1d10(min 6)+con mod)
(proficient with up to studded leather armor)
(2 handed weapon damage 1d10+dex mod+lvl mod)
(1 handed main weapon damage 1d6+dex mod+lvl mod)
(1 handed off-hand weapon damage 1d4)
(starts with 1 weapon proficiency, 4 feats, 6 skills(some skills are rogue or ranger only), 3 actions/reactions)
FIGHTER-CASTERS
(wis+2)
(hp@1st 8+con mod)
(hp@2nd-30th(1d8(min 5)+con mod)(proficient with up to ring armor)
(2 handed weapon damage 1d8+wis mod+lvl mod)
(1 handed main weapon damage 1d4+wis mod+lvl mod)
(1 handed off-weapon damage 1d4)
(starts with 1 weapon proficiency, 2 feats, 2 spells(exclusive necromancy/life spells, single targets only 1d8 damage), 2 skills, 4 actions/reactions)
CASTERS
(int+2)
(hp@1st 6+con mod)
(hp@2nd-30th(1d6(min 4)+con mod)
(no armor, abjuration spells and abjuration jewelry)
(2 handed weapon damage 1d6+int mod+lvl mod)
(1 handed main weapon damage 1d4+int mod+lvl mod)
(no off-hand weapons)
(starts with 1 weapon proficiency, 2 feats, 4 spells(exclusive area spells 10x10 ft. 1 spell point per additional +5 radius, 1d6 damage, +1d per additional spell point spent(max 5d)), 2 skills, 2 actions/reactions)
Spell Points/Feat Points
This is the character's highest ability modifier+the level bonus
These points are used to execute feats and cast spells.
These points renew at the beginning of each encounter.
To increase damage by +1d, spend an extra feat point or spell point.(maximum +5d)
To increase the spell radius for Caster only classes, that would be 1 spell point per +5ft. 1 step, 1 square
To take another action or reaction, that will cost 1 point per action/reaction.
Leveling-Up
you can increase 2 ability scores by +1
or
1 ability score+2
or
learn a new skill
or
learn a new feat
or
learn a new spell package.
Many, many ideas already being tested here.
http://d20game.weebly.com
Join me and we can make Pathfinder playable!
The writing of the Adventure Paths and especially the beginner box is really great.
But the Pathfinder 3.5 system is just unplayable because the numbers become unmanageable and combat takes too long.
Here are some ideas that I have gotten during the 4th Edition play that I wanted to use to improve Pathfinder at the time. These may be similar to many 5th Edition ideas but there is a permanent record where I and others suggested these things first. Regardless of that, the system I have mended together here is different enough from 5th edition that we are all probably legally o.k. from IP infringement.
So here is a conversion guide for not only Pathfinder, but for any edition of Dungeons & Dragons. It is really simple.
1.) Copy the ability scores as they are.
If an ability score is above 20 for a mortal or a humanoid, that score becomes 20.
If an ability score is below 3 for a mortal or a humanoid, that score becomes 3.
If an ability score is above 30 for an immortal or a beast, that score becomes 30.
If a class level is above 20 for a mortal campaign, that class level becomes 20.
If a class level is above 30 for an immortal campagin, that class level becomes 30.
2.) Ability Score stats are AbilityScore - 10 / 2.
If you are untrained, roll this ability check without the benefit of your level bonus.
3.) Level Bonuses are back. Level / 3 round up for a range of +1 to +10.
If you are trained, add your level bonus to your roll.
If you are an expert, add your level bonus X2 to your roll.
4.) No single modifier is below -10 or above +10.
There are no automatic hits unless your target has the helpless condition.
