sorry if this isn't the right place for this


Pathfinder Society

Liberty's Edge

The threads were so cluttered and I just couldn't find any place that seemed suitable for this. Anyways can you participate in the society if you do not own the game (I am so sorry if this sounds laughably stupid) I kinda was hoping on just attending and watching to help me decide on buying the box. Plus if all else fails I could always just join an already going party. Apologiges in advance if I sound like a complete and utter idiot D: im so sorry I just am confused


Pathfinder Maps Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber

Welcome to Pathfinder.

You can play in Pathfinder Society (PFS) without owning the core rulebook, especially if you are trying to determine if Pathfinder is right for you or not.

One place to find all kinds of rules is the Pathfinder Resource Document (PRD). Please note that with the exception of the Core Rulebook, that unless you own the book (either watermarked PDF or hardcopy) you are not allowed to use that content in PFS, so the character that you make should be wholly based on the CORE and the PFS guide.

The free download PFS guide 5.0, which can be found at page also has specific rules and information on how PFS works, as well as contact information for the Venture Officers from around the world - so that you can contact your local one if you are looking for games.

Liberty's Edge 4/5 5/5

The Campaign Coordinator, Mike Brock, has commented on this HERE.

Please note that he refers to owning 'the Core Rulebook, Pathfinder Society Field Guide, and Organized Play Guide'. Of these, the Field Guide is no longer 'core' so can be ignored, and the Organised Play Guide is a free download. That leaves the CRB; if PDFs are a good option for you, then it is only $10 to download.

4/5

First off, there's no need to apologize quite so much. This is, indeed, the right place to ask general questions about Pathfinder Society like this. As Mistwalker mentioned, the PFS Guide and Player Resources page will help cover most questions that you might have, but if you're lost and need a little nudge in the right direction, it doesn't hurt to ask. The Organized Play environment like Pathfinder Society is generally a helpful group.

That out of the way, if you're looking to decide if you want to buy into Pathfinder and play Pathfinder Society, I'd recommend that you play a Pregenerated character for your first game or two. You can find them to download on the same Player Resources page as the PFS Guide. They're geared towards helping new players get into the game with a playable character and are free to download. There's additional rules on how to use them found in the PFS Guide, but if you're just starting out they're a lot easier than figuring out things like Point Buy, Starting Equipment, and the like.

Good luck in finding and welcome to the Society.

Dark Archive 4/5

17 people marked this as a favorite.

Check your downloads

Sovereign Court 4/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.

I started off using a not-so-legally acquired copy of the Core Rule Book. I did not know about the online resources at the time, and those are much more useful (and legal, haha). Once I decided that Pathfinder was a good fit for me, I bought a book as soon as I was able. It is an investment, but most of us find it well worth it. In the end, you do need the book to play after you try it out and figure it's the right game for you. (And looking at Sir Morgan's post, you may not need to purchase it, haha).

Don't worry. You're new. We all were at one point. Best of luck in your gaming!

Liberty's Edge

Well right now im EXTREMELY strapped for cash (ten dollars is nigh impossible right now XD) plus PDF files cause an extreme memory issue on my one gig of RAM. XD todd I have but there is nothing more than the char sheets for the card game. I use the PRD as bedtime reading as I find lore of this world interesting. so once the RI leader gets back from his military service I will ask to attend and maybe share a book with someone. Im sure someone will allow me to look at theres untill I get my own

Dark Archive 4/5

5 people marked this as a favorite.

You should check your downloads again. There should be a core rulebook pdf

Liberty's Edge

Todd Morgan wrote:
You should check your downloads again. There should be a core rulebook pdf

Thanks bro! However PDF files cause my s~~*ty computer to go bananas and take for f&~%ing ever to open them. It sucks because my grandparents have a nice lump of cash for college in my name in the bank. What they do not understand is that I am NEVER EVER going to a college and have no plans to ever even try to. so yeah unless you can cause them to realise that theeennn we aren't getting me an alienware.

Shadow Lodge 4/5 *** Venture-Captain, Michigan—Mt. Pleasant

Well, make sure to download the lite version, and you might be surprised at how it handles. They cut down on the graphics and it opens ok on my tablet (which is quite a bit underpowered compared to your computer, I'm sure).

Sovereign Court 4/5

Indeed, the lite-version is a god-send when it comes to tablets. The full file takes forEVER to load on my tablet, and oftentimes on my laptop as well.

