Pathfinder: Core Rulebook - Tips & Strategies

The Pathfinder System Resource Document(www.d20pfsrd.com)is a free online resource that contains many of, if not all, the rules of the game. Definitely worth checking out.

If you are new to Pathfinder, I would highly recommend the Pathfinder: Beginner Box. The Beginner Box is a complete RPG introduction kit designed to welcome players new to paper RPGs and the Pathfinder system. It includes everything you need to run a full campaign in one box such as counters, dice, maps, character sheets, rules for players and GM. Also included are cardboard stand-up pawns of heroes and monsters which allow you to play the game without buying expensive miniatures. The most important components are the two rulebooks: The Hero’s Handbook and the Game Master Guide.

When first playing this game, I decided I wanted to play a Bard. This is something that I have always done with RPGs, since my first one, when my buddy said, “Dude, Bards are hard to play…”

This is true, especially as a first timer. BUT, it MAKES YOU LEARN the game! Since you are a little bit of everything (healer, fighter, skiller, caster), it makes you figure out how all the mechanics work. That way, when you GM, or roll up another character, you don’t have to shift your thinking as much, and learn another set of mechanics, because you have been exposed to it already.

Often my players want to know a little more about what their attack does. Every killing blow can’t be chopping someone’s head off. Sometimes it’s tough as a DM to describe the battle on a blow-by-blow basis, and several of my groups want that level of detail. I enjoy a good descriptive kill, but I find that my players come up with a way better narrative of how they finish off an opponent. Sometimes they just want to know where they hit an opponent – even for one point of damage.

We roll dice whenever someone hits to see where they hit. There are hit location dice for this, and you can have your players roll the die with every attack (or every time they hit) and let them describe what they do (briefly). If you don’t have access to hit location dice, I use a 2d6 roll and use the front/rear location charts from Battletech – another game I enjoy.

2 – Head
3 or 4 Right Arm
5 Right Leg
6 Right Chest or Side
7 Front (or back) of body
8 Left Chest or Side
9 Left Leg
10 or 11 Left Arm
12 Roll a critical (we use an old d100 Chart)

Example: Jarred’s paladin swings at the ogre who has been abducting villagers and refuses to release them. It has come to blows and the paladin swings at the ogre. He rolls a 17 and hits. On the Hit Location he rolls a 3 and for damage he rolls a 1 + 2 for strength bonus (minimum damage). Normally “I hit for 3 damage” and the DM responds “okay. it’s just a scratch”. Now it can be something like “You get the jump on the ogre this round and do your best to keep his attention. You duck under his swing and strike him on his Right Hand – a minor cut that he seems to ignore.” You can let the players describe the action, but don’t let them take up too much time. It’s exciting for me to listen to how they are imagining the action.

When I first started playing dnd it was by the book. But when I learn dnd math, it was easyer to break away from tradition dnd and make a better game. Not say a redesigned the game, but if you strip it do to its core ( dnd math) you can build it to you. I know theres a lot of people who HAVE TO PLAY by the book, but its not the book the makes the game fun, its your own imagination. There are so many power nerds out there that see it one way but remember dnd is about exploring and adventuring. So love and be let loved.

Dont make anyone act out their part or discourage anyone who DOES want to act out their part. Just focus on the gameplay and leave the amateur theater hour for some other group. However, if someone can get into their part, let them and just play!!!

After 3 rounds, you can isolate the square, but not pinpoint the source. Thus, targeting an object (say with magic missile to destroy it) requires a concealment check vs. full concealment to succeed, following any required to-hit roll.