Pathfinder 1e
Pathfinder 1st Edition is a tabletop roleplaying game, or TTRPG, in which players create heroic characters to embark on fantasy adventures. You might play as a noble elven wizard, a roguish halfling scoundrel, or a stout dwarven warrior, just to name a few. But Pathfinder is famous for the incredible variety of options players can choose from; there are two dozen character classes alone, so intrepid players might just as well choose the sword-and-sorcery wielding magus, the inspiring skald, or the gritty gunslinger! One player, the Game Master (GM), acts as the rest of the world those heroes explore. The GM presents encounters with memorable characters, mystical places, terrible monsters, and myriad other challenges to overcome. The players decide on a course of action using their characters’ skills, magic spells, or equipment—the only limit on what they can attempt is their imagination! Often, they’ll need to roll dice to find out whether they succeed or fail. But no matter what, the players’ choices result in a unique story of which they are both author and audience. For this reason, TTRPGs are often considered games of collaborative storytelling. Pathfinder’s publisher Paizo has since released a second edition, but the first edition (or 1E) remains one of the most popular roleplaying games in the world!
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Pathfinder 1e Reviews (11)
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I ran Pathfinder 1e on Roll20, Fantasy Grounds, and Foundry. It was an enjoyable experience and has a dedicated following. However, it's important to note that it may not have the widespread and consistent support among Virtual Tabletops compared to other systems. This might mean that it doesn't always offer the same level of functionality you may be accustomed to. Nonetheless, it remains a fun and engaging system to play.
I jumped into Pathfinder’s First Edition as an alternative to 4th edition dnd and as a natural progression from my dnd 3.5 games. The system since creation has managed to grow in a way that provides more official material than most other systems across all of their updates. With dozens of classes, hundreds of archetypes to add to them, and thousands of feats and items to enhance your character, this game is ready to do anything you could imagine. I particularly enjoy the archetypes built into classes as a way to create customizations that trade out regular class abilities for ones that are more focused on a particular style. The cool thing about this is that you can add multiple archetypes to your class so long as they don’t replace the same abilities. This system would probably be one of the more difficult to jump into blind not because of the mechanics, but because of the insane amount of resources available. Without figuring out a way to focus on the specific bits of information that you’re looking for, the game could slow down or scare away a number of individuals. However, pathfinder has websites like the Archives of Nethys to help keep track of everything. Character builders exist to help handle the countless options, and since the system has been out for close to sixteen years, any question you end up with likely has been asked and answered dozens of times. With the release of Pathfinder’s Second Edition, new official content for this system isn’t being released, but if somehow the mountain of official content isn’t enough for you, there is still plenty of 3rd party support. For dungeon masters, the basic rules of the system are easy to pick up, but the complexity grows the more you try to do with it. As mentioned above, the benefit to this established system is you’re one quick search away from finding an answer to any question, but if you were trying to play this game without an internet connection, things might be a bit more difficult. Paizo is amazing at creating adventures, and the adventure paths available for this system are even cooler. Locations that stretch all over their world involve things like building kingdoms, exploring ancient tombs, fighting to save a city from eternal darkness, and so much more. I would suggest Pathfinder 1e if you are looking for a fantasy game that will give you options and resources in a way that few systems can compete with. As long as you have the internet connection to search, you’ll never think of a character concept you somehow can’t create in this system, and you won’t think of a campaign that you couldn’t somehow run with these rules.
A year after I started playing D&D, 3rd Edition was released, and for the next eight years, we played it religiously. We loved it. But when Pathfinder 1st Edition came along, we switched immediately—and never looked back. That alone speaks volumes. PF1 refined and expanded upon what we already loved, fixing many of the issues that had plagued D&D at the time. It kept the depth, customization, and tactical combat we enjoyed while offering a smoother experience. More than just a great system, it represents years of unforgettable adventures. Pathfinder 1st Edition will always hold a special place in my heart.
My profile's not going to say I've run this system, and that's because I haven't in over a decade. But boy did I run a lot of Pathfinder 1e prior to this platform. A crunchy, powergamer's dream, there are literally thousands of options for players to choose from at every opportunity. So many, in fact, that without an experienced 1e GM, you're likely to get lost. If you've ever played Pathfinder2e and thought, "I wish this were more complex," for better or for worse, Pathfinder1e still has a very strong community. I dock points because despite the depth of player options, there are some very clear "trap" options that are considerably worse than others (something I feel 2e does a good job at fixing,) and there's also a common euphemism in the community; "Feat tax." Where certain feats require you to have a long chain of other feats to gain access to them, meaning your choices aren't actually as in depth as you might believe them to be. Some of my fondest memories are in 1e, and I'd never say "don't play this," but I also believe that 2e has made the game so much more accessible that it's hard to want to return to this juggernaught of crunch. 3.5/5.
