Pathfinder 1E First Pathfinder Character

[Akarashi]

Hello Everone, As you can tell I am new to pathfinder and willing be experiencing it for the first time soon, before then I'd like get as much insights and suggestions of others to make informed decisions as to making my first character.

Until now, I've only played 4th edition, but I consider myself a competent and quick learner. Few questions I'm kind of confused by the ability score system. Are all the point buy and dice rolling legal for sanctioned play?
I'm not completely familiar with all of the mechanics of pathfinder/3.5 but I have heard stories and have a baseline understanding. I'm mostly looking to make a character that is competently built with a goal in the future and in essence optimized.

I'm comfortable with any role, but looking mostly for characters that do mechanically interesting things, preferbably strong interactions between powers. In 4e I absolutely adored hybrids and was wondering if this was available. But overall I'd love to hear suggestions for build ideas. Was thinking maybe:

Paladin variant - strong defenses, good hp, powerful healing via layhands
Any defender like classes with self healing or good damage output
Wizard - Strong controlling capabilities/ status effects :3
Druid summoner of some sort- heard about them

Sorry that if this was off none or little help, I am just a newbie from 4th after all :s I hope someone will take the time to aid me in making a unique character =]

 

[concerro]

Hello Everone, As you can tell I am new to pathfinder and willing be experiencing it for the first time soon, before then I'd like get as much insights and suggestions of others to make informed decisions as to making my first character.

Until now, I've only played 4th edition, but I consider myself a competent and quick learner. Few questions I'm kind of confused by the ability score system. Are all the point buy and dice rolling legal for sanctioned play?
I'm not completely familiar with all of the mechanics of pathfinder/3.5 but I have heard stories and have a baseline understanding. I'm mostly looking to make a character that is competently built with a goal in the future and in essence optimized.

I'm comfortable with any role, but looking mostly for characters that do mechanically interesting things, preferbably strong interactions between powers. In 4e I absolutely adored hybrids and was wondering if this was available. But overall I'd love to hear suggestions for build ideas. Was thinking maybe:

Paladin variant - strong defenses, good hp, powerful healing via layhands
Any defender like classes with self healing or good damage output
Wizard - Strong controlling capabilities/ status effects :3
Druid summoner of some sort- heard about them

Sorry that if this was off none or little help, I am just a newbie from 4th after all :s I hope someone will take the time to aid me in making a unique character =]

Are you trying to make a character for a Pathfinder Society(Organized Play) or just a home game?

 

[Akarashi]

Yes, this character is for the Pathfinder Society, organized play with the local group.
I was thinking maybe a 4e like swordmage. Teleport powers against immobilized and such and utility or just a striker kind of character :3

Also, is there rules for retraining in pathfinder?

 

[concerro]

Yes, this character is for the Pathfinder Society, organized play with the local group.
I was thinking maybe a 4e like swordmage. Teleport powers against immobilized and such and utility or just a striker kind of character :3

Also, is there rules for retraining in pathfinder?

There are no 4E to Pathfinder conversion rules, but the Pathfinder Society does have a rulesbook you can download.

They use 20 point buy, but there are other rules also which is why the download is needed.

Link to the Pathfinder Society Download

 

[IronWolf]

Few questions I'm kind of confused by the ability score system. Are all the point buy and dice rolling legal for sanctioned play?

Patfhinder Society uses point-buy. The guide concerro posted earlier is a must read for someone looking to play under the organized play of PFS. The guide will help with cases where play is a little more restricted over home play in order to keep things on a level playing field.

Paladin variant - strong defenses, good hp, powerful healing via layhands
Any defender like classes with self healing or good damage output
Wizard - Strong controlling capabilities/ status effects :3
Druid summoner of some sort- heard about them

As for character selection - I am not your best to comment on specific builds. but get an idea for what you want to play narrowed down and then do some searching over on the Paizo boards and I am sure you can find a good guide for most character classes that can help you along. Or you'll end up with a few more specific questions that we can help you along with as well.

Welcome to Pathfinder though! PFS play can be a lot of fun!

 

[Akarashi]

There are no 4E to Pathfinder conversion rules, but the Pathfinder Society does have a rulesbook you can download.

They use 20 point buy, but there are other rules also which is why the download is needed.

Link to the Pathfinder Society Download

Okay, could you advise me on the basics of my character then, please?
I'm used to maximizing my character's primary stat in 4th, so I'm prepared to invest a full 18 in a primary stat, should this be advised against?

 

[IronWolf]

Also, is there rules for retraining in pathfinder?

Retraining rules do not exist across the board for Pathfinder to my knowledge. A fighter can swap out Bonus Feats as described under the Bonus Feat section of the Fighter entry.

In home games I am sure a lot of GMs would allow retraining to occur quite possibly using rules from the 3.5 PHBII to help guide that.

In PFS organized play games though there isn't any real retraining under ordinary circumstances.

 

[IronWolf]

Okay, could you advise me on the basics of my character then, please?
I'm used to maximizing my character's primary stat in 4th, so I'm prepared to invest a full 18 in a primary stat, should this be advised against?

You can do it, especially if the race you choose allows you to boost your primary stat with its +2 racial bonus. I have a fighter I play in PFS games that started with an 18 in STR after the human racial +2 bonus to the stat.

Using my fighter for example, I have this ability array:

STR: 18
DEX: 14
CON: 14
INT: 10
WIS: 12
CHR: 8

 

[Akarashi]

Doesn't hurt the character too much in and outside of combat I suppose?

 

[IronWolf]

Doesn't hurt the character too much in and outside of combat I suppose?

There are trade-offs. I likely won't be succeeding at many CHR based checks, but there is usually a more charismatic character in most parties I have been in, so that is worked around in that manner.

But he seems a functional character so far.