Pathfinder 1E Pathfinder Sneak Peeks (Old thread)

[Atlatl Jones]

Knowledge skills - it actually makes a difference whether you just know something about arcane lore or religion. It makes a difference if you know something about the undead creatures or the dragon...
But the difference between Perform (Lute) and Perform (Drums) is minuscule in game effect.

This is exactly my problem with it.

Any skill could be divided into multiple sub-skills. Sneak used to be divided into Hide and Move Silently, and could logically be divided into various types of sneaking, like Sneak (forest) or Sneak (urban shadowing). As a result, the decision whether or not to divide a skill into multiple sub-skills should be based on the in-game effect of the division.

Knowledge skills are useful. Ranks in Knowledge (the planes) give an entirely different functionality from ranks in Knowledge (nobility) or Knowledge (arcana). But Perform (wind instruments) and Perform (stringed instruments) have virtually identical effects in play. A GM would have to try really really hard to make a meaningful in-game difference between those skills, and in the end it would probably feel like something that was created purely to justify taking those different skills, rather than something that was necessary for story reasons.

 

[dm4hire]

Perform IMO is basically a form of knowledge. It makes sense to divide it. People who are sneaky tend to be sneaky no matter what while those who aren't are lucky if they could hide behind their hands in a game of peak-a-boo with a baby. Performance also relates to tastes which are easily differentiated such as knowledge. Some people like all types of performances, some may like only certain types, and there will be some who don't like any type of performances that can be done by a performer.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Perform IMO is basically a form of knowledge. It makes sense to divide it.

How about KNowledge (The Planes). Why not divice it into Knowledge (The Abyss) and Knowledge (Astral Plane)?

One could "model" this type of specialization differently. For example with feats:

"Abyssal Expert: +4 bonus to Knowledge (The Planes) check when dealing with denizens, events or environment of the Abyss.

Or "Lute Soloist": +4 to Perform Checks when using the Lute.

Or "Forest Scout": +3 to Perception and Stealth check in Forests.

Or "Combat Casting": +4 to Concentration checks made to casting on the defensive.

This is exactly my problem with it.

Any skill could be divided into multiple sub-skills. Sneak used to be divided into Hide and Move Silently, and could logically be divided into various types of sneaking, like Sneak (forest) or Sneak (urban shadowing). As a result, the decision whether or not to divide a skill into multiple sub-skills should be based on the in-game effect of the division.

Knowledge skills are useful. Ranks in Knowledge (the planes) give an entirely different functionality from ranks in Knowledge (nobility) or Knowledge (arcana). But Perform (wind instruments) and Perform (stringed instruments) have virtually identical effects in play. A GM would have to try really really hard to make a meaningful in-game difference between those skills, and in the end it would probably feel like something that was created purely to justify taking those different skills, rather than something that was necessary for story reasons.

Seems in the end to be a kind of choice between using Game Impact or World Impact in designing the skills.

This could also be a reason why we split certain skills, like Hide and Move Silently or Spot and Listen. The Game Impact of noticing or escaping notice is very high, so it might require a higher "price" in character building resources.

 

[dm4hire]

More Bestiary preview art up at Paizo's Blog. Though not named the guesses seem pretty dead on.

Kyton (Chain Devil), Pit Fiend, Balor and Oni/Ogre Mage.

 

[Hunter In Darkness]

sweet art

 

[Rokes]

Nice retake on the Balor! And who knew Oni were Japanese?

 

[Qualidar]

Really nice art. I love the Oni, and I also like that the general style seems to have moved away from the manga influence they've had in earlier work.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Nice retake on the Balor! And who knew Oni were Japanese?

My first "brush" with Oni was in an Oriental Adventures campaign. So I thought this was well-known.

 

[Vurt]

More Bestiary preview art up at Paizo's Blog. Though not named the guesses seem pretty dead on.

Someone sculpt that balor into a mini, please!

 

[Voadam]

And who knew Oni were Japanese?

Who didn't?