Pathfinder (2009)

Overview

Pathfinder is a heroic fantasy roleplaying game system with a high amount of character customization and progression, published by Paizo in 2009. It was developed as a response to Wizards of the Coast transitioning the D&D genre to
D&D 4th Edition https://groupfinder.eu/library/dungeons-dragons-4e-2008
, which was seen as a strong deviation from the math-heavy norm from 3.5E. Pathfinder was built using the Open Game License (OGL) to revise and expand upon the beloved 3.5 ruleset.  The system it directly evolved from is
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 Edition
The second edition of the game was released in 2019 as
Pathfinder 2nd Edition https://groupfinder.eu/library/pathfinder-2nd-edition
Description Pathfinder 1e is well known for its "crunch". It relies heavily on strict rules, mechanical variation and math. The system is perfect for players who prefer heavy character optimization and customization, focus on tactical combat encounters and a strong ruleset for almost any situation. Pathfinder is proud of it's complexity and very much focuses on it. Boasting a massive library of  spells, classes, and feats, allows the players to build very mechanically different and unique characters. It is also renowned for its "Adventure Paths": epic, six-part published campaigns that take characters from level 1 to roughly level 20. System Overview & Key Features
The d20 System & Action Economy Like 3.5E, the core engine runs on a d20 roll plus modifiers. On every turn the characters have a set structure to perform their actions. Mechanically separated into Standard, Move and Swift actions.
Archetypes & Deep Customization Instead of relying on complicated "Prestige Classes," Pathfinder 1e popularized "Archetypes." These allow players to swap out base class features for heavily themed alternatives right from level 1. This enables the players an extensive levels of customization when combining with the thousands of available feats to further personalise their unique character concept.
Base Attack Bonus (BAB) Martial prowess is measured by a Base Attack Bonus. As this number grows, martial classes can eventually achieve "iterative attacks," allowing them to attack with their weapons multiple times per their turns, although penalties apply for repeated attempts.
Combat Maneuver Mechanics (CMB/CMD) The system introduced two systems to simplify actions like tripping, grappling or disarming your opponents: Combat Maneuver Bonus and Combat Maneuver Defense. This created a single, reliable formula to use when performing maneuvers against an enemy.
Skill Ranks Instead of a single "Proficiency Bonus" like in modern games, players are given a pool of Skill Points at every level (determined by their class and Intelligence score) to manually distribute across a massive list of skills, allowing for highly granular non-combat abilities.
Lethality and "Crunch" As characters level up, the numbers grow exponentially. This means, that by reaching higher levels of encounters, characters and their opponents are dealing huge amounts of damage, alongside with various magical buffs and spells that could instantly kill a character. Planning and tracking situational modifiers and buffs becomes vital for survival.
Additional links pathfinderwiki.com https://pathfinderwiki.com - Pathfinder Wiki  aonprd.com https://aonprd.com - Archives of Nethys (Official free rules database for PF1e)

Active games and players

PATH1E
Pathfinder 1
Online
Campaign
Iron Gods campaign
Players
5/6
GM
1/1
Pathfinder 1
en English

