The Pathfinder RPG, by Paizo Publishing, is a fork of the d20 ruleset that was open licensed from Dungeons & Dragons v3.5.
6
votes
3answers
234 views
The effects of saving throws on mind reading
A number of creatures in D&D systems (specific editions may not be necessary here, but let's use 3/3.5/3.75 for simplicity) have the ability to use spell or spell-like effects such as Detect ...
2
votes
2answers
179 views
I'm having trouble being effective as a Lore Oracle and would like to improve
I've been playing in a campaign as an Oracle of the Lore Mystery for a few months. I've saved my party's hide a few times now as the only healer, but as the party gets stronger they need healing less ...
10
votes
2answers
7k views
Bomb based alchemist builds
I'm looking for help with building a bomb-slinging alchemist at level 10. Assume 25 point buy for initial generation. The focus is getting the most effective bomb usage possible. Fast bombs is ...
5
votes
4answers
457 views
Why do spells need to be “prepared”? [closed]
I'm not asking about the rules or concepts of spell preparation, as they are well described and reasoned, but I'm wondering why it's even necessary, from a logical (well, however logical you can be in ...
5
votes
1answer
152 views
I'm a starter and need help with the Alchemist class
and thanks for reading my question.
My wife and my friends play Dungeons and Dragons for around 6 months now, and since last week I decided to play too. I am dutch but emigrated to the US, and since ...
7
votes
3answers
720 views
Is a monk of the empty hand considered proficient with improvised weapons before level 6?
The monk of the empty hand is all about using improvised weapons. However, it can receive the feat "Improvised Weapon Mastery" as a bonus feat only at lvl6.
The thing I'm not sure about is: is he ...
3
votes
3answers
320 views
Better Weapon Focus
Last time a played DnD it was 3.0, I remember, the Weapon Focus feat, thinking ti is kind of dull, but sometimes prerequisite for more advanced feats.
So I would changed it in a way like:
...
8
votes
4answers
313 views
The fastest Elf in the West (at initiative anyway)
They called him Ernie, the fastest Elf in the West.
Ahem. I'm trying to improve the initiative of an Elf Wizard.
At the moment it's at a respectable: +15
+4 Dex (Base)
+4 Improved Initiative ...
14
votes
2answers
1k views
How are Pathfinder Fighters different from D&D 3.5 Fighters in the first 6 levels of play?
How do Pathfinder Fighters differ from D&D 3.5 Fighters in the first 6 levels of play? Is the feat structure different? What are the changes regarding combat feats and special rules like ...
12
votes
1answer
1k views
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) ...
8
votes
1answer
657 views
Using Pathfinder's variant “Wounds and Vigor” rules
I am in the early sessions of running a science-fantasy Pathfinder game. I'd like a grittier feel to the game and came across the "Wounds and Vigor" variant rules.
For those who have used these ...
10
votes
5answers
912 views
What's the simplest way of representing a “savage” warrior with an tiger animal companion?
The "savage" warrior with an animal companion is a staple of pulp fantasy/swords & sorcery. However, if you wanted to play a warrior with a tiger for an animal companion, you're looking at a 7th ...
2
votes
2answers
745 views
Feats for a TWF Ranger?
Trying to find feats that I should focus on for a two-weapon fighting human ranger. I just hit level 2 and I have picked up two weapon fighting, weapon focus (scimitar), and double slice. My strength ...
8
votes
1answer
201 views
Can a wizard change a spell they have prepared?
I have read in professor Q's guide to Pathfinder wizards that
Unlike the Sorcerer or Bard or Oracle you never have to sit and wish that you had picked a different spell this level since in a ...
3
votes
1answer
304 views
Summary of differences between Pathfinder Beginner Box and Core Rules?
Does anywhere have a good reference of the summary of differences between the Pathfinder Beginner Box rules and the Core Rules (which I believe are identical to the online PRD)?
7
votes
1answer
237 views
Can I multi-class between a class and an archetype of that class?
Background
I am playing Pathfinder with a character who is a Fighter with the Polearm Master archetype. There is an ability that the Fighter (sans archetype) earns at third level called "Armor ...
