The Pathfinder RPG, by Paizo Publishing, is a fork of the d20 ruleset that was open licensed from Dungeons & Dragons v3.5.
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What is the point of a spell component pouch?
While I'd like to think I know the general Dungeons and Dragons / Pathfinder rules pretty well, one thing I've never quite understood is the spell component pouch, especially in relation to the Eschew ...
11
votes
4answers
467 views
How can I balance giving the party a teamwork feat?
I decided that in my campaign, I wanted to train the PCs so that they'd be a bit better prepared for the harsh conditions they've gone through, and also just to make things a bit more interesting.
In ...
13
votes
1answer
237 views
How can I balance an encounter with reinforcements?
I've been planning encounters that come in two parts or have reinforcements recently, and it occurs to me that reinforcements don't have the same effect on an encounter as if they were there from the ...
11
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2answers
636 views
How do Energy Effects work underwater?
This is similar to this question on fire damage underwater but a little broader. How do other energy types work underwater? I'm plumbing through the underwater level of Castle Whiterock and my ...
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votes
3answers
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What is a good starting point for GMing Pathfinder Society Games?
So I am considering GMing a few Pathfinder Society (PFS) modules (probably home games at first, the PFS group that plays at our local gaming store doesn't meet more than once a month), and I was ...
16
votes
5answers
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How real are illusions?
The PCs this week tried to do something that stumped me this week, though I am sure this question has been asked before. Caught between a rock and a hard place, the PCs decided that they would cast an ...
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votes
3answers
674 views
At what level can a fighter gain damage reduction?
Being new to D&D, I'm very intrigued with damage reduction. Creating a new level 1 fighter, I'm trying to acquire damage reduction, but have been unable to find a way to do it at first level, or ...
7
votes
7answers
782 views
How would an illusionist hide a castle?
I'm trying to devise a clever character that would be able to hide something quite large (say, a mountain, or a castle atop a tall tower) within the rules of the game. I am aware of spells such as ...
4
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2answers
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What prestige class combines monk abilities and sneak attack?
I thought I remembered there being a 3.5 prestige class that combines the abilities of monk (e.g. unarmed damage increase) and rogue (sneak attack). I can't seem to find it in the books, though. Can ...
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3answers
650 views
Do Attack of Opportunity and Readied Action both apply?
Suppose I have a rogue facing an enemy spell-caster. My rogue drinks a Potion of Invisibility, stealth's behind the caster, and readies an action to attack when the caster casts a spell. The caster ...
13
votes
3answers
1k views
Why use NPC classes for NPCs?
I am a fairly novice game master, but something I've never really understood NPC classes. As far as I understand them, they are noticeably weaker versions of PC classes (e.g. the NPC warrior in 3.5 ...
12
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7answers
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What does a perception check really signify? Can they be repeated?
When a character makes a perception check, does fail indicate whether they permanently fail to see what is hidden, or just that they need to try again? So far our DM has let us repeat perception ...
19
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8answers
839 views
Do desert heat hazards actually pose a threat to a Pathfinder party?
I am about to bring my characters into the desert in my campaign, so I decided to read up on desert rules. From the Pathfinder SRD:
Heat deals nonlethal damage that cannot be recovered from until ...
9
votes
1answer
255 views
Penalty for failing Aid Another? Does it change per circumstance?
We were having a diplomacy-off yesterday between the party and a higher level bard where we needed a succession of successes to beat the encounter. The issue was that it was basically a 50/50 shot for ...
7
votes
1answer
575 views
How can I convert 3.5 Generic Classes to Pathfinder?
I recently obtained the Pathfinder Core Rulebook, and I'm really impressed by the changes. I am going to change my campaign from 3.5e to Pathfinder, but I'm stuck on one major thing.
In our ...
2
votes
2answers
917 views
Lycanthropy and elves - what is the general guideline?
Well, to get to the point. AFAIK, lycanthropy is mostly reserved for humans and, from what I gained from the books, elves are immune to it as it is a human disease. I recall seeing somewhere a ...
29
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7answers
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Do Teleportation spells transfer kinetic energy?
The Short question here is do teleportation spells in Pathfinder/3.5 carry over any kinetic momentum you were subject to before the teleportation. For context, please see this example situation (which ...