4/5 5/5

I have yet to DL the non-lite-versions of any of the books, because even designed to use fewer system resources, they still look good. If you have processor problems past that, most (all?) of the books should have an option for "Lite-One File per Chapter." Alternatively, someone usually has a stack of pre-generated iconic characters to use, and you still get XP, Prestige and gold for when you build a character.

Silver Crusade 1/5

What PDF reader do you use? Foxit is quite fast and slim, especially compared to, say, Nitro PDF reader. The latter took forever to open the PDFs, die former runs quite well on my computer.
Also: What are the specs of your PC?

4/5 5/5 Venture-Lieutenant, Finland—Tampere

Sumatra PDF is also a nice little PDF reader, despite looking horrible.

Sovereign Court 5/5 RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

I just want to comment I'm happy to see our little community being so welcoming to a new player.

I'm almost touched. Fortunately such moments pass quickly.

Sovereign Court 4/5

Matthew Morris wrote:

I just want to comment I'm happy to see our little community being so welcoming to a new player.

I'm almost touched. Fortunately such moments pass quickly.

*hovers finger inches from Matthew* We're not touching yooouuu....

4/5 *

2 people marked this as a favorite.

OT: Todd Morgan is awesome.

Liberty's Edge

1 person marked this as a favorite.

thank you all! I was extremely concerned I would be laughed at and yelled at by the older players. Anyways the specs on my computer are rather low and my computer has adobe reader for a PDF reader. I am more than happy to own the lite one file per chapter since it seems to be the smallest option. If eating is allowed at the tables I will make sure to bring treats for all of you amazing people. (my grandmother is an amazing baker and she can make some of the best choclate chip cookies) My computer is a desktop. But I own a stapler and a printer so that works :/ *seperates sior and matthew gives them both cookies and then sits between them* no fighting as long as I am here

5/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.

In my experience, baked goods are always welcome and occasionally worth a circumstance bonus.

Liberty's Edge

zefig wrote:
In my experience, baked goods are always welcome and occasionally worth a circumstance bonus.

heh, awesome! Though if I did get one being so new and everything I would tell the GM to give it to the highest leveled player at the table instead because Knowing me, I would screw it up. XD Thus my chosen class will depend on what my table needs, not what I want. So if my table wants me to play as a bard or a rogue (both classes I find less fun), then I would play a bard or a rogue and just listen to my teammates. Yes, I am suitable for setting off dangerous traps and as death fodder. But I perfer not doing that

5/5

I wouldnt worry about it TOO much. Play what you have the most fun with! For the most part, PFS is fairly flexible about which classes are in the party, especially at low levels while you're still getting the hang of things.

Liberty's Edge

zefig wrote:
I wouldnt worry about it TOO much. Play what you have the most fun with! For the most part, PFS is fairly flexible about which classes are in the party, especially at low levels while you're still getting the hang of things.

I would make mine a spellcaster perferably an elven sorcerer or wizard (cannot choose!). BUT if worst comes to worst, I can play a cleric focused soley on healing and having the other people kill things stronger than a dust bunny for me. Besides I am also extremely flexible and if a higher leveled player said "hey don't pick that class! We don't need one of those play this one instead!". I would listen to him/her to a certain degree on what the other members think of this and then follow orders according to strategy. Tends to be why I play classes that are back lines more than front lines because then no one gets too mad at me for running away screaming when the villian comes charging at my face. I am more than happy to bring munchies as well as baked goods, THAT is one thing I am good about is bringing food

Silver Crusade 2/5

If you play for a while, characters will level up. Generally it takes 3 sessions for a character to go up a level. You may want to make new characters to play in the lower tier scenarios as older characters become too high in level. So, you can try out more characters, and see what is better for you.

Liberty's Edge

DesolateHarmony wrote:
If you play for a while, characters will level up. Generally it takes 3 sessions for a character to go up a level. You may want to make new characters to play in the lower tier scenarios as older characters become too high in level. So, you can try out more characters, and see what is better for you.

that I shall one question? Are rabbits allowed as companions just in general because that will affect WHAT class I pick. I love having a bunny follow me around even if it is stupid. It would be hilarious to throw a rabbit at somones head and watch them get mauled

Silver Crusade 2/5

In the Animal Archive, there are bunnies as familiars. I don't think they are animal companions anywhere.

Grand Lodge 4/5

By the way, the PF Bard is a lot more awesome than a 3.5 Bard.

Both the Dragon's Demand game I am GMing and the one I was playing (we finished! Yay!) had a Bard in the party, who was very well received.

