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.eu/library/pathfinder-2nd-edition
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
Dragon's Lair Living World
Players
4/10
GM
1/1
Pathfinder 1
en English

Dragon's Lair Living World

The Elves of Kyonin have opened up their borders to adventurer's in an experiment to judge the worth of the other races. Under the watchful eye of Lord Siridar and his council, adventurer's have flocked to the town of Siavennian to prove their mettle against the elves enemies, specifically demons within the tanglebriar. Living World An open world is typically one with multiple story lines and without any primary objectives, Here our's focuses on the potential of ending the demonic threat of Treerazer. It is closer to MMORPGs as there are no character limits and not everyone is working together. It is likely that several characters will often be working against each other. There will be many story paths available to each player, and as they are completed others will take their place. Players can choose to progress whichever story they like or can choose to create their own story. How it works Quests will be posted, and players will need to schedule day/times with DMs and other players in order to go on a quest. Most quests should be single sessions games, but sometimes may require multiple sessions. Players can also request custom games where they dictate what they want to do. . Character Creation Characters are given a stat array, and start at level 2. We also use Background skills, to allow one to personalize your character. We use only Paizo material, with gunslingers, occult material and unchained material banned. In an effort to maintain lore accuracy. Characters must come from the background traits, feats, or classes chosen from are allowed within that region/religion etc. This is a free to play game.  We operate on discord and roll20.

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PATH1E
Pathfinder 1
Online
Campaign
Carrion Crown late game, then Iron Gods campaign
Players
4/6
GM
1/1
Pathfinder 1
en English

Carrion Crown late game, then Iron Gods campaign

Newbie friendly Newbie friendly
Homebrew Homebrew
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 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 few enemies, I don't bother and keep it in my head (I have the IQ to be able to do so, and then some, whether I like the idea or not). Thought I should mention, no other GM I ever heard of even online has thought to link a campaign to time very consistently. Me, I break it down to years and months, and give the campaign a definite ending and thus a conclusion to the storyline (Vampire the Masquerade). I am THAT relentlessly thorough! Lots of stupid puns and jokes. My campaigns tend to be accidentally lethal, and my NPC's tend to 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. We are gonna finish up the Carrion Crown campaign first (in the middle of the last book in the campaign, 14th level almost 15th), but with Iron Gods you can pick what you want for the most part, as only a few of the classes have been taken(unchained rogue, gunslinger, cleric, all 3 are female PCS but only one of them is run by a female player, just to show YOU the sex attribute modifiers are actually useful and the new player is thinking up a melee warrior of some kind). Could use a Iron Gods Wizard/Technomancer off the top of my head, the whole campaign seems to be built around the prestige class. Gimme a heads up the day before canceling a game, always be ready to play at least 75% of the game sessions. You get high attributes (25 point buy), and max starting gold normally, but you gotta make the characters WITH MY DIRECT ASSISTANCE as I make sure they fit with the group and campaigns, plus I give out extra benefits (like gear).  For example, since Carrion Crown has lots of undead, don't do anything that imposes mental conditions, you need really good saving throws. Iron Gods has much the same problem with robots, undead. 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 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 likely one male, but played by players of either biological sex. 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, Drow, 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 (so long as you stay away from melee combat), Sorcerers, Psychics, Mesmerists, Gunslingers, 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 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, Barbarians, 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. 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 eventually gonna play Iron Gods, and you get access to alien guns so the Gunslinger is welcome, one player made a female sylph example already. I won't run Rise of the Runelords since I just got done with that, ran the whole shebang.  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. We have a Ranger (archer), but the player is down for the count for medical reasons. There's already a Cleric, Bard, Paladin, as well. There's a newbie running the paladin, and we need someone to run the Wizard. The Ranger used to be killing off smaller opponents, but we could use someone else of any class you want in my list. I dunno, a Sorcerer in addition maybe? No gestalt classes, nothing outside the list below. Each new campaign, take a different class and role. These are the Pathfinder classes I use: Warriors: Unchained Barbarian, Unchained Monk(very culture centric, but there are rare outside examples), Paladin, Fighter, Ranger (and possibly Gunslinger, 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.

