nichevo
@d16-nichevo.bsky.social
Kingmaker's good, but you gotta go into it with eyes open. You need to know about Kingdom Management and you need to be prepared for PF1e rules.
FWIW I talk more about that in the link below.
deck16.net/post/7214788...
FWIW I talk more about that in the link below.
deck16.net/post/7214788...
deck16.net
February 13, 2026 at 7:41 AM
Kingmaker's good, but you gotta go into it with eyes open. You need to know about Kingdom Management and you need to be prepared for PF1e rules.
FWIW I talk more about that in the link below.
deck16.net/post/7214788...
FWIW I talk more about that in the link below.
deck16.net/post/7214788...
"Is looking at Pathfinder a good idea for my needs?"
From what I gather, you're trying to run 1-hour one-shot games?
Neither edition of PF will be a good fit. I think you could do it, but I think you could find much simpler TTRPGs to better work with that time limit.
From what I gather, you're trying to run 1-hour one-shot games?
Neither edition of PF will be a good fit. I think you could do it, but I think you could find much simpler TTRPGs to better work with that time limit.
February 12, 2026 at 9:32 AM
"Is looking at Pathfinder a good idea for my needs?"
From what I gather, you're trying to run 1-hour one-shot games?
Neither edition of PF will be a good fit. I think you could do it, but I think you could find much simpler TTRPGs to better work with that time limit.
From what I gather, you're trying to run 1-hour one-shot games?
Neither edition of PF will be a good fit. I think you could do it, but I think you could find much simpler TTRPGs to better work with that time limit.
"Where do I look for current official PF stuff?"
Archives on Nethys has all the rules content for Pathfinder First and Second Editions. Legally and for free.
2e.aonprd.com/PlayersGuide...
Archives on Nethys has all the rules content for Pathfinder First and Second Editions. Legally and for free.
2e.aonprd.com/PlayersGuide...
Player's Guide - Archives of Nethys: Pathfinder 2nd Edition Database
2e.aonprd.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:22 AM
"Where do I look for current official PF stuff?"
Archives on Nethys has all the rules content for Pathfinder First and Second Editions. Legally and for free.
2e.aonprd.com/PlayersGuide...
Archives on Nethys has all the rules content for Pathfinder First and Second Editions. Legally and for free.
2e.aonprd.com/PlayersGuide...
Zero time pressure? All encounters will be entered at full HP, normal balance applies.
Some time pressure? The party may have to pick and choose when to rest. Make encounters a little easier.
Extreme time pressure? There's no 10 minutes to be had! Make encounters considerably easier.
Some time pressure? The party may have to pick and choose when to rest. Make encounters a little easier.
Extreme time pressure? There's no 10 minutes to be had! Make encounters considerably easier.
February 12, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Zero time pressure? All encounters will be entered at full HP, normal balance applies.
Some time pressure? The party may have to pick and choose when to rest. Make encounters a little easier.
Extreme time pressure? There's no 10 minutes to be had! Make encounters considerably easier.
Some time pressure? The party may have to pick and choose when to rest. Make encounters a little easier.
Extreme time pressure? There's no 10 minutes to be had! Make encounters considerably easier.
The nice thing about PF2e is you can do either extreme, or any point inbetween.
With care, the balance works in all cases.
The GM just has to turn the "resting dial"...
With care, the balance works in all cases.
The GM just has to turn the "resting dial"...
February 12, 2026 at 8:54 AM
The nice thing about PF2e is you can do either extreme, or any point inbetween.
With care, the balance works in all cases.
The GM just has to turn the "resting dial"...
With care, the balance works in all cases.
The GM just has to turn the "resting dial"...
Yep.
I do instigate other systems, but at a glacial pace. I'd love to try out more different systems but my "TTRPG bandwidth" is saturated with GMing ongoing PF2e games. Doesn't help that I quite like long-running campaigns.
If someone else offers, though, I'm down for whatever. 👍
Except FATAL. 🤮
I do instigate other systems, but at a glacial pace. I'd love to try out more different systems but my "TTRPG bandwidth" is saturated with GMing ongoing PF2e games. Doesn't help that I quite like long-running campaigns.
If someone else offers, though, I'm down for whatever. 👍
Except FATAL. 🤮
February 11, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Yep.
I do instigate other systems, but at a glacial pace. I'd love to try out more different systems but my "TTRPG bandwidth" is saturated with GMing ongoing PF2e games. Doesn't help that I quite like long-running campaigns.
If someone else offers, though, I'm down for whatever. 👍
Except FATAL. 🤮
I do instigate other systems, but at a glacial pace. I'd love to try out more different systems but my "TTRPG bandwidth" is saturated with GMing ongoing PF2e games. Doesn't help that I quite like long-running campaigns.
