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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Differences between D&D 3.5 and Pathfinder
What are some of the rule changes that Pathfinder brings in comparison to D&D 3.5? I am curious what changes were made so I can explain to my group what it has to offer.
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3answers
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Sites for finding online RPG players for a play-by-chat RPG Campaign?
Are there any online sites in which you can look for people that are looking to play in an online play-by-chat RPG Campaign?
I'm thinking of running a Pathfinder campaign for Skype (text only) and I ...
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6answers
1k views
Relationship Mechanics for D&D/Pathfinder?
My Pathfinder/D&D games tend to involve relationships - romantic, friendly, etc. - between PCs and NPCs alike. 3.x only has the Diplomacy mechanic for any kind of relationship mechanic. I'm ...
25
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8answers
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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 ...
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2answers
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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 ...
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Combat rules for large battles
In the later chapters of a future campaign I'm thinking of having a section where the players take charge of parts of an army and fight a larger battle. I don't want to hand-wave the strategy, I want ...
19
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8answers
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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 ...
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1answer
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Several damage reduction clarifications for pathfinder
There are a few bits about damage reduction that I'm unclear on in pathfinder, specifically...
Easy one first; Do cold iron/silver weapons equivalent (+3) count as magic for purposes of ignoring DR? ...
12
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2answers
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How do I help my players get more engaged in the story?
I play in a group where we routinely switch out GMs. When I GM I tend to prefer story-based games with lots of character building and descriptive role play. We tend to run Paizo's Adventure Paths ...
12
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4answers
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Can a character take free action out of her turn?
Free actionsD20PFSRD in Pathfinder take almost no time. But can they be performed outside of one's turn or in response to some trigger?
Scenario 1: Can a Barbarian enter rage in response to taking ...
7
votes
2answers
351 views
Balancing a party of mixed CR monster characters
The pathfinder rules skim a little over the idea of adding a monster to a party** and only say that a group of monster PC's should all have the same CR; this is somewhat harder to achieve in practice ...
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7answers
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Should one buy the Pathfinder book when the content is available for free on d20pfsrd.com?
Does the Pathfinder core rulebook contain any information that is not included already on www.d20pfsrd.com that would make it worth it to buy the PDF version of the manual? Or does it only have extra ...
17
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1answer
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How do favored classes work in Pathfinder?
I'm working on creating a half-elf paladin character for a Pathfinder game. Full disclosure: this is the first time I've tried creating a character; I've used ones other people created before. In ...
9
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5answers
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Is a Fighter/Wizard/Thief viable in Pathfinder?
I'm looking for a decent build for a Fighter/Wizard/Thief in Pathfinder. The goal is to have a "jack of all trades" PC.
I'd like to enhance these aspect if possible:
Fighter: melee dps
Wizard: ...
5
votes
3answers
969 views
How to roll perception checks for characters who aren't actively looking?
This applies to all d20 systems, but with an example from the from the Pathfinder PRD (emphasis mine):
Stonecunning: Dwarves receive a +2 bonus on Perception checks to potentially notice unusual ...
9
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2answers
645 views
Creatively targeting summoning spells
Me and my party have a plan in our upcoming session, that will need some clarifications on how summoning spells can be used.
Its all about creative targeting with the Summon Monster I spell, let me ...
4
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2answers
142 views
Can a 'Blade Barrier' turn?
The Blade Barrier spell can be a Wall or a Ring without stating if the Wall has to be a straight line. Can the Wall have a curve or a turn in it?
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20answers
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Beyond hit points: injury in D&D
I'm interested in adding a touch of realism to combat in D&D 3.5 or Pathfinder. Hit points are a very simple way of measuring injury and stamina, that contributes to the "hit things first, ask ...
31
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8answers
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How do I play a paladin without being a stick in the mud?
What are some tips for/examples of an epitome-of-good type paladin who does not disrupt the 'sinful' fun of the rest of the group?
As an example of the type of paladin I'm talking about, one of the ...
26
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6answers
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Techniques for making high level D&D play more manageable?
Many people complain about high level D&D 3.x play. It can become less enjoyable for both players and GMs because of the huge nest of rules and complexity required for every character, the prep ...
11
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5answers
409 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 ...
26
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5answers
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What makes grease a good spell?
I often see people list grease as good go-to 1st level spell. Why is this?
The spell description lists 3 of its uses: forcing saves and slows movement of enemies, disarming enemies, and preventing ...
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3answers
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What are the major differences between Pathfinder and D&D 4e?
I'm really only familiar with D&D 4e. Could someone give me a rundown of the major things that would be different if I were to DM Pathfinder? (I gather it is more similar to 3.5e, but I only know ...
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5answers
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How to reduce minis dependence in d20-based games?
In Pathfinder and similar versions of D&D, there is a lot more miniatures/tactical map dependence than in earlier versions (and in most other RPGs). I am interested in reducing the dependence on ...
12
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1answer
301 views
What percentage of the population is magical in Pathfinder's world of Golarion?