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PATH1E
Pathfinder 1
Online
Campaign
reign of winter and rise of the runelords
Players
1/6
GM
1/1
Pathfinder 1
en English

reign of winter and rise of the runelords

looking for a gm to run reign of winter in exchange i run rise of the runelords thinking we switch off every week or every book of the ap good to play anytime after 630pm est on weekdays and weekends preferably to use roll20 but prob can use others if youll host the game and show me how to run it on foundry or others

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New
Posted 1 hour ago
en English
DND5E
Dungeons & Dragons 5E
PATH2E
Pathfinder 2E
...
Online
Eddie
Hey, I've been playing TTRPGs for 11 years, and I'm just looking for new groups to play with consistently.
en English
PATH1E
Pathfinder 1
Online
skylar
Names Skylar or sky either is fine been playing ttrpgs for about 10 years now looking to just play pf1e
New
Posted 20 hours ago
en English
DND5E
Dungeons & Dragons 5E
PATH1E
Pathfinder 1
...
Online
Eric
Hello there! I am a vetern M20+ player with some experience in pathfinder 1e. and I am looking for more pathfinder games to join. In terms of overral pathfinder experience, I played in one normal pathfinder game, one game using mythical power, and one using pathfinder spheres of power. So I can play any game of pathfinder using those, I am mostly interrest in using spheres of power, but its not mandatory; I can play without it. For time: my timezone is gmt-3 and the days I can play are friday(at night) saturday sunday I can use both roll20 and foundry, however I have yet to play pathfinder 1e using foundry, my pathfinder games were on roll20 thanks for reading.

Other entries

Bandit's Keep
Video

Bandit's Keep

TTRPG
English
Dungeons & Dragons
RPG advice and discussion. Let's talk gaming! Actual play channel with multiple campaigns on Bandit's Keep Actual Play. Links youtube.com - Youtube channel discord.gg - Discord server patreon.com - Patreon page

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Draw Steel (2025)
Tabletop Roleplaying Games

Draw Steel (2025)

English
Complex
Rules-medium
Draw Steel is a tactical heroic fantasy tabletop roleplaying game designed by Matt Colville and the team at MCDM Productions. It is built to provide a modern, cinematic alternative to traditional d20 fantasy games. It focuses on high action, tactical depth, and ensuring that every player character feels like a legendary hero from the very first level. The system it is a spiritual successor to is Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition Description In Draw Steel, players take on the roles of Heroes. Unlike other systems, the characters are heroes from the start. The characters are already capable of taking on the world and whatever threats may arise. The system encourages a highly tactical approach to combat encounters, promoting teamwork and clever use of abilities to control and affect any battlefield they might find themselves at. System Overview & Key Features The 2d10 Core Mechanic The game abandons the d20 focus and instead offers two ten-sided dice (2d10) instead. This creates a better mathematical average and becomes more predictable and reliable. No To Hit Rolls Draw Steel eliminates the traditional roll to hit. Instead, heroes automatically hit their targets with their primary abilities, but they roll to determine how much Power or impact the effect has. This keeps the game focused on making meaningful tactical choices rather than wasting turns on a miss. Heroic Resources Each class manages a unique resource, such as Focus or Valor, which builds up during a fight. These resources are spent to activate powerful Signature Moves and Heroic Abilities, ensuring that combat has a rising sense of drama and escalation as the heroes grow more powerful the longer a battle lasts. Tactical Movement and Forced Position Combat is designed for a grid. Many abilities do more than just deal damage; they allow players to slide, push, or pull enemies and allies across the battlefield. Positioning is vital, and the environment is intended to be a weapon that heroes can use to their advantage. Tiered Success Action resolution often uses three tiers of success. A low roll might provide a success with a cost, a middle roll is a standard success, and a high roll is a spectacular success that might trigger bonus effects or additional damage. This ensures that every roll contributes something to the ongoing narrative. Additional links mcdmproductions.com - Official MCDM Productions website mcdm.gg - MCDM community and developer portal

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Rola Iniciativa
Actual Play & Podcasts

Rola Iniciativa

Portuguese
Dungeons & Dragons
Actual Play
Rola Iniciativa pretende ser uma ferramenta de divulgação dos jogos narrativos em Língua Portuguesa! Links youtube.com - Youtube channel twitch.tv - Twitch channel

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