I like combining Athletics action (Trip, Shove, etc) with Assurance on low(er) level enemies.

Very cool, thanks for sharing! I did not get a chance to read the whole thing yet but a skim+your comments make me excited. How do you think your system compares to others out there? I'm always looking for a great Pokémon ttrpg to actually get to the table!

I can relate. Our group's all time favorite NPC is literally named TBD 😅

Never realized Pathfinder 1e had hex crawl rules!

For tokens on the VTT I use: https://rolladvantage.com/tokenstamp/ . I'm still experimenting with music but my group usually just throws on a random YouTube playlist.

Agreed, things like the Summoner's Eidolon also come to mind. As OP said, I imagine you could also find a group and adventure, potentially homebrewed, who just wanted to do an investigation/exploration and avoid fights but that is not bog standard Pathfinder and if that's your jam a different system focused on that style of play might be better. But back to your original question, I think it'd be tough as you need to do something in combat.

Like everyone else, I can't recommend Pathbuilder 2e enough! I even paid for it although the basic version does almost everything (with ads). The only bummer is that the app and web version are separate purchase.

Good catch! I've been playing a Monk for most of 2e and stuck with 3.5/1e for a while before that so I'm still learning everything.

Some other classics I love that I haven't seen recommended yet:

• Power Grid
• Ticket to Ride
• Puerto Rico
• Agricola
• Viticulture

I agree with pretty much everyone else too! There are a ton of great boardgames to explore and starting with Catan and a regular group is a great place to be in.

Just realized that Bards are actually three-quarters casters since they only get 3 spells per spell level (others normally get 4) and that Psychics are half-casters (2/4).

I'd also throw out Bard, Sorcerer, and Witch then if you're interested in the Occult list. I really enjoyed my 1e Witch but I think the 2e version may need work according to random Internet comments... You could also try the Psychic but I know waybless there. Also, TIL basically all casters are full casters.

I always scan over the appropriate RPG Bot guide. I loved the 3.5/1e and 2e are good for some basic insights. I think they are all linked in the Zenith thread.

AoN is Archives of Nethys, the official Pathfinder SRD (1e and 2e), which you can find at: https://2e.aonprd.com/ (also linked elsewhere).

This last bit is, I think, key. I've only dabbled in 5e but that was the biggest change coming from 3.5/PF1e was that it was no longer about optimizing individual character builds but rather playing smart team tactics that change from encounter to encounter. It's hard to make a truly bad character on accident but it can be equally hard figuring out how to contribute during each fight, e.g. you probably don't want to make the third swing at -10.

Ah, very cool! Sounds similar to success with a complication mechanic in other games. I just assumed it was a deck of yes/no cards (along with other randomizers).

Thanks for the mini-review!

I have a huge list but I think they fall in a few categories: Mecha (Lancer, Jovian Chronicles), NSR (GLOG, Black Hack, Into the Dungeon, Mausritter, World of Dungeons, 6e, etc), One pagers (Honey Heist, Orcball, The Beast, Lasers & Feelings, All Outta Bubblegum, Planted, etc), and IP (Borderlands, Mistborn, Marvel, Outlaw Star, Warcraft, Diablo, Halo, etc)

Mythic seems to be very popular for this sort of thing, I need to check it out and I love the tarot card idea! I can definitely see the benefit to the slower pacing allowing you to dig in to the rules.

Lancer, Runecairn, and Salvage Union are all on my list, the last in part thanks to their excellent blog series on the history of D&D and OSR/NSR games. I'll have to check the others out!

Have you had a chance to use it?

Could you put an expiration date on story points? Something like they lose one per session unless they've spent it. Then by the first five sessions (or 10, or 5 in game days, or long rests, etc etc) they are forced to use them? Other checkpoints are also possible (per boss/book/module/arc/etc). Just a random idea I had.

I think a lot of us have ended up over on pathfinder.social but the beauty of the Fediverse is that you can join us there (and we can join you here)! Not sure if I linked the Lemmy instance correctly, let me know and I can try to fix it. I'm still new to all of this!

Great writeup! I'm considering getting in to solo RPGs and I'd love to see more of this content.

Thanks so much for the insights! I'm the same when it comes to point one so that's good to watch out for and same for the other two. I'm fortunate to get to play fairly regularly but I'm realizing I have a stack of books I will never get through with my group if I don't do it on my own.

P.S. I love your avatar.

A partner co-op/co-GM game sounds amazing! My gut was to recommend Monk (in addition Fighter mentioned by @GolGolarion@pathfinder.social ) as I play one currently and Flurry of Blows (+ Stand Still) are a lot of fun. I think these two ideas are also backed up by Steel's and Gortle's guides linked here: https://zenithgames.blogspot.com/2019/09/pathfinder-2nd-edition-guide-to-guides.html (under Druid guides).

I think pandatheist at the Bone Box Chant blog does a solid job defining it here (and expanding on it in a followup post): https://boneboxchant.wordpress.com/2019/12/21/nsr/

To quote the definition, NSR games:

• Have a GM, Weird Setting, & Living World
• Are Rules Light & Deadly (or Consequential)
• Focus on Emergent Narrative, External Interaction, & Exploration

I think all of those things (except maybe Weird Setting IMO) cover the genre well with an intentionally broad and inclusive definition. I also think looking at examples may be most illustrative and understand that it's more a community than one particular set of traits. Yochai Gal (of Cairn fame) has a great article on this very idea: https://newschoolrevolution.com/2022/05/04/the-new-new-school-revolution .

Not to sidetrack, but I've been interested in getting into solo RPGs. Do you play Ironsworn solo or with a group? I'm considering that or Scarlet Heroes and would love to get your take! Had not thought about Obsidian for tracking (or really thought much at all what I'd use).

SQSS is 1e! They also run some other 1e stuff on their Patreon if you get really into it.

Yes! Is this our new home on the Fediverse?

Agreed you should pick a system or genre you like and listen to them play that. I love the Side Quest Side Sesh podcast they put out at the start of lockdowns when they could no longer play in person. That's what get me into it after being suggested by friends. It's a relatively short play through of various PFS scenarios (37 episodes) compared to their flagship play through of all six books of Giantslayer (300+ episodes). They're currently playing a 2e conversion of Strange Aeons for their live shows while they get ready to launch Gatewalkers. Like the OP said, they have branched out to tons of stuff including Starfinder, 2e, Blades in the Dark, Traveller, Delta Green, etc.

Awesome, that worked! I am happy to try and create new accounts/emails if you need someone to test if it's working.