Author Topic: Pathfinder info  (Read 9085 times)

jbkilroy

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Pathfinder info
« on: March 30, 2013, 08:05:45 PM »
Basically, anything players should know about the way Pathfinder works when it differs from 3.5 will go here.  For PC classes, the rule of thumb is that your number of class abilities go up, and sometimes you get an option to choose between two 'sub-classes' rather than being forced down a single path.  This works the same way that a 3.5 ranger specializes in ranged or 2-weapon fighting.

The paths are:

Paladin-Can either have a bond with a magic mount or one with a magic weapon
Wizard-Can either have a familiar or a bonded magic item (you cast a spell 'into' the item and can use the item to cast it later without memorizing it)
Sorcerer-Chooses a 'bloodline' that gives various powers when you level (they can only have a familiar with the arcane bloodline, it is no longer a default class ability)
Ranger-Either gets an animal companion or can share their bonuses with party members (this is in addition to the ranged/2-weapon choice)
Cleric-Chooses a domain that gives special abilities/bonuses in additional to extra spells; domain choices are limited by deity same as 3.5  If anyone wants to be a cleric let me know your alignment and I can give you descriptions of possible deities.
Druid-Can either have an animal companion or can choose certain cleric domains
Barbarian-Chooses different effects that apply only when they rage
Wizard-Chooses a spell school to specialize in for special abilities (or the 'universalist' school for non-specialists)

Your favored class is the class you start as, regardless of race.  Every time you take another level in that class you can get +1 hit point, +1 skill point or a bonus dependent on your race/class combination.  These are from the advanced race guide but I am allowing them because they help flesh out a character and make them more unique.  There are too many to just list here but if you tell me the combination you are interested in I will let you know.

Lastly, skill points.  You always get 1 rank whenever you spend a skill point: half ranks for cross-class skills no longer exist.  However, you have a +3 bonus in any class skill so long as you spent at least 1 point in it.  Your ranks in a skill cannot exceed your level.
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Guu

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Re: Pathfinder info
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2013, 09:58:53 PM »
Looks like quite a few of them are on this cheaty link:

http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/advanced/advancedRaces.html

I'm starting to think you can get MOST of pathfinder online if you just tool around...must be that the fans choose to support it for the bitchin' production quality and the love.

jbkilroy

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Re: Pathfinder info
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2013, 11:20:55 PM »
Well there you go.  Any additional resources are always good. 

That website doesn't list all of the possible combinations.  Every PHB class and race has an optional bonus.  Let me know if the one you wanted to know about isn't listed here.

Also, if you're a human there are different 'races' you can pick from if you want.  They don't change any of your stats, but add additional RP options.
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jbkilroy

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Re: Pathfinder info
« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2013, 07:38:20 PM »
OK, so the setting for the campaign will be the nation of Lastwall, part of Pathfinder's default Inner Sea world.  Lastwall is bordered by the Orc nation of Belkzen to the Northwest and the fractured scheming nation of Ustalav to the Northeast.  Lastwall is also responsible for guarding Gallowspire, the haunted tomb of the Lich Tar-Baphon, 'The Whispering Tyrant' who ruled the region for centuries before being defeated by an army of crusaders.

The government of Lastwall is a LG military dictatorship that takes security very seriously.  The party consists of individuals believed to have great potential by Lastwall's leadership.  By sending you guys on missions, it is hoped that you will evolve into an elite unit capable of taking independent action anywhere in Lastwall's sphere of influence should a crisis arise.  Whether is ends up being the case is anyone's guess.

In this campaign orcs and undead will feature as prominent antagonists.  Most adventuring will be in the countryside or in various caves/ruins: since the populace is very law-abiding there will be little action in urban settings.  There will be various RP/diplomatic options available, so don't ignore non-combat skills.

While in Lastwall, NPCs will be wary of CG PCs and distrustful of N/CN ones.  In the Inner Sea setting in general, NPCs give considerable weight to the deity you worship, especially if you openly display their holy symbol (whether you are a divine class or not).  Unfortunately I do not see the deity list on that website, so if you don't have access to a Pathfinder book let me know what you are looking for and I will list the possibilities for you.
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Guu

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Re: Pathfinder info
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2013, 09:58:43 PM »
I like fighting undead.  Usually.

Pretty good campaign info.  Does everyone need to worship a deity?

jbkilroy

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Re: Pathfinder info
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2013, 10:56:32 PM »
Most people do, since deities are more active in this setting than DnD.  3 of the current ones are actually formerly mortals (as was Aroden, the world's most popular god before he... died somehow a few centuries ago).

If you find one's temple and restore it, they might bless you.  If you find one and desecrate it, they WILL find you...  :)
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Thomas callahan

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Re: Pathfinder info
« Reply #6 on: April 03, 2013, 12:49:10 AM »
hmmm still dont know if i want animal companion or help group with skills as a ranger. they seem both to be good
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jbkilroy

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Re: Pathfinder info
« Reply #7 on: April 03, 2013, 01:13:03 PM »
I don't have the book in front of me, but I believe a ranger doesn't have to make that choice until 4th level, so you'll have some time to think about it.
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Guu

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Re: Pathfinder info
« Reply #8 on: April 03, 2013, 05:49:17 PM »
I'm going to be a buffing/support wizard most likely, so the animal companion may give you some more unique options.

I really enjoyed my druid's bear in any case.

jbkilroy

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Re: Pathfinder info
« Reply #9 on: April 03, 2013, 06:02:28 PM »
As a wizard are you going for the 'bound magic item' or the familiar?

It would be funny if the wizard had a cat and the ranger had a tiger or something similar.
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Skarsnik123

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Re: Pathfinder info
« Reply #10 on: April 04, 2013, 03:15:39 PM »
hey i am planning on playing a dwarf cleric of Gorum with emphasis on close combat.  Probably war and/or destruction domains. I appreciate any input.  Stats will be posted within a week rick.

jbkilroy

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Re: Pathfinder info
« Reply #11 on: April 04, 2013, 06:05:06 PM »
Gorum is the chaotic neutral god of impulsive violence.  He is much more likely to be worshipped by orcs than dwarves.  No one in Lastwall would stop staring at you until you were out of sight, much less send you out on quests. 

I'm going to have to veto that choice.  Please come up with something less provocative. 

In Pathfinder, clerics do not get heavy armor proficiency by default but are automatically proficient in their god's favored weapon (if that helps).
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Guu

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Re: Pathfinder info
« Reply #12 on: April 04, 2013, 10:57:03 PM »
As a wizard are you going for the 'bound magic item' or the familiar?

It would be funny if the wizard had a cat and the ranger had a tiger or something similar.

I'm choosing familiar and plan to start the game with a raven.

A raven that speaks common!

No one in Lastwall would stop staring at you until you were out of sight, much less send you out on quests.

It's a military dictatorship!

jbkilroy

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Re: Pathfinder info
« Reply #13 on: April 04, 2013, 11:01:55 PM »
Why pick common?  Why not a really bizarre language?
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Skarsnik123

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Re: Pathfinder info
« Reply #14 on: April 05, 2013, 05:42:35 PM »
no prob rick ill come up with something else