Pathfinder (2009)

Overview

Pathfinder is a heroic fantasy roleplaying game system with a high amount of character customization and progression, published by Paizo in 2009. It was developed as a response to Wizards of the Coast transitioning the D&D genre to
D&D 4th Edition https://groupfinder.eu/library/dungeons-dragons-4e-2008
, which was seen as a strong deviation from the math-heavy norm from 3.5E. Pathfinder was built using the Open Game License (OGL) to revise and expand upon the beloved 3.5 ruleset.  The system it directly evolved from is
Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 Edition
The second edition of the game was released in 2019 as
Pathfinder 2nd Edition https://groupfinder.gg/library/pathfinder-2nd-edition-2019
Description Pathfinder 1e is well known for its "crunch". It relies heavily on strict rules, mechanical variation and math. The system is perfect for players who prefer heavy character optimization and customization, focus on tactical combat encounters and a strong ruleset for almost any situation. Pathfinder is proud of it's complexity and very much focuses on it. Boasting a massive library of  spells, classes, and feats, allows the players to build very mechanically different and unique characters. It is also renowned for its "Adventure Paths": epic, six-part published campaigns that take characters from level 1 to roughly level 20. System Overview & Key Features
The d20 System & Action Economy Like 3.5E, the core engine runs on a d20 roll plus modifiers. On every turn the characters have a set structure to perform their actions. Mechanically separated into Standard, Move and Swift actions.
Archetypes & Deep Customization Instead of relying on complicated "Prestige Classes," Pathfinder 1e popularized "Archetypes." These allow players to swap out base class features for heavily themed alternatives right from level 1. This enables the players an extensive levels of customization when combining with the thousands of available feats to further personalise their unique character concept.
Base Attack Bonus (BAB) Martial prowess is measured by a Base Attack Bonus. As this number grows, martial classes can eventually achieve "iterative attacks," allowing them to attack with their weapons multiple times per their turns, although penalties apply for repeated attempts.
Combat Maneuver Mechanics (CMB/CMD) The system introduced two systems to simplify actions like tripping, grappling or disarming your opponents: Combat Maneuver Bonus and Combat Maneuver Defense. This created a single, reliable formula to use when performing maneuvers against an enemy.
Skill Ranks Instead of a single "Proficiency Bonus" like in modern games, players are given a pool of Skill Points at every level (determined by their class and Intelligence score) to manually distribute across a massive list of skills, allowing for highly granular non-combat abilities.
Lethality and "Crunch" As characters level up, the numbers grow exponentially. This means, that by reaching higher levels of encounters, characters and their opponents are dealing huge amounts of damage, alongside with various magical buffs and spells that could instantly kill a character. Planning and tracking situational modifiers and buffs becomes vital for survival.
Additional links pathfinderwiki.com https://pathfinderwiki.com - Pathfinder Wiki  aonprd.com https://aonprd.com - Archives of Nethys (Official free rules database for PF1e)

Active games and players

PATH1E
Pathfinder 1
Online
Campaign
Iron Gods campaign Pathfinder 1e, some homebrew
Players
5/6
GM
1/1
Pathfinder 1
en English

