One Book

[Tamlyn]

I just received the Core Rulebook as a gift and am loving it. I have a gift certificate that will cover another PF book, but I don't know which one to get. I'd like one that is extremely beneficial to a potential Pathfinder game in the future, but that I might also be able to use with the 3.5 game I'm currently running. Currently, I'm torn between the Advanced Player's Guide, GameMastery Guide, and Bestiary. What are your suggestions and why?

Thanks,
Tam

 

[Redbranch]

I guess it depends if you are primarily a player or a GM.
As the main GM for my group, I find the Bestiary and the GM Guide are great resources.
I am eager to pick up the APG, but it is not a necessity for me now. If I was primarily a player, I would pick up the APG first.

 

[crazy_monkey1956]

If you're planning to run the game, pick up the Bestiary. The Gamemastery Guide is a close second, but you need critters.

If you're planning to be a player, Advanced Player's Guide.

 

[Tamlyn]

I always prepare to run the game, but I do love to play. I thumbed through the Bestiary today, and pardon my ignorance, but is there enough difference between the 3.5 MMs and the Bestiary to justify the new book?

Thanks for everyone's responses and help!

 

[gamerprinter]

Most of the Bestiary is slightly updated MM stuff. The MM creatures might need a CR boost of one, they need added skills and feats, and require CMB/CMD scores.

The GMG is very nice for world building, having ready NPC stats for in game, but while crazy monkey suggested it as a close #2, I say its #3 or #4.

If not the Bestiary, I'd prefer the Advanced Players Guide - yes its more player associated, but new feats, spells, magic items, artifacts, traits, new rules, new combat maneuvers, even the hero point system. I'd say the APG is your best #2 choice, Bestiary #3, and GMG #4.

Actually I only have the Bestiary as a $9.95 PDF, since I don't need it on my table per se. However, its helpful when a wizard or summoner does some summoning spells. Otherwise, known monsters I print b/w for use on my table.

Your decision...

GP

 

[IronWolf]

I just received the Core Rulebook as a gift and am loving it. I have a gift certificate that will cover another PF book, but I don't know which one to get. I'd like one that is extremely beneficial to a potential Pathfinder game in the future, but that I might also be able to use with the 3.5 game I'm currently running. Currently, I'm torn between the Advanced Player's Guide, GameMastery Guide, and Bestiary. What are your suggestions and why?

The Bestiary is great book, but given that you are currently running 3.5, you might not get a lot from it for immediate use - though you'd certainly want it once you moved on to the Pathfinder system.

For me it would be a toss-up between the GameMastery Guide and the Advanced Player's Guide. GameMastery Guide if you feel like you want some good tips for GM'ing and such, some pre-made NPCs and world building stuff. I have a copy and think it is a good book.

The Advanced Player's Guide is also a great book. There is likely some ideas you could use in your 3.5 game if you wanted and it will certainly get you excited about playing Pathfinder.

 

[freyar]

Well, I don't have the GMG or APG, but the Bestiary is a fantastic book. There is a slight difference in content compared to the 3.5 MM, but I'll agree with the other posters that you can certainly get away with using your 3.5 beasties. However, as an avowed monster junkie, I found the flavor text in the Bestiary to be superb.

 

[pawsplay]

In addition to updating the monsters to Pathfinder, the Bestiary also fixes the math on some of the CR outliers like adult dragons, ogre mages, and so forth. Plus, it contains a tasty little selection of critters from the Tome of Horrors.

 

[blakbuzzrd]

I'd say go with the APG. DISCLAIMER: I have them all, but I am also new to RPGs, really. My frame of reference is not very lengthy.

That said, the Bestiary info can be found in many online places, frankly, and for quick reference during gameplay I usually have a laptop dialed into d20pfsrd anyway. If you are an experienced GM, I'm told, the GM guide is perhaps not as beneficial (I'm new, so I love it).

But from everything I've read, the APG is considered the first book that steps out from under the shadow of 3.5 into its own as a Pathfinder product. By that, I mean that it isn't mostly a revisiting/updating of existing 3.5 rules. Paizo is here showing the players and GMs more of where they want to take the game.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

I -*have to agree with what appears to be the majority - get the APG if you are a player, the Bestiary if you are a GM.

Even if you are a GM I would recommend the APG before the Gamemastery Guide - not because of any fault with the GMG, but because the APG is just plain good.

Archetypes are really, really nice. The new classes are interesting (but could have benefited from archetypes). The archetypes allow customization of races and classes to an impressive degree - more than one archetype would have been a prestige class in 3.5.

If you are a GM then the Bestiary is kind of necessary. One thing that stands out is the inclusion of variants on the monsters - the first time I sicced fast zombies on my players was well worth the price of admission.

The Auld Grump