12
votes
2answers
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Do Class Skill Bonuses Count as Ranks?
In Pathfinder do class skill bonuses count as ranks, especially for the purpose of prestige classing, or are they a generic bonus?
If they are a bonus, how should I adjust the required ranks for ...
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6answers
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How to improve the Diplomacy skill mechanic in D&D 3.Xe and Pathfinder?
In D&D 3rd Edition, 3.5 Edition, and even Pathfinder, it is ridiculously easy as a player to purposely or inadvertently break the skill system, especially with Diplomacy.
For example: A level 5 ...
9
votes
2answers
980 views
In Pathfinder, how does one go about allowing the Inquisitor to use his Bane Class ability?
What I mean by this is when in combat with a creature or creatures how do you allow the player to activate his Bane while keeping character over player knowledge in mind?
For example, In PF I play a ...
8
votes
2answers
792 views
Potions and Oils in Pathfinder
In Pathfinder, in the magic items chapter it discusses oils under the potions section. An oil is essentially a potion that can be applied to whatever target you can interact with, following the rules ...
8
votes
1answer
590 views
Does Protection from Evil protect against the Fear spell?
Does Protection from Evil protect against Fear in Pathfinder?
Note that Protection from Evil is written a little differently in Pathfinder than in D&D 3.5:
Second, the subject immediately
...
3
votes
2answers
862 views
Does a Pathfinder Witch's Slumber Hex Count as Mind-Affecting Effect?
From d20pfsrd.com, the Witch gets the following Hex:
Slumber (Su): A witch can cause a
creature within 30 feet to fall into a
deep, magical sleep, as per the spell
sleep. The creature ...
10
votes
4answers
2k views
Is there a Masterplan-like tool for 3.5?
I'm looking for a tool like Masterplan or something near, but for a 3.5 / Pathfinder d20 game.
I don't mind if you know of something better ;)
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votes
2answers
344 views
Are there more specific official rules on Barbarian Rage and Combat Expertise?
D&D 3.5 Barbarian RageD20SRD has a more explicit list of prohibited actions than its Pathfinder's counterpart.
In particular, the former prevents the use of command word, spell trigger and spell ...
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3answers
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In Pathfinder, how does Stealth work with Sneak Attack?
So, in Pathfinder, it seems that being able to use stealth in order to gain sneak attacks only works in the surprise round, with the rules as written.
So, imagine a scenario where we have a sniper ...
7
votes
2answers
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How can I Intimidate (demoralize foe) as a Move or Swift action?
I would like to make Intimidate a major part of my PC's fighting style. I think it's cool, and themey; I don't like the fact that it takes a Standard action, though. Is there any way to speed it up a ...
14
votes
2answers
978 views
In Pathfinder, does the summoner or the GM control the eidolon?
I'm starting up a summoner character in a Pathfinder campaign, but we're a little unsure of the rules for eidolons. While I know the summoner is the one who tells her eidolon what to do, I'm wondering ...
8
votes
1answer
565 views
Easing Someone Into RPGs One-on-One
I decided to get back into RPGs after a long hiatus and bought the Pathfinder Core Rulebook. My girlfriend picked it up and started reading it. Somewhat unexpectedly, she got really into it. She ...
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2answers
8k views
Build Advice For Pathfinder Oracle
I've made an Oracle, 1st level, Mystery of Lore, Haunted Curse, and I took Sidestep Secret as my first revelation. I'm trying to decide if I should focus on melee combat and take relevant feats for ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
Attacking a grappled/grappling character
The Pathfinder system has improved rules for handling grappling but I ran into a situation where a character was grappled and another character wanted to hit the grappling monster with a melee attack. ...
10
votes
2answers
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Do Pathfinder elves sleep instead of trance?
According to d20 Pathfinder SDR site in the Common Terms (Rest) section...
The Pathfinder Core Rulebook is somewhat vague on the requirements of resting and sleeping [...]
I found that this is ...
14
votes
6answers
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How do I make a gunslinger with a decent damage progression?
I am considering playing a Gunslinger when next we play Pathfinder (I am currently GMing a game, and we'll be switching off afterwards), and thumbing through the Ultimate Combat Playtest v. 2, and I'm ...
