Pathfinder 2E Tell me about The Abomination Vaults

[FrozenNorth]

I’ve been wondering what things would look like in PF2 if you stripped hit points way down and tried to reduce the swinginess while preserving the overall balance. My intuition tells me is it would feel better to (some) players because they couldn’t or would be less likely to drop from high hit points to down in one hit.

Not to go all “Ship of Theseus” on you, but how many changes can you make to PF2 before it is no longer recognizably PF2?

If you both reduced the hp and more importantly, reduced the impact of the d20, I feel that you would end up with a game that doesn’t really feel like PF2.

 

[FrozenNorth]

The effect of PF2’s design is that you want to do what you can to control and mitigate that swinginess. You’re right about how tactics factor into that. Using debuffs and movement is a big part of controlling that. If you can force an enemy to burn action economy getting to you, those are hits you’ve mitigated at the cost of your own action. If it’s the difference between a hit and not, then going for a stroll in combat is quite good effective healing at no cost.

I think there is an RP aspect to this as well. Getting a hit in than retreating to deny the monster an attack is fine if my character is a skirmisher, but it is not the way I want to play my frothing barbarian or my bulwark fighter (even if it would be tactically optimal). Likewise, guy who once per combat (or once per two combats) steps in between the monster and the heavily wounded fighter is not how I generally want to play my wizards and sorcerers (but I would absolutely play a cleric that way).

 

[Reynard]

Checking out the Paizo forums -- specifically the product thread -- a lot of folks are saying this is the best AP in years. That must be a good sign.

 

[kayman]

One of the best that i ever GM ... Thanks Paizo and James Jacobs ... I am in the middle of book one and having a blast ... A lot of space for the gm to create... I recommend start with level 0 characters...

 

[The-Magic-Sword]

One of the best that i ever GM ... Thanks Paizo and James Jacobs ... I am in the middle of book one and having a blast ... A lot of space for the gm to create... I recommend start with level 0 characters...

If you wouldn't mind throwing it into a spoiler box, what have been some of the best moments so far?

 

[dave2008]

One of the best that i ever GM ... Thanks Paizo and James Jacobs ... I am in the middle of book one and having a blast ... A lot of space for the gm to create... I recommend start with level 0 characters...

I too would be curious what makes it good IYO. I generally dislike published adventures (whether they are Paizo, WotC, Kobold Press, Goodman Games, etc.), so I am interested in what makes a good adventure book in your view.

 

[Retreater]

I start running it tonight on Roll20 - well, we're doing Session 0 tonight. But I'll also keep a running tally of what I think are some highlights to share later.

 

[dave2008]

I start running it tonight on Roll20 - well, we're doing Session 0 tonight. But I'll also keep a running tally of what I think are some highlights to share later.

So you found some more people willing to Play PF2 - great. After enjoying playing it, did it make you want to trying GMing it again?

 

[Reynard]

After even one session of PF2 on Wednesday, I was bored to tears of the tactical options in 5E during last night's game.

 

[Retreater]

So you found some more people willing to Play PF2 - great. After enjoying playing it, did it make you want to trying GMing it again?

Yeah. There were more than enough people interested once I put it on Roll20. I had to turn away enough players to make an entire second table - after the listing had been up just a few hours.
There were a few factors that made me want to try GMing again.
1) Realizing my first group with their playstyle and attitude could've made any campaign or system not fun for me.
2) Seeing what automation was available in Roll20 that makes it a decent player experience (even if it could use more content for GMs).
3) The Abomination Vaults has pretty good reviews and feels more in my wheelhouse than other APs.
4) I was putting it into Roll20 to test my skills, and figured I might as well run it since I was already doing the work.
5) Paizo and PF2 are important in the industry. As someone who tries to be involved in the profession (even in a limited way), I should be familiar with the design from these creators.
6) I want to challenge myself. I believe trying other systems hones the craft of being a good GM.