Iron Gods campaign

Newbie friendly Newbie friendly
Homebrew Homebrew
PF1e tends to be combat focused, lots of teamwork, but there's puzzles, riddles, investigation too. I don't charge money, game time is Fridays at 6pm central. I have been GMing weekly since 1997 or so, cut my gaming teeth on AD&D first ed. I go above and beyond for my players. This campaign is Discord video chat, but we could change time/day if the other players are willing and able. Don't worry about the mechanics, they are a lot easier than most believe, I am a good teacher (or so I have been told repeatedly over decades). I do not use a VTT. Tried. So I draw it out on a wet erase board, and if there's few enemies, I don't bother and keep it in my head (I have the IQ to be able to do so, and then some). NO FURRIES! If you go into this expecting to create your character without regard to the setting or the group composition, you can kiss your entitled butt goodbye. Thought I should mention, no other GM I ever heard of even online has thought to link a campaign to time very consistently. Me, I break it down to years and months, and give the campaign a definite ending and thus a conclusion to the storyline (Vampire the Masquerade). I am THAT relentlessly thorough! Same goes for Pathfinder. Lots of stupid puns and jokes. My campaigns tend to be accidentally lethal, and my NPC's tend to react within the bounds of their Intelligence scores. I poke players into beefing up their defenses in the low levels (in between game sessions), I value intelligence and wisdom in a player. I have no problem with potent PC's, so long as they play well with others and make sense. I tend to be very helpful in between game sessions, giving as much relevant info as possible without spoiling the plot, with less info for veteran players. Quite military friendly, as my NPCs tend to react realistically and tactically. I am extremely good at teaching, not just game mechanics but also tactics, even interaction with fellow players. During game sessions, I play all my NPC's to the hilt, so if they are actively trying to kill your PC, that's how it is. I rarely fudge dice results, when I do it's for drama's sake, trying to make the game exciting and interesting. With Iron Gods you gotta make the characters WITH MY DIRECT ASSISTANCE as I make sure they fit with the group and campaigns, plus I give out extra benefits (like gear). We currently have a single male skinwalker crocodile melee Fighter, a female tiefling Wizard, a female aasimar Cleric, a female storm changeling Gunslinger, a female unchained sylph Rogue. Don't do anything that imposes mental conditions in Iron Gods, lots of robots, undead. I have a giant list of races available, some of which are androgynous, others exclusively male, others exclusively female, all of which are official save for 2 (Sylvan elves and Trollans). I instituted sexual dimorphism attribute modifiers to get players running more female characters, right now for example in Iron Gods we will have 3 female characters, but played by players of either biological sex. Subtract 5 points from Strength for female characters, and add 2 points of Constitution, 2 points of Charisma, and 1 point of Wisdom. Please note that Elves, Drow, Trollans (based on orko from masters of the universe), Gathlain, Ghoran, and Wyrwood are not subject to this ruling, so there is no difference mechanically between male or female characters for them. Interestingly, female characters are mathematically better for Oracles, Clerics (so long as you stay away from melee combat), Sorcerers, Psychics, Mesmerists, Gunslingers, Mediums, basically anyone that doesn’t need a high Strength score, and could use the increased Constitution, Charisma, and a little bit of Wisdom. Yes, there are cheap ways to dramatically increase your carrying limits, I can show you. Skill based classes like the Unchained Rogue and Bard tend to be a mixed result, since a low Strength impacts carrying limits, Climb, Swim, and sometimes Intimidate. Male characters make better warrior types, so Fighters (melee and bows but not crossbows), Paladins, Samurai, Unchained Barbarians, Unchained Monks, Cavaliers, Inquisitors, Rangers tend to be male. Basically it pokes men into running characters that think in a more indirect, feminine way, and women into thinking in a more masculine, direct way by poking them into classes that have the right mindset/tactics. Banned Classes/Races Summoner (and Unchained version), Arcanist, Bloodrager, Brawler, Hunter, Investigator, Shaman, Skald, Slayer, Swashbuckler, Warpriest (this is all of the Advanced Class Guide), Vigilante, Shifter, all mythic paths are banned permanently (broken ruleset). Half-elves, Half-orcs are banned permanently; they are too mechanically similar to humans and don’t make sense genetically. Note that I never allow 3rd party (non Paizo) material (unless I honestly think they are balanced and appropriate but you gotta ask first), and I do not allow material that I don’t have access to personally. I am willing to get new material, however. I am the same way about the Gunslinger (need advanced tech available), Ninja (very culture centric), Samurai (very culture centric), Antipaladin (evil aligned only), Assassin (evil aligned only) classes. For example, we are playing Iron Gods, and you get access to alien guns so the Gunslinger is welcome. I won't run Rise of the Runelords, Carrion Crown, Giantslayer since I already did them.  These are the Pathfinder campaigns I have: Rise of the Runelords, Jade Regent, Shattered Star, Return of the Runelords, Reign of Winter, Mummy's Mask, Iron Gods, Curse of the Crimson Throne, Skull & Shackles, Hell's Rebels, Ruins of Azlant, Carrion Crown, Tyrant's Grasp, Strange Aeons. The difficult campaigns I have access to are Council of Thieves (3.5 have to adjust it), Giantslayer (kinda boring starting book 4 for the GM), Goblin adventure series (very short), Hell's Vengeance (evil aligned PCs), Kingmaker (3.5 have to adjust it), Second Darkness (3.5 have to adjust it). Only a few APs exist that I won't run period.  That’s not even counting the dungeon crawl classics adventure modules. Reign of Winter will let you see 18th level since I tacked on a module at the end, Carrion Crown only 15th, all other PF campaigns 17th. No gestalt classes, nothing outside the list below. Each new campaign, take a different class and role.  These are the Pathfinder classes I use: Warriors: Unchained Barbarian, Unchained Monk (very culture centric, but there are rare outside examples), Paladin, Fighter, Ranger (and possibly Gunslinger if I run Iron Gods or Reign of Winter, Samurai if running Jade Regent), Cavalier Skill Monkeys: Bard, Ranger, Unchained Rogue, possibly Ninja if running Jade Regent Divine casters: Druid, Cleric, Oracle, Inquisitor Arcane casters: Sorcerer, Wizard, Witch, Alchemist, Magus Psychics: Kineticist, Medium, Mesmerist, Occultist, Psychic, Spiritualist No politics of any kind: right, left, sexuality, real world religions, excessive feminism/whatever etc not allowed, if you have a need to make a fuss about that, you will be kicked out (all sorts tend to be in my groups). It's perfectly fine to have those views, but don't bring them to the game (this is meant to be fun, social, intellectually challenging). If you have major psych problems that get in the way of simple social interaction (explosive outbursts etc) don't contact me. I eventually ask for telephone number just in case of you not showing up to game and you didn't tell me otherwise. It's for emergency stuff, like if someone gets sick or something and I gotta cancel the game. I do care about my players! And yes, I am meticulous about not calling for funsies.  listen, I have some rules for players. 1 Give me warning 24 hours before the game if you are gonna cancel. I need the time to tell the others and cancel the game if I don't have enough people to play. This is non negotiable! 2 Play well with others. If you are too disruptive, I will boot you after several warnings. 3 Take a different role each new campaign. Try new things! 4 You have to show up to play 75% of the time. If you cancel too many times, there's no point to having you in the group. 5 Sometimes you will be required to take a role you don't really want because the rest of the group made their picks already. If this happens, the next campaign I will make sure you get first pick as to your role/class. 6 If you have to make sacrifices for the group, like blowing feats on item crafting etc, I will try to send good things your way. Teamwork is important.