Pathfinder First Edition was my introduction to the TTRPG community. The game is well-developed and removes much of the mental strain of adjudicating rules. It was crafted with love by its developers, and Paizo has consistently stood out as a fantastic company that genuinely values its players. The base game offers near-endless customization for players, with open-source resources that are easy to access. While it is rules-heavy, neither cost nor community presents a barrier to entry. I played Pathfinder 1E for several years and hope to return to it soon.
This game takes the glory days of D&D's 3 - 3.5 Edition era and perfects it! I wouldn't recommend this to people who are new to D&D or ttrpgs in general, but it certainly is the best way for veterans to experience the nostalgia of the system and gather as many resources you want to build the features and tone for the characters you want to make! Try it out and compare it to other editions of D&D and Pathfinder to see how you like it! Depending on what you're looking for, you might find this is one of the best choices out there!
How to play Pathfinder 1e
Pathfinder’s core mechanic is rolling a 20-sided die, adding any bonuses or modifiers from a character’s skills, and comparing the result to a target number to determine if a given action succeeds or fails. A character’s abilities come from a combination of their ancestry, class, attributes, and training, all of which players can fully customize from a sprawling selection of options accrued over the game’s 15-year lifespan. Pathfinder also contains robust rules for fighting monsters and other adversaries, delving into dungeons, and exploring trackless wilderness.
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Pathfinder 1e map makers
Venatus Maps
Venatus Maps specializes in creating clean, modular battle maps for virtual tabletops. Their work covers a wide range of environments, from haunted forests to ancient ruins, with meticulous attention to detail. Venatus Maps also offers map packs designed for specific adventures, making it easier to plug them into existing campaigns.
Explore MapsTom Cartos
Tom Cartos is a renowned creator of highly detailed, multi-level battlemaps for tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons. His work enhances gameplay by providing immersive environments that captivate players. Tom offers a diverse range of maps, including fantasy and modern settings, available through his website and Patreon. Patreon supporters gain access to weekly map sets, asset packs, and monthly adventures, with higher tiers offering additional benefits such as DungeonDraft integration and limited commercial licensing.
Explore MapsHeroic Maps
Heroic Maps delivers high-quality, printable battlemaps that cater to both fantasy and sci-fi settings. Known for their versatility, Heroic Maps provide a mix of atmospheric dungeons, vivid landscapes, and detailed interiors. Their offerings include modular designs that can be pieced together for expansive settings, perfect for GMs looking for flexibility in map design.
Explore MapsCze and Peku
Cze and Peku are well-known in the TTRPG community for their vibrant and highly detailed battle maps. They specialize in fantasy, sci-fi, and modern settings, offering maps for everything from dungeons to sprawling cities. Their Patreon provides a variety of map styles, along with grid and gridless options, making them perfect for both virtual tabletops and print. With frequent updates, they’re a go-to for immersive game experiences.
Explore MapsPathfinder 1e community artists
Wayne Reynolds
Wayne Reynolds is a British artist renowned for his dynamic and detailed illustrations. He has contributed extensively to Pathfinder 2nd Edition, providing cover art and interior illustrations that capture the game's vibrant fantasy elements.
Explore ArtSteve Prescott
Steve Prescott is an American artist whose work has appeared in role-playing games. He has produced interior illustrations for many Pathfinder 2nd Edition books, adding depth and detail to the game's visual storytelling.
Explore ArtEric Deschamps
Eric Deschamps is an American freelance and concept artist whose work has appeared in role-playing games, science fiction, and fantasy books. He has contributed to Pathfinder 2nd Edition with illustrations that enhance the game's immersive world.
Explore ArtCrystal Frasier
Crystal Frasier is an American artist, author, and game designer known for her work on the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. She has contributed to Pathfinder 2nd Edition with illustrations that reflect her unique artistic style.
