Tuesday, August 6, 2013

[Q&A] Jason Bulmahn (Pathfinder)

[19:02] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Hi everyone, I am Jason Bulmahn, the Lead Designer at Paizo Publishing and the madman behind the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. My responsibilities at Paizo revolve primarily around the Core Rulebooks, so, while I am knowledgeable about the other things we do, my area of expertise is with the core.
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[19:03] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> In other words, if you ask me about the Upcoming Mythic book, I can give you some clues, but I am not sure I know who Aroden's 3rd cousin is... assuming that he has one :)
[19:03] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> done
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[19:03] <~Dan> Thanks, Jason!
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[19:03] <~Dan> Would anyone like to get us started with a question?
[19:04] <+Catseye> Piazo_Jason: Pathfinder has been something I wanted to get into. But I haven't as of yet. I tried out D&D 4th edition, and it mostly fell flat for me. Can you tell me what Pathfinder has to offer that D&D 4th doesn't?
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[19:05] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Pathfinder offers a game that lets you tell the stories you want to tell, using a flexible rules system that you are probably already at least tacitly familiar with (3.5). It takes that engine and revises the rough parts of the game to make for a better play experience.
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[19:05] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> And.. we got ninjas.. just sayin.
[19:05] * ~Dan chuckles
[19:05] <~Dan> Can you give some examples of those revisions?
[19:05] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Sure.
[19:06] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> One of the big design challenges we faced was coming up with a way to smooth out the system a bit. Whenever there was a part of 3.5 that required you to look in a book, that was a target for revision. For example, we changed the entire system of bull rush, trip, grapple, and disarm, unifying them into one system of combat maneuvers. Now you just roll a d20,
[19:07] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Add your modifier, and compare it to your target's defense. If you hit, the maneuver succeeds.
[19:08] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> We also looked at the classes themselves, to make them a more engaging path for characters all the way up to 20, giving you more options and toys to play with. This also allowed us to fix some of the imbalances that lived in the 3.5 class design
[19:08] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> done
[19:08] <+Catseye> Will my old 3.5 and D20 Modern supplements work with Pathfinder? I have a rather packed bookshelf of OGL supplements from days gone by.
[19:09] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Yes, although they might need a light amount of conversion to get them to work. On the whole, it still the same system, you still have hp, AC, saves, and the math behind those is mostly unchanged. There are just some stuff around the edges (like combat maneuvers) that need to be accounted for
[19:09] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> But it was part of our design to make sure that your existing shelf of books was still useful to you going forward with Pathfinder
[19:10] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> done
[19:10] <&Le_Squide> What's your response to the flood of third party support for Pathfinder? Are there any 3rd party products/product lines you particularly like?
[19:10] <+Abstruse> Aside from obviously Pathfinder, what's your favorite edition of D&D?
[19:11] <+BlasterKyubey210> mmm
[19:11] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> I am very happy with the fact that so many 3rd party publishers have come out in support of our game. Its good to see so many talented designers and publishers putting out such great work. I have to say, the folks over at Super Genius have been putting out some fine work.
[19:11] <+BlasterKyubey210> Some of the skills do carry over
[19:11] <+xyphoid_> Think you'll get a pathfinder 2e at any point?
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[19:11] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> And I hear nothing but good things about Fire Mountain Games' Adventure Path... all good stuff.
[19:12] <+technoshaman> will we ever see alternate magic system in Pathfinder rather than the vancian system?
[19:12] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> As for my favorite version of D&D, I got started with BECMI, hard to beat the first.
[19:12] <~Dan> (Welcome to #rpgnet, yuqu! Here for the Q&A?)
[19:12] <+Catseye> Okay, you have sold me on getting into Pathfinder. What books are absolutely necessary to get to support my OGL and D20 Modern books?
[19:12] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> As to a 2nd Ed of Pathfinder, its not currently in the works. We are very happy with how the system is currently progressing.
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[19:13] <+BlasterKyubey210> I have a question: I'm trying to figure out how to do Midnight under Pathfinder rules: Due to revised Constructs and Undead, do they still have the same rules pertaining to pushing themselves too far with Channeled Magic?
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[19:13] <~Dan> (Question pause after Blaster's question, please.)
[19:13] <~Dan> (Howdy, Sil!)