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PATH1E
Pathfinder 1
Online
Campaign
Looking to go through a pf1e ap
Players
1/6
GM
0/1
Pathfinder 1
en English

Looking to go through a pf1e ap

No paid games No paid games
Hi I been playing pathfinder for quite a while now hoping to go through a ap i got a few in mind but will play any im good to play anytime after 630 pm est on both weekdays and weekends and can use about any vtt hope to hear from someone

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PATH1E
Pathfinder 1
Online
Campaign
Granderhill: Into the shadowlands
Players
4/8
GM
1/1
Pathfinder 1
en English

Granderhill: Into the shadowlands

Play by post Play by post
LGBTQ+ friendly LGBTQ+ friendly
You are part of the world Grandherhill at this time is the day of the prophecy of three, as the demon King Narlyx has escaped the demon crypt and enter the world. He has places faithful companions, witches warlocks and other creatures of darkness across the land taking over piece by piece. He has actually captured you and placed you in custody of the mayor of pennytown of Holloe Woods. There you are blindfooted and shackled and placed into a cell where you have no clue where you are.  This is a first edition Pathfinder game and which Pathfinder rules apply. Character creation is up to how you want it to be done as long as it's first edition Pathfinder. You can create your own race or pick a humanoid creature from the beastiaries as long as you create the race itself using the generator. For more questions on building your race please DM me.  Seeking up to no more than eight players we will be playing in telegram. Group plays will be 11:00 AM Central Chicago Time on Tuesday and Saturdays. Free posting through the week for individual missions and downtimes. This is a texting campaign. Commitment is key. If not committed please do not join.

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New
Posted 32 minutes ago
en English
DND5E
Dungeons & Dragons 5E
DND5.5E
Dungeons & Dragons 5.5E (2024)
...
Online
William
Hey all! Looking for a group to join. I'm Blake. I've been getting into CRPGs like Baldur's Gate, which got me hooked on the D&D ruleset and world — now looking to bring that to the tabletop(New Player) What I'm looking for: A steady group with a regular session cadence Open to any edition (5e preferred, but flexible) Happy to play whatever role/class the party needs I lean toward tactical, thoughtful characters — enjoy planning out a fight as much as playing it out. Easygoing, shows up prepared, good with both roleplay-heavy and combat-heavy sessions. Feel free to reach out if you've got an opening!
en English
PATH1E
Pathfinder 1
Online
sky
names skylar or sky either is fine 34 been playing ttrpgs for almost a decade now looking to get back into pathfinder havent played in a while hope to hear from someone
New
Posted 22 hours ago
en English
BitD
Blades in the Dark
CoC
Call of Cthulhu
...
Online
Izzy
I'm Izzy. 28. They/it.  I have over 10 years of experience in the tabletop space. On/off over the years with playing as finding groups that stay together takes time.  I have played in 2 completed 5e dnd campaigns that lasted over 2 years separately. Rime of the Frostmaiden & a homebrew Strahd campaign.  I will happily play in 5e & 5.5e games, though I have had an increased interest in p2fe/p2fre!  Tabletop games i have liked and played, would play again: 5e, pf2e, Vampire the Masquerade, Monster of the Week, Monsterhearts, Wanderhome, Call of Cthulhu  Tabletops I have not played but would be interested in: Blades in the Dark, Scum and Villainy, other Powered by the Apocalypse games or Forged in the Dark games, pf1e, Werewolf the Apocalypse, other World of Darkness games, Cyberpunk Red, etc etc My main goal as a player is to be a group player, to be someone that is wholly on the team with the other players! I love the collaborative nature of tabletop most, and why I always hold myself to be flexible and prioritize everyone's enjoyment and keep the table flowing! My characrer ideas are always many, but playing a characrer to the T is not a priority in the sense; that if it disrupts the flow and story of the table or conflicts wirh the group? Then I scrap that idea or develop the character different to mesh better!

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