Saving Finale and Timely Inspiration, just for examples, are great spells. Inspire Courage is always a party favorite. And you are one more PC who can use those nigh-ubiquitous CLW wands...

Sovereign Court 5/5 RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8

Minor suggestion...

right now snickersimba is just working from the CRB, let's not overwhelm him with options.

Re: Rabbits
PFS isn't big on reskinning. Though with enough ranks in handle animal, you could concieveably have a rabbit in any class at low levels, w/o it being an 'animal companion'.

5/5

If you're waffling between sorcerer and wizard ... go sorcerer... being a spontaneous spellcaster is awesome over having to stop and prep spells and find spellbooks .... My first character is a sorceress and is pure CRB and kicks butt... so just saying it can be done.

Liberty's Edge

well can I play as a witch if I don't own the advanced guide. Also, catbunny what does CRB stand for? Pathfinder needs to have rabbits for hunters and bards, It would be the most overpowered companion ever due to cuteness! Just walk over to the villian hold your bunny up and watch it involentarily go "awwww" and then stab him in the face!

Lantern Lodge 5/5 *

@snickersimba: No you cannot play a witch without the Advanced Player Guide. It's in the previously mentioned Guide to the Pathfinder Society, but to use any resource, you must own a copy of it and have it presentable. By that, either a physical copy of the book, having a watermarked PDF with your name on it of the book on an electronic device you bring, or printing out the necessary pages of a watermarked PDF with your name on it.

CRB is the abbreviation for "Core Rule Book". Likewise, there are
APG: Advanced Player's Guide
UM: Ultimate Magic
UC: Ultimate Combat

However, until you get used to things, I suggest sticking with the Core Rulebook options for now. You can still do plenty of fun things with it and as you feel more comfortable, you can work your way to other books (and thus other options).

EDIT: First time you run across a goblin and try to aww him with cuteness bunny... don't be surprised if you'll need another bunny :P

Liberty's Edge

David Higaki wrote:

@snickersimba: No you cannot play a witch without the Advanced Player Guide. It's in the previously mentioned Guide to the Pathfinder Society, but to use any resource, you must own a copy of it and have it presentable. By that, either a physical copy of the book, having a watermarked PDF with your name on it of the book on an electronic device you bring, or printing out the necessary pages of a watermarked PDF with your name on it.

CRB is the abbreviation for "Core Rule Book". Likewise, there are
APG: Advanced Player's Guide
UM: Ultimate Magic
UC: Ultimate Combat

However, until you get used to things, I suggest sticking with the Core Rulebook options for now. You can still do plenty of fun things with it and as you feel more comfortable, you can work your way to other books (and thus other options).

EDIT: First time you run across a goblin and try to aww him with cuteness bunny... don't be surprised if you'll need another bunny :P

thank you! :D. I am not stupid. I know better than to use adorableness on anything that isn't human XD. even the most hardened killer cannot resist cuteness. Also I am either having horrible luck digging through the spell lists or one of you is wrong and will not be getting cookies :/. cannot find familiar spells anywere

5/5

snickersimba wrote:
David Higaki wrote:

@snickersimba: No you cannot play a witch without the Advanced Player Guide. It's in the previously mentioned Guide to the Pathfinder Society, but to use any resource, you must own a copy of it and have it presentable. By that, either a physical copy of the book, having a watermarked PDF with your name on it of the book on an electronic device you bring, or printing out the necessary pages of a watermarked PDF with your name on it.

CRB is the abbreviation for "Core Rule Book". Likewise, there are
APG: Advanced Player's Guide
UM: Ultimate Magic
UC: Ultimate Combat

However, until you get used to things, I suggest sticking with the Core Rulebook options for now. You can still do plenty of fun things with it and as you feel more comfortable, you can work your way to other books (and thus other options).

EDIT: First time you run across a goblin and try to aww him with cuteness bunny... don't be surprised if you'll need another bunny :P

thank you! :D. I am not stupid. I know better than to use adorableness on anything that isn't human XD. even the most hardened killer cannot resist cuteness. Also I am either having horrible luck digging through the spell lists or one of you is wrong and will not be getting cookies :/. cannot find familiar spells anywhere

There are no spells for familiars ... There are certain classes that can have them (i.e. wizard and witch) otherwise you'd want to buy the animal from the equipment list and then you'd have a fun pet, but it wouldn't be an animal companion.