[19:13] <+BlasterKyubey210> (That is since they have Con Scores, do they still set their Pushing limit for Charisma in Undead's case and Strength for Constructs?_
[19:14] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> As to an alternate magic system, we toyed around with Words of Power in Ultimate Magic, which was certainly different, but not truly broken away from Vancian casting. I would not rule it out in the future, but that is one gigantic undertaking, seeing how magic is so wrapped up in so much of the game
[19:15] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> As to what books you need to get started on Pathfinder, you need the Core Rulebook and Bestiary, those two are necessary. Beyond that, the Advanced Player's Guide is very useful (as it has 6 new classes that have become standard). The rest depends heavily on your campaign and needs.
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[19:15] <+Catseye> sounds good to me. Adding them to my Amazon cart as we speak :)
[19:16] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Blaster, my memory on Midnight is a bit foggy, so I am not sure I follow you.
[19:16] <~Dan> (Welcome to #rpgnet, KloolessInCali! Here for the Q&A?)
[19:16] <+BlasterKyubey210> Basically, in Midnight, the channeled Magic System has two numbers: Normal Spell Energy and Pushing it
[19:16] <+BlasterKyubey210> The latter is when you decide to overdo  it
[19:16] <+KloolessInCali> Jason, I have a question re. caravan rules that are being used for Jade Regent campaign
[19:16] <+KloolessInCali> Hi, Dan.  Yes I am
[19:17] <+BlasterKyubey210> In Midnight 2e rules, Undead use Charisma to push themselves and Constructs use Strenght to make up for the lack of Con scores. With Pathfinder's revisions, would this rule stick if I run a Midnight game under PF rules?
[19:17] <+Silverlion> Are their any plans to perhaps rebalance the Druid? (Its kind of op since it can at high level turns into Dinosaurs..)
[19:17] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Blaster: Yes, I think basing it off Charisma and Strength are the way to go, they still do not have Con scores.
[19:17] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Done
[19:17] <~Dan> (Questions can resume!)
[19:18] <+Silverlion> Whoops I missed it. Sorry.
[19:18] <+Silverlion> Jason are their plans to fix the druid or Shapeshifting ranger so they're less broken compared to one another?
[19:18] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> We currently do not have any plans to make significant changes to any of the core classes, that is something we might revisit in the future, but we are pretty happy where most of them are right at the moment.
[19:18] <~Dan> (No problem!)
[19:18] <+Abstruse> What direction do you see the Pathfinder line taking over the next year or two in order to keep fans from the new edition of D&D as well as avoiding the sort of feat/class/item/prestiege class bloat that hurt 3.5 under WotC?
[19:19] <~Dan> (KloolessinCali, just FYI: I'll periodically be calling for question pauses (in bold) to give Jason a chance to catch up. When one's on, I'll let you know when questions can resume. :)
[19:19] <~Dan> )
[19:20] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> As for the future, we believe pretty strongly that as long as we keep making good books, folks will want to keep playing our game. So, we are going to keep pushing boundaries, experimenting with new systems, and putting out books with intriguing content.
[19:20] <+KloolessInCali> OK, Thanks
[19:20] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> As for bloat, we keeps ourselves to 3 books per year, which is really not that many, giving GMs and players plenty of time to incorporate the material they want into their game without flooding them with new rules every month.
[19:21] <+Abstruse> Didn't you just announce like 8 new books over the next 12 months at PaizoCon?
[19:22] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Well, there is a difference between core rulebooks and setting material. We only put out three hardcover core rulebooks each year (this year is Ultimate Campaign, Mythic Adventures, and Bestiary 4 for example), but we put out a fair number of supplements, adventures and other products to support our setting.
[19:23] <~Dan> (Jason, need KloolessInCali to re-post his question?)
[19:23] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Those tend to be much lighter on rules, and heavier on setting material and background
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[19:23] <+KloolessInCali> Jason, do you have any plans to reformat the caravan rules?
[19:23] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Ah..
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[19:24] <~Dan> (Welcome, Guest4! You can set your name with the /nick command! :) )
[19:24] <+KloolessInCali> We are currently running Jade Regent and the rules, as they are currently set, appear broken.
[19:24] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Not at this time. We missed the boat including those in Ultimate Campaign, but if we ever do a book that will fit those rules into the theme in the future, I would not be surprised to see them appear again.
[19:25] <~Dan> Paizo_JasonBulmahn: Okay, if the following question would require you to be too... well, undiplomatic, I understand completely.
