or… Should I play Pathfinder or 3.5?!
The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game (PF) is a fantasy role-playing game that was first published in 2009 by Paizo Publishing. It is a revision of the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game (D&D 3.5), and it is often considered to be a spiritual successor to that game.
The history of Pathfinder begins in 2007, when Wizards of the Coast, the publishers of D&D, announced that they would no longer be publishing new material for D&D 3.5. This left many fans of the game without a new source of content, and Paizo Publishing, who at the time was producing the official D&D 3.5 magazine, decided to create their own version of the game that would be compatible with the existing D&D 3.5 rules.
Paizo began development on what would become the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and released the first edition of the game in 2008 as a playtest version. After a year of playtesting and feedback, the final version of the game was released in 2009. The game was a success and quickly gained a large following of players.
Since its release, Paizo has continued to release new content for the game, including new sourcebooks, adventures, and other materials. The second edition of the game was released in 2019, with a more streamlined and modernized ruleset.
Pathfinder has become one of the most popular fantasy role-playing games, and it has a large and dedicated community of fans and players. Many players appreciate its compatibility with the D&D 3.5 ruleset and its focus on depth and realism in its game mechanics.
But there are also some key differences between the two…
Pathfinder 1st Edition (PF1) and Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 (D&D 3.5) are both fantasy role-playing games that share many similarities, but there are also some key differences between the two.
Both games use a variant of the d20 system, where players roll a 20-sided die to determine the outcome of various actions. They also have a similar character creation process, where players choose a race, class, and abilities for their character.
One of the main differences between the two games is the level of complexity. D&D 3.5 is considered to be a more complex game, with a lot of rules and options for players to choose from. PF1, on the other hand, is designed to be more balanced, with fewer options but with less powerful options in the game. This can make PF1 a more balanced and fair game but some players might find it less appealing for experienced players who enjoy the depth and variety of D&D 3.5.
Another difference is the way the two games handle character abilities and advancement. D&D 3.5 uses a point-buy system for character abilities, where players spend points to increase their abilities. PF1 uses a more traditional level-based system, where characters gain new abilities and bonuses as they level up.
Additionally, the two games have different philosophies when it comes to character death, with D&D 3.5 taking a more classic approach to death, while PF1 is more forgiving in this matter.
Overall, both games offer a solid fantasy role-playing experience, but they appeal to different types of players. D&D 3.5 may be more appealing to players who enjoy a lot of options and complexity, while PF1 is better suited for players who prefer a more balanced and fair game.
So how are PF first edition and second edition different?
One of the main differences between the two games is the overall design philosophy. PF1 is designed to be compatible with the 3.5 edition of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D 3.5), and it builds on that game’s mechanics and rules. PF2, on the other hand, is a complete redesign of the game, with a new set of mechanics and a more modernized design.
Another major difference is the complexity of the game. PF1 is considered to be a more complex game, with a lot of options and rules for players to choose from. PF2, on the other hand, is designed to be more accessible and streamlined, with fewer rules and options. This can make PF2 easier to learn and play for new players, but it may also make it less appealing for experienced players who enjoy the depth and variety of PF1.
Another difference is the way the two games handle character abilities and advancement. PF1 uses a traditional level-based system, where characters gain new abilities and bonuses as they level up. PF2 uses a new Ancestry and Background system which provides players with more choices and flexibility when creating characters, also it has a new skill system with proficiency levels.
Additionally, the two games have different philosophies when it comes to magic and spellcasting, with PF1 having a more traditional approach to magic, while PF2 has a more dynamic approach to spellcasting.
Overall, both games offer a solid fantasy role-playing experience, but they appeal to different types of players. PF1 may be more appealing to players who enjoy a lot of options and complexity, while PF2 is better suited for players who prefer a more streamlined and accessible game.
As an “Old School Ren” guy, I have to confess that I have been playing PF2 lately and absolutely LOVE IT!
What are your thoughts?