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Message: <blockquote data-quote="GM Dave" data-source="post: 5910331" data-attributes="member: 6687992">I agree that part of the key to avoiding glut is the provision of interesting concepts and ideas.Those concepts and ideas need to occur at each branching point of the decision process for character creation and advancement.  The ideas also need to be arranged so they can be weighed and judged by the people that will use them.One of the things that I like with PF splat books is that they are arranged in logical ways to make this sort of decision making easier.They started with the base classes in 3.5 and then developed a series of choices to branch at levels from the base class.The branch points are labeled and organized in series around a theme like Thug or Brood Summoner.  There is usually additional suggested choices for feat selection that references the printed material (along with guide points to which book that feat can be found in).  There is also some fluff text giving clues on the style of play this choice will go best with or what is the aim of the theme.Finally, each of the themes list what items in the main group are being given up and at what points to get the benefits of the theme.Even when I am working with brand new players or players unfamiliar with PF it is fairly easy to guide them through the classes and options (the hardest part is sometimes the feats but I can provide help with that).  I can usually break the decision down to a limited list of seven to ten things they need to compare and look for a resonance with their personal idea and goals.I also don't believe that it is required for everyone to know 'everything'.  I have some players that know more of the 3.5 feats from various splat books then I do.  When I GM, I ask the player to give me the information on the feat/spell and then I decide on what impact that feat will have to the character and the game (there are some things that I look at and say, not for my game).If the player invests time to come up with the combination and feat should they be rewarded compared to someone who does not want to invest as much time and effort.  I'd say only to a limit and I have ways of re-balancing the game if someone is lagging by giving a useful item to one person or another.</blockquote>

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