andystehr's review against another edition
5.0
I like Pathfinder. I think it's done a fine job of improving what D&D 3.5 started. However, I do find some of it to be a bit more fiddly.
wishanem's review against another edition
5.0
When Wizards of the Coast released D&D 4.0 a lot of players found it unpalatable. The influence of video games on the mechanics was evident, and some of the depth and complexity of earlier editions was lost in service to accessibility. Pathfinder was an alternative, a step forward from 3.5 though instead of being a diversion it was clearly in the same direction that 3.5 had been going. Pathfinder provided a lot of solutions to the common complaints about 3.5 (like the grappling rules) and developed the game in a logical direction. In my opinion its greatest feature was that it retained compatibility with 3.5 material, though the older stuff would often be a little underpowered compared to the Pathfinder options so scaling it up a tad might be advisable.
jeminijem's review against another edition
4.0
This really is everything a beginning player would need to create a character or even DM their first pathfinder game.
That said, it's based of the 3.5 version of Dungeons and Dragons so this is slightly complicated but this book breaks down everything nicely if you have a mind for gaming, or just enough patience to work it through. Though I will fault this book for placing some of the information in bizarre places (not in the chapter or place where one would expect) and I've had to use the index to hunt the info down, but it is there!
The art is solid although it's trying to copy Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 a little too much, but to some that might be a plus as they flee from 4.0 and *shudder* Next.
At the end of the day Pathfinder is a solid system with it's own flaws and perks like any other completed d20 system, but this one lends it self to rule bending/ rewriting and is based on d&d 3.5 and "fixing" the problems with that system. Worth a try if Next or whatever system you're running just isn't cutting the mustard anymore.
That said, it's based of the 3.5 version of Dungeons and Dragons so this is slightly complicated but this book breaks down everything nicely if you have a mind for gaming, or just enough patience to work it through. Though I will fault this book for placing some of the information in bizarre places (not in the chapter or place where one would expect) and I've had to use the index to hunt the info down, but it is there!
The art is solid although it's trying to copy Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 a little too much, but to some that might be a plus as they flee from 4.0 and *shudder* Next.
At the end of the day Pathfinder is a solid system with it's own flaws and perks like any other completed d20 system, but this one lends it self to rule bending/ rewriting and is based on d&d 3.5 and "fixing" the problems with that system. Worth a try if Next or whatever system you're running just isn't cutting the mustard anymore.
heregrim's review against another edition
5.0
Currently playing a game in this system and I love it!
crystalisreading's review against another edition
4.0
I can't honestly say I read this cover to cover, especially as I only borrowed it for a week. But the parts I did read were clear, concise, and helpful. I'm looking forward to continuing to learn more about this game. Now if I can just convince my husband to buy me a copy of my own...
marc_lucke's review against another edition
4.0
When I found myself with the possibility of starting up a new game, I decided to take a small gamble and try out Pathfinder, a game I'd read a lot about. Although I'm not generally a fan of such "crunchy" books (HERO Games notwithstanding), I have to say I really enjoyed reading this.
The rules are presented in a clear and concise way, character creation is logical and fairly intuitive, the optional rules add a lot of flavour and the eensemble feels like a balanced, well thought-out approach to fantasy gaming. I'm eager to put these ideas into practice around my table!
The rules are presented in a clear and concise way, character creation is logical and fairly intuitive, the optional rules add a lot of flavour and the eensemble feels like a balanced, well thought-out approach to fantasy gaming. I'm eager to put these ideas into practice around my table!