Sorry if this is asked already...

[Paganboy28]

I did a search but couldn't find what I wanted (unless I am missing the obvious)...

Pathfinder vs 3.5

What is the verdict? What are peoples' impressions of this compared to 3.5?

I have played 3.5 ad nauseum but have yet to really get to grips with Pathfinder. I have read through Pathfinder and it does seem they have done the following:

• enhanced the base classes so that there are less dead levels
  consolidated many of the confusing combat rules into the Combat Manouver check
  enhanced some of the PrC's that were considered not so brilliant (Mystic Theurge looks more potent now)
  condensed the skills list (Notice instead of Spot/Listen for example)

What else will I notice that has changed and is it worth dropping 3.5 and heading into Pathfinder?

[BobVosh]

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showt...12#post7607391
Conclusions from Saph.
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7609693
A great summary of changes.

I like PF, and like using it as the core with all the old splats (suitably changed if needed) on top.

[FMArthur]

It's quite simply better than core 3.5. If you've got every book in 3.5 though, you'll find it to be an immense pain that everything needs to be converted and updated to something that gave the impression it was supposed to be compatible. Some might say that that alone makes it not worth getting. But overall, you can still get it and treat it like Unearthed Arcana, cherry-picking the good things out of it to use with D&D 3.5 and ignoring what you don't want or would require too much modification of existing content. Definitely worth a purchase IMO.

[Eldariel]

If you still use the Core classes, feel free to replace at least most with the PF versions; they're generally bit more interesting. Aside from that, nothing much. Some of the PF monsters are well done but most are just as big trainwrecks CR-wise as the original 3.5 ones (the nerfed Tarrasque CR 25, what?! For the record, I built a PF Core Fighter on level 20 that should have little trouble soloing it: See here - doesn't even use the increased PF WBL).

[Kylarra]

Pathfinder is generally accepted to be better than core D&D 3.X, but rather lacking if all splats are considered.