OSNPC Treasure Hoard #2307
Is Pathfinder 2e Basically D&D 4.5
Welcome to OldSchoolNPC’s weekly newsletter. If you’d like these sent to your inbox, you can subscribe below. You even get a free one-shot adventure module when you join. All the previous issues (along with other posts) can be found here. Remember that subscribers (even free subscribers) get extra content for the Dungeon Clash series.
Featured Video
It is no secret that I think D&D 4e does not get the credit it deserves. It was a revolutionary rule set that was as big of a jump from D&D third edition as 3e was from D&D 2e. But, for a variety of reasons, it did not find an audience.
When I ask the community why they do not like it, I will typically get several responses. The one that I disdain the most is, “It’s NOT D&D!”
The truth is that it is as much D&D as any other version of D&D. The mechanics and feel of 3e were very different from 1e. To say that one version of D&D is ‘real’ and the others are not is just silly. I am not a huge fan of 2e, but it is as D&D as any other version.
The interesting thing is that Pathfinder 2e feels very similar to D&D 4e. I am not saying they are the same, but there are enough similarities to make me wonder if Pathfinder 2e could just as easily have been called D&D 4.5.
This week I did some investigation into the two rule sets and highlighted a few specific things that clearly look as though they were inspired by D&D 4e
News and Updates
D&D Executive Producer Kyle Brink has been making the rounds to do interviews on social media.
He offered his thoughts on both the 3 Black Halflings and Mastering Dungeons YouTube channels
What I found most interesting were his comments about how the OGL drama unfolded. I get the impression that the powers that be at Wizards of the Coast were not listening to the right people when they charged forward with the plan.
He also made a comment that he does not know who wrote the, now infamous, “we also won” statement in their initial response. I do not buy this. I don’t think any such note goes out without being vetted and I think they are just protecting the names of those responsible. And that is perfectly fine.
He also mentioned that One D&D would have an SRD and would have content released under the Creative Commons License just as was done for SRD 5. But I will believe it when I see it.
I encourage you to check out the interviews. They are long, but very interesting.
The So You Wanna Try Out Pathfinder Humble Bundle is still available until 2/23/2023
This full $25 bundle includes 28 items and $396 worth of products if you were to purchase them separately
Among the items is PDFs of the Core Rulebook, the GameMastery Guide, 2 Bestiaries, Flip-mats, Pawns, and several adventures. There is even a Foundry VTT package in there.
GM Toolbox
This is a new section to the newsletter that I have been wanting to add for some time. In each issue, I am going to provide some content that GMs (or players) can use in your campaigns. Mostly this will be in the form of NPCs, Encounters, Maps, or tables that you can roll on to add some variety to your game.
Tavern Encounter Prompts (d6)
A group of travelers rushes into the tavern. They are carrying one of their friends who appears to be frozen. They set him on a table and shout for help.
A bard, Galen, plays a hypnotic tune on their lute, several patrons seem to stop what they are doing and slowly move around as if in a trance
A boisterous group of dwarves, led by Brogan Stonehammer, play a raucous game of dice in the corner.
A hooded figure, Sariel, sits in the shadows holding a mug of ale. They do not seem to be drinking it. Their eyes flick back and forth across the room as if searching for someone.
A fire-breathing dragonborn bartender, Ragnar, laughs at a joke and accidentally sets a tapestry on fire.
A mysterious sorceress, Lirien, who took up residence in the tavern a week ago, visits with each table. She is rumored to be seeking allies for a dangerous quest.
OSNPC Dungeon Clash series 03 episode 3 dropped yesterday. This series uses Pathfinder 2e rules. Everyone is free to participate by watching the latest episode and leaving your suggestions for what the characters do.
For the full experience, subscribe to the newsletter (its free). Subscribers get the following benefits.
Access to the Dungeon Clash character sheets (including updates during the series)
Exclusive Dungeon Clash updates with additional details about the prior round
A free PDF of the Dungeon Clash adventure along with the high resolution maps once the series ends (module uses D&D 5e rules)
Access to all the regular newsletter posts (like this one)
In an effort to keep the newsletter and Dungeon Clash content free, affiliate links are used to support the channel. I receive a portion of any sale made via the links in this post.
Thank you for your support.
Until next time.
Take care.