The standard weapon and spell roll is
1d20
-10 to +10 Magic Modifier
-5 to +10 Ability Modifier
+1 to +10 Level Bonus
-10 to +10 Situation Modifier
Versus
Enemy Armor Class
Base 5
-10 to +10 Magic Abjuration and Armor Bonus
-5 to +10 Dexterity Modifier(Armor Bonus does not reduce this modifier)
+1 to +10 Level Bonus
ARMOR BONUSES
AC+0 No Armor
AC+1 Padded
AC+2 Leather
AC+3 Studded Leather
AC+4 Chain
AC+5 Ring
AC+6 Scale
AC+7 Banded
AC+8 Splint
AC+9 Full Plate
AC+1 Shield
or
AC+1 Reach Weapon(Your 2-handed weapon becomes 1-handed and is reduced by one die, example, 1d12 becomes 1d10)
Damage is
1d
-5 to +10 the relevant weapon or spell Ability Modifier
+1 to +10 Level Bonus with a 2-handed weapon or your Primary 1-handed weapon.
+0 Bonus for any Secondary off-handed weapon
Hit Points
Look at the hit dice of the pregenerated character or the monster.
This is its level.
Determine from the combined multi-class or single class, which of the 4 classes below, the character or monster is most like.
A Fighter with no spells?
A Skilled Rogue or Ranger?
A Fighter Caster Cleric, Monk?
A Caster with only spells?
CLASSES
FIGHTERS
(str+2)
(hp@1st 12+con mod)
(hp@2nd-30th(1d12(min 7)+con mod)
(proficient with up to plate armor)
(2 handed weapon damage 1d12+str mod+lvl mod)
(1 handed main weapon damage 1d6+str mod+lvl mod)
(1 handed off-hand weapon damage 1d6)
(starts with 1 weapon proficiency, 4 feats(some feats are fighters only), 2 skills, 2 actions/reactions)
SKILLED
(dex+2)
(hp@1st 10+con mod)
(hp@2nd-30th(1d10(min 6)+con mod)
(proficient with up to studded leather armor)
(2 handed weapon damage 1d10+dex mod+lvl mod)
(1 handed main weapon damage 1d6+dex mod+lvl mod)
(1 handed off-hand weapon damage 1d4)
(starts with 1 weapon proficiency, 4 feats, 6 skills(some skills are rogue or ranger only), 3 actions/reactions)
FIGHTER-CASTERS
(wis+2)
(hp@1st 8+con mod)
(hp@2nd-30th(1d8(min 5)+con mod)(proficient with up to ring armor)
(2 handed weapon damage 1d8+wis mod+lvl mod)
(1 handed main weapon damage 1d4+wis mod+lvl mod)
(1 handed off-weapon damage 1d4)
(starts with 1 weapon proficiency, 2 feats, 2 spells(exclusive necromancy/life spells, single targets only 1d8 damage), 2 skills, 4 actions/reactions)
CASTERS
(int+2)
(hp@1st 6+con mod)
(hp@2nd-30th(1d6(min 4)+con mod)
(no armor, abjuration spells and abjuration jewelry)
(2 handed weapon damage 1d6+int mod+lvl mod)
(1 handed main weapon damage 1d4+int mod+lvl mod)
(no off-hand weapons)
(starts with 1 weapon proficiency, 2 feats, 4 spells(exclusive area spells 10x10 ft. 1 spell point per additional +5 radius, 1d6 damage, +1d per additional spell point spent(max 5d)), 2 skills, 2 actions/reactions)
Spell Points/Feat Points
This is the character's highest ability modifier+the level bonus
These points are used to execute feats and cast spells.
These points renew at the beginning of each encounter.
To increase damage by +1d, spend an extra feat point or spell point.(maximum +5d)
To increase the spell radius for Caster only classes, that would be 1 spell point per +5ft. 1 step, 1 square
To take another action or reaction, that will cost 1 point per action/reaction.
Leveling-Up
you can increase 2 ability scores by +1
or
1 ability score+2
or
learn a new skill
or
learn a new feat
or
learn a new spell package.
Many, many ideas already being tested here.
http://d20game.weebly.com
Join me and we can make Pathfinder playable!
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