Grand Arbiter
2016-10-03, 10:00 PM
I just put my hat in the ring for an all-Pathfinder play by post game, and I'm looking for help/advice...
I've read Saph's 3.5/Pathfinder Handbook (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?136890-The-3-5-Pathfinder-Handbook). Are there any other important differences I should know about that weren't mentioned?
The relevant Big 16:
1. What game system are you running (D&D, Call of Cthulu, Palladium, GURPS, etc.), and if applicable what edition (Original, Classic, Revised, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 10th, etc.)?
Pathfinder RPG.
2. What 'type' or variant of game will it be (i.e. "Shadow Chasers" or "Agents of Psi" for d20 Modern)? What is the setting for the game (eg. historic period, published or homebrewed campaign setting, alternate reality, modern world, etc.)?
Golarion setting.
3. How many Players are you looking for? Will you be taking alternates, and if so, how many?
4-6, alternates if necessary.
4. What's the gaming medium (OOTS, chat, e-mail etc.)?
GiantITP forum.
5. What is the characters' starting status (i.e. experience level)?
Level 5.
6. How much gold or other starting funds will the characters begin with?
Standard WBL.
7. Are there any particular character classes, professions, orders, etc. that you want... or do not want? What are your rules on 'prestige' and/or homebrewed classes?
Arcanist is banned. Summoner must use unchained variant. Gunslinger must use bolt ace. Prestige classes are generally fine.
8. What races, subraces, species, etc. are allowed for your game? Will you allow homebrewed races or species? 'Prestige' races or species?
Core, featured, and uncommon races are fine. Other races may be allowed; ask first.
9. By what method should Players generate their attributes/ability scores and Hit Points?
20 point buy. HP is max at first level, average thereafter.
10. Does your game use alignment? What are your restrictions, if so?
Alignment is in use, but be aware that creatures may not match the alignment listed in the book. All alignments are allowed for PCs, but try to be a decent team player about it; your character has to be able to work in a group well enough to have been kept around this long, after all. Alignment restrictions for classes may be loosened if you can come up with a good justification for it.
11. Do you allow multi-classing, or have any particular rules in regards to it?
Multiclassing is fine. Partial BAB is in use, partial saves are not.
12. Will you be doing all of the die rolling during the course of the game? Will die rolls be altered, or left to the honor system? If players can make die rolls, which ones do they make, how should they make the rolls, and how should they report them?
Generally you can roll your own with the forum die roller. I may roll passive and secret checks for you.
13. Are there any homebrewed or optional/variant rules that your Players should know about? If so, list and explain them, or provide relevant links to learn about these new rules.
Background skills are in use.
Characters take two traits, or three traits and a drawback.
Leadership and Sacred Geometry are banned.
Magic item crafting is banned. If you would get an item crafting feat as a class feature, we can work out a suitable replacement feat.
Initiative is semi-block. All characters roll initiative and are divided into three groups: PCs that rolled higher than the average of NPC rolls, NPCs, and PCs that rolled lower than NPCs. Turn order is then: higher PCs, NPCs, all PCs, NPCs, etc. Within this block PCs can act in any order.
14. Is a character background required? If so, how big? Are you looking for anything in particular (i.e. the backgrounds all ending up with the characters in the same city)?
Some background is required; the length is up to you. Make it as long as you feel you need to convey the character. Your background should end up with you in the caravan described in this post.
15. Does your game involve a lot of hack & slash, puzzle solving, roleplaying, or a combination of the above?
All three, with the exact makeup largely depending on your choices. Also, keep in mind that attrition and resource management are notable focuses of the game; you are not guaranteed to be able to find a safe place to rest when you want one.
16. Are your Players restricted to particular rulebooks and supplements, or will you be allowing access to non-standard material? What sources can Players use for their characters?
First-party material is generally fine. Path of War and PoW: Expanded are allowed, but with the understanding that I am not fond of the system and your character will need to impress me to make up for that. I may also implement an attrition mechanic of some kind if I find that PoW's infinite refresh is becoming problematic. Other third-party sources may be considered, ask before you use them. DSP's Psionics rules and Spheres of Power are specifically banned, so don't bother asking about those.
1) Anything special I should know about Golarion as a campaign world?
2) One of the character ideas I have in mind is a clockwork spellcaster/sage. Old, having existed for years and still ticking (pun intended). A worldy old codger, if that makes sense. I'm trying to find good class/race ideas.
-As far as races go, I've found the Ironborn (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/3rd-party-races/rite-publishing/ironborn) and Gearforged (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/3rd-party-races/kobold-press/gearforged). Both are still pending DM approval. Any other construct races?
-Is Gearforged a template race like Dragonborn and Necropolitan from 3.5?
-I was thinking Diviner or Abjurer specialist wizard, or an arcane bloodline sorcerer. Any other class ideas that fit my concept?
3)What is partial BAB?
[I found, read, & understand background skills]
4)How does the two traits thing work?
-With half-elves (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/core-races/half-elf) as an example, does it mean I'd need to choose any two from among these?
Defense Racial Traits
Elven Immunities: Half-elves are immune to magic sleep effects and gain a +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells and effects.
Feat and Skill Racial Traits
Adaptability: Half-elves receive Skill Focus as a bonus feat at 1st level.
Keen Senses: Half-elves receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception checks.
Senses Racial Traits
Low-Light Vision: Half-elves can see twice as far as humans in conditions of dim light.
Other Racial Traits
Elf Blood: Half-elves count as both elves and humans for any effect related to race.
Multitalented: Half-elves choose two favored classes at first level and gain +1 hit point or +1 skill point whenever they take a level in either one of those classes.
