Keep to 3.0e. Pathfinder 1E is derisively known as Mathfinder because it exacerbates the bonus bunkum that began after 3.0e core. That alone should disqualify it.
Pretty much. I've tried all matter of methods but anything short of "knock it off" from the DM is not going to work for policing character makeups that are too strong for the campaign at hand.
So I can't disagree? I have to be wrong because you experienced otherwise?
I could parrot your very own words back at you.
I could point out that the actual 3e playtest didn't really cover those levels and Living Greyhawk feedback really didn't improve that range with 3.5e either.
I could...
I DMed and played in several dozen campaigns that reached those levels too and I disagree. Yes, most adventures had to changed but if that was the only problem then more people would run high-level games and it's very clear that that's not the only problem.
Scholomance argued that the digital scrutiny was a major contributor. I disagree though. Character optimization was always a thing but, past a certain point, it was communally derided. That character optimization became not only acceptable but enshrined is a communal issue, technology being...
The poor save progressions largely impact monsters and NPCs. If anything, monsters should have good saves (and possibly good BAB) to offset their relatively lack of features.
A +4 stat item around 8th to 10th level is absurd. That's 33% of a character's expected WBL at 10th level and for 8th/9th level, it's even worse. While it is affordable and characters played from 1st level end up with a fair amount of wealth over the WBL, it isn't an necessity and you'd probably...
An interesting idea. I imagine a campaign where a ring of protection just grants bonuses similar to AD&D (potentially a 5 ft. radius and/or a resistance bonus in addition to a deflection bonus) or a belt of giant's strength just grants the strength of an appropriate giant would be more...
More and more, not only do I think you should keep the penalties but given how much time is downplayed in 3.X campaigns, I think a DM should institute more stringent training times for multiclassing and then wisely put a time pressure ala RHoD and Dragons of Autumn.
The higher levels (13-20) weren't really playable space.
Gary Gygax is oft-quoted as saying that 16th level in 1e is the practical maximum and beyond that, you're on your own and having ran multiple campaigns at those levels in 3E as a GM, while the designers and freelancers might have tried...