Iron Gods campaign Pathfinder 1e, some homebrew

Newbie friendly
New players are welcome, and nobody expects you to know the rules beforehand.
Homebrew
House rules, a custom setting, or a system the Game Master wrote themselves.
PF1e tends to be combat focused, lots of teamwork, but there's puzzles, riddles, investigation too. I don't charge money, game time is Fridays at 6pm central. I have been GMing weekly since 1997 or so, cut my gaming teeth on AD&D first ed. I go above and beyond for my players! This campaign is Discord video chat, but we could change time/day if the other players are willing and able. Don't worry about the mechanics, they are a lot easier than most believe, I am a good teacher (or so I have been told repeatedly over decades). I do not use a VTT. Tried. So I draw it out on a wet erase board, and if there's only one or two enemies, I don't bother and keep it in my head (I have the IQ to be able to do so, and then some). NO FURRIES! If you go into this expecting to create your character without regard to the setting or the group composition, you can kiss your entitled butt goodbye. Even if I did nothing different as GM, the group would suffer and your PC might not make it. I do get your back when I get the chance if you are willing to try a class you don't normally. Lots of stupid puns and jokes. My campaigns tend to be accidentally lethal, and my NPC's react within the bounds of their Intelligence scores. I poke players into beefing up their defenses in the low levels (in between game sessions), I value intelligence and wisdom in a player. I have no problem with potent PC's, so long as they play well with others and make sense. I tend to be very helpful in between game sessions, giving as much relevant info as possible without spoiling the plot, with less info for veteran players. Quite military friendly, as my NPCs tend to react realistically and tactically. I am extremely good at teaching, not just game mechanics but also tactics, even interaction with fellow players. During game sessions, I play all my NPC's to the hilt, so if they are actively trying to kill your PC, that's how it is. I rarely fudge dice results, when I do it's for drama's sake, trying to make the game exciting and interesting. With Iron Gods (this takes you all the way to 17th level) you gotta make the characters WITH MY DIRECT ASSISTANCE in a video or audio chat as I make sure they fit with the group and campaigns, plus I give out extra benefits (like gear). We currently have a male elf universalist magic item crafter Wizard, female aasimar Cleric, a female unchained sylph Rogue, a male elf Alchemist, and a male angelkin aasimar melee Fighter. They are now 3rd level, and we could use a Gunslinger (probably Techslinger archetype is best given the campaign), or another high int spellcaster of some sort who could supplement the wizard in magic item crafting feats, spread the load more so to speak (Bard, Witch, Magus, another Wizard of some type). It's for the Iron Gods campaign, it has science fiction alien tech in it, not just medieval fantasy. Iron Gods is all about alien technology meets medieval types, sorta might and magic vs science fiction tech, people say it has a lot of Conan the Cimmerian vibe to it. The campaign seems to have robots, undead, aberrations running around, so having alternatives to mind affecting stuff is a good idea. That isn't to say you can't, it just means have more than one way to mess with the tactics of the enemy. Also, since real world firearms tech was really bad at this point in technology, you probably won't be using black powder firearms much if at all, so alien guns will be used. There's an area in the campaign where you can't use summoning spells, might want some alternatives for that place. Plus, any spell that the Alchemist and Wizard spell lists is shared with the other for repertoire (a little house rule of mine to help out). I have a giant list of races available, some of which are androgynous, others exclusively male, others exclusively female, all of which are official save for 2 (Sylvan elves, basically archer and Ranger types, and Trollans). I instituted sexual dimorphism attribute modifiers to get players running more female characters, right now for example in Iron Gods we will have 3 female characters and one male (but played by a woman and 3 men but not the classes you'd think). Subtract 5 points from Strength for female characters, and add 2 points of Constitution, 2 points of Charisma, and 1 point of Wisdom. Please note that Elves,Sylvan elves, Drow, Trollans (homebrew based on Orko from masters of the universe cartoon from the 80s), Gathlain, Ghoran, and Wyrwood are not subject to this ruling, so there is no difference mechanically between male or female characters for them. Interestingly, female characters are mathematically better for Oracles, Clerics, Sorcerers, Psychics, Mesmerists, Mediums, basically anyone that doesn’t need a high Strength score, and could use the increased Constitution, Charisma, and a little bit of Wisdom. Yes, there