Hey everyone! I’ve been DMing D&D 5e since 2016 but feel like it lacks depth. I’ve heard great things about Pathfinder, especially 4e and Pathfinder 1e, which is often praised as a superior version of D&D 3.5. I currently have a group of newer players with limited D&D experience, and they’re open to trying new systems. I’m particularly looking at Pathfinder 1e, even though Pathfinder 2e is out. I’m a bit skeptical of 2e because of its revamped alternative fantasy races, which seem to stray from my vision of a classic fantasy setting, much like Tolkien’s Middle-earth. My question is simple: Is Pathfinder 1e worth picking up in 2025? What other medieval fantasy options would be good? I want something with depth, as I find the current D&D systems lacking.
5 Answers
Yes, Pathfinder 1e is worth exploring! It has a huge library of content, but let me warn you—it’s a complex system that requires a good amount of mental investment. It’s also super customizable. If you’re not into serious number-crunching and character-building, it might not be as fun for you though.
I’ve been playing PF1 for 15+ years, and while it can be a bit overwhelming for new players, the depth it offers is really unmatched. That said, keep in mind that you’ll probably need to do some house ruling regarding races and classes to fit your fantasy vision better.
Honestly, I think Pathfinder 2e has way more depth than Pathfinder 1e. Most of the excitement is around PF2 these days, and the flaws in PF1 are pretty well-known. If you’re dismissing PF2 as lacking depth, I think you’re missing out on a lot!
Yeah, I didn’t get that either. PF2 gives you a ton more choices and balance. Just run with the races you like!
I say no to Pathfinder 1e. It’s kind of declining in popularity, and late-game play can be a real slog. Plus, PF2 is way more approachable and has the same classic fantasy races. You can definitely limit what races your players can use if you want to keep things more traditional.
Exactly! Just enforce the ‘common’ races rule, and you can keep it classic without the extra weirdness.
Funny enough, I hardly see anyone picking the alternative races in my campaigns anyway. Everyone tends to stick with classic races!
If you want a game that feels more crunchy and tactical, I’d go with PF1. But, it heavily relies on character optimization, so if your group isn’t super into that, it could turn into a slog. Plus, there are tons of third-party rules that can enhance the experience.
Exactly. Just jamming the core rules can feel overwhelming for newcomers. It’s all about how you present it!
PF2E has a lot of mechanics that streamline gameplay, which might be more suitable for fresh players. But PF1 has that good ol’ classic feel!
Totally get that. I think choosing specific races to fit a theme helps ground the game, especially for newer players.