Pathfinder
Officially Pathfinder Roleplaying Game
High-fantasy tabletop role-playing game. Published 2009 by Paizo (spun from D&D 3.5 when Wizards released 4th Edition). PF2 released 2019. Setting: Golarion. #2 tabletop RPG globally after D&D. Adventure Paths (long campaign modules) hallmark. Popular for player customization + tactical rules depth.
What is Pathfinder?
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game is HIGH-FANTASY TABLETOP RPG published by PAIZO INC. (Redmond, WA). ORIGINATED 2009 when Paizo (formerly D&D magazine publisher) reacted to WIZARDS OF THE COAST's controversial 4TH EDITION D&D — Paizo kept D&D 3.5 rules alive as PATHFINDER 1ST EDITION. Became #2 tabletop RPG globally (after D&D 5th Edition). PATHFINDER 2ND EDITION (PF2) released 2019 — streamlined action-based combat + player customization emphasis. SETTING: GOLARION (fictional world with expansive lore, published in Chronicles/Setting books). Hallmark: ADVENTURE PATHS — 6-part long campaign modules taking characters from level 1 to 20 (e.g., Rise of the Runelords, Kingmaker, Wrath of the Righteous, Age of Ashes). Some Adventure Paths adapted to CRPG format (KINGMAKER + WRATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS by Owlcat Games, 2018 + 2021 — cult classic RPG video games). D&D-COMPATIBLE 3.5 RULES BASE + more character options. Rules based on OGL (Open Gaming License); Paizo VOCAL DEFENDER OF OGL during 2023 WotC controversy. Community: PATHFINDER SOCIETY organized play worldwide. Pathfinder REMASTER (2023) update refined PF2. Considered player-choice HEAVYWEIGHT RPG.
Quick facts
Category
Tabletop Role-Playing
Type
Team sport
Players
2–8
Duration
~240 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
battle map (grid) + theater of mind
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
Paizo publishes Pathfinder 1E 2009 (D&D 3.5 clone); PF2 2019; Remaster 2023
Olympic
No
Popularity
major
How it works
Objective
Cooperative narrative role-playing — party of adventurers overcomes challenges + advances story; long-term character development.
Rules
Basic rules
Party of 3-6 characters + 1 Game Master
GM narrates world + controls NPCs/monsters; players control single characters.
Actions: PF2 has 3-action system (Strike, Move, Interact, etc.)
Each turn: 3 actions + reactions. Simpler than PF1's complex actions.
d20 + modifier vs Difficulty Class (DC)
Roll d20 + skill + ability + level; meet/exceed DC = success. Critical success at DC+10; critical fail at DC-10.
Character progression: 1-20 levels
XP earned per encounter; new abilities every level.
Class + ancestry + background + feats system
Deep character customization; feats every 1-2 levels.
GM has final authority on rulings
Game succeeds/fails on GM interpretation + creativity.
Scoring
Not scored — cooperative narrative. XP earned per encounter; character levels 1-20.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Encounter defeated | XP based on encounter budget vs party level |
| Character level up | Every 1000 XP (PF2) roughly |
| Adventure Path complete | Character reaches level 15-20 typically |
Win condition · Complete campaign narrative; individual/party achievements matter more than winning.
Playing area
Called
battle map (grid) + theater of mind
Dimensions
1-inch grid or hex maps for tactical combat
Combat uses grid-based tactical maps + miniatures; non-combat scenes described narratively.
Equipment
Core Rulebook (PF2 CRB)
€40; contains rules + character options
Bestiary (monster manual)
€40; NPC + creature stats
Gamemastery Guide
€40; GM advice + optional rules
Adventure Path (6-part campaign)
€25/module × 6 = complete campaign
Character sheets + polyhedral dice
d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20 required
Battle map + miniatures
1-inch grid; PF-specific pawns/minis
Pathfinder Society scenarios (organized play)
PDF downloads for group play
Strategies
Character build synergy
Feats + class combinations enable powerful playstyles.
