Paizo How to Get Started with Pathfinder

[Gradine]

So I've been working on building a TTRPG Collection for the library where I work. I wanted to include Pathfinder in the collection, but I'm fairly unfamiliar with the system or its history and I'm bit overwhelmed by all of the different options there seems to be get started.

With the caveat that I'm working with a relatively small grant and don't want to break the bank on a single game (I am buying the Starter Set for D&D rather than any core rulebooks, for instance), what is the one Pathfinder book I should buy for my collection?

 

[billd91]

There's a PF2 Beginner's Box. Any argument for getting the D&D Starter Set should apply with the PF2 Beginner's Box.

https://www.amazon.com/Pathfinder-Beginner-Box-Logan-Bonner/dp/1640782842

 

[Alzrius]

So I've been working on building a TTRPG Collection for the library where I work. I wanted to include Pathfinder in the collection, but I'm fairly unfamiliar with the system or its history and I'm bit overwhelmed by all of the different options there seems to be get started.

With the caveat that I'm working with a relatively small grant and don't want to break the bank on a single game (I am buying the Starter Set for D&D rather than any core rulebooks, for instance), what is the one Pathfinder book I should buy for my collection?

To be absolutely clear, you're talking about the current Pathfinder, right? That is, the Remastered iteration of Pathfinder Second Edition?

 

[Gradine]

Ideally we looking for the most up-to-date version of the game. The main reason we are buying the Starter Set for D&D is that we're in our purchasing cycle and I don't want to spend a bunch of money on core rulebooks that are about to be obsoleted. The Beginner Box linked above seems like a good fit but am I correct that it is using the original PF2e rules, rather than the "Revised" rules?

 

[Alzrius]

Ideally we looking for the most up-to-date version of the game. The main reason we are buying the Starter Set for D&D is that we're in our purchasing cycle and I don't want to spend a bunch of money on core rulebooks that are about to be obsoleted. The Beginner Box linked above seems like a good fit but am I correct that it is using the original PF2e rules, rather than the "Revised" rules?

That's correct. The current version is Pathfinder 2E Remastered, and if I recall correctly it came out back in November (as a response to the OGL debacle). While the Remaster is supposed to still be highly compatible with PF2, there are some differences; I don't know if the Remastered PF2 has a beginner box yet.

 

[billd91]

That's correct. The current version is Pathfinder 2E Remastered, and if I recall correctly it came out back in November (as a response to the OGL debacle). While the Remaster is supposed to still be highly compatible with PF2, there are some differences; I don't know if the Remastered PF2 has a beginner box yet.

That is a good point - but one hopes Paizo will remedy that by doing a Remastered PF2 Beginner Box. Until they do, I'd seriously consider holding off on Pathfinder. If the budget is so tight that you're looking for a one-book solution and went with the D&D Starter Set, I don't think I could recommend getting 2-3 PF2 books. If you can hold that money on the hopes there's a Paizo plan in place within your budget time period, I'd consider doing so.

 

[Incenjucar]

As of the recent revision, Pathfinder's books work about the same as D&D's. There are three basic books to get: Player Core, GM Core, and Monster Core.

The revision was mostly to de-D&D the game, so while they are updating the rules the older 2nd edition rules still work, so most of the other PF2E supplement books are still valid and still directly referenced in the newest books.

There are also setting books that have almost no rules in them which are more or less evergreen. There are different time periods in the books, with the current one being the Age of Lost Omens. The "Lost Omens World Guide" gives you the broad view of the world, with other guides detailing specific areas, groups, or concepts.

 

[billd91]

Well, I decided to check on the Paizo website itself and here's the link to the current PF Beginner Box.

paizo.com - Pathfinder Beginner Box (Remastered Edition)

Note that at the bottom it says:

This version of the Beginner Box includes content updates to bring it up-to-date with the Pathfinder Second Edition Remaster Project. Purchase of the PDF version will include both the legacy (OGL) and Remaster (ORC) versions.

 

[payn]

Archives of Nethys is an incredible online resource. PF1 and PF2 can be played from it. Does the library have PCs and internet access? That would be a very affordable opportunity for Pathfinder. In that case, you could use the money you have for physical items like battlemats and pawns/minis.

 

[Nikosandros]

NM