[19:25] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> If you have an issue with those rules, I would suggest checking out the message board for that adventure path. If there is a problem, not only has it been found by now, but there is probably a fix
[19:25] <~Dan> It's my understanding that Pathfinder recently began outselling D&D4e. Is that correct, and if so... would you say that WotC licensing D&D3.x and moving on to 4e was a bit like Coca Cola licensing the recipe to Coke Classic and going with New Coke instead?
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[19:26] <~Dan> Put another way, do you think they tried to fix what, based on your sales, wasn't broken?
[19:26] <+Beelzedude> :D
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[19:27] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> We are really happy with how the fans and game community has accepted Pathfinder. If ICv2's sales charts are any indicator (and they are not very scientific) we are doing quite well right now. All I can say is that the game has exceeded our wildest dreams since its launch and we couldnt be happier.
[19:27] <~Dan> Fair enough. :)
[19:27] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Diplomacy check = 32!!!
[19:27] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> :)
[19:27] <~Dan> Can you say if your sales have increased since WotC moved to 4e?
[19:27] <~Dan> (Again, I understand if you can't get into that. :) )
[19:28] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> They have.. a lot.
[19:28] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> But mind you, Pathfinder launched right around the same time...
[19:28] <~Dan> Hmm. I find that rather... telling.
[19:28] * ~Dan nods
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[19:28] <+xyphoid_> i guess your sales usually are better after launching a game than before
[19:28] <~Dan> Heh.
[19:28] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Before that, Paizo was publishing Dragon and Dungeon, so its difficult to chart, but the past few years have been very good for paizo
[19:28] <~Dan> Glad to hear it. :)
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[19:29] <~Dan> In terms of system and setting, would you say that Pathfinder has a distinct "feel" from D&D3.5?
[19:29] <~Dan> And if so, how would you describe it?
[19:29] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> We keep growing and expanding... and everyone is thrilled with the direction we are taking. We've got comics, a card game, plush, an MMO, and a mountain of other opportunities in front of us. The sky's the limit.
[19:30] <+Abstruse> What's the reaction to D&D Next and its "back to basics" approach to game design? Do you feel it will affect Pathfinder in any way?
[19:30] <~Dan> Yes, the comic is a good example, as it happens. What about it makes it a "Pathfinder" comic rather than a "D&D" comic?
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[19:30] <~Dan> (Question pause.)
[19:30] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Well, as far as our feel and 3.5, its pretty close and it was by design. We did not want to change the core experience too much, that was one of our strongest selling points. That said, we are not exactly the same...
[19:31] <~Dan> \
[19:31] <~Dan> (Howdy, BPIJonathan! Did your Pathfinder game get done early? :) )
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[19:31] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> For example, some of our content is a bit more mature, while other parts are a bit more whimsical (re: goblins). We tried to give makeovers to a number of classic monsters, to punch them up a bit, make them more of what we imagined them to be.
[19:31] <~Dan> (Welcome, Guest1! You can set your name with the /nick command! :) )
[19:31] <+BPIJonathan> (Yes, just a little early. They managed to allow the bad guy to get away with the artifact)
[19:32] <~Dan> (Jason, BPIJonathan here was worried that he was going to miss this Q&A, ironically, due to a Pathfinder game session. :D )
[19:33] <+KloolessInCali> lol
[19:33] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> As for D&DNext, I wish them the best of luck. Making a game like this is a gigantic challenge and I hope they do well. As for how it will affect us, like I said earlier, if we keep putting out a good game, I am not too concerned. Play the game you like, there are plenty out there for everyone
[19:33] <~Dan> Ah... So in terms of the comic, the creatures are clearly Pathfinder-ized versions?
[19:33] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> (Ha! Welcome Jonathan)
[19:34] <+BPIJonathan> (Thanks Jason!)
[19:34] <+Abstruse> I just wanted to say my favorite thing about Pathfinder, even beyond the rules clarifications and everything else it did to clean up 3.5, was the goblins. It made them feel distinct and interesting instead of just "low HP monsters to slaughter at 1st level".
[19:34] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> For the comic, absolutely. It uses our iconic characters, and they kill a whole lot of goblins (for example).
[19:34] <+Abstruse> I also love you basically brought Gremlins into d20.
[19:34] <~Dan> Oh yes. I adore Pathfinder goblins. :)
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[19:34] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> I think we are just about to release a Goblins comic actually.. people cant get enough of those little psychotic bastards :)
[19:34] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Done
[19:35] <~Dan> Yup, I've seen the add for it, re: the Goblins comic. :)
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[19:35] <+Abstruse> Do you have any interaction with Pathfinder Society, or is that something separate from design at Paizo?