If someone else offers, though, I'm down for whatever. 👍
Except FATAL. 🤮
Whatever the reason, this "freeness" is fantastic for players of the system.
I don't know if Paizo love or hate the fact that fans (like me) will take any opportunity to spruik the system's "freeness".
Guessing again, but I suspect they'd like it.
I don't know if Paizo love or hate the fact that fans (like me) will take any opportunity to spruik the system's "freeness".
Guessing again, but I suspect they'd like it.
February 11, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Whatever the reason, this "freeness" is fantastic for players of the system.
I don't know if Paizo love or hate the fact that fans (like me) will take any opportunity to spruik the system's "freeness".
Guessing again, but I suspect they'd like it.
I don't know if Paizo love or hate the fact that fans (like me) will take any opportunity to spruik the system's "freeness".
Guessing again, but I suspect they'd like it.
I would imagine if you're in the second spot, you benefit from being more open and pro-consumer. It's a good way to "steal" customers from the number one competitor.
Some of those customers will play for free, but many will buy stuff.
At least, that's what I suspect the thinking is.
Some of those customers will play for free, but many will buy stuff.
At least, that's what I suspect the thinking is.
February 11, 2026 at 10:38 AM
I would imagine if you're in the second spot, you benefit from being more open and pro-consumer. It's a good way to "steal" customers from the number one competitor.
Some of those customers will play for free, but many will buy stuff.
At least, that's what I suspect the thinking is.
Some of those customers will play for free, but many will buy stuff.
At least, that's what I suspect the thinking is.
As a PF2e fan, my thinking is this:
If you've looked with an open mind at other TTRPG systems (not just PF of course), and ultimately chosen D&D because of circumstance or preference, you're alright by me. 👍
I would humbly hope you aren't feeding the beast with a D&D Beyond sub or such, though. 😧
If you've looked with an open mind at other TTRPG systems (not just PF of course), and ultimately chosen D&D because of circumstance or preference, you're alright by me. 👍
I would humbly hope you aren't feeding the beast with a D&D Beyond sub or such, though. 😧
February 11, 2026 at 10:32 AM
As a PF2e fan, my thinking is this:
If you've looked with an open mind at other TTRPG systems (not just PF of course), and ultimately chosen D&D because of circumstance or preference, you're alright by me. 👍
I would humbly hope you aren't feeding the beast with a D&D Beyond sub or such, though. 😧
If you've looked with an open mind at other TTRPG systems (not just PF of course), and ultimately chosen D&D because of circumstance or preference, you're alright by me. 👍
I would humbly hope you aren't feeding the beast with a D&D Beyond sub or such, though. 😧
Not all TTRPGs are like D&D.
Example:
You can play Pathfinder 2e for free, legally. And not just a cut-back "basic" version. All the game's rules, including add-on material, is legally and freely online.
Then there's Pathbuilder and the PF2e system for Foundry VTT: both free and legally so.
Example:
You can play Pathfinder 2e for free, legally. And not just a cut-back "basic" version. All the game's rules, including add-on material, is legally and freely online.
Then there's Pathbuilder and the PF2e system for Foundry VTT: both free and legally so.
Player's Guide - Archives of Nethys: Pathfinder 2nd Edition Database
2e.aonprd.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Not all TTRPGs are like D&D.
Example:
You can play Pathfinder 2e for free, legally. And not just a cut-back "basic" version. All the game's rules, including add-on material, is legally and freely online.
Then there's Pathbuilder and the PF2e system for Foundry VTT: both free and legally so.
Example:
You can play Pathfinder 2e for free, legally. And not just a cut-back "basic" version. All the game's rules, including add-on material, is legally and freely online.
Then there's Pathbuilder and the PF2e system for Foundry VTT: both free and legally so.
Interesting to read your POV.
If you were writing this material, how would you do it differently?
If you were writing this material, how would you do it differently?
February 6, 2026 at 9:41 AM
Interesting to read your POV.
If you were writing this material, how would you do it differently?
If you were writing this material, how would you do it differently?
I had that mini, as an ork-player teen in the late 90's.
I have a terrible memory of Ghazghkull and a heap of orks totally surrounding a lone Space Marine captain in melee... and all eventually dying.
That was Second Edition? Against a player who knew the rules well & how to really leverage them.
I have a terrible memory of Ghazghkull and a heap of orks totally surrounding a lone Space Marine captain in melee... and all eventually dying.
That was Second Edition? Against a player who knew the rules well & how to really leverage them.
February 3, 2026 at 10:42 AM
I had that mini, as an ork-player teen in the late 90's.
I have a terrible memory of Ghazghkull and a heap of orks totally surrounding a lone Space Marine captain in melee... and all eventually dying.