Liberty's Edge

Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
snickersimba wrote:
David Higaki wrote:

@snickersimba: No you cannot play a witch without the Advanced Player Guide. It's in the previously mentioned Guide to the Pathfinder Society, but to use any resource, you must own a copy of it and have it presentable. By that, either a physical copy of the book, having a watermarked PDF with your name on it of the book on an electronic device you bring, or printing out the necessary pages of a watermarked PDF with your name on it.

CRB is the abbreviation for "Core Rule Book". Likewise, there are
APG: Advanced Player's Guide
UM: Ultimate Magic
UC: Ultimate Combat

However, until you get used to things, I suggest sticking with the Core Rulebook options for now. You can still do plenty of fun things with it and as you feel more comfortable, you can work your way to other books (and thus other options).

EDIT: First time you run across a goblin and try to aww him with cuteness bunny... don't be surprised if you'll need another bunny :P

thank you! :D. I am not stupid. I know better than to use adorableness on anything that isn't human XD. even the most hardened killer cannot resist cuteness. Also I am either having horrible luck digging through the spell lists or one of you is wrong and will not be getting cookies :/. cannot find familiar spells anywhere
There are no spells for familiars ... There are certain classes that can have them (i.e. wizard and witch) otherwise you'd want to buy the animal from the equipment list and then you'd have a fun pet, but it wouldn't be an animal companion.

Still sounds fun. Unless I can't use it to suceed diplomacy/charisma checks and use it to distract my oppenents XD. Remind me to give you an extra cookie! I always have extra goodies. My guinea pig is now asleep on my arm. So if I suddenly stop using shift and periods thats the problem XD.

5/5

snickersimba wrote:
Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
snickersimba wrote:
David Higaki wrote:

@snickersimba: No you cannot play a witch without the Advanced Player Guide. It's in the previously mentioned Guide to the Pathfinder Society, but to use any resource, you must own a copy of it and have it presentable. By that, either a physical copy of the book, having a watermarked PDF with your name on it of the book on an electronic device you bring, or printing out the necessary pages of a watermarked PDF with your name on it.

CRB is the abbreviation for "Core Rule Book". Likewise, there are
APG: Advanced Player's Guide
UM: Ultimate Magic
UC: Ultimate Combat

However, until you get used to things, I suggest sticking with the Core Rulebook options for now. You can still do plenty of fun things with it and as you feel more comfortable, you can work your way to other books (and thus other options).

EDIT: First time you run across a goblin and try to aww him with cuteness bunny... don't be surprised if you'll need another bunny :P

thank you! :D. I am not stupid. I know better than to use adorableness on anything that isn't human XD. even the most hardened killer cannot resist cuteness. Also I am either having horrible luck digging through the spell lists or one of you is wrong and will not be getting cookies :/. cannot find familiar spells anywhere
There are no spells for familiars ... There are certain classes that can have them (i.e. wizard and witch) otherwise you'd want to buy the animal from the equipment list and then you'd have a fun pet, but it wouldn't be an animal companion.
Still sounds fun. Unless I can't use it to suceed diplomacy/charisma checks and use it to distract my oppenents XD. Remind me to give you an extra cookie! I always have extra goodies. My guinea pig is now asleep on my arm. So if I suddenly stop using shift and periods thats the problem XD.

Succeeding on check is kind of going to be up to the individual GM as there is no precedence for pets aiding on skill checks, only familiars. Be sure to talk to the GM before hand, but don't be disappointed if he/she says no. Just fair warning.

Not saying that you can't use it as part of the role-play aspect :)

mmmm Gnomes like cookies

Liberty's Edge

(Quote limit asploded) Yeah, I wouldn't expect that, But my PCs have a trope of holding up a bunny whenever they get desprate and using it as a distraction to get away with/convince somone to do somthing/distract someone else. Though I will not let my companions eat it if worst comes to worst. They can all starve and the bunny and I can eat there corpses.

Grand Lodge 5/5

You might be able to get the GM to give you a +2 circumstance modifier from the bunny. But that will vary with each GM and the specific circumstances of each encounter.

EDIT:

Though, you will need a copy of the Animal Archive ($10.99, pdf $7.99) to have access to that type of familiar.

Without legal access, the GM might let you have one as a pet for roleplay purposes, but you would get no in-game benefit from it.

1/5

there is a familiar type which looks kinda like a bunny... perhaps investing in the improved familiar feat and getting a pooka is in order?

Liberty's Edge

Don Walker wrote:
You might be able to get the GM to give you a +2 circumstance modifier from the bunny. But that will vary with each GM and the specific circumstances of each encounter.

They will because I just gave them cookies. :) THAT will be my modifer of choice. I won't abuse it either. But if somehow the bunny dies, ALL of my raise dead/ ressurection spells are going to the bunny and my comrades can jump off a duck right now.

Liberty's Edge 3/5

snickersimba wrote:
Don Walker wrote:
You might be able to get the GM to give you a +2 circumstance modifier from the bunny. But that will vary with each GM and the specific circumstances of each encounter.
They will because I just gave them cookies. :) THAT will be my modifer of choice. I won't abuse it either. But if somehow the bunny dies, ALL of my raise dead/ ressurection spells are going to the bunny and my comrades can jump off a duck right now.

It sounds as if you might enjoy playing a cleric with the animal domain. I think you get speak with animal as a domain spell and you get an animal companion at 4th level. IIRC, the two most common dieties in the CRB that have that domain are Erastil (a god of community, especially rural communities) and Gozreh (a god of nature and bodies of water).

Liberty's Edge

Talon89 wrote:
there is a familiar type which looks kinda like a bunny... perhaps investing in the improved familiar feat and getting a pooka is in order?

Naw Id rather just own a bunny. Bunnies are awesome! My guinea pig just gave me the evil eye :o. Like I said I am flexible with classes anyways! Stick me as a fighter or a rouge! I don't care! Just give me a bunny and I am happy.

*stuffs a cookie into talons hands*

Liberty's Edge

talbanus wrote:
It sounds as if you might enjoy playing a cleric with the animal domain. I think you get speak with animal as a domain spell and you get an animal companion at 4th level. IIRC, the two most common dieties in the CRB that have that domain are Erastil (a god of community, especially rural communities) and Gozreh (a god of nature and bodies of water).

Okay! I love this class! Looks like the table im playing at has a dedicated healer!

*gives fourteen cookies to talbanus*

Liberty's Edge

Don Walker wrote:

You might be able to get the GM to give you a +2 circumstance modifier from the bunny. But that will vary with each GM and the specific circumstances of each encounter.

EDIT:

Though, you will need a copy of the Animal Archive ($10.99, pdf $7.99) to have access to that type of familiar.

Without legal access, the GM might let you have one as a pet for roleplay purposes, but you would get no in-game benefit from it.

eeh thats fine


Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
There are no spells for familiars ...

Ah, for the halcyon days of 2nd Edition D&D, where Find Familiar was a spell.

Which, hilariously, could be placed into spell storing items for others to use.

-j

Grand Lodge 4/5

Jason Wu wrote:
Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
There are no spells for familiars ...

Ah, for the halcyon days of 2nd Edition D&D, where Find Familiar was a spell.

Which, hilariously, could be placed into spell storing items for others to use.

-j

Could have sworn an NPC in a Season 3 scenario I ran today had that spell on her list...

Spoiler:
First Steps, Part 1, Auntie Baltwin had something like that name in her spell list.


The bunny is obviously a Masterwork Tool for Intimidate Diplomacy. :)

Sovereign Court 4/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.

Am I the only one picturing the bunny from Monty Python and the Holy Grail???

Liberty's Edge

Sior. I have never seen monty python. My bunnies are only adorable and do nothing but look cute. However if the guy sending me on my quest refuses to give me a half decent reward. I will have the bunny poop in his -mouth while hes alseep- coffee

Shadow Lodge 4/5 *** Venture-Captain, Michigan—Mt. Pleasant

kinevon wrote:
Jason Wu wrote:
Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
There are no spells for familiars ...

Ah, for the halcyon days of 2nd Edition D&D, where Find Familiar was a spell.

Which, hilariously, could be placed into spell storing items for others to use.

-j

Could have sworn an NPC in a Season 3 scenario I ran today had that spell on her list...

** spoiler omitted **

She doesn't need the spell...

Spoiler:
she's an adept, and they get familiars as a class feature
5/5

Kobold Cleaver wrote:
The bunny is obviously a Masterwork Tool for Intimidate Diplomacy. :)

Pfft ... just clean me and put me away after I get you your faction mission :P

Liberty's Edge

Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome wrote:
Kobold Cleaver wrote:
The bunny is obviously a Masterwork Tool for Intimidate Diplomacy. :)
Pfft ... just clean me and put me away after I get you your faction mission :P

This is why, out of everyone so far. You are my favorite user >_> and my friend wants to throw attend this just so he can threaten the venture captain with a hole puncher. Hes a bit crazy

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