[19:35] <~Dan> Do any of the PC races get Pathfinder-specific tweaks?
[19:35] <+BPIJonathan> (A Goblins chieftain was the enemy that got away in my game today)
[19:35] <~Dan> (Welcome, Guest2! You can set your name with the /nick command! :) )
[19:36] <~Dan> (To late arrivals: The floor is open to questions, unless you see me call for a question pause to let Jason catch up. Thanks! :) )
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[19:37] <+BPIJonathan> In terms of in play, I like Pathfinder because I can use races/classes/items as is without any issues.
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[19:37] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> I do have some interaction with Pathfinder Society, but primarily in an advisory manner (I used to run Living Greyhawk back in the day, so I am old hat to Org Play). They also rope me into writing for them on occasion. The second level of the Ruins of Bonekeep comes out at Gencon.
[19:37] <+Abstruse> But nothing to do with their organization or how they handle convention play?
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[19:37] <+BPIJonathan> I quite often use the original 3.x material without alterations to anything except the very minor stuff.
[19:38] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> The races do get some tweaks, but they are pretty similar to 3.5. For the real changes to how they work, check out the Advanced Race Guide. We give them a mountain of options in there, as well as present full writeups for about 30 other classic races.
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[19:38] <~Dan> Are Pathfinder Halflings more like 3.5's wee Romany or more like plump Hobbits?
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[19:39] <+KloolessInCali> mine feels like a skinny hobbit at times...
[19:39] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> No, I have little to do with their organization and convention play. I am mostly just a sounding board for their ideas and I occasionally pop in to give "sage" advice.. which drives Mark nuts.. :)
[19:40] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Our halflings are more like Small humans, with a nasty penchant for thievery
[19:40] <+KloolessInCali> :)
[19:40] <~Dan> Just as long as they aren't Kender.
[19:40] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> But I used to play a fat halfling that felt a lot more like a hobbit.. worked out well.. at breakfast. No.. they are not kender
[19:40] <+Abstruse> (I like Kender...I just hate that people play them wrong so often...)
[19:40] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Understandable
[19:41] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Been there, done that, got the top knot
[19:41] * ~Dan chuckles
[19:41] <+BPIJonathan> (I agree Abstruce)
[19:41] <+Silverlion> I played a halfling boxer (pugilist) once..:D
[19:41] <+Abstruse> Have you thought about publishing another campaign setting for Pathfinder beyond Golarion?
[19:41] <+Beelzedude> Oo
[19:41] <+BPIJonathan> (Abstruse)
[19:42] <~Dan> Yes, and on that subject, how would you describe Golarion?
[19:42] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> As for another setting, not really. Golarion has pretty much everything we could want already in it. If we needed a new type of environ we would add it too Golarion.
[19:43] <+BPIJonathan> (It is my opinion that 3PP are really the ones that handle new settings for Pathfinder and Paizo should focus on Golarion)
[19:43] <+Crazy-Cabal> This has probably been beaten to death with a bat but, Psionics? One of my favorite 3.5 spell systems, also Pathfinder modern? Or have both of those been third partied to your liking?
[19:43] <+RdS_> I have to admit I'm a bit biased currently against Pathfinder. It's done some interesting things (archetypes for instance), but, well... I'm willing to be convinced, so let me play evil reporter for a moment if you would. If not feel free to ignore me. ... A lot of people feel that Pathfinder didn't change the things that were actually broken in 3.5 (for instance, casters are still abnormally powerful compared to martial classes
[19:44] <~Dan> (Question pause.)
[19:44] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> As for how I would describe it... Golarion is a world that is at the same time a familiar place and one that is foreign and mysterious. There are pyramids in the sands, cold raiders from the north, vast jungles to the south, but there are also nations ruled by devils, and land covered in eternal ice, and a crashed ship from another world
[19:46] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> As for Psionics or modern, they are not off the table, but we have other things we are focusing on right now. We are pretty happy with some of the 3rd party work in this regard and dont feel the need to charge in right at the moment. That might change in the future, but for now, we're happy and we have so many other great ideas to explore.
[19:46] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> As for things we did not fix...
[19:47] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> That is a tough one. We wanted to fix a lot about the system, but tearing out some of the problems with the core mathematical formulas would have been a bridge too far (which is at the heart of the fighter/wiz problem)
[19:48] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> That said, we did try to a lot to give martial characters a chance to shine and toned back some of the more powerful options for spellcasters. Its not perfect, but we are pretty happy with the results. Each character has the opportunity to play an important part in the game.