3-action economy (PF2) is core
Optimize turn: usually Strike + Strike + Move or specialty combos.
Adventure Path progression respects character arcs
Long-form campaign rewards patience.
Terminology
- GM / DM
- Game Master / Dungeon Master — runs game.
- PC
- Player Character.
- d20
- 20-sided die; core mechanic.
- DC
- Difficulty Class; target number for roll.
- Feat
- Special ability chosen at level up.
- Ancestry
- Character race (Human, Elf, Dwarf, Goblin, etc.).
- Class
- Character profession (Fighter, Wizard, Cleric, Rogue, etc.).
- Adventure Path
- 6-part campaign module.
- Golarion
- Pathfinder's fictional setting.
- OGL
- Open Gaming License; historical D&D licensing framework.
Major competitions
Not competitive — cooperative RPG
n/a · worldwide
Pathfinder Society (organized play + conventions)
ongoing · worldwide · since 2008
PaizoCon annual convention
annual · USA · since 2006
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Paizo Inc. (publisher)
Founded 2002 · USA (Redmond, WA)
Official site ↗Pathfinder Society (organized play)
Founded 2008 · worldwide
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Erik Mona (USA) — Paizo Publisher + Publisher of Dragon Magazine
- Jason Bulmahn (USA) — Lead PF1E designer
- Logan Bonner (USA) — Lead PF2 designer
- James Jacobs (USA) — Creative Director + Golarion setting lead
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Buy PATHFINDER BEGINNER BOX ($40)
Simplified rules + starter adventure for 4-6 sessions.
- 2
Join Pathfinder Society organized play
Drop-in games at local game stores.
- 3
Play via Foundry VTT or Roll20 online
Full digital tools available.
intermediate
- 1
Full Core Rulebook + first Adventure Path
Ideally 'Age of Ashes' (PF2 intro) or 'Rise of the Runelords' (PF1 classic).
- 2
GM your first game
Community-shared advice + starter modules.
advanced
- 1
Custom campaigns + homebrew setting
Ultimate creative flexibility.
Frequently asked
How is Pathfinder different from D&D?+
PATHFINDER started 2009 as D&D 3.5 spinoff by PAIZO — 3.5 fans furious over 4th Edition D&D by Wizards of the Coast. Paizo maintained 3.5 rules + expanded. PATHFINDER 1E (2009-2019) = D&D 3.5+++. PATHFINDER 2E (2019+) = COMPLETELY NEW SYSTEM with 3-action economy + streamlined rules + deep character customization. Compared to D&D 5E (Wizards' current): Pathfinder = MORE COMPLEX rules + MORE character options + MORE tactical combat. D&D 5E = SIMPLER + faster onboarding + broader appeal. Both excellent; different focus. Pathfinder considered 'crunchier' RPG for enthusiasts.
What is a Pathfinder Adventure Path?+
6-part LONG CAMPAIGN MODULES published by Paizo — takes characters from LEVEL 1 to 15-20 across ~6 individual $25 books. Famous examples: RISE OF THE RUNELORDS (PF1 classic; considered best), KINGMAKER (open sandbox; adapted to Owlcat CRPG 2018), WRATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS (mythic tier; CRPG 2021), CURSE OF THE CRIMSON THRONE (urban intrigue), STRANGE AEONS (Lovecraftian). Each provides 6-24 months of weekly gameplay. Purchase individual volumes as needed. Iconic feature distinguishing Pathfinder from D&D.
Should I start with Pathfinder 1E or 2E?+
PATHFINDER 2E (2019) recommended for NEW PLAYERS — cleaner rules, better organization, actively supported. PATHFINDER 1E (2009-2019) preferred by rules-tinkerers wanting MAXIMUM character options + years of published content ($1000+ available). Both have Adventure Paths + support. Community shifted to PF2 majority but PF1 still played. Owlcat CRPGs (Kingmaker, Wrath of the Righteous) use PF1 rules.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Pathfinder RPG— Wikipedia
- Paizo — Pathfinder— Paizo