Top 10 Reasons Pathfinder 2e is EASIER to run than D&D 5e!
6,559Does the huge amount of homebrew and channels for D&D 5e reflect 5e's popularity, or the fact that 5e players feel they need to fill in gaps and improve upon things that WOTC puts out? I would argue it's mostly the latter...
In this Rules Lawyer video, I dip my toe into the turbulent Edition Wars!
ADDITIONS: If you use Foundry VTT and get a PDF of a published PF2e adventure, you can import all of its maps (with all maps drawn) and artwork with a single click! See this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlTjzFhQAU4
It's been pointed out that I get some rules wrong when discussing 5e rules for invisible creatures. While looking at the source text myself, I found it very... unclear and opaque. Because when you're invisible you already are detected by the noise or tracks you make (p. 291). So without making noise or making tracks, you're already undetected, right? So what does Hide (p. 192) do? On that page it says follow the rules in Chapter 7. There (on p. 177), the box on Hiding isn't very useful. Apparently the enemy still knows where you are and you have to do the Hide action to... hide? It never makes clear anywhere what "hiding" does. And even if you hide and you aren't invisible, walking up to a creature after hiding reveals you, except "under certain circumstances." So it's entirely up to the GM. So I think I correctly identify the problem of lack of Rules Clarity, but end up proving it in a different way, by getting rules wrong that aren't very helpful or clear anyway.
Some commenters emphasize that PF2e is harder to learn and is harder for certain people and styles of gaming, which is fair. But I'd add that, even with a brand-new GM, PF2e's Beginner Box is probably the easiest way to learn either system. I hope to cover this in a future video!
Here's a good video from GideonsGaming that makes a similar point:
"Pathfinder 2e's Excessive Rules Make It Simple":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFVywg1NAJ4
And a related post on the Pathfinder subreddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Pathfinder2e/comments/qbe6cz/the_one_thing_about_pf2e_that_makes_it_impossible/
0:00 - Introduction
0:55 - #10: Rules Support for Exploration + Downtime
3:05 - #9: High Level Play Works
5:29 - #8: Quality of Published Adventures
7:49 - #7: Easier to Homebrew
9:30 - #6: Everything is FREE
10:44 - #5: "Plug and Play" Interesting Monsters
14:13 - #4: Magic Items Have Levels + Prices
15:14 - #3: Lack of Broken Things
17:52 - #2: Rules Clarity
22:09 - #1: Encounter Building Works
25:15 - Final Thoughts
("Stressed Out DM" photo from https://www.thegamer.com/dungeons-dragons-last-minute-prep-tips-dms/ )
LIKE & SUBSCRIBE! I'm a lawyer who teaches and runs tabletop RPGs (Pathfinder, D&D, Starfinder) for kids and teens, making videos and hosting events related to TTRPGs and board games.
JOIN THE DISCORD to join our community and The Endless Tale Tavern PF2e campaign! https://discord.gg/bpyqxhwe8X
SUPPORT THE RULES LAWYER PATREON!
https://www.patreon.com/theruleslawyer
For extended-form actual plays, SUBSCRIBE to my other channel, "RULES LAWYER DISCORD COMMUNITY CHANNEL" :
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc1K95QD8Mv2Tr6Wne6KS9g
Follow me on TWITTER at: https://twitter.com/theruleslawyer1
LEARN PATHFINDER 2E! From The Rules Lawyer:
BEGINNER BOX Demonstration + Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWMfQKXicak
It's Easy to Learn! A First Combat: https://youtu.be/jafxucfk0PY
Character Creation - A Breakdown: https://youtu.be/zBb10JowP30
Fun Martials & Clerics, & Interesting Monsters! A Second Combat: https://youtu.be/fLnmENaQykE
Tactics & Strategies to Beat Pathfinder 2e's Tough Fights: https://youtu.be/PRq0VaN1-XE
Learn more PF2E rules at How It's Played:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXPteDw-7tk&list=PLYCDCUfG0xJb5I-wDIezuDkTfbd8k21Km
All Pathfinder 2e rules are FREE!
https://2e.aonprd.com/
https://pf2easy.com/
Pick up your Pathfinder 2e book on Amazon using my affiliate links below. As an Amazon Affliate, I earn from qualifying purchases which helps me continue doing what I love!
Pathfinder 2e Core Rulebook: https://amzn.to/3BiFCSj
Pathfinder 2e Beginner Box: https://amzn.to/3eVsUBB