Pathfinder 1E Are there any plans for a Pathfinder "basic"?

[Walking Dad]

...

Races:
Human
Dwarf
Elf
Halfling (LOTR appeal, you know)

Classes:
Fighter
Cleric (limited to only some of the domains, and removing any explicit references to specific deities; you pick two domains, basically)
Rogue
Wizard (Universalist, with maybe Illusionists and Necromaners as well)
Sorcerer (Arcane, plus Fey, Infernal only, I think)

I'd also be tempted to include the Cavalier and the Witch, actually. Neither requires a lot of supporting rules, and both are pretty classic archetypes.

...

The concepts of the Cavalier and the Witch can be made with Fighter and sorcerer. I wouldn't include them. And no infernal for sorcerers, but the elemental and the draconic bloodline. Infernal makes them look evil and their connection to dragons is a classic.
Also I think Conjuration for a Summoner feeling would be more heroic than Necromancer (who cannot animate dead the firt 6 lelvels anyway).

Hm, the humans are the only race who can get a bonus to str.

Maybe the box should include the the pathfinder iconics as pre/sample builds. (Or maybe some new, making the rogue a halfling, the cleric a dwarf...)

No worries, we definitely had a list of products NOT to base ours on.

Hyrum.
Marketing Manager
Paizo Publishing

Now I'm worried. The 3.0 set wasn't bad, but not able to make your own character was a bummer. But it included rules quicksheets, a map and counters.

 

[pawsplay]

I can see the argument on the cavalier. However, the dashing knight is a classic archetype. It can be done with fighter, but including the cavalier would not take up many pages.

The witch, I thought, might have some pagan appeal, in addition to being good for villains and other NPCs.

As for the sorcerer... the draconic bloodline is only as "classic" as 3.0. Furthermore, my understanding is that in Golarion, dragons are not as prone to mating with humanoids. The default bloodline in Pathfinder is Arcane, not Drconic. Plus, the draconic bloodline introduces natural weapons. The elemental bloodlines are okay, but don't really add much without a broader context, like the elemental planes, some kind of elemental magical tradition, etc. The Infernal bloodline I suggested precisely because it seems evil. However, Infernal sorcerers are not required to be evil. WotC are right about something: evil-lite magicians do sell pretty well. Look at Raistlin, and the most famous wizard of all, Merlin, traditionally had an Infernal bloodline. The Infernal bloodline would introduce an "edgy" concept that does not require the PC to actually do anything questionable. Plus, it would be handy for villains. Just some thoughts I had.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

Now I'm worried. The 3.0 set wasn't bad, but not able to make your own character was a bummer. But it included rules quicksheets, a map and counters.

Not being able to make a character was something, but as I recall, the rules weren't fully the same as the core rules, they mimicked it quite well but (I recall) there were slight differences that really made it not the same game as the Core rules.

 

[pawsplay]

Not being able to make a character was something, but as I recall, the rules weren't fully the same as the core rules, they mimicked it quite well but (I recall) there were slight differences that really made it not the same game as the Core rules.

Other than hiding the math and dictating some of the level up choices, I can't remember any actual variations from the rules.

 

[Treebore]

Thanks for the ideas folks. I have been doing a lot of thinking about this sort of project lately and have some good ideas about what it needs to be. All details aside, in my opinion, a basic game needs to do more than just teach you how to play the game, it needs to hook you into what makes pen and paper RPGs great.

I'll leave it at that, but that is where my thoughts lead.

Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer

I have to say your idea appeals to me more than a lot of the ideas I am hearing. The closer you can get to a complete "basic" game, the better, I think. 3e and Pathfinder can certainly be stripped down, which plenty of people have shown, and still be a completely playable and more "basic" kind of game.


Doing some kind of "starter" set with tokens, map tiles, etc... certainly appeals to me as well, but I am far more interested in a truly "basic" game.

 

[Skytheen]

I'm interested in this an curious if there's any further info beyond that it's official and in the making.

 

[Eridanis]

I'm interested in this an curious if there's any further info beyond that it's official and in the making.

Jason just spoiled the cover art for the intro box on his Facebook page: Jason Bulmahn, Game Designer's Photos - Wall Photos | Facebook

 

[Erik Mona]

Please note that the mock-up photos floating around were created for trade show promotional purposes, and that some of the details (such as the product's name) will change prior to release.

--Erik

 

[darjr]

Please tell me there will be a poster.

That looks very good.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Jason just spoiled the cover art for the intro box on his Facebook page: Jason Bulmahn, Game Designer's Photos - Wall Photos | Facebook

Nice!

Can't wait to see how this one turns out. I wouldn't be too surprised if it ends up being one heck of a seller.