TheRPGSite

Pen & Paper Roleplaying Central => Pen and Paper Roleplaying Games (RPGs) Discussion => Topic started by: Benoist on August 16, 2009, 09:50:59 PM

Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: Benoist on August 16, 2009, 09:50:59 PM
At the Pathfinder seminar today, Paizo revealed plans for a Pathfinder Advanced Player's Handbook in the works.

Four new character classes were mentioned: Cavalier, "Summoning type character", "Crazy Alchemist class", and Oracle.

I'm trying to gather more information about this.
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: Benoist on August 16, 2009, 09:57:33 PM
Post from Erik Mona:

Quote from: Erik MonaFolks,

We're going to post summaries of development so far on these classes when we get back in the office on Tuesday. A lot of the conclusions people are making based on the name (that the oracle is just about divining the future, that the cavalier is based on horses, that the alchemist is an artificer clone) are not very accurate.

I would explain now, but we are off to the local all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse to celebrate our most successful Gen Con so far and the most successful product launch at the show.

More very soon. I am VERY excited about these new classes, and I think most of you will be too!
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: StormBringer on August 16, 2009, 10:07:38 PM
Quote from: Benoist;321287At the Pathfinder seminar today, Paizo revealed plans for a Pathfinder Advanced Player's Handbook in the works.

Four new character classes were mentioned: Cavalier, "Summoning type character", "Crazy Alchemist class", and Oracle.

I'm trying to gather more information about this.
Huh.  Not like the current Pathfinder game is exactly 'basic' or anything.  They should call it 'Character Options' or just present and market it like a supplement.
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: Benoist on August 16, 2009, 10:14:48 PM
Quote from: StormBringer;321291Huh.  Not like the current Pathfinder game is exactly 'basic' or anything.  They should call it 'Character Options' or just present and market it like a supplement.
I agree. It's not like Pathfinder is a "basic game". I guess the name comes from the Advanced PHB of Green Ronin from the 3rd ed era. It definitely doesn't sound like a final title or anything. This thing is still very much in the works.
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: Zachary The First on August 16, 2009, 10:26:03 PM
The Oracle intrigues me.  I guess I'll be waiting to hear more on Tuesday.
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: Benoist on August 16, 2009, 10:28:42 PM
It all sounds a lot like Unearthed Arcana though, doesn't it, or is it just me talking?
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: Zachary The First on August 16, 2009, 10:30:34 PM
Quote from: Benoist;321298It all sounds a lot like Unearthed Arcana though, doesn't it, or is it just me talking?

I didn't get to hit that seminar, but it does sort of sound like it, huh?
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: ggroy on August 16, 2009, 10:31:38 PM
Hopefully Pathfinder doesn't go all trigger happy on spatbook production, like what happened at WotC during 3.5E and now 4E.

A new monster Bestiary book and maybe another hardcover splatbook every year would seem reasonable.
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: Benoist on August 16, 2009, 10:31:50 PM
I guess we'll find out more on Tuesday! :)

Quote from: ggroy;321302Hopefully Pathfinder doesn't go all trigger happy on spatbook production, like what happened at WotC during 3.5E and now 4E.

Edit - oh, ditto to that, man. Ditto to that.
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: Zachary The First on August 16, 2009, 10:34:52 PM
Quote from: ggroy;321302Hopefully Pathfinder doesn't go all trigger happy on spatbook production, like what happened at WotC during 3.5E and now 4E.

Even if they do, with Pathfinder I feel like I have complete game with just the basics here.  I don't begrudge anyone making money, just so long as it isn't at the expense of my gaming experience or investment.  It's when I counted on parts of the game to be in there and they aren't that it bugs me.

In other words, I got my gnomes this time. :)
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: Malleus Arianorum on August 17, 2009, 03:03:40 AM
Quote from: Zachary The First;321307Even if they do, with Pathfinder I feel like I have complete game with just the basics here. I don't begrudge anyone making money, just so long as it isn't at the expense of my gaming experience or investment. It's when I counted on parts of the game to be in there and they aren't that it bugs me.
 
In other words, I got my gnomes this time. :)
Well said! :)
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: Captain Rufus on August 17, 2009, 03:22:24 AM
Honestly I want smoother lighter games.  3.x is not to my taste and as it is has too much spergy detail.

Yet I cannot get people to play Castles & Crusades.

I would buy a Pathfinder Lite though.  Something between C&C and current 3.x/Pathfinder could possibly get me people, yet be light enough to keep me happy.

