Elf Needs Food: Getting Started with Pathfinder Society

1. What is Pathfinder Society

I prefer Pathfinder Society over homebrew because it's a campaign without a commitment. I can play anytime, anywhere, and I'm not letting down my friends if I can't be there, or don't want to be there. I can take a break for a year, and pick it right back up.

I can play at games stores in any city that offers Pathfinder Society, and it's all the same campaign. Davenport IA, Peotone IL, Mesa AZ, or Atlanta GA. Hell, I can play in another country and it's the same campaign!

Another thing I like about Pathfinder Society is that it is RAW (Rules as Written), so I can expect the same experience in every game. I don't have to deal with a homebrew where the DM changes rules on the fly when you out maneuver them.

Finally, what I love about the game mechanics of Pathfinder 2E Remastered, is the 3 action economy. This turned a game that was murder hobo hack and slash, into a game of tactics, that some people don't take advantage of.

2. What if I only know D&D?

Pathfinder is not D&D, it's better. If you're a Dungeons & Dragons player who's fed up and looking for alternatives, Pathfinder Society is just what you're looking for.

The Paizo Organized Play model emphasizes transparent rules, consistent character options, and fair advancement that does not change. No "homebrew rules".

If you want structured, reliable play that respects your time and intelligence, Pathfinder Society delivers what many longtime D&D players feel has been lost with WotC's version of D&D.

If you're ready to get started, keep reading.

3. How do I create a character?

Below is a list of online character builders, as well as links to old school paper character sheets. Don't mess around, use Herolab. It's cheap, and it works better than any other website.

Herolab Online - I've been using Herolab for over 10 years, I like that it has a checkbox for PFS that makes it impossible for me to choose something that's not a PFS legal option. They have a free account, so you can try it out, but the paid version has all the stuff you need, and it's only like $9.99 for 6 months. The con to this, is that in order to add something to your character sheet, you have to own the Herolab module that includes it. So if I bought the Dark Archive book, I also have to buy the Dark Archive Herolab module to add anything to my character sheet.

Pathbuilder 2E - I know a bunch of people that swear by this one. It's open source, so it includes almost everything upfront, unlike Herolab. This one has a web based version, and an Android app version. The con for this one, is that your character sheet doesn't transfer between the web and app versions, so you can't switch back and forth. If you want to switch back and forth from your phone to your computer, you'll want to use the web version.

Demiplane - This one is like Herolab Online, but more expensive, and it doesn't have a Pathfinder Society check box to make everything Organized Play legal. It's not for this old grognard, but some people might like the interface.

Official Pathfinder Character Sheet - For those old school people that prefer pencil and paper.

Official Starfinder Character Sheet - For those old school people that prefer pencil and paper.

4. What books do I need?

For Pathfinder Society, if you want to use an ancestry, class, background, spell, magic item, etc., you have to the own the book that it's printed in.

That is, unless it's in a "Core" rulebook. You don't need to own Core rulebooks to maintain, but they're THE CORE rulebooks, so you probably should own all of them. Just sayin'.

After the core rulebooks, you definitely want to get The Treasure Vault, and The Draconic Codex. They're my 2 favorite Pathfinder rulebooks.

5. How do I find a game?

Create Your Paizo Account Number - https://paizo.com/organizedplay

Create A Warhorn Account - https://warhorn.net/signup

Join Us On Discord - https://discord.gg/hhXSkte46V

6. Where can I learn more?

All Pathfinder 2E Remastered rules all in one place - Archives of Nethys

All Pathfinder Society rules all on one page - Lorespire | Paizo Organize Play

What's allowed in Society play, and what's not - Additional Resources | Character Options

When they nerf our favorite character abilities - Pathfinder FAQ and Eratta

Pathfinder Society FAQ (Boon Descriptions) - https://paizo.com/pathfindersociety/faq