User:Urban/Pathfinder

This is a collection of additional Pathfinder rules for use in my campaigns.

Setting

The default setting for my Pathfinder games is Golarion. As a general rule, races and classes in the official Pathfinder rules are allowed. That said, some races, classes or even countries of origin and gear may not be allowed in a particular campaign.

Characters

E20

After level 20, characters can gain bonus feats, but no other benefits. As in E6, every five feats count as ECL+1. I have added the Open Minded feat from Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 as a way to gain additional skill points. I do not usually award experience points in my games, so these advances will be given when I think it makes sense. In practice, this will probably mean one advance every two sessions or so.

These rules can be used with the mythic rules, but the primary use is to allow limited character growth after level 20.

Feats

New or revised feats.

Improved Critical [Combat]

Attacks made with your chosen weapon are quite deadly.

Prerequisite: Proficient with weapon, base attack bonus +8.

Benefit: When using the weapon you selected, your threat range is doubled.

Special: You can gain Improved Critical multiple times. The effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new type of weapon.

Note: This feat is changed so the effect stacks with keen weapons. This is fun for players and GM alike! It does makes the game more swingy, or to put it another way, more awesome.

Open Minded [General]

You are naturally able to reroute your memory and skill expertise.

Benefit: You immediately gain 5 skill points. Spend these skill points as normal. You cannot exceed the normal maximum ranks for your level in any skill.

Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. Each time, you immediately gain another 5 skill points.

Source: Complete Adventurer, p. 111 (D&D 3.5)

Rules

Sneak Attack

Rogues can use Sneak Attack against targets with partial concealment, but not full concealment.

Note: This makes it possible for rogues to use sneak attack in conditions with limited visibility, such as fog or darkness. It is counter-intuitive that the rules do not allow this. After all, such conditions are ideal for dispatching opponents stealthily!

Stealth

The stealth playtest rules by Paizo are used.

Note: The hidden condition in the playtest rules allows a hidden rogue to sneak attack targets without being invisible. This is very similar to the way I handled stealth in the Way of the Wicked campaign.

Equipment

Spear

A spear can be used in one hand as a martial weapon. Spear and shield has been used by warriors for thousands of years, and I do not think a feat should be necessary to use a simple weapon properly. This basically make the shortspear obsolete.