Pathfinder 2E Pathfinder To Get New Core Rulebooks Soon

It's not just D&D that's getting a 'revised' set of core books--Pathfinder is also getting 'remastered' books! The core rulebooks are being replaced by a new set of books, with new names, but like D&D it is being reiterated that this is not a new edition--"With the exception of a few minor variations in terminology and a slightly different mix of monsters, spells, and magic items, the rules remain largely unchanged."

The existing Pathfinder Core Rulebook, Gamemastery Guide, Bestiary, and Advanced Player’s Guide are being replaced with Pathfinder Player Core, Pathfinder GM Core, Pathfinder Monster Core, and Pathfinder Player Core 2.

These books appear to focus on re-organization and consolidation of existing material rather than substantive changes. They also represent Paizo's move away from the Open Gaming License and towards the new Open RPG Creative (ORC) license. Paizo says "This transition will result in a few minor modifications to the Pathfinder Second Edition system, notably the removal of alignment and a small number of nostalgic creatures, spells, and magic items exclusive to the OGL. These elements remain a part of the corpus of Pathfinder Second Edition rules for those who still want them, and are fully compatible with the new remastered rules, but will not appear in future Pathfinder releases."

Pathfinder 2E - Paizo Reveals Wayne Reynolds' Pathfinder Remastered Cover Sketches

While the final colour pieces won't arrive for a few weeks, Paizo's Erik Mona revealed the cover sketches of the upcoming Pathfinder Remastered core rulebooks while at the GAMA industry trade show yesterday. In an unsual move, you will actually be able to buy special 'sketch' editions of the...

www.enworld.org

 

[Andvari]

Pathfinder 2e: Remaster Announcements​

Uhm, where has the barbarian gone?

 

[Retreater]

Uhm, where has the barbarian gone?

I think it's going to be in Player Core 2. So you'll have to wait another year.

 

[Retreater]

They're not printing the previous books anymore because of OGL issues though; this is not an attempt to sneak in a new edition through the back door and sugar coat it.

They already stated this was not planned as of December 2022 - i.e., the OGL situation forced them to print a version without OGL stuff as they switch away to ORC and get away from a company who's ability to think rationally about changes is clearly compromised.

I'm not blaming them. I don't think it's a conspiracy.
But I DO think it's substantial enough to call it 2.5. Erik Mona said in his Roll for Combat interview stream that he expects the fans will call it "2.5." I do think it's substantial enough to call it a new edition. (For Aroden's sake, they're removing ALL of the OGL content - that's going to be significant.)
It is probably like a move from 1e AD&D to 2e AD&D. (Not like 4E D&D to 5E.)

 

[payn]

I have the APG, and I don't think I've ever used any of those. And the four new classes, with their complex subsystems and messy implementations I'd happily leave on the cutting room floor.
Gamemastery Guide was interesting for a page through, but hardly something I'd reference regularly.

In PF1 era we always considered the APG core, however, I think it was a good move not marketing it as "core". APG should contain those more complex classes and options. The advantage Paise has is this stuff is already out. That means folks don't have to wait 6+ months to play bards and barbarians like 4E.

 

[Jadeite]

Uhm, where has the barbarian gone?

Player Core 2

 

[Jacob Lewis]

This is not a new edition.

It is a divorce from the OGL, DnD, and WotC/Hasbro.

This is the right call.

 

[HaroldTheHobbit]

I have no problem with this and will buy the new books. But yes, it's 2.5.

 

[Justice and Rule]

It is worth noting that I think most PF2 players are used to having these sorts of revisions because they've already happened with the Alchemist and such. Along with the OGL circumstances, I don't see too much problem in this. In fact, I'm pretty enthused about the chance to do a nice revision some of the classes like the Witch and the Oracle, both of which don't quite execute on what they want to do (they aren't broken, but they need to be a bit better). I'd also like them to hit the whole Electric Arc cantrip thing one way or another (I'd prefer all the other cantrips get a small buff).

But overall as someone with all the core books, I'm kind of excited? Redoing some of this stuff and putting into a better package isn't a bad thing, especially when one of the biggest criticisms of PF2's Core book was its organization. They lucked into a great excuse to change some stuff (the OGL), and I definitely think moving away from Alignment is a good thing (Edicts and Anathemas sounds much better, and Holy/Unholy damage sounds way better).

I have no problem with this and will buy the new books. But yes, it's 2.5.

Maybe 2.25.

 

[Nikosandros]

Maybe 2.25.

Let's call it 2.375 ± 0.125...

 

[Remathilis]

Maybe 2.25.

It does seem appropriate to use quarter-decimals when discussing Pathfinder...