PATHFINDER UNCHAINED at GAMA?

It's not available for over a month yet, but Paizo developer Jason Bulmahn is - along with most of the tabletop gaming industry - at the GAMA trade show in Las Vegas, and appears to have a finished copy of Pathfinder Unchained. This is Paizo's "experimental" book - it's Unearthed Arcana, if you will, although many people prefer to label it as a "Pathfinder 2 Testbed" (not that there's any hint that such a thing exists). "Within these pages, the designers of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game unleash their wildest ideas, and nothing is safe. From totally revised fundamentals like core classes and monster design to brand-new systems for expanding the way you play, this book offers fresh ideas while still blending with the existing system." Due April 29th. Or right now, if you find Jason Bulmahn in Las Vegas.

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[Osgood]

I've never been interested in Pathfinder, but my group complains a lot about the lack of character options in 5e.... Maybe this book will allow me to cobble together a version we could all enjoy. Or at least give me some ideas I can steal.

 

[DaveMage]

I've never been interested in Pathfinder, but my group complains a lot about the lack of character options in 5e.... Maybe this book will allow me to cobble together a version we could all enjoy. Or at least give me some ideas I can steal.

I think the perfect edition lies somewhere between the two.

 

[Dragonhelm]

Why 2.0 and not 1.5? A more compatible system would certainly appease a lot of fan while correcting some stuff.

Considering that some folks refer to Pathfinder as 3.75, wouldn't that mean that instead of 1.5, it would really be 3.875?

 

[TwoSix]

Considering that some folks refer to Pathfinder as 3.75, wouldn't that mean that instead of 1.5, it would really be 3.875?

I guess that means Pathfinder will get asymptotically closer to 4e, but never quite reach it.

 

[nightspaladin]

I think the perfect edition lies somewhere between the two.

Could not agree more! The one thing that has kept me excited about 5e is the promise that the system options will expand. I don't want the bloat we have seen in other ramp ups, like pf and 4e but if they just had maybe 20 or so more sublasses divided amongst the classes and we would be good for a long time.

I've even started looking at PF archtypes to see what is buildable quickly in 5e and what should homebrewed into a subclasses, or added to my WoTC wish list.

In short, 5e Engine, for ease of play, with alot of PF option diversity in existing systems(I.E. subclasses, feats etc) would be nothing short of amazing.

 

[DaveMage]

Could not agree more! The one thing that has kept me excited about 5e is the promise that the system options will expand. I don't want the bloat we have seen in other ramp ups, like pf and 4e but if they just had maybe 20 or so more sublasses divided amongst the classes and we would be good for a long time.

I've even started looking at PF archtypes to see what is buildable quickly in 5e and what should homebrewed into a subclasses, or added to my WoTC wish list.

In short, 5e Engine, for ease of play, with alot of PF option diversity in existing systems(I.E. subclasses, feats etc) would be nothing short of amazing.

Yes.

I have not yet played 5E, but I am intrigued by bounded accuracy and the advantage/disadvantage system in play. On the other hand, I really like the variety of options that 3.x/Pathfinder provides, which "official" 5E is not likely to have for many years, if ever. "Options not restrictions" was a 3E motto, and I like that motto.

I would like faster gameplay (than Pathfinder), but not at the expense of options.

 

[Remathilis]

I'm real curious how they fix rogues (often complained about for being too weak), barbarian (the strongest melee class), and summoners (stupidly broken).

I'm still running Pathfinder, but in my heart I've moved on to 5e. This book really for me is too late, but I'm still wondering if they began to fix my concerns with the system.

 

[Kramodlog]

Considering that some folks refer to Pathfinder as 3.75, wouldn't that mean that instead of 1.5, it would really be 3.875?

The funny thing is that I almost wrote that right after the other stuff I wrote.

 

[Nebulous]

I think the perfect edition lies somewhere between the two.

I think the perfect edition lies with Dungeon World and D&D 5e making a Dungeon & Dragon World baby. Now that would be perfect

 

[MartyW]

I gave up playing Pathfinder a while back because of the power creep and min-maxing that I found with local players. I like the setting, but the players I've met play a power game that just doesn't interest me... and from that perspective, 5e suits me better

I am very curious about this book now, though.