First Impression: Pathfinder RPG Beginner Box

"Anything you can do, I can do better..." That's what Pathfinder has been saying to Wizards of the Coast and Dungeons and Dragons ever since its release. Dubbed by fans as "DnD 3.75" Pathfinder is essentially DnD 3rd edition with minor tweaks that have made it a fan favorite. If you look a the amount of product released for Pathfinder compared to DnD 4th ed., Pathfinder winds 10 to 1.

To respond, WoC released the "Red Box" and Dungeons and Dragons Essentials which was supposed to be DnD 4th ed. for dummies. In my opinion, they failed miserably. The game is still needlessly complicated and finding rules in the essentials books is quite hard.

In a recent GTM, there was a two page sample of content from the Pathfinder RPG Beginner Box. This is Pathfinder saying to WoC, once again, "This is how you should have done it!" It looks brilliant! Steps in character creation are clearly numbered. 

1. Choose a race - three options - human, elf, or dwarf. Done. 

2. Choose your class - Cleric, Fighter, Rogue, or Wizard. Done.

3. Roll your six ability scores...

4. Figure our your ability score modifiers..

5. Choose an alignment

6. Name your character.

It's really that simple. It only takes two pages! 

Throw in a starter set of dice, pregen characters, and 80 minis all for under $35 online and you've got yourself a winner. First impression: Bravo, Pathfinder! Well done!