[19:48] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Comparing the two is a bit of apples and oranges anyway, they serve different roles in the group dynamic... but I digress...
[19:48] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> done
[19:48] <+Abstruse> So there's no truth to the rumors you guys got Bruce Cordell to come over to design psionics rules for Pathfinder?
[19:48] <+Silverlion> (Yeah I asked about Druid vs Ranger/Shapeshifter, earlier..so..)
[19:49] <+Crazy-Cabal> With Mythic Heroes are you guys planning on going more Planar? Now clearly WotC still owns the whole Great Wheel idea but gonzo planar fantasy has gotten pretty common these days, Oathbound for example.
[19:49] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Is that a rumor.. I had not heard it.
[19:49] <+Abstruse> Something I started hearing about two weeks ago after he announced he was leaving WotC.
[19:50] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Right now, planar is something we do play around with in our setting (the next adventure path has a lot to do with demons and the Abyss for example). Mythic adventures opens up a lot of new options for us, and that is certainly one of them
[19:50] <+Beelzedude> Being not really familiar with PF at all, but having played my fair share of 3.5, is the magic system the same? With spell slots and x spells per day and such.
[19:50] <+Abstruse> You also didn't actually answer my question...
[19:50] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> He has left.. but I did not hear any rumor about him coming to Paizo..
[19:51] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> If he is coming to Paizo, that will be a surprise to me
[19:51] <~Dan> Is Mythic Adventures for high-level epic characters? Hercules types?
[19:51] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> As for the magic system, yes it is mostly the same. There are a few tweeks (all spellcasters can cast an unlimited number of 0-level spells for example), but otherwise its the same.
[19:53] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Mythic Adventures: It is a system to make your characters legendary and it is for all levels of play. The book draws heavily upon the monomyth, bringing that experience to your table. Characters can "become" mythic, gaining new abilities that allow them to bend and break the rules of the game. Its not just big numbers, its new ways to use the game.
[19:53] <~Dan> Can you give an example or two?
[19:53] <+Crazy-Cabal> Ah so it's not Epic level handbook?
[19:53] <+Beelzedude> hm. The ost level thing I like. Someone mentioned alternative magic systems earlier, are there such things and if so, what are they?
[19:54] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> And the advancement is part of the story, not an xp system. You dont multiclass into mythic, you get drawn into it by the story and advance in power as your legendary tale plays out.
[19:54] <+Beelzedude> that sounds kinda cool.
[19:54] <+BlasterKyubey210> or in some cases, you become unlucky enough to go Mythic, considering possible origins
[19:54] <+BlasterKyubey210> Didn't Highlander films require Immortals to die a violent death?
[19:55] <+KloolessInCali> (Jason, "Roommates", it has been wonderful meeting you all, but I must make my grand exit and get back to reality (at least until our gaming session tomorrow night).  Best wishes to you, Jason, and the rest of the Paizo crew for all of your future endeavors.  I know my GM's will continue running your campaigns for many years to come)  :)
[19:55] <+Abstruse> What made you decide to rebrand all the Gamemastery products (most of which are edition and even system neutral) to Pathfinder products? Wouldn't that be damaging to sales with a new D&D edition, Dragon Age, and 13th Age all gaining steam?
[19:55] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> For example, a powerful mythic character might be able to grant spells to followers, punch through walls of force, or create minor artifacts.. and of course, they can become immortal, almost akin to demigods
[19:55] <+KloolessInCali> Blaster, they had to be decapitated
[19:56] <+xyphoid_> what are you drawing on with the monomyth specifically?
[19:56] <~Dan> Come by any time, KloolessInCali!
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[19:57] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> The monomyth provides a great framework and narrative device to add to your game. While I think many people are aware of how it works, or at least have seen it used, I am not sure most of us have taken a serious look at applying it to an RPG structure. Mythic gave us the perfect excuse to do so.
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[19:58] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> As for alternate magic, we have one such system, called Words of Power. You can find it in Ultimate Magic. It lets your character learn magic words to create spell effects.
[19:58] <+xyphoid_> so i mean are you providing GM tools for building campaigns that suit the structure? how do you handle the party structure - is one character the hero here and the rest subservient to the monomyth, or what?
