D&D 2E What PF2E means for D&D5E

[Ancalagon]

I think a small portion of 5e players will switch to PF2 (if it's decent that is). Let's assume it will be a good product, and let's just say 5% of 5e players will switch. It won't impact WotC much... but because 5e is so much bigger than PF, that 5% might be very significant for Paizo - ie much more than 5% growth for them.

The real question is how much will the PF fanbase fracture over this new edition. Paizo has to walk a fine line here... it's a great opportunity, but it's also a risk.

 

[TheCosmicKid]

The real question is how much will the PF fanbase fracture over this new edition. Paizo has to walk a fine line here... it's a great opportunity, but it's also a risk.

Yeah, given the genesis of Pathfinder, I was a little surprised to see this announcement. It'd be rather amusing if yet another company pulled the same OGL trick Paizo did to keep the 3.5 torch alive for those who love their skill points. But what it tells me is that Paizo is confident Pathfinder has found its own identity and is no longer defining itself as the game for people who want to keep playing 3.5. If so, good for them.

 

[Shasarak]

You think we have a low number of RPG choices out there, when it says the limit in choices before degradation is around 7?

Regardless, I think a PF2 is a good choice. I just disagree with the general statement that more choices is always good. Sometimes, it's not.

So we will soon reach the optimum number of RPG choices then.

 

[CapnZapp]

So... what do you think PF2E means for 5E?

I hope it means WotC will move up any plans for a Big Book of Crunch til before GenCon '19.

Which pretty much means next year's Spring release.

Doing so could
1) keep some customers from jumping ship
2) give me what I want, namely a crunchier 5th edition

 

[Zardnaar]

Well some more information has come to light they are going with 5E type spell scaling as well. If they can simplfy things and give me.

1. A better saving throw system (in terms of scaling).
2. Slightly more crunch (micro feats)
3. Slower rates of non magical healing (easier to pace attrition)/grittier game
4. better encounter systems (perhaps 3E 4 encounters a day)
5.Better saving saves in 3 categories (which 5E more or less uses anyway 75%+ of saves are con/wis.dex anyway)
6. Some ye olde D&D traditions (LG Paladins)
7. No awkward to design for short rest/long rest problems
8. A good starting adventure and AP (LMoP and Rise of the Runelords equivalent)
9. A bit better design on weapons and armor rules
10. Capped ability scores

Yeah I would be keen for that. Definitely going to take a look, PDF is free, probably buy it regardless, how much I play or would be willing to spend. Another bonus is no inane Warlord BS on the Paizo forums.

 

[Mistwell]

So we will soon reach the optimum number of RPG choices then.

Say what now? Pretty sure there is waaaaaaayyy more than 7 out there right now.

 

[Morrus]

Paizo's goal isn't to "beat WotC"; it's to sell more books than they currently do. If they do that, they've succeeded. They don't need the affirmation or the victory lap; those don't pay bills.

This opportunity for them might lose them some fans (well, it will - any change does); it's also a great "on-ramp" opportunity for new or returning players who were intimidated by the sheer volume of the game, and who want to get in at the start again. It has reached the pint of ever-decreasing returns (who really needs Bestiary #34, or the specialised sourcebook just for elves with blue hair who like spoons - OK, I exaggerate).

I suspect on balance, they'll do very well out of this. Rejuvenate the player base, bring back some lost players and bring in some new ones.

(Also, Starfinder has done just fine; you don't have to be at #3 on Amazon to do fine).

 

[Ruin Explorer]

Say what now? Pretty sure there is waaaaaaayyy more than 7 out there right now.

This is true. I would question if PF2E really even counted as a separate choice from 5E, though. I'm, they're not only both merely different takes on a fairly crunch-heavy ("crunch medium") D&D, but they're from the same era and clearly, despite hilarious and unnecessary protestations from Paizo, inspired by much of the same thinking.

Also surely that seven has to be contextualized to some degree? Like, if the choice is between "genuinely modern D&D variants", then PF2E and 5E are valid entries but there aren't much more than seven on there (I'd say). If it's between "modern RPG", then PF2E and 5E are so similar-seeming that...

 

[Krachek]

PF is late for aiming the casual players market.
So they will aim their actual player base, and maybe some nostalgic from 3.5
It will give a more complex rule set and more options.
Wotc will have plenty of time to react to their play test favorites options and features.

In Dnd terms: Paizo is surprised and also roll a bad initiative roll.

 

[Warmaster Horus]

If it's anything like Starfinder, no thanks.