are cheap ways to dramatically increase your carrying limits, I can show you. Skill based classes like the Unchained Rogue and Bard tend to be a mixed result since a low Strength impacts carrying limits, Climb, Swim, and sometimes Intimidate. Male characters make better warrior types, so Fighters (melee and bows but not crossbows), Paladins, Samurai, Unchained Barbarians, Unchained Monks, Cavaliers, Inquisitors, Rangers tend to be male. Basically it pokes men into running characters that think in a more indirect, feminine way, and women into thinking in a more masculine, direct way by poking them into classes that have the right mindset/tactics. I really enjoy variety, and the prewritten campaigns tend to have a lot of different activities, not just "dungeon crawls". Banned Classes/Races Summoner (and Unchained version), Arcanist, Bloodrager, Brawler, Hunter, Investigator, Shaman, Skald, Slayer, Swashbuckler, Warpriest (this is all of the Advanced Class Guide), Vigilante, Shifter, all mythic paths are banned permanently (broken ruleset). Half-elves, Half-orcs are banned permanently; they are too mechanically similar to humans and don’t make sense genetically. Note that I never allow 3rd party (non Paizo) material (unless I honestly think they are balanced and appropriate but you gotta ask first), and I do not allow material that I don’t have access to personally. I am willing to get new material, however. I am the same way about the Gunslinger (need advanced tech available), Ninja (very culture centric), Samurai (very culture centric), Antipaladin (evil aligned only), Assassin (evil aligned only) classes. For example, we are playing Iron Gods, and you get access to alien guns so the Gunslinger is welcome. I won't run Rise of the Runelords, Carrion Crown, Giantslayer since I already did them.  These are the Pathfinder campaigns I have: Rise of the Runelords, Jade Regent, Shattered Star, Return of the Runelords, Reign of Winter, Mummy's Mask, Iron Gods, Curse of the Crimson Throne, Skull & Shackles, Hell's Rebels, Ruins of Azlant, Carrion Crown, Tyrant's Grasp, Strange Aeons. The difficult campaigns I have access to are Council of Thieves (3.5 have to adjust it), Giantslayer (kinda boring starting book 4 for the GM), Goblin adventure series (very short), Hell's Vengeance (evil aligned PCs), Kingmaker (3.5 have to adjust it), Second Darkness (3.5 have to adjust it). Only a few APs exist that I won't run period.  That’s not even counting the dungeon crawl classics adventure modules. Reign of Winter will let you see 18th level since I tacked on a module at the end, Carrion Crown only 15th, all other PF campaigns 17th. No gestalt classes, nothing outside the list below. My groups last for years, not weeks like so many others do, in multiple campaigns. These are the Pathfinder classes I use: Warriors: Unchained Barbarian, Unchained Monk (very SE Asian culture centric), Paladin, Fighter, Ranger (and possibly Gunslinger if I run Iron Gods or Reign of Winter, Samurai if running Jade Regent), Cavalier Skill Monkeys: Bard, Ranger, Unchained Rogue, possibly Ninja if running Jade Regent Divine casters: Druid, Cleric, Oracle, Inquisitor Arcane casters: Sorcerer, Wizard, Witch, Alchemist, Magus Psychics: Kineticist, Medium, Mesmerist, Occultist, Psychic, Spiritualist No politics of any kind: right, left, sexuality, real world religions, excessive feminism/whatever etc not allowed, if you have a need to make a fuss about that, you will be kicked out (all sorts tend to be in my groups). It's perfectly fine to have those views, but don't bring them to the game (this is meant to be fun, social, intellectually challenging). If you have major psych problems that get in the way of simple social interaction (explosive outbursts etc) don't contact me. I eventually ask for telephone number just in case of you not showing up to game and you didn't tell me otherwise. It's for emergency stuff, like if someone gets sick or something and I gotta cancel the game. I do care about my players! And yes, I am meticulous about not calling for funsies.  Listen, I have some rules for players. 1 Give me warning 24 hours before the game if you are gonna cancel. I need the time to tell the others and cancel the game if I don't have enough people to play. This is non negotiable! 2 Play well with others. If you are too disruptive, I will boot you after several private warnings. 3 Take a different role/class each new campaign. Try new things! 4 You have to show up to play 75% of the time. If you cancel too many times, there's no point to having you in the group. 5 Sometimes you will be required to take a role you don't really want because the rest of the group made their picks already. If this happens, the next campaign I will make sure you get first pick as to your role/class. 6 If you have to make sacrifices for the group, like blowing feats on item crafting etc, I will try to send good things your way. Teamwork is important. You are probably gonna want to buy dice, a pair of used rulebooks or get pdfs. That's it.