That was Second Edition? Against a player who knew the rules well & how to really leverage them.
I have a terrible memory of Ghazghkull and a heap of orks totally surrounding a lone Space Marine captain in melee... and all eventually dying.
That was Second Edition? Against a player who knew the rules well & how to really leverage them.
May I ask what's stopping you? Usually GMs are in high demand: it's the players who scramble to get into games.
February 3, 2026 at 10:36 AM
May I ask what's stopping you? Usually GMs are in high demand: it's the players who scramble to get into games.
If a min-maxer has a bad attitude or a disregard for the group's desire to role-play, yes that's bad, but that's not a problem of min-maxing. That's a player-personality or player-fit problem.
A nice, friendly min-maxer's only potential problem -- that I can think of -- is being an Angel Summoner.
A nice, friendly min-maxer's only potential problem -- that I can think of -- is being an Angel Summoner.
February 3, 2026 at 10:27 AM
If a min-maxer has a bad attitude or a disregard for the group's desire to role-play, yes that's bad, but that's not a problem of min-maxing. That's a player-personality or player-fit problem.
A nice, friendly min-maxer's only potential problem -- that I can think of -- is being an Angel Summoner.
A nice, friendly min-maxer's only potential problem -- that I can think of -- is being an Angel Summoner.
Now, in some systems, it's difficult to make one character that much more powerful than another. Presuming no-one is purposefully sabotaging, I don't think Angel Summoner and BMX Bandit would happen in D&D 5e or PF2e.
Absolutely it could happen in D&D 3.5e or PF1e though.
Absolutely it could happen in D&D 3.5e or PF1e though.
February 3, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Now, in some systems, it's difficult to make one character that much more powerful than another. Presuming no-one is purposefully sabotaging, I don't think Angel Summoner and BMX Bandit would happen in D&D 5e or PF2e.
Absolutely it could happen in D&D 3.5e or PF1e though.
Absolutely it could happen in D&D 3.5e or PF1e though.
It's what I like to call the "Angel Summoner" problem, referencing the great skit by Mitchell and Webb.
It's often not fun to play as a character alongside another character who is considerably more powerful. Not (just) because of jealousy. More relevantly, because one doesn't contribute.
It's often not fun to play as a character alongside another character who is considerably more powerful. Not (just) because of jealousy. More relevantly, because one doesn't contribute.
Angel Summoner and BMX Bandit
YouTube video by wannywan
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:27 AM
It's what I like to call the "Angel Summoner" problem, referencing the great skit by Mitchell and Webb.
It's often not fun to play as a character alongside another character who is considerably more powerful. Not (just) because of jealousy. More relevantly, because one doesn't contribute.
It's often not fun to play as a character alongside another character who is considerably more powerful. Not (just) because of jealousy. More relevantly, because one doesn't contribute.
Min-maxing is, like a lot of things, fine in moderation. Whether that's a little bit of love and care for the mechanics of your character in a regular game, or whether it's a "make the most broken character" for a meat-grinder dungeon oneshot.
But min-maxing can be a problem...
But min-maxing can be a problem...
February 3, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Min-maxing is, like a lot of things, fine in moderation. Whether that's a little bit of love and care for the mechanics of your character in a regular game, or whether it's a "make the most broken character" for a meat-grinder dungeon oneshot.
But min-maxing can be a problem...
But min-maxing can be a problem...
A "how their story ended" montage is worth doing. I did one for the end of my 1-to-20 multi-year D&D campaign. For both NPCs and PCs. It went for longer than 5 minutes.
One potential tip: intersperse the PC epilogues (which I asked the players to tell) between the NPC epilogues.
One potential tip: intersperse the PC epilogues (which I asked the players to tell) between the NPC epilogues.
January 28, 2026 at 9:15 AM
A "how their story ended" montage is worth doing. I did one for the end of my 1-to-20 multi-year D&D campaign. For both NPCs and PCs. It went for longer than 5 minutes.
One potential tip: intersperse the PC epilogues (which I asked the players to tell) between the NPC epilogues.
One potential tip: intersperse the PC epilogues (which I asked the players to tell) between the NPC epilogues.
I didn't say "spell check". I said "grammar and clarity". Though it is true there are tools for that too.
I was curious as some people use AI for "assistive" reasons like help with a language they're not fluent in, or ameliorating a disability.
You clearly explained your stance though. Thank you!
I was curious as some people use AI for "assistive" reasons like help with a language they're not fluent in, or ameliorating a disability.
You clearly explained your stance though. Thank you!
January 28, 2026 at 4:42 AM
I didn't say "spell check". I said "grammar and clarity". Though it is true there are tools for that too.