This is kind of a variant of this medieval + magical question. However, I'm looking for any specific rules regarding the basic math around spells and the availability of magic users.
Pathfinder's ...
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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 ...
8
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1answer
563 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 ...
6
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2answers
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High Level (16-20) Adventures
My party is currently working their way through Castle Whiterock. It's designed to run a D&D 3.5 party from 1st to 15th. We're playing it using Pathfinder rules and are part-way through level 9 ...
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2answers
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Optimal Focused Fighter Builds in Pathfinder
Using just the core rulebook and the advanced player's guide, what would be an optimal build for a fighter using 25 points for point-buy character generation? Assume it's a level 10 fighter intended ...
11
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4answers
397 views
Is there a working adaptation of Skyrim's Dragon Shouts to DnD3.x?
I wonder if there's a well designed and tested, working - and, of course, unofficial (?) - adaptation of Skyrim's Dragon Shouts (Thu'um) to DnD 3.x (or possibly Pathfinder)?
If not, how would you ...
10
votes
1answer
8k views
How should I build my Oracle character?
I have been playing table-top for about 13 years now. I am most experienced with the World of Darkness games and system and have a passing acquaintance with D&D 4.0. My group and I have only ...
7
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5answers
390 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 ...
15
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5answers
722 views
Covertly casting a spell
This question about Charm Person got me musing about a problem with the spell. Obviously, you can't cast Charm Person in the middle of a forum to sway an interlocutor to your side without the other 20 ...
14
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1answer
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What can I do in one round?
I'm still little confused about actions in Pathfinder. There are standard actions, move actions, full round actions, free actions, etc. I need to know which combinations of these actions I can use in ...
14
votes
4answers
600 views
Why do Spell-Like Abilities provoke attacks of opportunity?
Both in D&D 3.5 and Pathfinder, Spell-Like Abilities are described as having "no verbal, somatic, focus, or material components." In both systems, however, activating them as a standard action ...
13
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5answers
427 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
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4answers
436 views
Which skill is more suitable for provoking someone?
If a character wants to provoke some sort of reaction (be it anger, or even just breaking his self-imposed silence) by talking to another [player] character; which skill is best suited for a skill ...
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2answers
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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 ...
9
votes
4answers
229 views
Does a ring of feather falling work for any height?
Triggered by This Question
A ring of feather falling:
This ring is crafted with a feather pattern all around its edge. It
acts exactly like a feather fall spell, activated immediately if the
...
8
votes
3answers
166 views
What is a good way to handle a multi-plane adventure?
Any advice for a group/GM that's new to the concept when it comes to adventures across multiple planes? Ways to make the game more fun, issues to avoid, and potential hazards we may come across, both ...
8
votes
7answers
951 views
Is casting the spell Blood Transcription an evil act?
A player of mine in a recent game of Pathfinder was playing a Lawful Neutral Magus and was about to drink blood from a fallen spellcaster to get his prepared spells for the day by using the spell ...
8
votes
1answer
176 views
Can all skills and feats be used in conjunction with Magic Jar?
The spell Magic Jar allows you to possess a nearby creature. The spell states:
If you are successful, your life force occupies the host body, and the
host's life force is imprisoned in the magic ...
6
votes
3answers
247 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
195 views
Order of actions in combat
Is there a specific order in which move / move-equivalent actions and standard actions should occur during a combat round? I know you can take the 5-foot step at the beginning or the end of the turn, ...
4
votes
2answers
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How do multiple natural attacks work?
Okay, I need some clarification. The Pathfinder Core Rules state this about natural attacks:
You do not receive additional natural attacks for a high base attack bonus. Instead, you receive ...
4
votes
1answer
255 views
Magus Maneuvers
Researched and valid magus maneuver:
Cast Touch Spell -> 5 foot step -> Spellstrike with no concentration check
Is this valid:
Cast Touch Spell -> Move action -> Spellstrike with no ...
13
votes
2answers
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If an enemy moves and provokes an opportunity attack, where are they when the AoO happens?
I was surprised to find no mention of this in the Opportunity Attack rules on d20pfsrd or on the Paizo SRD: if an enemy moves from tile A to tile B and provokes an opportunity attack from me in doing ...
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3answers
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Class level vs. Character level vs. “my” level
Forgive me for not being good at game terminology, but there is one concept that I simply have been unable to fully grasp.
I have read the core rulebook, but I am not strong with books in general. (I ...
13
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4answers
709 views
Is a summoned tyrannosaurus overpowered?
I'm running my crew through the last book of the Kingmaker series. The players consist of a paladin, rogue, monk, and oracle. When the oracle leveled up to 14 (CL 7), he gained the ability to Summon ...
13
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2answers
659 views
What is the reason for introducing the rule for Attacks of Opportunity in D&D?
The Attacks of Opportunity are an important part in D&D and spinoffs of the game like Pathfinder. What does this rule for the game-system? How does it affect the fun of the players? Why was this ...