12
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1answer
1k views
Is Pathfinder selling better than D&D?
Is there any data showing that Pathfinder is selling better than 4th Edition D&D? Also, is there any data showing if and when that might happen?
13
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7answers
389 views
How should a GM handle novice players?
In our game, we have 5 players - two are completely new to roleplaying, and one is new to the system we're playing (Pathfinder).
At the moment, the GM grants the new players no leeway - if the player ...
12
votes
1answer
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How does an Intelligence penalty affect skill points when character-building/leveling-up?
In character-building/leveling-up, you take your class's skill points and add your Int bonus. So a Fighter gets 2 Plus their Int bonus. Say my fighter is really smart(16) he'll get 2+3 (int bonus) ...
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votes
4answers
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What's with this tier stuff, and how does that translate to levels?
I've seen a few questions mentioning things like "paragon tier" or "epic tier". What are tiers? What game(s) are they used in ? How do they translate to D&D 3.5/Pathfinder Levels?
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votes
1answer
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What are class skills in Pathfinder?
Stupid question, but what exactly are class skills in the Pathfinder RPG?
I believe it means I get one "free" skill rank in that class, am I right in this assumption?
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1answer
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Pathfinder: 2 Talon Attack or 2 Attacks?
In Pathfinder (as D&D) if you make a move action, you forfeit your secondary attack.
However, an Eagle has natural "2 x talon attack" listed as its primary, with a bite attack as a secondary.
...
4
votes
1answer
417 views
Spell Selection on Lore Seeker campaign Trait
On page 331 of the Pathfinder Advanced Players Guide, there is the lore seeker trait that has the following:
If you cast arcane spells, pick three spells on your spell list. You are particularly ...
12
votes
4answers
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Character Build - “Bad Luck” Theme
I'm trying to build a character who suffers a strange and inexplicable stigma that attracts misfortune to all the people around him. (In South America it's called "mufa"; in colloquial language, ...
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votes
3answers
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Can half-elves multiclass at 1st level?
Half-elves get a trait called "multitalented." The rules describe it briefly: Half-elves choose two favored classes at first level and gain +1 hit point or +1 skill point whenever they take a level in ...
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votes
5answers
918 views
Witch - Octopus Familiar
The Witch class in the Advanced Players Guide allows an octopus as a familiar (p 219 in the Bestiary). My player has generated multiple questions regarding this subject.
Will the octopus function on ...
5
votes
1answer
289 views
How does lunge interact with grapple or trip?
The Lunge feat allows you to extend your reach by five feet. Can Lunge be used to extend the reach of a grapple attempt? Can it be used to extend the reach of a trip attempt? If either case is true, ...
10
votes
1answer
729 views
Alchemist bomb attacks
In Pathfinder, is the Alchemist class capable of using Two-Weapon Fighting with bombs? If no, does the Fast Bombs discovery change this?
10
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1answer
709 views
Can you use 2 metamagic rods to improve a single spell?
I was just wondering, I have a cleric and he has a Greater Metamagic Rod: Maximize, I was thinking of picking up a Greater Empower Rod as well, would they two rods stack, or can I only use one?
I ...
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7answers
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What are some quality low-magic d20 (3.5e/PF) systems?
The title pretty much says it all. I'm getting ready to run a very low-magic (but high martial combat/adventure) Pathfinder campaign, and am looking for any systems to draw mechanics and inspiration ...
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votes
2answers
799 views
What action type is retrieving an item in Pathfinder?
I couldn't find references about the action type(s) of the following acts (standard, move, full-round, etc.) nor if they provoke attacks of opportunity.
Retrieving an item attached to the ...
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votes
2answers
462 views
Can touch-range spells be counterspelled at range?
Rather than fight our way out of a particularly hard encounter at the end of the last adventure, the party tried to teleport away. An enemy spellcaster attempted to counterspell it from across the ...
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3answers
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New GM Advice - How to best use an Adventure Path
I'm new to tabletop RPGs (although I have been interested for a long time, just had difficulty finding like-minded companions, and the funds required to get some of the stuff).
When I was finally ...