5/6) Any items/spells that would be recommended, and where to find them on the PFsrd?
I've read Saph's 3.5/Pathfinder Handbook (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?136890-The-3-5-Pathfinder-Handbook). Are there any other important differences I should know about that weren't mentioned?
The relevant Big 16:
1. What game system are you running (D&D, Call of Cthulu, Palladium, GURPS, etc.), and if applicable what edition (Original, Classic, Revised, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 10th, etc.)?
Pathfinder RPG.
2. What 'type' or variant of game will it be (i.e. "Shadow Chasers" or "Agents of Psi" for d20 Modern)? What is the setting for the game (eg. historic period, published or homebrewed campaign setting, alternate reality, modern world, etc.)?
Golarion setting.
3. How many Players are you looking for? Will you be taking alternates, and if so, how many?
4-6, alternates if necessary.
4. What's the gaming medium (OOTS, chat, e-mail etc.)?
GiantITP forum.
5. What is the characters' starting status (i.e. experience level)?
Level 5.
6. How much gold or other starting funds will the characters begin with?
Standard WBL.
7. Are there any particular character classes, professions, orders, etc. that you want... or do not want? What are your rules on 'prestige' and/or homebrewed classes?
Arcanist is banned. Summoner must use unchained variant. Gunslinger must use bolt ace. Prestige classes are generally fine.
8. What races, subraces, species, etc. are allowed for your game? Will you allow homebrewed races or species? 'Prestige' races or species?
Core, featured, and uncommon races are fine. Other races may be allowed; ask first.
9. By what method should Players generate their attributes/ability scores and Hit Points?
20 point buy. HP is max at first level, average thereafter.
10. Does your game use alignment? What are your restrictions, if so?
Alignment is in use, but be aware that creatures may not match the alignment listed in the book. All alignments are allowed for PCs, but try to be a decent team player about it; your character has to be able to work in a group well enough to have been kept around this long, after all. Alignment restrictions for classes may be loosened if you can come up with a good justification for it.
11. Do you allow multi-classing, or have any particular rules in regards to it?
Multiclassing is fine. Partial BAB is in use, partial saves are not.
12. Will you be doing all of the die rolling during the course of the game? Will die rolls be altered, or left to the honor system? If players can make die rolls, which ones do they make, how should they make the rolls, and how should they report them?
Generally you can roll your own with the forum die roller. I may roll passive and secret checks for you.
13. Are there any homebrewed or optional/variant rules that your Players should know about? If so, list and explain them, or provide relevant links to learn about these new rules.
Background skills are in use.
Characters take two traits, or three traits and a drawback.
Leadership and Sacred Geometry are banned.
Magic item crafting is banned. If you would get an item crafting feat as a class feature, we can work out a suitable replacement feat.
Initiative is semi-block. All characters roll initiative and are divided into three groups: PCs that rolled higher than the average of NPC rolls, NPCs, and PCs that rolled lower than NPCs. Turn order is then: higher PCs, NPCs, all PCs, NPCs, etc. Within this block PCs can act in any order.
14. Is a character background required? If so, how big? Are you looking for anything in particular (i.e. the backgrounds all ending up with the characters in the same city)?
Some background is required; the length is up to you. Make it as long as you feel you need to convey the character. Your background should end up with you in the caravan described in this post.
15. Does your game involve a lot of hack & slash, puzzle solving, roleplaying, or a combination of the above?
All three, with the exact makeup largely depending on your choices. Also, keep in mind that attrition and resource management are notable focuses of the game; you are not guaranteed to be able to find a safe place to rest when you want one.
16. Are your Players restricted to particular rulebooks and supplements, or will you be allowing access to non-standard material? What sources can Players use for their characters?
First-party material is generally fine. Path of War and PoW: Expanded are allowed, but with the understanding that I am not fond of the system and your character will need to impress me to make up for that. I may also implement an attrition mechanic of some kind if I find that PoW's infinite refresh is becoming problematic. Other third-party sources may be considered, ask before you use them. DSP's Psionics rules and Spheres of Power are specifically banned, so don't bother asking about those.
1) Anything special I should know about Golarion as a campaign world?
2) One of the character ideas I have in mind is a clockwork spellcaster/sage. Old, having existed for years and still ticking (pun intended). A worldy old codger, if that makes sense. I'm trying to find good class/race ideas.
-As far as races go, I've found the Ironborn (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/3rd-party-races/rite-publishing/ironborn) and Gearforged (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/3rd-party-races/kobold-press/gearforged). Both are still pending DM approval. Any other construct races?
-Is Gearforged a template race like Dragonborn and Necropolitan from 3.5?
-I was thinking Diviner or Abjurer specialist wizard, or an arcane bloodline sorcerer. Any other class ideas that fit my concept?
3)What is partial BAB?
[I found, read, & understand background skills]
4)How does the two traits thing work?
-With half-elves (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/core-races/half-elf) as an example, does it mean I'd need to choose any two from among these?
Defense Racial Traits
Elven Immunities: Half-elves are immune to magic sleep effects and gain a +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells and effects.
Feat and Skill Racial Traits
Adaptability: Half-elves receive Skill Focus as a bonus feat at 1st level.
Keen Senses: Half-elves receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception checks.
Senses Racial Traits
Low-Light Vision: Half-elves can see twice as far as humans in conditions of dim light.
Other Racial Traits
Elf Blood: Half-elves count as both elves and humans for any effect related to race.
Multitalented: Half-elves choose two favored classes at first level and gain +1 hit point or +1 skill point whenever they take a level in either one of those classes.
5/6) Any items/spells that would be recommended, and where to find them on the PFsrd?