19
votes
8answers
967 views
How do I handle a group that does not understand the 'assumption rule'?
1st rule of D&D (as of 3rd edition/pathfinder): The GM is the final arbiter on all rules.
I understand this, completely, and do not disagree. That said, I'm having trouble with a group that ...
18
votes
2answers
415 views
Is there any information on how exactly verbal spell components must be phrased?
In a discussion about how to covertly hide a spell, it was brought up that you might be able to disguise a spell with a verbal component by sneaking the spell component words into a normal ...
4
votes
1answer
194 views
How to upgrade Pathfinder Beginner Box games and characters to Pathfinder Core Rules?
Similar to this question on Red box to 4e core rules upgrade, what problems are there overcome with or good ways to achieve moving games and characters from the Beginner Box rules to Pathfinder Core ...
11
votes
4answers
409 views
Do weapons damage themselves?
Weapons have explicitly listed hardnesses and hit points:
Damaging Objects – PFSRD
Many medieval weapons were known for breaking; most notably, in jousting, breaking a lance scored points:
...
13
votes
5answers
422 views
Memory After Death
A recent campaign started with the death of the party and reincarnation of the party with the premise of "we brought you back to find those who killed you". One player was concerned that these people ...
11
votes
5answers
400 views
How do I encourage player-GM storytelling collaboration without “breaking” my game?
I've DM/GM'd for several gaming groups, young and old, and have found that one of the things that separates my younger players from older players is their eagerness to elaborate/collaborate in the ...
9
votes
3answers
217 views
Running a Norse campaign
I am about to start running a Norse themed Pathfinder campaign set around 800 AD, most likely in Norway. I am looking for ways to make the characters feel as though they are part of the culture of the ...
7
votes
3answers
926 views
Does casting a spell require a check to succeed?
If my character is a spell caster, and he is not wearing any armor, is there any chance to fail casting the spell? I'm wondering specifically about normal circumstances: There is nobody who can attack ...
6
votes
1answer
337 views
Pathfinder: Craft as class skill
Suppose I'm playing a character with Craft as a class skill. I put 1 rank in it, select Weaponsmith to fit my background and end up with Craft (Weapons) +4. Now, if I later decide I want to be able to ...
25
votes
8answers
4k views
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 ...
7
votes
2answers
812 views
How to optimize a bard's ability with a bow in Pathfinder?
Specifically, the question would be for a halfling bard whose main combat role I want to have is ranged with the bow—as no one else seems to be taking any interest there. More interested in accuracy ...
22
votes
7answers
617 views
How can a GM justify changing a player's alignment?
Lately, in one of my campaigns, I've been having problems with a character who everyone agrees is acting out of alignment. Everyone, that is, but him. The problem, of course, is that he's playing a ...
6
votes
1answer
112 views
Does armor still apply double the penalty to Swim in Pathfinder?
I can't find anywhere that you take double the penalty for swim checks when wearing full armor. Does it apply in Pathfinder?
9
votes
6answers
549 views
What do the Alchemist's bombs look like?
What do bombs crafted by Pathfinder's Alchemists actually look like? I was trying to figure this out for a magic item I wanted to create, something that'd be involved in the bombs' creation - e.g. a ...
8
votes
2answers
944 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 ...
17
votes
6answers
364 views
Good Mutiny Rules?
I am currently GMing a pirate game (running since 2009) where the PCs have become the command crew of a pirate ship. Their crew is they typical mix of pirates from other ships they've overcome (join ...
7
votes
6answers
324 views
How many people can use Aid Another to help on a craft check?
In one of my games, I allowed someone to take the Leadership feat, but with the restriction that his followers (Cohort included) can't participate in combat, and that all of them (excluding Cohort) ...
6
votes
1answer
110 views
Which spells may I purchase for a PFS party member?
In Pathfinder Society, players aren't generally allowed to provide permanent help to other players. However, there is a note in the Guide to PFS Organized Play which says players may share gold for ...
8
votes
2answers
1k views
What's an optimum build for a set-up character for Pathfinder Society character?
My wife plays a barbarian in Pathfinder Society that does massive amounts of damage when she is able to use Cleave. I decided to build a character that would reposition foes for her to cleave.
What's ...
8
votes
5answers
681 views
Character good for underwater environments?
What would be the best character to make for sub-sea and island-hopping adventuring? This would be a newly-rolled level 5 Pathfinder character.
7
votes
5answers
384 views
Is there a way to give animals fine manipulators at low level?
My Pathfinder E6 group has run into a bit of a problem. One of our party members is a wraith camel alchemist, and another is a half-brass dragon giant spider artificer. The wraith camel has ghost ...
5
votes
1answer
713 views
Is there a Paizo official way to improve dispel checks?
I'm currently playing a game of Pathfinder E6 (the level cap is 6, and you can buy feats, skills, and gestalt levels with XP once you hit cap), and I'm looking for ways to improve my ability to dispel ...
1
vote
2answers
251 views
What are some of the denizens of the Shadow Plane? [closed]
Important Note
While I do understand that the DM is ostensibly God in his game. My GM does generally respect most things written in book.
Explanation
I have a character who is connected with the ...
7
votes
7answers
242 views
Working “add-on” powers system for DnD 3.x?
I'm deriving this question from my recent question about Skyrim's Shouts for DnD3.x.
Is there an official or unofficial "add-on" system for DnD3.X (or Pathfinder) that introduces optional, extra ...
6
votes
2answers
269 views
Do penalty modifiers in ranged combat really stack?
The rules state in Pathfinder that if someone is standing in the way of your ranged attack, that opponent gets soft cover, which is +4 AC. On top of this, the ranged attacker takes a -4 penalty to ...
17
votes
9answers
664 views
Any GM headaches or canon reasons not to let resurrected PCs fight their reanimated corpses?
Given that,
a character can be dissolved in acid and resurrected
A body isn't necessary for resurrection.
Also, given that,
a dark cleric/necromancer can raise a dead body to fight
It seems ...
4
votes
1answer
230 views
Can Helpers Retry Spellcraft Magic Item Identification Checks?
The specific case is by identifying magical items with Spellcraft in Pathfinder.
In a group, it is possible instead of making single skill checks that one (generally the one with the higher bonus) ...
1
vote
1answer
148 views
Does the knife master ability stack with prestige classes?
I'm making a villain for a campaign, and he's going to be an assassin/rogue combo. I wanted him to have a bit more bite, though, so I decided to make him a knife master.
Would the sneak stab ability ...
9
votes
4answers
196 views
Changing systems: Player and GM considerations in adapting a campaign from PF to 4e
I am resurrecting a campaign which had been on hold for several months, and considering updating from Pathfinder to 4e (which I have never run before), and juggling the mental calculus that goes into ...
10
votes
1answer
228 views
Can a wizard make an Unarmed Strike?
Obviously, yes, they can. However, is a wizard Proficient with an unarmed strike?
I was writing up a wizard for a campaign, and when I was going over them I noticed that they don't just get simple ...
9
votes
1answer
159 views
How can GMs quickly calculate the effects of level drain?
I've GM'ed a few Pathfinder games, and while I really enjoy the setting, I just can't wrap my head around some of the crunchy mechanics. In particular, how do you (quickly) deal with effects like ...
7
votes
3answers
823 views
Can two-hand weapons be dual-wielded by something with four arms?
I was considering playing a Summoner in my next Pathfinder campaign, and I decided that I wanted my Eidolon to be a a four-armed giant (the character being a Gnome with a height complex).
Well, I ...
11
votes
2answers
317 views
Can a tiger do Kung-Fu?
Other than the sheer absurdity of it (read: real world limitations), is there anything stopping a multiclass Monk/Druid from using flurry of blows while in wild-shape?
8
votes
2answers
1k views
Quick Draw / Quick Sheath Items?
Does the Quick Draw feat allow you to also store the weapon you were wielding as part of the free action? If not, what sort of action is it to 'switch weapons' without dropping one or the other on ...