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PATH1E
Pathfinder 1
Online
West Marches / Living World
Mistwalkers Recruitment! 1E Westmarches!
Players
15
Pathfinder 1
en English nl Dutch

Mistwalkers Recruitment! 1E Westmarches!

West Marches / Living World
One world and a big pool of players, but no fixed party - whoever signs up that week is who plays.
Roleplay focused
Conversation, character and story take up most of the table time.
I am posting this on behalf of the incredible DMs of this westmarches group. We need new blood! We're certainly not floundering or anything, but there's a handful of people who are active outside of the DMs themselves. Our games tend to run at 1:30 EST/7:30 CET and the majority of players are in the CET timezone, but speak predominantly English. It's a group of chill, non-discriminatory players who request a game that works for them. A lot of the rules in this server rely on AONPRD PFS legal content with some exceptions. I can answer most questions or give more details on such rules if asked. The setting: An adventuring guild in the city of Lascaris is sent out on the regular through the Nexus, teleporting to lands mostly untouched by civilization in millenia, in the hopes to uncover lost Sarusan architecture and artifacts. It's typically the players who tell the stories of these zones, that and what was left behind. Or what has taken residence in the time between our intervention... All of our communication goes through Discord, but I would like to personally vet anyone who is interested. DM me or leave an application and I'll get to you when I can.

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PATH1E
Pathfinder 1
Online
Campaign
Draconic Adventures
Players
3/4
GM
0/1
Pathfinder 1
en English

Draconic Adventures

Combat focused
Fights, tactics and initiative take up most of the table time.
Roleplay focused
Conversation, character and story take up most of the table time.
Hello! Me and a friend had an idea to have a game where the entire party is true dragons, ganging up together for a specific reason or just neighbors who have territories next to each other. Rules for how we make true dragon characters can be discussed with the potential GM, though I do own the Dreamscarred Press Monster Class for Dragons, and have had true dragon PC's in my games before using the play as a monster rules. The idea is to really get to enjoy and play into the fantasy of being a dragon in a fantasy setting, be it Golarion or a homebrew world, and interacting with it from a different perspective than normal, and to hopefully feel like a epic dragon! As such in that regard, we’re looking for a GM to make this game come true. We are three, so if a DM is interested in a smaller group, or more as I have no issue with recruiting as many as you'd like! The timeslot is currently set on fridays anytime before 11 pm EDT. Platform can be anything you’d like. Just make a quick application if you're interested!

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PATH1E
Pathfinder 1
Jersey Village
Campaign
NW Houston In-Person Game looking for players.
Players
5/7
GM
1/1
Pathfinder 1
en English

NW Houston In-Person Game looking for players.

Homebrew
House rules, a custom setting, or a system the Game Master wrote themselves.
Newbie friendly
New players are welcome, and nobody expects you to know the rules beforehand.
NW Houston In-Person Group has open spots at the table. The group I play with has a couple of open spots at the table for Pathfinder 1st Edition. We play in-person, in the Jersey Village area. Game days are Saturdays weekly (we do skip 1 Saturday per month). The game(s) run from roughly 2pm until 9-10pm (with a break for dinner).  If you are in the area and looking to join a campaign (new or vet player alike all are welcome) then Tag me or send me a DM.

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New
Posted 3 hours ago
en English
PATH1E
Pathfinder 1
Online
Aska
Highly adaptable playstyle, will jump into a full homebrew or a RAW game without hesitation. Not a rules lawyer. The games I run are run by rule of cool, and my characters tend to reflect that. Not offended by much, but I also don't use offensive slurs or anything. Pride friendly, but don't expect me to preach. Chatty but focused. My dog likes me and my mother says I'm tolerable now.
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en English
DND5E
Dungeons & Dragons 5E
PATH2E
Pathfinder 2E
...
Online
Rebel
Hello! I am a new player to many of the ttrpg systems who started out with Vampire the Masquerade first. I'm looking for some casual dnd campaigns along with anything that may have a serious story to it as well. I prefer play-by-post but I can do voice. I am considerably left-wing in my politics so if that bothers you I recommend straying away.
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