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[19:59] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Mythic Adventures has an entire chapter covering this, giving advice, tips, templates, and examples to help GMs build a Mythic story. We recommend that all the characters be mythic, just to keep things simple and exciting for everyone at the table.
[20:00] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Best to think of it like arthur's knights or the avengers, and less like hercules.. if that helps picture it.
[20:00] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> A team of mythic heroes
[20:00] <~Dan> I think so, yes.
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[20:01] <~Dan> (Welcome to #rpgnet, Kalantra! Here for the Q&A?)
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[20:02] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> I've got about another 30 minutes before I have another engagement for the evening, but I need a bio break.. brb.. 2 min
[20:03] <~Dan> No problem!
[20:03] <~Dan> (Welcome to #rpgnet, iuz!)
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[20:03] <+iuz> hey, hello everyone.
[20:03] <+Kalantra> Hello.
[20:04] <~Dan> (Welcome, Guest2! You can set your name with the /nick command. :) )
[20:04] <+Abstruse> I'm assuming there's a question pause while Jason is AFK?
[20:04] <~Dan> Yeah.
[20:05] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> back
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[20:05] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Iuz... I know that name... is a name I've not heard since....
[20:06] <~Dan> Do any of you who just arrived have questions for Jason?
[20:06] <+iuz> haha yeah, used to be more famous back in the day, eh?
[20:06] <+Abstruse> What made you decide to rebrand all the Gamemastery products (most of which are edition and even system neutral) to Pathfinder products? Wouldn't that be damaging to sales with a new D&D edition, Dragon Age, and 13th Age all gaining steam?
[20:06] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> (old Living Greyhawk joke for those not in the know.. I used to be known as Iuz the Evil)
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[20:07] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> We felt it was better to tie those products into our central line of Pathfinder. Most people have heard of Pathfinder these days, Gamemastery, not so much.
[20:07] <+Kalantra> I have a question. Do you ever plan to tackle Minotaur's with your line? If so do you think it would be as monsters or a possible player variant?
[20:08] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> I assume you mean with Minotaur Games. Covering Minotaurs is certainly on my list, but I am going to save it for something special.
[20:08] <+Beelzedude> (I, U, and Z are also adjoining keys on the QWERTZ-keayboard. :D)
[20:08] <+Abstruse> I'm kind of curious about how well Pathfinder Battles has been doing for the company, but I'm not sure if that's something you'd have anything to do with...
[20:09] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> I dont have much to do with Pathfinder Battles, but I know the folks at Wizkids couldn't be happier with the partnership. The minis look great and some of the upcoming sets have some really exciting figs in them...
[20:10] <+Abstruse> Was it Paizo or WizKids that made the decision to go random with the sets?
[20:10] <+Kalantra> All the better. Minotaur's are my favorite so I was curious. I have loved them since back when I first read Dragonlance.
[20:10] <~Dan> You mentioned sticking with Golarion as the setting for Pathfinder. Does that mean that we won't be seeing primitive firearms or the like show up?
[20:10] <+Abstruse> (I never understood minotaur sailors...if there's ever an evolutionary device that's more UNSUITABLE for sailing, it's hooves.)
[20:11] <+BPIJonathan> (Minotaurs in Dragonlance have feet)
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[20:11] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> That is just a fact of doing prepainted plastics. If you dont do random, it is almost impossible to do (afaik). When it comes to prepaints, you get good, cheap, or nonrandom, pick two.
[20:11] <+Abstruse> Dan: They've got revolvers. There's a class in Ultimate Combat called Gunslinger :p
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[20:11] <~Dan> ...Seriously?
[20:11] <+Abstruse> Yep.
[20:11] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Primitive firearms are all contained in ultimate combat.. along with a class to use them
[20:12] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> They show up in Golarion, primarily in an area call the Mana Wastes, where magic does not work.
[20:12] <~Dan> Huh. Interesting.
[20:12] <+Kalantra> True, but Galdar was the man.
[20:12] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> And I too like Minotaurs.. quite a bit.. Bul-mahn.. minotaur.. its a natural fit.
[20:12] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> :)
[20:12] <~Dan> So the Mana Wastes have a higher tech level to compensate?
[20:12] <+Abstruse> Granted, it's like WWII-era revolvers that aren't reliable...but they're there. And of course, one of my players HAD to try to play one in my Pathfinder conversion of Vault of the Drow. Grrrr...
[20:12] <+iuz> are there any alternate settings planned for pathfinder, other than golarion? if no, why?