I was curious as some people use AI for "assistive" reasons like help with a language they're not fluent in, or ameliorating a disability.
You clearly explained your stance though. Thank you!
I was curious as some people use AI for "assistive" reasons like help with a language they're not fluent in, or ameliorating a disability.
You clearly explained your stance though. Thank you!
It's a very good idea to be transparent and open with your rules! 👍
I understand the gentle enforcement goal here. I am curious if this is a zero-tolerance policy?
What would you do if you found, for example, an ESL player used AI not to write a backstory, but check it for grammar and clarity?
I understand the gentle enforcement goal here. I am curious if this is a zero-tolerance policy?
What would you do if you found, for example, an ESL player used AI not to write a backstory, but check it for grammar and clarity?
January 27, 2026 at 10:47 AM
It's a very good idea to be transparent and open with your rules! 👍
I understand the gentle enforcement goal here. I am curious if this is a zero-tolerance policy?
What would you do if you found, for example, an ESL player used AI not to write a backstory, but check it for grammar and clarity?
I understand the gentle enforcement goal here. I am curious if this is a zero-tolerance policy?
What would you do if you found, for example, an ESL player used AI not to write a backstory, but check it for grammar and clarity?
If anyone offers me to join as a player I am totally open to new systems. These experiences have, on occasion, "converted" me to GMing a new system!
As for the idea there are too many for "the world"? Nonsense. In the words of The Hon. Bob Kattar MP "Let there be a thousand blossoms bloom".
As for the idea there are too many for "the world"? Nonsense. In the words of The Hon. Bob Kattar MP "Let there be a thousand blossoms bloom".
January 27, 2026 at 9:09 AM
If anyone offers me to join as a player I am totally open to new systems. These experiences have, on occasion, "converted" me to GMing a new system!
As for the idea there are too many for "the world"? Nonsense. In the words of The Hon. Bob Kattar MP "Let there be a thousand blossoms bloom".
As for the idea there are too many for "the world"? Nonsense. In the words of The Hon. Bob Kattar MP "Let there be a thousand blossoms bloom".
As you say in the full article: there's too many TTRPGs in the sense that there's no time to play them all! As a hobbyist GM there's barely time to prep and play my currently-chosen TTRPG.
That said, I am not a one-system GM. Just that I GM new systems at a glacially slow pace.
That said, I am not a one-system GM. Just that I GM new systems at a glacially slow pace.
January 27, 2026 at 9:09 AM
As you say in the full article: there's too many TTRPGs in the sense that there's no time to play them all! As a hobbyist GM there's barely time to prep and play my currently-chosen TTRPG.
That said, I am not a one-system GM. Just that I GM new systems at a glacially slow pace.
That said, I am not a one-system GM. Just that I GM new systems at a glacially slow pace.
I agree. That would be an odd thing to do.
January 27, 2026 at 8:47 AM
I agree. That would be an odd thing to do.
Markdown can be converted into HTML easily, but the reverse process isn't true.
That said, I do write TTRPG stuff in HTML. Commit to GitHub and host freely. See rpg.deck16.net. I can access on PC, on phone, and can link others to it no issue.
Easy for me because of my career. Easy for others? 🤷
That said, I do write TTRPG stuff in HTML. Commit to GitHub and host freely. See rpg.deck16.net. I can access on PC, on phone, and can link others to it no issue.
Easy for me because of my career. Easy for others? 🤷
Deck16 RPG Pages
rpg.deck16.net
January 23, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Markdown can be converted into HTML easily, but the reverse process isn't true.
That said, I do write TTRPG stuff in HTML. Commit to GitHub and host freely. See rpg.deck16.net. I can access on PC, on phone, and can link others to it no issue.
Easy for me because of my career. Easy for others? 🤷
That said, I do write TTRPG stuff in HTML. Commit to GitHub and host freely. See rpg.deck16.net. I can access on PC, on phone, and can link others to it no issue.
Easy for me because of my career. Easy for others? 🤷
If someone has honestly & openly looked at the alternatives and chooses D&D all the same, more power to them. D&D suits some people just like a Honda Civic suits some people.
The key is that consumers aren't blinded by branding & are aware of their choices.
But yeah... there are better systems. 😉
The key is that consumers aren't blinded by branding & are aware of their choices.
But yeah... there are better systems. 😉
January 23, 2026 at 9:57 AM
If someone has honestly & openly looked at the alternatives and chooses D&D all the same, more power to them. D&D suits some people just like a Honda Civic suits some people.
The key is that consumers aren't blinded by branding & are aware of their choices.
But yeah... there are better systems. 😉
The key is that consumers aren't blinded by branding & are aware of their choices.
But yeah... there are better systems. 😉