Pathfinder

Pathfinder is developed by Paizo and is a kind of spinoff from Dungeons & Dragons - it started as an expansion but later got its own rulebook, still based on the early Dungeons & Dragons releases. The people behind Pathfinder emphasize that it should be fun to play the same class for 20 consecutive levels if desired. To start playing Pathfinder, you only need: Pathfinder Core Rule Book and a set of dice. If you want to be a Dungeon Master, you can find everything from GM screens, battle maps, and monster books here. If you want to learn more about the game and how it differs from Dungeons and Dragons, you can read more below.

HeaderMore about PathfinderBlockText2

In Pathfinder, players create their own characters, who together embark on adventures in the game world: Golarion. Here they participate in a narrative created by the game's Dungeon Master, who manages the world around them and challenges them with exciting villains and monsters. On their journey, players become more skilled and gain more experience, which is measured in XP. The game takes place as a kind of verbally improvised drama. Most parts of the game rely solely on the players' and Dungeon Master's imagination, but many also choose to use a game board and miniatures to represent their characters when it's time for a combat sequence. It's important to remember in role-playing games like this, that the Dungeon Master and players are not against each other, but work together to create an exciting narrative and a fun game.

Why choose Pathfinder over D&D? There can be many reasons, but often players who want a slightly deeper rule system and more options when creating their characters will find themselves more comfortable with Pathfinder. Pathfinder also allows for playing slightly different types of characters than D&D, including alchemists - inventive individuals who quickly mix explosive chemicals enhanced with magic, which they can throw at the enemy - or gunslingers - shooters who use various pistols to damage the enemy from a distance. Pathfinder also uses so-called Feats to a greater extent than D&D: Special abilities that give your character access to new options in the game. Every other time a character levels up, they gain access to new feats, which help specialize their character and can be combined in tons of ways.

The game uses a scaling proficiency system, meaning that players gradually get better at performing various tasks as the player improves. Proficiency is divided into: untrained, trained, expert, master, and legend. Each of these levels increases the bonus that the player can add to a given dice roll by +2. This is extremely satisfying, as monsters and other opponents, which were almost insurmountable before, slowly become easier and easier to defeat. The game also works with degrees of success when rolling dice. If you roll more than 10 over or under the desired result with the dice, it is considered a critical success or failure. This helps players and the Dungeon Master determine the consequences of the players' actions.

Pathfinder uses a 3 actions combat system, where each player can use 3 actions on their turn in the combat sequences. These 3 actions can be used for anything from moving around the battlefield, casting spells, striking with their weapon, or using other special abilities. Some abilities and spells cost more than one action, which makes the combat sequences much more varied. This also gives the dungeon master a great opportunity to create dynamic combat scenarios and allows tactical players to think ahead and use the terrain to their advantage or coordinate with their fellow players.