Pathfinder 1E Pathfinder RPG Beta Release is available!

[joela]

pfbeta

Downloaded the pdf while waiting for both the hardcover AND the campaign setting from my FLGS. Still play-testing the Alpha rules until the DM switches us over.

 

[Arkhandus]

I never understood the excitement about buying the print version of Pathfinder Beta. After all the 4e detractors whine and scream about it not being a complete edition or not being playtested enough they then go line up for an incomplete game and the chance to pay to be a playtester. Does not compute.

The thing is, Pathfinder is based on 3.5, which IS a complete game. It's just a revised version with new stuff. And has at least some compatibility with existing 3e supplemental material. It's a "beta" similarly to 3.0 being a heavily tested, but still slightly quirky, predecessor to 3.5, or 3.5 as a revised version of 3.0 that was still not quite fixed. Personally I prefer 3.0, but even I have to admit that 3.5 at least managed to improve or clarify a few things besides all of its mucking-up.

Pathfinder is supposed to be an upgrade/revision for some of the problems in 3.x, although the way Pathfinder addresses some of those problems certainly won't please everyone. No moreso than 4e with its changes turning off some D&Ders while making others glad to have a version of D&D that better fits their personal preferences. That doesn't make either inherantly bad.

4e is a whole other game built largely from the ground up, with bits and pieces of 3.5, d20 Modern, Star Wars Saga Edition, and other stuff. And little content for each part, like only a few ways to handle any given class, and very limited multiclassing rules. And less compatibility with peoples' existing 3.x/d20 materials. While it's great for some people, it definitely has the look of a much less "complete" game in the PHB.

They can't play many of the races, classes, or general concepts they like, unless they go to the work of trying to adapt those things into 4e's much different design on their own. Or wait around several years and spend more money then. This isn't a problem for everyone, of course, but for some it's a huge drawback of 4e compared to 3.x, Pathfinder, True20, d20 Modern, Mutants & Masterminds, or earlier editions of D&D.

 

[Aus_Snow]

I haven't come across a feature or aspect that I strongly dislike, yet. This bodes very well indeed, given it's hardly the way things usually go when I read a RPG book of any kind.

I was about to run some (slightly modified) D&D 3.5 for the first time in a while - today, actually - but that's been delayed a bit. . . which kinda turns out OK, as I'll probably choose to playtest PFRPG(b) instead, now.

Kudos to all the Paizo staff involved, to Monte Cook, and all the diligent playtesters out there.

Cheers.

 

[Scott DeWar]

Now have the pdf. wil be reading it for the next week of so to prepare to playtest possibly next weekend ...

 

[Khuxan]

3. Making dwarves have base 10 feet movement was an overly harsh change imho; sure, the dwarf race was a little too good, however cutting their movement speed in half was too much of a nerf.

I'm not sure where you're getting the figure of 10 feet from:

"Slow and Steady: Dwarves have a base speed of 20 feet, but their speed is never modified by armor or encumbrance."

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Save or Die becomes Save or Suck

Save or Die may be gone, but here are a few spells you can still use to wreck a BBEG's day.

What we are looking for are spells that

• only allow one Save
• deny the target his actions (or the ability to act effectively) for more than 1 round.

And so:

• 1: Cause Fear, Sleep
• 2: Hideous Laughter, Glitterdust
• 3: Blindness/Deafness, Deep Slumber
• 4: Confusion, Resilient Sphere ("We'll deal with you after we kill your minions, heal up, and re-buff."), Fear
• 5: Plane Shift (aka "Enjoy your vacation on the Negative Material Plane!"), Dominate Person, Feeblemind (limited application)
• 6: Flesh to Stone
• 7: Plane Shift (Wiz), Prismatic Spray (suboptimal)
• 8: Trap the Soul, Telekinetic Sphere (as Resilient Sphere), Irresistible Dance
• 9: Dominate Monster

 

[DaveMage]

Let's see, 400+ full color pages for $25 and the convenience of having a print copy at the table?

...or for long potty breaks.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Sold out at GenCon already, it seems.

Good going! And may your sales continue to be excellent.

 

[Brutorz Bill]

This rocks!!! I hope this continues to take off for Paizo! Downloaded my copy, lots to read but it looks good so far.

 

[Knightfall]

Sold out at GenCon already, it seems.

Good going! And may your sales continue to be excellent.

Whoa!