But I suppose Pathfinder getting its own Unearthed Arcana equivalent isn't too bad for its desired audience who likes too many rules screwing up a perfectly good D&D revamp.  (3.x being the revamp.  Pathfinder being the revamped revamped.. revamp.)
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: JCrichton on August 17, 2009, 03:22:52 AM
I have no problem with companies creating supplements that focus on specific classes, archetypes or whatever.
Quote from: ggroy;321302Hopefully Pathfinder doesn't go all trigger happy on spatbook production, like what happened at WotC during 3.5E and now 4E.

A new monster Bestiary book and maybe another hardcover splatbook every year would seem reasonable.
I've never understood why anyone would be against more options.  If it's a money-maker for the company and there are some good rules in there, I say go for it.

I will say that I have no idea what the rate of release time has been for 4e stuff.  I was fine with the rate of new 3.5e materials.
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: Caesar Slaad on August 17, 2009, 07:29:26 AM
Quote from: Zachary The First;321307Even if they do, with Pathfinder I feel like I have complete game with just the basics here.  I don't begrudge anyone making money, just so long as it isn't at the expense of my gaming experience or investment.  It's when I counted on parts of the game to be in there and they aren't that it bugs me.

In other words, I got my gnomes this time. :)

Yeah. That.
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: Hackmaster on August 17, 2009, 07:54:06 AM
Quote from: ggroy;321302Hopefully Pathfinder doesn't go all trigger happy on spatbook production, like what happened at WotC during 3.5E and now 4E.

They're practically guaranteed to do this.

Paizo's business model is monthly subscriptions to product. Like WotC, they're also breaking down the product into as many separate entities as possible. Instead of just one adventure path book a month you have -

1. The adventure path itself
2. The chronicles series with general setting info
3. The monthly map pack
4. The gamemastery cards set with various play aids and other props.
5. Pathfinder modules with monthly smaller scaled adventures and one shots
6. The companion series with more setting info and player options.

I can't imagine that they won't start putting out monthly monster books and monthly splats with new rules, races, classes, prestige classes etc. My guess is they'll try to have at least two different monthly supplements.

This model worked for WotC and seems to be working so far for Paizo so I can't see why they wouldn't want to keep it up. If people will buy it, Paizo will print it.
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: Zachary The First on August 17, 2009, 08:32:21 AM
I remember Erik Mona saying somewhere every single product they produced was subject to a profitability study and such before being released.  It must be working for them.
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: Evansheer on August 17, 2009, 10:27:09 AM
Quote from: GoOrange;321374This model worked for WotC and seems to be working so far for Paizo so I can't see why they wouldn't want to keep it up. If people will buy it, Paizo will print it.

I'd really worry about them going this way mainly because of their size.  They're stretched thin as it is and I'd hate to see any quality bled from their adventures and setting books, which is where I really think they shine anyway.

Quote from: Zachary The First;321307In other words, I got my gnomes this time. :)

I never really wanted to play a gnome until I saw their take on them.
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: ggroy on August 17, 2009, 10:37:25 AM
Quote from: Evansheer;321398I'd really worry about them going this way mainly because of their size.  They're stretched thin as it is and I'd hate to see any quality bled from their adventures and setting books, which is where I really think they shine anyway.

Wonder how much the online Paizo Store has been subsidizing their Pathfinder production operations over the last few years.
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: Evansheer on August 17, 2009, 10:38:58 AM
Quote from: ggroy;321400Wonder how much the online Paizo Store has been subsidizing their Pathfinder production operations over the last few years.

Not sure, but the bloody CEO herself was working until midnight in the warehouse last week to send their books out.
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: ggroy on August 17, 2009, 10:42:18 AM
Quote from: Evansheer;321401Not sure, but the bloody CEO herself was working until midnight in the warehouse last week to send their books out.

Sounds like a small business operation run on a shoestring budget.
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: Insufficient Metal on August 17, 2009, 11:54:55 AM
Oh man, the cavalier. Hopefully they implement it better than Unearthed Arcana did. "The cavalier can never used ranged weapons, because they are cowardly and dishonorable. He only fights from horseback with an eighteen foot lance."
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: Seanchai on August 17, 2009, 04:01:31 PM
Quote from: ggroy;321302Hopefully Pathfinder doesn't go all trigger happy on spatbook production, like what happened at WotC during 3.5E and now 4E.

How do you think they're going to stay in business?

Seanchai
Title: Advanced PHB for Pathfinder RPG
Post by: ggroy on August 17, 2009, 04:05:21 PM
Quote from: Seanchai;321503How do you think they're going to stay in business?

Seanchai

Print up money.  ;)