D&D 3E/3.5 3.5 E, older D&D and Pathfinder. What do D&D vets think of pathfinder

[Shoe]

the +2 to stats is really more of a nostalgia thing. I liked that 3.5 stat adjustments were pretty much just double 2nd ed and I feel that the reasoning behind the extra plus 2 was just to make players less whiny about getting penalties to a stat. Characters need weakness to be flavorful. My favorite character ever in 2nd ed had 3 scores above 10 (4,6,9,10,13,16) the weaker stats were a unique playing experience and I will always remember that character fondly. now a days if a player has any stat less than 10 they complain that thier character is Unplayable and demand a re-roll, and this is not just from one group but several.

just what I have noticed personally.

 

[billd91]

the +2 to stats is really more of a nostalgia thing. I liked that 3.5 stat adjustments were pretty much just double 2nd ed and I feel that the reasoning behind the extra plus 2 was just to make players less whiny about getting penalties to a stat. Characters need weakness to be flavorful. My favorite character ever in 2nd ed had 3 scores above 10 (4,6,9,10,13,16) the weaker stats were a unique playing experience and I will always remember that character fondly. now a days if a player has any stat less than 10 they complain that thier character is Unplayable and demand a re-roll, and this is not just from one group but several.

just what I have noticed personally.

It wasn't about penalties and being whiny, at least I think not. It was so that a character with a +2 on a stat would have a stat bonus definitely higher than another character who had rolled the same value for the stat. Having a +1 on a stat might mean a net bonus, it might not depending on if the original value were odd or even. +2 solves that issue.

 

[Wicht]

How hard is it to convert a 3.5 class to Pathfinder? Pathfinder covers most of the basics, but I also -for an example- highly enjoyed the Knight class from 3.5's PHB2. What changes would need to be made to a class to put it on par with the Pathfinder classes?

When my family was playtesting PF my daughter had an archer using the Order of the Bow Prestige Class. The conversion over was simple and there was no difficulty with the character fitting in.

 

[Shoe]

It wasn't about penalties and being whiny, at least I think not. It was so that a character with a +2 on a stat would have a stat bonus definitely higher than another character who had rolled the same value for the stat. Having a +1 on a stat might mean a net bonus, it might not depending on if the original value were odd or even. +2 solves that issue.

That's not what I was refering to,. I was talking about the EXTRA +2 you get in the conversion btwn pathfinder and 3.5. Wizards came out in 4th ed with the same change and said specifically that they gave an extra +2 mod to ANOTHER score per race because players didnt like having a penalty to a stat.

 

[Aus_Snow]

However it seems that several changes in pathfinder arent very "traditional" in that all the races get an extra +2 to a stat now, classes get a TON more abilities and all sorts of other stuff has been changed dramatically.

It's pretty subjective, yeah. I like most of the changes, personally, and I lean towards a more 'old school' approach as well. For what it's worth.

1. people who have been playing since 2nd edition, what do you think of pathfinder? Does it feel like classic D&D?

I like it, but no, it doesn't really feel *that* much like classic D&D, or at least no more than 3e does. Except I would say the team involved might have a keener appreciation for such, and an inclination to exercise it. Or, perhaps, greater freedom to follow that inclination. . . See Golarion, for instance.

2. How does Item creation work, I LOVE that you do not loose XP now, but what DO you do?

Can't recall. I am one of those (seemingly *very* rare) odd ducks that happens to like XP costs for magic item creation. It just works, thematically and so on. For me. YMDV, evidently.

3. I am not so big on balancing the rules as I am the flavor of the game and the RP being a good simulation of real life + fantasy. Does the changes to the base classes that were made to make them less weak take away from the realism?

No. Besides, a +2 across the board doesn't appeal to you? Remove it. Done.

4. How hard is it to use CR on 3.5 monsters with pathfinder. I notice that they do not use CR any more and I am a DM 1st and a player second so if this change is big and for the better I will be excited.

There's a conversion guide. What there is of it is pretty easy to use. Otherwise, you can basically run stuff as is, or convert on the fly with minimal fuss.

Overall, I'd give the game a positive rating. Might not be my absolute favourite RPG nowadays, but it's a good one, that seems to be doing very nicely for itself too.