[20:13] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Sort of.. they have had to innovate, whereas others can use magic.
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[20:14] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> There are not any plans for an alternate setting. We feel like if it is a good idea for a setting, we should find a way to work it into golarion. This is the pattern we have been following to date and it has worked out well.
[20:14] <+Abstruse> Is there going to be an expansion of the fiction line for Pathfinder?
[20:14] <+Abstruse> I know you've got a comic that just launched, but what about novels?
[20:14] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> The fiction line continues to move along strong. Pathfinder Tales comes out with a novel every other month.
[20:15] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> (in other words, we have a line of novels... :))
[20:15] <+Abstruse> (I missed that somewhere...I thought there was just a one-off trilogy...sorry)
[20:15] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Nope, no worries. I have a pile of them to read on my bedside table :)
[20:16] <+iuz> in what ways is it a better choice to ahve a setting that is a melting por of various tastes and genres, compared to one that has a definitive atmosphere and concept?
[20:16] <~Dan> You mentioned a new bestiary coming out? Any highlights?
[20:16] <+Abstruse> Are there any plans to port Golarion to other rules systems with open licenses or under Creative Commons? Savage Worlds, 13th Age, etc?
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[20:17] <~Dan> (Welcome to #rpgnet, pog!)
[20:17] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Golarion lets GMs pick the setting that they need for their story, and if those needs change, they can find another place to fit their next story, all without have to totally change the campaign. As for an atmosphere, I think we have that, there is an overriding sense to the world, but it is flavored by local events and personalities
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[20:18] <+Kalantra> Are there any plans for a mythic adventure path?
[20:18] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Bestiary 4 is set to hit store shelves in October (I believe) and its got a lot of exciting monsters in it. Cthulhu, nosgeratu, Grendel, amiraj, clockwork dragons, and a lot more. Its got over 300 monsters, some of which are powered by mythic rules!
[20:19] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> The Wrath of the Righteous Adventure Path, launching in just a week with the Mythic Adventures book using the Mythic rules!
[20:19] <~Dan> Cthulhu? Wow!
[20:19] <+BlasterKyubey210> Ah good, always want to drop the Great Old Ones on the Adveturers
[20:19] <+Abstruse> (Yeah, I'm not even running Pathfinder right now and I want that damn book...first really awesome monster book I've seen in years.)
[20:19] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Alas, Cthulhu does not eat 1d4 characters per round :/
[20:20] <~Dan> Well, you can't have everything.
[20:20] <+Abstruse> 1d3
[20:20] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> But he will crush your keep...
[20:20] <+Abstruse> Don't ask how I know that off the top of my head...
[20:20] <+iuz> speaking of adventure paths - a personal question: which is your favourite and why? : )
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[20:20] <+Beelzedude> hm, I am generally of the persuasion that one should not stat things like Cthulhu.
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[20:21] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Hmm.. favorite Adventure Path..
[20:21] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Hard to pick..
[20:21] <~Dan> I'm just the opposite, Beelz. I got into gaming because I LOVE knowing the stats for things. :)
[20:22] <+iuz> narrow it down to 2 or 3 maybe? : )
[20:22] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> I am going to go with Reign of Winter.. you get to fight Rasputin!!!
[20:22] <+Beelzedude> "You stat it and they'll try to kill it."
[20:22] <+asd> Are there any plans for an adventure path set in Galt? I would like to play a revolutionary gunslinger.
[20:22] <+Kalantra> That is reason enough to buy it. Hopefully he has a whip attack.
[20:22] <+Abstruse> (I like having stats for things because I'm almost always GM...I can use the stats straight or fudge them how I like...and honestly, I don't believe "if you stat it, they will kill it" because it means you're probably running the monster wrong.)
[20:23] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> As for future APs, you will have to ask James or Rob.. that is there baby. If I spoil anything, they are going to cut me.
[20:23] <+pog> So when are we going to get a Razmiran book from you?
[20:23] <~Dan> I know you have to run momentarily, Jason. Is there anything you'd like to mention that we haven't covered?
[20:23] <+Abstruse> Are there any plans in the works to release a generic system-neutral campaign guide for Golarion for people who love the setting but want to use a different rules system than Pathfinder?
[20:23] <+yuqu> In the future,  will we see a book that stats known Golarion deities?
[20:23] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Ha... I have the outline for a Razmiran book.. I just need to find the time to write it.
[20:24] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> I am not sure we have the time to do a rules neutral version of the world. Its easy enough to strip out the rules info anyway.
