In 2000, Wizards of the Coast introduced Dungeons and Dragons 3rd edition, and introduced the Open Gaming License, paving the way for other developers, large and small, to create materials compatible with the world’s best known fantasy role-playing game. Many gaming companies released materials in support of the Open Gaming License, including supplements, campaign worlds, and alternate genres. Paizo Publishing, founded in 2002, immediately took over the licenses of the popular Dragon and adventure based Dungeon magazines. However, by 2005, they also offered supplements and adventure paths supporting 3rd edition, as it shifted from 3.0 to 3.5.
Later in the decade, as Dungeons and Dragons prepared to release 4th edition, Paizo saw an opportunity to take advantage of their experience with 3rd edition and the Open Gaming License. Adding new features and reinterpreting vague rules they released the Pathfinder RPG in 2009.
Base Classes – Stronger, Faster, Better
In Pathfinder, Paizo decided that the Base Classes needed a little extra power to put them in line with changes that were made through the lifespan of Dungeons and Dragons 3.5. The upgrades are plentiful, but a few key changes include the ability for casters to cast 0th level spells as many times per day as they wish. Fighters gain the ability to improve their movement speed and effectiveness of armor as they gain in levels. Rogues are now able to sneak attack (formerly backstab) a much wider variety of creatures than previously allowed.
Races – New and Improved
Along with the improvements in character classes, the Core Races also saw some major updates. Humans and half-humans received several bonuses in Dungeons and Dragons 3.5, including a bonus feat and bonus skill points. In Pathfinder, this is expanded to include a bonus to one attribute of the player’s choice. Non-human races went from one attribute with a bonus to two attributes (one physical and one mental).
Combat Maneuvers – How to Dodge a Dragon
In Dungeons and Dragons 3rd edition, a character had the ability to grapple, disarm, or leap past an opponent (using tumble). Paizo saw several problems in the mechanics of these special maneuvers and spent considerable effort to make them viable, simple, and variable. Pathfinder makes dodging past a dragon or disarming a goblin a simple die roll against their Combat Maneuver Defense. The Combat Maneuver Defense score is easily calculated and is used to determine success or failure of a wide variety of combat options.
Pathfinder Role-Playing Game Summary
The gaming world is full of products to fit whatever genre and style of play gamers today enjoy. Although Pathfinder has been available for a little over two years, it has rapidly climbed to one of the top selling and preferred role-playing games of the 21st century. Whether you grew up playing Dungeons and Dragons in the 70′s and 80′s, or are new to role-playing games, check out Pathfinder, the other fantasy RPG, at a local game and hobby store.
