Oh... is PF2 less complex? What percentage less complex would it be?
Id go a bit higher than other folks and say about 50% less complex. A few reasons for that, I think chargen and leveling up is incredibly streamlined and easy. Folks who balk at the amount of feats and system mastery required for 3E/PF1 will be very pleased with the changes of PF2. Also, buffs and untold amounts of stackable modifiers are pretty much gone. If you can somehow find a +1 its a very big deal in PF2. So, it runs and plays simpler in that regard.
That said, where the complexity stays is in applying conditions and understanding how the emphasis on tactical team combat has arisen.
I have been eyeing off the shiny new Remastered books. I also like how the 2nd edition of Starfinder will be compatible with PF2 as I was thinking of doing a fantasy/sci-fi crossover.
The alternative to that is to use the Legendary Games' Arcforge setting to do a PF1 fantasy/sci-fi crossover (in lieu of Starfinder being compatible with PF1).
Im just rolling up a character now for SF. I skipped it mostly because Im a Traveller guy for my sci-fi but fell into a game. SF definitely seems like the road to PF2 so far. Im liking chargen and will sound off more once I get play experience.
For those who play PF1 but don't particularly like PF2, what are the reasons? Is it just a different feeling play experience? I mean, PF1 is clearly a progression from 3.5. I hear PF2 has a 4E feel.
There is a lot of stuff from 4E in the DNA of PF2 I dont like. The fact that multiclassing, archetypes, and prestige class all compete for the same resource. It's a hybrid style of chargen that sort of keeps players in their lane so to speak. On the flip side, it has simplified chargen and kept the balance more inline so folks cant go bonkers like they could in PF1. I understand the approach but I would have chosen something like BA instead to do it. I get why Paizo didnt do that tho because they are getting out from under WotC shadow.
I dont like strong team tactical games where combat takes up a lot of time. Its also why I didnt take to 4E. This is a preference thing however and I think the PF2 system works very smoothly. So, if that sounds appealing, I highly recommend PF2. On the GM side the CR system is very accurate and reliable. If you chose to use Foundry VTT running and playing the game is a dream.
For my personal taste I would run PF2 with the
proficiency without level variant to open up the level binding a little. I wouldnt run or play again without the
free archetype variant which has become standard for most groups anyway.