I was musing yesterday about using Pathfinder 2e for a lower magic setting like Primeval Thule. If the PCs can't routinely buy magic items, occasionally finding random/esoteric stuff maybe, does the encounter balance maths still work ok at higher level?
Follow up questions from my last post. I've only GM'd 5 sessions and I started with the Beginner Box, so I may well have missed some things in the GM Core.
I hadn't noticed this in the rules, but I'm thinking these might be reasonable ways to slow down progression somewhat.
Edit: Happy to see there is a strong consensus this is NOT the normal approach, and that it's expected to give full XP (adjusted for number of PCs ofc).
My 5-PC group just hit 4th level at the end of last session after 5 sessions of play, a bit over 20 hours of tabletop play. I use the XP rules as written. They hit 2nd level right before the fight with the dragon at the end of the Beginner Box in Session 2, and 3rd level early in Session 4. So it looks like about 7 hours to level up so far. The book suggests 3-4 sessions to level up, ie more like 14 hours. So I was wondering which fits your own experience better, and does it slow significantly at higher level?
Edit: Just asked my group whether they are happy with the current rate or would prefer slower. afaict they seem to be getting through about 2 expected sessions of material every 4-5 hour session, which isn't really a problem unless they find they don't have time to get used to their new abilities. From the GM side it all runs very smoothly, but as a player I might find the constant need to choose new abilities annoying or overwhelming.
Edit 2: Players seem happy with the fast advancement at least until after the PCs hit 5th level. Was suggested we might want to reevaluate progression rate around 6th level and increase XP needed for the 6th-11th level range.
Sharing this in case anyone else wants to use it. Moto feels a bit limited IMCs so I give Nomads Family as per Cyberpunk 2020. I also use it with the Gangster PC imc, and it works for Boostergang members too (who could also get Backup if the gang has a heavy Street presence),
I've been running PF2 a month or so now (4 sessions in, 5th in 5 hours!), after many decades running other RPGs, with a lot of sandbox campaigning eg in OSR and 5e. Only 4e D&D proved wholly unsuitable. My Abomination Vaults game is set up as fairly sandboxy, integrating BB Under Otari as the starter dungeon, the Troubles in Otari adventures, and others of my own devising like the Goblin raid on Shroon farm I discussed last week. Here I discuss building a sandbox in P2; I'm interested in your own thoughts and experiences, especially if you have tried this style with this system?
Hi chooms. Legacy the Rockerboy is non-gender-specific & uses they/them. I was wondering how Carri Zote would refer to Legacy in terms of boyfriend/girlfriend - eg what do people currently say, and what would she say if different? (I'm 53 & fairly socially conservative so I have no idea what people currently would call them, but I'd like to play Carri accurately for the setting)
Edit: From feedback, sounds like "Friend" would be most likely, followed by "Output".
Posted this just now about the great climactic battle I ran yesterday in my Otari campaign - using the XP rules as written the 5 level 3 PCs earned 192 XP for defeating 17 Goblins, 8 PL-4 and 9 PL-2. This was my 4th session running PF2, apart from one player we are new to the game, but it's a pretty competent group with a good lineup of 2 Fighters, Cleric, Monk & Wizard. I was wondering if it's normal for groups to be able to handle what the game advice considers Extreme encounters (160 XP+)?
The party were the defenders in this scenario, but they started out of position in the barn, attracted by the frightened whinnying of the horses, dealing with 3 Goblins lurking there, while the main Goblin forces attacked the farm in 2 groups from north and south. The Goblins had good ranged attacks, and the PCs had to stop them breaking into the farmhouse and killing the farmer, Lavinia Shroon, so there was a lot of tactical tension and decision making. The Monk Keshani decided they had to counter attack the Goblins, and bravely led a charge into the northern group, while Valeros held the farmhouse door almost single handed against the southern horde.
Great battle. My impression so far though is that foes below party level may be a bit over-valued for XP, whereas anything above PL feels tough compared to the XP value. Is this a general consensus?
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/669313909332901921/1498017461453459507/20260426_184453.jpg?ex=69f049ba&is=69eef83a&hm=0194e07ce4c272f26087a0ea829e8ae6bf47d0fc501dff392830979eb4585cc6 The GM giving his best We Be Goblins impression.
