PF-Lite?

[jreyst]

Anyone interested in discussing a stripped down version of Pathfinder for beginners? I started a thread over on the d20pfsrd.com messageboards.

If you want to shoot some ideas back and forth come on by.

 

[Doodles]

The first question coming through my mind, and I mean no offense by asking it, is: why not play Swords & Wizardry?

 

[Aus_Snow]

The first question coming through my mind, and I mean no offense by asking it, is: why not play Swords & Wizardry?

Presumably because S&W is based on (and is very close to) OD&D, as in, the very first D&D ruleset. A 'Pathfinder Lite' of just about any kind, well, wouldn't be that.

So, different.


I't probably worth mentioning here, anyway, that Paizo might actually a rules-lite game planned. There was something said by Erik Mona, I believe, recently. . .?

 

[jasin]

I't probably worth mentioning here, anyway, that Paizo might actually a rules-lite game planned. There was something said by Erik Mona, I believe, recently. . .?

This is really interesting! Does anybody know more aobut this?

 

[Aus_Snow]

This is really interesting! Does anybody know more aobut this?

I hope someone does, but I wouldn't be too surprised if no-one does. Here's a link that contains the 'hint', if not exactly 'promise', say.

 

[kitsune9]

Anyone interested in discussing a stripped down version of Pathfinder for beginners? I started a thread over on the d20pfsrd.com messageboards.

If you want to shoot some ideas back and forth come on by.

I think probably a way (maybe not the best way or worst way or somewhere in between ) would be to simply reduce the options available in Pathfinder, but keep it Pathfinder.

Here's an example for Pathfinder Lite that if I were to make it, this is what it would look like:

Classes: Keep them all
Races: Keep them all
Levels: Keep them all
Feats: Eliminate them--some feats eliminated may need to be turned back into class features like the the Turn Undead feat, but then again....maybe we want our undead to not fear the cleric.
Skills: Elminate them, make them all based on ability checks, but reduce DC's appropriately. This will take a little work as one can think of a myriad of systems to implement to simulate the skill system for balance.
Spells: There are 300+ spells I think in the rulebook. Reduce them to around 100 or so to cover the wide range of abilities. For example, we have fireball and lightning bolt as our 3rd level evocation spells for the wizard/sorcerer. Get rid of the rest of the 3rd level evocation spells.
Magic Items. Same as spells.
Prestige Classes: Elminate them.

My motivation for this way? I would want to keep levels 1-20 and allow the range of different classes and races to be played, but just limit down the number of options available so players can make choices quicker.

I know some other players if they want to do a Pathfinder Lite, they will have a different motivation such as a low-magic Pathfinder or a Basic Set Pathfinder (low levels), or a Skill-based Pathfinder. The possibilities are endless!

Well, good luck with your endeavor! Tell us how it goes and what you come up with.

Happy Gaming!

 

[Remathilis]

Anyone interested in discussing a stripped down version of Pathfinder for beginners? I started a thread over on the d20pfsrd.com messageboards.

If you want to shoot some ideas back and forth come on by.

Well, there are plenty of ways to do a "lite" Pathfinder...

1.) A "Beginners" Box/Gateway product akin to the D&D box sets of the 3e/3.5/4e era designed to teach the game and move you on to the PHB. Covers 1-3 (1-5) levels at most, core classes/races only (Ftr, Wiz, Clr, Rog, Elf, Dwf, Hfg, Hum). Either pre-gen PCs or simple PC char-gen, and only enough spells to make the caster-classes work.

Such a product has value as a teaching tool, but would be replaced with the "full" game later. Would be a good Free PDF maybe,

2.) A Stripped Down Pathfinder game with reduced options. Fewer choices and some of the more cumbersome rules removed, but easier to teach and faster to play. Like the beginner game, it would probably cover the basic archetypes, but unlike the beginner game, it covers 1-20 (abit with 1/2 of the options the regular pathfinder PCs have).

It would have the effect of making the core game "Advanced Pathfinder" while the stripped down would become "Basic". It also would create the same split in player-base BD&D/AD&D suffered, and be a headache for balancing additional rules. Still, as a niche product, it might have merit.

3.) A "PC Packet" Option for people who don't want to shell out $50. It would contain one-class, all the "necessary" info for that class (class skill write-ups, general and class-specific feats, class spells, and an overview of combat and possibly magic rules) that each class could buy (or download & print) to save everyone in the group from hogging the +5 Tome of Smiting.

The first one caters to newbies and collectors (esp if Paizo bundles it with goodies like dice, minis and a module). The second caters to those looking for a Pathfinder/Rules Lite Hybrid, younger players, and casual gamers. The third to people interested in playing but put off by the core-rules price tag.

Which one did you have in mind?

 

[pdiddy]

Another idea is to start with Microlite20 and hang a few more things onto the frame such as CMB, a few more classes, etc to come up with MicrolitePF.

 

[kitsune9]

3.) A "PC Packet" Option for people who don't want to shell out $50. It would contain one-class, all the "necessary" info for that class (class skill write-ups, general and class-specific feats, class spells, and an overview of combat and possibly magic rules) that each class could buy (or download & print) to save everyone in the group from hogging the +5 Tome of Smiting.

This is a cool approach. I like this one too.