Pathfinder 1E Pathfinder Lesson? Is one big honkin book intimidating?

[Falling Icicle]

I like it. I like having the magic items, prestige classes, etc. all in one book. I don't find it intimidating at all. On the contrary, it makes me feel better about my purchase, as I feel I'm really getting my money's worth.

 

[vagabundo]

I'd prefer if they have a nice small book. Maybe just the heroic tier. Just for portability.

 

[ferratus]

I think having the rules that necessitate such a big book is intimidating to new players, not the format in which you deliver them.

The Rules Cyclopedia is just right thickness and covers all the relevant topics. The actual rules leave something to be desired, but as organization and the content included go, it is a masterpiece.

 

[Zireael]

I'd prefer if only the absolutely necessary stuff constituted Core. Preferably 100 pages at most. Available both as a book and as a pdf, and all the optional content available as pdfs and no bigger than Core.

 

[BryonD]

I think it is hard to look at their success and say they had a problem with the book being intimidating.


I WOULD prefer a couple smaller books. I think that would be good. So I agree with the end point.

 

[Lord Mhoram]

Yes it is.



Honestly, I believe that a 200 page book is about ideal, and anything over 300 pages gets offputting..

I'd agree. I play HERO primarily (D&D being my secondary system) and the amount of jokes about the thickness of the 5E core rulebook abounded.

Even to the point that in responding to the jokes Hero had someone shoot the 5E books with black powder guns, and it was bulletproof to the smaller one.

I've heard many comments to the effect of "The book is too big, I don't want to play a game like that"

The thing is that book has all you need to play - it's pagecount is about the same as the 3E PH, DMG, and MM. And cheaper because it's one book. But the perception is that it is harder/worse because it's one huge book.

 

[Remathilis]

How bout some books that don't fall apart after a year? Oy! my PF book is practically coverless...

 

[Lord Mhoram]

How bout some books that don't fall apart after a year? Oy! my PF book is practically coverless...

Yeah. I still have my 1st printing 1st edition PH, DMG, MM and D&D. And they are still bound well, after 35+ years of abuse.

Then I think about Unearthed Aracan... which laster about a month.

And I agree completely.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

It is a good idea, because with PHB and DMG in one book, you don´t have those pesky players only buing PHB...

no, seriously... the PHB/DMG split is one thing I really would remorse... A Player should have all necessary things to play the game, the DM should get the material to run it. There are things, a player really should not know... but that is very old school feeling of mine... I hated it back then, but we were not allowed to even look into the DMG or the MM. It really made the experience better!

 

[Evilhalfling]

I find the price intimidating.
+50$ for the core rules?
-still haven't bought a copy. I just use the excellent PF_SRD instead.
unfortunately I may end up running a con game for PFS. So im gonna need a hard copy. I guess ill violate my usual rules and buy it online rather than at my LFGS.