 

[DaemonHunter]

New here This thread got me to register LOL

I have been playing DnD for more years than I care to remember and Pathfinder saved my gaming, I have no interest in what they are passing off as DnD now adays but pathfinder is much the 3x I like the best. ok so some of the old stuff you need to work on alittle but its worth it, I use most of the pathfinder stuff in my games now as well as all the 3x books I already have and it all works fine. I just took it as I did the change from 3ed to 3.5 somethings have changed if I like em I keep em Some of the changers have made playing alittle more stream-lined and what i dont like i keep as 3x.

I trully believe what pathfinder was posted as before its release 3.75 its the logical continuation in my mind.

Just my 2cp

 

[payn]

New here This thread got me to register LOL

I have been playing DnD for more years than I care to remember and Pathfinder saved my gaming, I have no interest in what they are passing off as DnD now adays but pathfinder is much the 3x I like the best. ok so some of the old stuff you need to work on alittle but its worth it, I use most of the pathfinder stuff in my games now as well as all the 3x books I already have and it all works fine. I just took it as I did the change from 3ed to 3.5 somethings have changed if I like em I keep em Some of the changers have made playing alittle more stream-lined and what i dont like i keep as 3x.

I trully believe what pathfinder was posted as before its release 3.75 its the logical continuation in my mind.

Just my 2cp

Yeah me too... Registered and first time poster that is!

Since I dont care much for 4th ed I chose to follow Paizo. I am having a blast with Golarion and CotCT adventure path so far.

As for Pathfinder, yeah its alright. I like what they did to the core classes. I think with the APG coming at the end of summer our group will have all the classes and prestige needed. I got tired of all the extra books in 3.x.

Paizo has made a few changes to make the game run smoother. To some though these things are enough to invalidate the system. Lots of folks point to all kinds of shenanigans like; two shield fighters, two lance mounted combat, rope trick, genie wish scams etc etc etc.. I have had the fortune of a gaming group that would never think of such things. /meh

This vet says game on!

 

[WEiRdPinkPiLL]

My group describe Pathfinder as D&D 3.75. We have some older players, and some brand new-never-before-players and everyone seems to be absolutely loving it.

 

[DaemonHunter]

Yes I like to think of it as 3.75 as well As for the 2 shield and 2 lance guys and other shenanigans as payn pointed out, they have always been there and there will always be people that want to bend the rules to breaking point. You cant cover everything in a rules set, thats what the DM is for I dont have a group that would do things like that to them its the character of their PC's not the rules, But I have had players like that before and I must say i dont suffer fools lightly LOL.

To try and answer the OP here we go

1. people who have been playing since 2nd edition, what do you think of pathfinder? Does it feel like classic D&D?

To me its just like as i said earlier 3.75 and I try to give all my games that classic feel. With this and 3x the DM just needs to work abit harder I feel other than that I wouldnt go back

2. How does Item creation work, I LOVE that you do not loose XP now, but what DO you do?

I dont remeber fully but mostly as 3x but without xp costs just time, components and money.

3. I am not so big on balancing the rules as I am the flavor of the game and the RP being a good simulation of real life + fantasy. Does the changes to the base classes that were made to make them less weak take away from the realism?

Again nothing I have noticed, I like the base class changers alot really makes you think hard about not taking 20 levels. I found before most players would only look for PrC and use the base classes to get them there.

4. How hard is it to use CR on 3.5 monsters with pathfinder. I notice that they do not use CR any more and I am a DM 1st and a player second so if this change is big and for the better I will be excited.

They still use CR they have just re-CRed (LOL) some of them as they thought so,me were in need of higher or lower CR's As has already be said its pretty easy to use straight out the book or change on the fly. The only big change I dont like is nearly everything that was immune to sneak attack now isnt. Most of the creature changers to cr and rules are for the better.

I havent found they changes to PC's effect stuff too much and if it does its easily over come. I would say if you like/played 3x then pathfinder is for you I'm sure as an old time gamer like myself you can give your games that old time feel

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

The only big change I dont like is nearly everything that was immune to sneak attack now isnt.

This is actually near the top of a long list of the things I like; but then, Rogue is my favorite class, and I can tell you there's not much more frustrating than having your prime source of damage nullified in almost every fight (my DMs seem to love pitting us against Undead).

I also love the new class structures, the new skill structure, and the combat maneuver mechanic.