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[20:25] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> As for deity stats, even mythic does not really give us the tools to do those. The numbers... they are too big.
[20:25] <+Sam> Good evening Jason Bulmahn!
[20:25] <+yuqu> Good to hear that :)
[20:25] <~Dan> (For those of you who've arrived for the Q&A: Please feel free to hang out with us afterwards. We're a friendly bunch. :) )
[20:26] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Dan: I think we've touched on most of the big highlights coming out in the next few months. I've got a new PDF coming out from Minotaur Games tomorrow I think, giving a revised system of critical hits, but that is a small side project of mine. Nothing huge.
[20:26] <~Dan> Cool!
[20:26] <+Beelzedude> (Now deities in the D&D sense (like former mortal who assumed the position) I understand being stated. Cthulhu and the like are another thing entirely in my opinion.)
[20:27] <~Dan> Does anyone have any last questions for Jason before he has to head out?
[20:27] <+Sam> I do!
[20:27] <~Dan> Fire away!
[20:27] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Go for it! :)
[20:27] <+Abstruse> Want to pimp out Minotaur Games and exactly what it is?
[20:27] <+Abstruse> I don't think it's been brought up in the Q&A and I thought it was fascinating when I reported on it.
[20:28] <+Kalantra> What do you think of the new doctor?
[20:28] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Minotaur Games is a small side imprint of mine, publishing micro PDFs adding rules to the game. Its an outlet for my small ideas that cant wait for a 12 month print cycle or would not fit in a bigger book. You can find more info at (Link: http://www.MinotaurRPG.com)www.MinotaurRPG.com
[20:29] <+Sam> This one's been bothering me! I'm a new GM and I usually buy premade adventure to try to deconstruct them and figure out how to make my own. What exactly is a good concept for an adventure and what elemants should I keep in mind? What's necessary?
[20:29] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> As for the new doctor.. I am happy with the choice. Until I see him in action, I will reserve judgement. Its an interesting choice.. Ill give them that.
[20:29] <+Abstruse> (Neil Gaiman said in an interview today that apparently they offered the role to a black actor who turned them down.)
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[20:30] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Sam: When it comes to adventure design, the best advice I can give is this: think about your tale from beginning to end, dividing it into its component parts, next think about the players, and design ways for each one of them to have a moment to remember, a moment where their character was the star. If you can pull that off, the rest all falls into place.
[20:30] <+Kalantra> I think a black doctor would be fascinating. If they ever do it I wonder if they will avoid the social issues or not. Considering they did point it out in an episode with Martha.
[20:31] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Give them something to talk about later, to tell the story from their seat. If you do, you'll have a good adventure on your hands.
[20:31] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Hmm.. I wonder if they offered it to Idris Elba... he would have been awesome.
[20:31] <+Sam> Thanks Jason. : )
[20:32] <+BPIJonathan> have a good night Jason, I am sure I will catch up with you next week.
[20:32] <~Dan> Need to run, Jason?
[20:32] <+Kalantra> Night. Excited to pick up your pdf hopefully tomorrow,
[20:32] <+Abstruse> Idris Elba was the rumor. "I am the Doctor and today, I am CANCELLING THE APOCALYPSE!!"
[20:32] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Indeed.. Its about that time for me. If you are going to be at Gencon next week, stop by the Paizo booth and say hi.
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[20:32] <+Beelzedude> night, Jason and thanks for the answers.
[20:32] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Thanks for having me here tonight. I appreciate the chance to chat.
[20:32] <+Sam> How often do you do these? I have more questions.. hah
[20:32] <~Dan> Thanks so much for coming by, Jason! I'll have the log posted and will email you the link shortly!
[20:33] <+BPIJonathan> I will see you there, I am working at the Chronicle City booth.
[20:33] <~Dan> Sam: The schedule is in the topic. :)
[20:33] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Thanks, I will post it up to my facebook page.
[20:33] <+iuz> thanks for your time, goodnight : )
[20:33] <+Sam> Oh, thanks Dan. I'll check.
[20:33] <~Dan> Sam: Stick around and I'll give you the scoop.
[20:33] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Thanks for setting this up Dan. It was fun. We will have to do it again.
[20:33] <~Dan> Any time, Jason!
[20:33] <~Dan> And feel free to come by just to hang out as well! :)
[20:33] <+Paizo_JasonBulmahn> Have a good night everyone!
[20:34] <~Dan> Good night!
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