Explore ArtFrequently asked questions about Pathfinder 1e
Explore Pathfinder 1e Classes
Bard
You are a master of artistry, a scholar of hidden secrets, and a captivating persuader. Using powerful performances, you influence minds and elevate souls to new levels of heroics. You might use your powers to become a charismatic leader, or perhaps you might instead be a counselor, manipulator, scholar, scoundrel, or virtuoso. While your versatility leads some to consider you a beguiling ne’erdo- well and a jack-of-all-trades, it’s dangerous to dismiss you as a master of none.
Cleric
Deities work their will upon the world in infinite ways, and you serve as one of their most stalwart mortal servants. Blessed with divine magic, you live the ideals of your faith, adorn yourself with the symbols of your church, and train diligently to wield your deity’s favored weapon. Your spells might protect and heal your allies, or they might punish foes and enemies of your faith, as your deity wills. Yours is a life of devotion, spreading the teachings of your faith through both word and deed.
Monk
The strength of your fist flows from your mind and spirit. You seek perfection, honing your body into a flawless instrument and your mind into an orderly bastion of wisdom. You're a fierce combatant renowned for martial arts skills and combat stances that grant you unique fighting moves. While the challenge of mastering many fighting styles drives you to great heights, you also enjoy meditating on philosophical questions and discovering new ways to obtain peace and enlightenment.
Rogue
You are skilled and opportunistic. Using your sharp wits and quick reactions, you take advantage of your opponents’ missteps and strike where it hurts most. You play a dangerous game, seeking thrills and testing your skills, and likely don’t care much for any laws that happen to get in your way. While the path of every rogue is unique and riddled with danger, the one thing you all share in common is the breadth and depth of your skills.
Fighter
Fighting for honor, greed, loyalty, or simply the thrill of battle, you are an undisputed master of weaponry and combat techniques. You combine your actions through clever combinations of opening moves, finishing strikes, and counterattacks whenever your foes are unwise enough to drop their guard. Whether you are a knight, mercenary, sharpshooter, or blade master, you have honed your martial skills into an art form and perform devastating critical attacks on your enemies.
Paladin
The Paladin is a holy warrior bound to an unwavering code of righteousness and virtue. Representing the embodiment of divine justice, the Paladin serves as both a shield for the innocent and a sword against evil. This class is a hybrid of martial prowess and divine magic, wielding holy power to heal, smite enemies, and protect allies.
Ranger
Some rangers believe civilization wears down the soul, but still needs to be protected from wild creatures. Others say nature needs to be protected from the greedy, who wish to tame its beauty and plunder its treasures. You could champion either goal, or both. You might be a scout, tracker, or hunter of fugitives or beasts, haunting the edge of civilization or exploring the wilds. You know how to live off the land and are skilled at spotting and taking down both opportune prey and hated enemies.
Sorcerer
You didn't choose to become a spellcaster—you were born one. There's magic in your blood. Perhaps a divine influence blessed one of your ancestors, a forebear communed with an ancient, primordial entity, or a powerful occult ritual performed long ago influenced your lineage. Self-reflection and study allow you to refine your inherent magical skills and unlock new, more powerful abilities. The power in your blood carries a risk, however, and you constantly face the choice of whether you'll rise to become a master spellcaster or fall into destruction.
Wizard
You are an eternal student of the secrets of the universe, using your mastery of magic to cast powerful spells. You treat magic like a science, cross-referencing the latest texts on practical spellcraft with ancient tomes to discover and understand arcane magic. Yet magical theory is vast, and there's no way you can study it all. Most wizards learn through formal schooling, with their curriculum informing a specific rubric, although particularly driven researchers sometimes piece together their own theories.
Barbarian
Rage consumes you in battle. You delight in wreaking havoc and using powerful weapons to carve through your enemies, relying on astonishing durability without needing complicated techniques or rigid training. Your rages draw upon a vicious instinct, which you might associate with an animal, a spirit, or some part of yourself. To many barbarians, brute force is a hammer and every problem looks like a nail, whereas others try to hold back the storm of emotions inside them and release their rage only when it matters most.
Druid
The power of nature is impossible to resist. It can bring ruin to the stoutest fortress in minutes, reducing even the mightiest works to rubble, burning them to ash, burying them beneath an avalanche of snow, or drowning them beneath the waves. It can provide endless bounty and breathtaking splendor to those who respect it— and an agonizing death to those who take it too lightly. You are one of those who hear nature’s call. You stand in awe of the majesty of its power and give yourself over to its service.