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Pathfinder RPG (3/20/08)
RPG supplement publisher extraordinaire
Paizo has decided to continue under the 3.5e rules with its upcoming Pathfinder RPG, which is basically a tuned 3.5e mod. The Alpha Playtest rules are available as a free .pdf download. The writing, art, and layout is very well
done: Paizo is certainly putting a lot of effort into first impressions.Some 3.5e elements
have completely gotten the axe (Use Rope) while others are simplified (love the new Grapple rules). However, there are
some places where I wonder what event triggered an odd design decision. There is now a Flying skill, complete with rules
to complicate make things more realistic for the rare characters that have the means to do so.Also, one of the additions to make playing a basic Fighter more palatable past 5th level is to
have them able to train in a certain weapon multiple times as they level up, gaining a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls
with each training. That buffs them up stat-wise, but it really doesn't seem to make for the interesting decisions
weapon-based feats of other classes gain access to. Training in an axe doesn't offer a different play experience
than training in a sword, for instance. It's just another +1 bonus to your endless attack rolls every turn.Of course, everything is still very much on the table at this point. The final release of the
Pathfinder RPG is due out in 2009, so who knows? Paizo has released the alpha build to gather as much feedback
as possible, a wise move to further solidify their customer base before D&D 4e hits in June.
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