Is There Possibility of a PF1.5 or a 3.5 Revival? Whether Directly or Something With Similar 'Ethos'

[GobHag]

Basically the title. I have looked around in the DnD space(Subs, Some discords, RPg.net, etc) and aside from GitP it seems like that basically any form of discussion around 3.5 or related has quieted down or just straight up disappeared. 3PP Content for PF1 has mostly been kept up by Legendary Games and the guys making Spheres of Magic.

PF2 is not so much an evolution of 3.p as it is a complete departure from it, and has even less ties to it's 3rd edition roots with the remaster. There's an argument that it followed 4e more than 3e even, ironically enough and even in the indie space there's more 4e-likes or designers using that as an inspiration rather than 3.5.

I do know that some form of 1e 'reimagining' or 'evolution' is being made by Legendary Games and some other group, but they seem a long way to go from what I've heard from even any form of public playtest but I'm wondering if their efforts would be rewarded since I don't see much public interest in the return of something close to 3.X

 

[Alzrius]

I'll note that there is still a number of small-press outlets making PF1 content. If you filter DriveThruRPG to just PF1 content, you'll see groups like Aardvark Press, Far Distant Future Publishing, Orphaned Bookworm Productions, and several other groups are still putting out new products.

Beyond that, I agree that Legendary Games' Corefinder project seems to be moving exceptionally slowly (though I'm personally very glad they're also still putting out new PF1 content). I know that Purple Duck Games' Porphyra RPG is supposed to be a "PF1.5"-style game, but I don't think they've released anything new for it for a few years now.

 

[payn]

PF1 is still my Fantasy RPG of choice. Plenty of folks discussing it on discord and finding games.

I’m not sure about new material as I haven’t bought any since 2019.

 

[aramis erak]

Basically the title. I have looked around in the DnD space(Subs, Some discords, RPg.net, etc) and aside from GitP it seems like that basically any form of discussion around 3.5 or related has quieted down or just straight up disappeared. 3PP Content for PF1 has mostly been kept up by Legendary Games and the guys making Spheres of Magic.

PF2 is not so much an evolution of 3.p as it is a complete departure from it, and has even less ties to it's 3rd edition roots with the remaster. There's an argument that it followed 4e more than 3e even, ironically enough and even in the indie space there's more 4e-likes or designers using that as an inspiration rather than 3.5.

I do know that some form of 1e 'reimagining' or 'evolution' is being made by Legendary Games and some other group, but they seem a long way to go from what I've heard from even any form of public playtest but I'm wondering if their efforts would be rewarded since I don't see much public interest in the return of something close to 3.X

Possibility? Sure. You can go the Mongoose route and reprint the SRD with some free art...
Probability? Low.

Simply put, there are way more 5E players than 3.X players, and not much impetus for most of them to go to the older editions; those who crave more complexity can go to Pathfinder 2e. Those who want Old School are largely being funneled into OSR, mostly OSE and Swords and Wizardry. (Yes, pun intentional.)

Rebellion's making a bet on a different retro - Tunnels and Trolls.

Edit to add: Mörk Borg is OSR adjacent, and D&D 3 & 5 adjacent... and is getting a lot who want old school tone (which 5e ain't got in most groups interpretations) but not old school mechanics.

 

[aco175]

3e was a big change from 2e and introduced a lot of things. 5e seems a bit of trying to capture that change and feel that 3e had. I could see a 6e someday before more on 3e.

 

[nevin]

Possibility? Sure. You can go the Mongoose route and reprint the SRD with some free art...
Probability? Low.

Simply put, there are way more 5E players than 3.X players, and not much impetus for most of them to go to the older editions; those who crave more complexity can go to Pathfinder 2e. Those who want Old School are largely being funneled into OSR and Swords and Wizardry. (Yes, pun intentional.)

Rebellion's making a bet on a different retro - Tunnels and Trolls.

Well 3.5 players (which Pathfinder I include)
Are a shrinking group
3.5 and I've played it for years and dm'd it, is an unwieldy beast. Doesn't mean you can't do great things with it but 5e is just easier, less fodder for rules lawyers and min maxers. . I dont think you'll see anything like it till the internet starts eating its own as it always does and magic items and classes having specific roles .and complicated rule sets become cool again.

 

[jon.schwartz]

My best bud has been GMing us in PF1 for 10 years. We were playing PF1 in Pathfinder Society Organized Play for years before that.

He and I are both also playing in a PF2 campaign. And I'm still playing 5E and have GMed mainly 5E for years.

I'm not expecting a "revival" - but PF1 is still a great game. The breadth it makes available is unmatched except by PF2. And PF1 and PF2 are entirely different games. I appreciate the careful - even mathematical - balance in PF2. But I'm not sure I like it better than PF1/D&D3.5.

So I'm not expecting a revival. But one of the cool things about this hobby is that it is entirely possible and fun to play a PF1/3.5 game. Or even earlier versions, or even older games. Just do it! It's also not hard to convert great content from other games.

 

[sevenbastard]

I think 3.5 will come around as people get nostalgic. Eventualy we will see some 3.5 clones I'm sure.

 

[nevin]

I'm not expecting a "revival" - but PF1 is still a great game. The breadth it makes available is unmatched except by PF2. And PF1 and PF2 are entirely different games. I appreciate the careful - even mathematical - balance in PF2. But I'm not sure I like it better

This is the way I feel about it. I think the Idea of balance is dieing a slow death like a fish on the beach. It seemed like such a good idea but in play meh.

 

[Ath'kethin]

Dungeon Crawl Classics filters original edition D&D through 3rd edition mechanics. It maybe isn't exactly what you're looking for but it's been going strong for over 10 years now and is only expanding.