JeffB
Legend
So I broke out my old PFB1 pawns, an old map from 4E and ran a few combats with the sample characters/adventure that Paizo offers HERE. Utilizing the Ogre encounter (only)
I'm well aware it's not like running a full game session or three, but I ran it tactically sound for the most part and with the old OD&D " Judge " mentality
Thoughts-
1) Deadly. But the Cleric is pretty potent to help keep PC's from dying. Perhaps too much at 1st level (30ft range on stabilize for example- IDR what it was like in PFBB/PF1, so maybe this is not much of a change). I ran with the 4 classic PCs. I do believe that with 5 or 6 PCs you'd certainly want to up the challenge. The PC's dished out some serious damage on the Ogre if they got the jump on him in initiative. I rolled him dead last in the initiative order for the first run, and he was down to 1/3 HP by the time his turn came up.
2) Doesn't feel like 4E combat at all to me-not necc a good or bad thing- its just not the same. It does feel more tactical and mobile than PF1 at low levels (Thanks to the 3 action economy and no AoO for everyone I believe). Not to mention- with that +12 initial attack bonus an Ogre will eff you up real quick if you stay close to it . Valeros died in the 1st run- Ogre hook-tripped him, and then critted him while he was prone- that extra D10 on the crit from the deadly trait is a real SOB. Meri went to DYING once and then hovering around 1-3HP subsequently- some bad rolls on the Ogres part saved her from the same fate.
3) Having to run everything- it was a little fiddly with the PCs (Like for example- Kyra's scimitar weapon properties- easy to forget this kind of thing). Probably not a good game for newbies- but I could see this scratching the itch for 5E groups looking for a bit "more" and placing quality over quantity with combat. Fewer but more important encounters (which frankly is the way I like to run things). I don't know what the PF2 CRB expects for "encounters per day", but I hope they are not anywhere near what 5E expects.
4) The GM side of the equation was pretty smooth- though to be fair- it's a pretty simple monster to run- however it did not feel like a bag of hit points (cough:5Eogresandettins:cough) because it had just that little "extra" in the monster stat block- the trip attack, the deadly trait on crits, etc. Seems small, but can make things much more interesting.
5) I liked the three action economy. I think this system makes minis and grids more tolerable (for me) as characters are just able to move around more (if they want) and do a bit more right from the get go. This helped a bit with "dynamics". Characters could pull a different weapon, stride and attack. Or move into range, cast a spell and get the hell out of dodge. No need to wait until 5th level to get that second attack, etc.
6) I like the +10 crit system. I'd look forward to seeing it work in the exploration mode with Skill checks, etc
I plan on running this for my Son/his friends when they are back from College during Spring break- until then I think I will run some more tests at higher levels/more complicated combats.. Anyone know where there are some higher level pre-gens online?
I'm well aware it's not like running a full game session or three, but I ran it tactically sound for the most part and with the old OD&D " Judge " mentality
Thoughts-
1) Deadly. But the Cleric is pretty potent to help keep PC's from dying. Perhaps too much at 1st level (30ft range on stabilize for example- IDR what it was like in PFBB/PF1, so maybe this is not much of a change). I ran with the 4 classic PCs. I do believe that with 5 or 6 PCs you'd certainly want to up the challenge. The PC's dished out some serious damage on the Ogre if they got the jump on him in initiative. I rolled him dead last in the initiative order for the first run, and he was down to 1/3 HP by the time his turn came up.
2) Doesn't feel like 4E combat at all to me-not necc a good or bad thing- its just not the same. It does feel more tactical and mobile than PF1 at low levels (Thanks to the 3 action economy and no AoO for everyone I believe). Not to mention- with that +12 initial attack bonus an Ogre will eff you up real quick if you stay close to it . Valeros died in the 1st run- Ogre hook-tripped him, and then critted him while he was prone- that extra D10 on the crit from the deadly trait is a real SOB. Meri went to DYING once and then hovering around 1-3HP subsequently- some bad rolls on the Ogres part saved her from the same fate.
3) Having to run everything- it was a little fiddly with the PCs (Like for example- Kyra's scimitar weapon properties- easy to forget this kind of thing). Probably not a good game for newbies- but I could see this scratching the itch for 5E groups looking for a bit "more" and placing quality over quantity with combat. Fewer but more important encounters (which frankly is the way I like to run things). I don't know what the PF2 CRB expects for "encounters per day", but I hope they are not anywhere near what 5E expects.
4) The GM side of the equation was pretty smooth- though to be fair- it's a pretty simple monster to run- however it did not feel like a bag of hit points (cough:5Eogresandettins:cough) because it had just that little "extra" in the monster stat block- the trip attack, the deadly trait on crits, etc. Seems small, but can make things much more interesting.
5) I liked the three action economy. I think this system makes minis and grids more tolerable (for me) as characters are just able to move around more (if they want) and do a bit more right from the get go. This helped a bit with "dynamics". Characters could pull a different weapon, stride and attack. Or move into range, cast a spell and get the hell out of dodge. No need to wait until 5th level to get that second attack, etc.
6) I like the +10 crit system. I'd look forward to seeing it work in the exploration mode with Skill checks, etc
I plan on running this for my Son/his friends when they are back from College during Spring break- until then I think I will run some more tests at higher levels/more complicated combats.. Anyone know where there are some higher level pre-gens online?
