Pathfinder 1E Older material in Pathfinder

[Skjalg Kreutzer]

I love Pathfinder.

I also love a lot of 3.5 books, like the Malhavoc Event books (Wrath of Angels, Requiem for a God etc.) and the Book of Vile Darkness.

How compatible are old 3.5 (and 3.0 for that matter) books with Pathfinder? Have you run into any problems integrating material like PrC's into Pathfinder games?

 

[Crothian]

I wouldn't do it. But if you take care and carefully consider each option and use more of the fluffthen the crunch you should be okay.

 

[Skjalg Kreutzer]

I am specifically thinking about the BoVD, a book I really, really like. The PrC's may not work with Pathfinder, but the spells, disease, poisons and magic items should be fine, right?

 

[Gorbacz]

I have to disagree with Crothian here. 3.5 crunch is 80% compatible with Pathfinder - there is a Conversion Guide that helps with adapting 3.5 stuff. Usually it's down to changes in skills, concentration and removing XP cost of spells/items.

 

[Crothian]

I am specifically thinking about the BoVD, a book I really, really like. The PrC's may not work with Pathfinder, but the spells, disease, poisons and magic items should be fine, right?

Are you planning on letting the players use it or is it stuff to be used against them? No matter what I would get rid of the Vile Damage.

 

[ruemere]

I am not a big fan of BoVD (for mechanical reasons, the flavor was excellent), but I'd say it should work fine.
Just remember that Paladins are better at doing their work now.

Do you have any specific concerns? BoVD contains a lot of material, so maybe we could help you better if you enumerate things you want to know more about.

Regards,
Ruemere

 

[Skjalg Kreutzer]

I want to use the BoVD to provide flavour and horror to the opposition (I am half-planning a short campaign in Cheliax), not as player options.

Whats wrong with Vile damage, in your experience?

What I'm most concerned about are the PrC's, the spells and the items and such. I'm also very curious about why people didn't like the book mechanically, especially with regards to Vile damage.

 

[Mojo_Rat]

i think if it is used as a DM's tool the Book is probably fine, giving Bad guys spells which allow them to reach out and rip somones heart from their chest looks really badass in a villain.

That said its probly best to approach stuff individually, though i seem to remember a number of things being strong.

the one PRC i played rro here with a char the Demonologist in hindsight is really an NPCish class the rest probly are okay after you follow conversion rules.

however it has been a long time since weve used any of these materials so im going by fading memory.

 

[IronWolf]

I lean towards not allowing 3.5 content into Pathfinder games as a general rule of thumb. Largely because I as a DM I want to reduce the number of sources and possible balance issues that could arise (even after converting some of the 3.5 things) in the Pathfinder game.

However, there are still a lot of good 3.5 books out there that might have fluff bits I like that I would have no issue borrowing from. If there was a source book that really helped me as a DM add to a feel I wanted for a game I was running then I might be tempted to borrow even a few crunch bits and work them in.

So I think if you feel you need some spell or magic item or maybe even a PrC to give your NPC the feel you want, then proceeding cautiously with introducing it to your game will be fine.

I know in my games I would be hesitant though to open the floodgates to 3.5 material to the players in my Pathfinder game.

 

[Skjalg Kreutzer]

I will definately stay away from allowing the other players to use 3.5 material. But as a DM there are so many cool source-books out there that I'm dying to use. Like Chaositech for example!