So I want to shift my PF2 to a more low magic world than Golarion.
In order to achieve that I'd like to utilize the following Variant Rules as provided by the GMG:
Magic Item Variants: Automatic Bonus Progression & High-Quality Items
Proficiency Without Level
Now it seems that ABP and High-Quality Items would not really work well together numberwise, unless you were to remove some of the bonus progression from the ABP, as far as I can tell by the RAW.
However, I want to keep High-Quality Items (sans Devastating Weapons / Resilient Armor) in the game, to still give my players some cool choices when it comes to gear, while not having to meticulously keep an eye on item progression as per default and reduce the overall amount of magic in the game. That would mean that the High-Quality Items essentially still give boni like magical items that would stack (?) with the boni from the ABP.
I can see that this would favor the PCs in terms of game math, therefore, and also for a more gritty overall tone, I thought about putting the Proficiency Without Level rule into place, which reduces the proficiency buff based on level, scaling down the power-curve of the PC.
Generally, the Proficiency Without Level rule implies, that a DM adjusts the DCs and monsters to accommodate for the lower overall proficiencies. However, as I am giving the PCs the ability to stack ABP with High-Quality Items, I thought that by not adjusting the DCs I could basically give them the boni they would normally get via Level Proficiency in the form of items.
Of course this would not achieve the exact same feeling and balance as per the original rules, i.e. you wouldn't have items for every skill. That means overall the difficulty of the game would increase (which is ok for me) but at the same time, even if a PC stacked the item bonus of a High-Quality Item with the ABP, it would also not be too overpowered.
It'd be nice to hear some thoughts on this by DMs that have some experience with PF2.
In order to achieve that I'd like to utilize the following Variant Rules as provided by the GMG:
Magic Item Variants - Rules - Archives of Nethys: Pathfinder 2nd Edition Database
Pathfinder’s magic item system is calibrated for a high-fantasy world like Golarion, with plenty of access to magic. However, not all settings, games, or subgenres match those assumptions. Varying from the default magic item system can help your group build games in low-magic settings, where the...
2e.aonprd.com
Magic Item Variants: Automatic Bonus Progression & High-Quality Items
Proficiency without Level - Rules - Archives of Nethys: Pathfinder 2nd Edition Database
This variant presents a change to the proficiency bonus system, scaling it differently for a style of game that’s outside the norm. This is a significant change to the system.<br /><br /> The proficiency rank progression in the <i>Core Rulebook</i> is designed for heroic fantasy games where...
2e.aonprd.com
Proficiency Without Level
Now it seems that ABP and High-Quality Items would not really work well together numberwise, unless you were to remove some of the bonus progression from the ABP, as far as I can tell by the RAW.
However, I want to keep High-Quality Items (sans Devastating Weapons / Resilient Armor) in the game, to still give my players some cool choices when it comes to gear, while not having to meticulously keep an eye on item progression as per default and reduce the overall amount of magic in the game. That would mean that the High-Quality Items essentially still give boni like magical items that would stack (?) with the boni from the ABP.
I can see that this would favor the PCs in terms of game math, therefore, and also for a more gritty overall tone, I thought about putting the Proficiency Without Level rule into place, which reduces the proficiency buff based on level, scaling down the power-curve of the PC.
Generally, the Proficiency Without Level rule implies, that a DM adjusts the DCs and monsters to accommodate for the lower overall proficiencies. However, as I am giving the PCs the ability to stack ABP with High-Quality Items, I thought that by not adjusting the DCs I could basically give them the boni they would normally get via Level Proficiency in the form of items.
Of course this would not achieve the exact same feeling and balance as per the original rules, i.e. you wouldn't have items for every skill. That means overall the difficulty of the game would increase (which is ok for me) but at the same time, even if a PC stacked the item bonus of a High-Quality Item with the ABP, it would also not be too overpowered.
It'd be nice to hear some thoughts on this by DMs that have some experience with PF2.
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