Pathfinder 2e is one of the most popular tabletop roleplaying games on the market, but many longtime Dungeons & Dragons players have yet to crack open a book from this TTRPG. DnD 5e has long been billed on its balance of simplicity and complexity that prioritizes accessibility for new players, and the Pathfinder ruleset might seem more intimidating by comparison. Although Pathfinder does present its own unique challenges for newcomers, the learning curves for Pathfinder 2e rules compared to DnD 5e's may not be as different as some players fear.
Paizo Publishing's Pathfinder originally arose as an alternative to Wizards of the Coast's controversial Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition, using the OGL (Open Game License) of DnD 3.5e to build a modified successor. The first edition of Pathfinder was backward compatible with DnD 3.5e content, making it easy to learn for the many fans dissatisfied with 4e who wanted to continue playing their favorite classes and modules. Like 3.5e, however, Pathfinder's complexity in aspects like character creation could make it difficult for newcomers to confidently jump in. When Pathfinder 2e arrived as a successor, it offered revisions to Pathfinder rules that streamlined the game in certain regards.
Pathfinder 2e Rules Shares Some Basics With D&D 5e
Taken in perspective with the wider world of tabletop gaming, Pathfinder 2e and DnD 5e share plenty of basic elements in their rulesets but implement them in different ways. The games focus on the classic Dungeons & Dragons high fantasy RPG style, and both are built on a D20 system, with players rolling D20s and adding modifiers to perform skill checks and attack rolls. Pathfinder 2e rules, however, establish many hidden checks, meaning DnD players making a switch to the system will have to get used to less transparency about everything occurring at the game table. Proficiency features in both games, but Pathfinder proficiencies vary with character builds and tend to be significantly higher.
Pathfinder 2e Rules Are Crunchier Than D&D 5e
DnD 5e pares down features like combat and character creation to core elements that require less math and minimal time investment, making the game a streamlined form of DnD compared to prior editions. Advantage and disadvantage, for example, simplify effects previously tied to more individualized modifiers. Although the Pathfinder 2e ruleset also streamlines some elements compared to its own predecessor, it still retains a somewhat higher level of complexity in these regards.
When it comes to learning Pathfinder 2e rules, more robust character creation options mean that new players will likely spend longer in setup than they're accustomed to. An action economy with three actions in each party member's turn opens up combat to more possibilities as well.
Although differences like these do take some time getting used to, experience with DnD 5e does make a transition reasonably simple. Understanding the basic structure of DnD gameplay provides a framework that Pathfinder's complexities can fit into. Switching to Pathfinder 2e requires the willingness to start learning some new Pathfinder rules and the patience to deal with the initial slowdown of struggling with more options and modifiers.
If these challenges sound reasonable, however, the transition process holds no major surprises. Pathfinder 2e can be easy to learn compared to DnD, even if it has its own learning curve. However, DnD 5e players interested in rules that more dynamic complexity should be able to handle it.
Source: Taking20/YouTube
