is pathfinder 3.5?

[grahammaddux]

What I was wondering if pathfinder is for all intents and purpose`s 3.5 ed.? and if it is is there any differences.

[Mongobear]

Technically--No, it is it's own seperate rules system.

However, It does use the same rules chassis as 3.5 did, and was given another revision of the base rules, which cleaned up and fixed many inconsistencies and/or loopholes as well as made many of the classes more interesting, and fun instead of just being endless levels of nothing. I like to explain it to people as D&D 3.75, or 3.5.2. which effectively just means its a second revision of the base 3.0 rules that it was all based upon.

The biggest differences is the plethora of new abilities that each class gets, which makes something even as basic as a fighter infinitely customizable and able to do many things depending on build. And they also cleaned up the rules for stuff like Bull Rush, Trips, Grapples and other similar combat actions. Its a lot less mathy, and is just a flat DC instead of two opposed rolls, with tons of random extra modifiers and things to wade through.

If you know how to play 3.5, all it takes is 10-15 minutes to read the few minor changes and you will be fine with PF.

[Jeraa]

Pathfinder is similar to 3.5 in the way that 3.5 is similar to 3.0. It builds off of 3.5, but in the end is a different thing.

Pathfinder makes some big changes to 3.5, as well as a multitude of small minor changes (not all of them intentional). Races received changes. Every core class was modified. Some skills were combined (hide + move silently = Stealth) and some removed (Concentration isn't a skill anymore) in addition to the skill system itself receiving changes. Many feats changed as well as some new ones being added. A lot of spells changed.

[grahammaddux]

is there a change log? so you can easily convert

[Jeraa]

is there a change log? so you can easily convert

There is the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Conversion Guide (http://paizo.com/products/btpy89m6?Pathfinder-Roleplaying-Game-Conversion-Guide). But that doesn't include everything.

What are some things about the Pathfinder rules that you think most people do not know? (http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2mcmk?What-are-some-things-about-the-Pathfinder#1) That can help.

Pathfinder has an SRD so you can seethe rules for yourself. Pathfinder PRD (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/)

[Umberhulk]

You just need to read the Core Rule Book. There is no fully comprehensible list, but in case you're curious I feel that every one of the game-wide changes was a positive change. It you were familiar with 3.5, then you will have no problems moving into Pathfinder. But pay close attention, because there are changes that players are still finding even after years of playing PF.

[Lord of Shadows]

Cleric Domains are also different: 3.x domains have one "special ability" each and a list of spells. Pathfinder domains have two special abilities, one at 1st level and the other at either 6th or 8th level. The spell lists are a little different. Pathfinder also introduced the clerical ability "Channel Energy," which allows a cleric a burst of energy a number of times/day that can heal, hurt, and other things. Clerics no longer have Turn Undead, in PFRPG that is now a Feat.

There is a PFRPG SRD here (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/home) and a default campaign setting (Golarion) Wiki here (http://pathfinder.wikia.com/wiki/Golariopedia).
.

[Red Fel]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned it, but this very forum has an excellent handbook (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?136890-The-3-5-Pathfinder-Handbook) explaining what has changed between 3.5 and PF, including races, feats, skills, combat maneuvers, and some in-depth look at classes.

[Lord of Shadows]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned it, but this very forum has an excellent handbook (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?136890-The-3-5-Pathfinder-Handbook) explaining what has changed between 3.5 and PF, including races, feats, skills, combat maneuvers, and some in-depth look at classes.

Yes, read that. What Red Fel said. All in one place and organized nicely.
.

[danzibr]

I second thinking of PF as 3.75.

[Mr.Moron]

The classes are put together differently and a few of the details are different but beyond that they're very much similar. Ones a yellow lab, the other a golden retriever. Yeah they've got their differences but in the end they're both blonde dogs.

[Grod_The_Giant]

To paraphrase xkcd (https://xkcd.com/918/):
"What is it?"
"Not 3.5!"
"What's it like?"
"3.5!"

It's 3.5 with someone's houserules, a different set of options, and a really nice SRD. None of the rules changes are big enough to actually affect anything; the classes are marginally better, the feats marginally worse. It's basically playing 3.5 with a different set of sourcebooks.

[Pluto!]

Yes.

They're the same system with the same features and problems.

Enough details change that you'll occasionally need to tweak something when mixing system sourcebooks, but not enough details that the changes won't be obvious. (eg. a 3.5 prestige class that requires 8 ranks in spot and listen would require 5 ranks of perception in PF or vis versa).

[Elricaltovilla]

I'm going to voice a minority opinion here and say that no, pathfinder is not 3.5. The best analogy I can give is that Pathfinder is like chocolate ice cream and 3.5 is like vanilla ice cream.

So your question is: Is Chocolate ice cream vanilla ice cream?

The answer is no. They're both ice cream (a d20 system), and they mix well together, but they're different and Pathfinder has been (slowly) growing apart from 3.5 as time has gone on. There are some differences in design philosophy, mechanics and thematics that, while individually small, add up to make Pathfinder different enough from 3.5 that it deserves recognition as a distinct system.

That doesn't mean you can't mix them and get something delicious. Especially if you add some Strawberry ice cream (good 3rd party materials), chocolate syrup (fun homebrew) and whipped cream (good friends). :smallsmile:

[Psyren]

I'm going to voice a minority opinion here and say that no, pathfinder is not 3.5. The best analogy I can give is that Pathfinder is like chocolate ice cream and 3.5 is like vanilla ice cream.

So your question is: Is Chocolate ice cream vanilla ice cream?

The answer is no. They're both ice cream (a d20 system), and they mix well together, but they're different and Pathfinder has been (slowly) growing apart from 3.5 as time has gone on. There are some differences in design philosophy, mechanics and thematics that, while individually small, add up to make Pathfinder different enough from 3.5 that it deserves recognition as a distinct system.

That doesn't mean you can't mix them and get something delicious. Especially if you add some Strawberry ice cream (good 3rd party materials), chocolate syrup (fun homebrew) and whipped cream (good friends). :smallsmile:

I got fat just reading that :smallbiggrin: