Pathfinder Second Edition
Officially Pathfinder 2nd Edition
TABLETOP FANTASY RPG by PAIZO PUBLISHING (2019 relaunch of original PATHFINDER 2009, which forked from D&D 3.5 in 2008). 2E completely REDESIGNED — SIGNATURE 3-ACTION economy per turn (any 3 actions: strike, move, cast, etc.); tightly balanced tactical combat; deep character customization via ANCESTRIES + BACKGROUNDS + CLASSES + FEATS at every level. RUNNER-UP to D&D 5E in TTRPG market share (~10-15%). Free RULES via ARCHIVES OF NETHYS (Creative Commons). Setting: GOLARION world with vast lore + adventure paths.
Quick facts
Category
Tabletop Role-Playing
Type
Team sport
Players
3–6
Duration
~240 min
Where played
both
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
Original PATHFINDER launched 2009 by PAIZO PUBLISHING as continuation of D&D 3.5 (after Wizards of the Coast released D&D 4E with incompatible mechanics); Pathfinder 1E dominated TTRPG market briefly ~2010-2014 ('rules-heavy alternative to 4E'); PATHFINDER 2E released 2019 with ground-up redesign + new 3-action economy; major September 2023 GOLARION setting overhaul; free legal rules via Archives of Nethys.
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
COLLABORATIVE ROLE-PLAY + tactical combat + storytelling using rules-medium mechanics.
Rules
Basic rules
3-ACTION ECONOMY: each turn = 3 ACTIONS (strike, move, cast, raise shield, aid, etc.); some actions cost 2 or 3 actions
Signature 3-action economy.
PROFICIENCY TIERS: Untrained (+0), Trained (+2), Expert (+4), Master (+6), Legendary (+8) + level added — capped by proficiency
Signature 5-tier proficiency system.
ANCESTRIES + HERITAGES: character race + subrace with unique feats (dwarf, elf, gnome, goblin, halfling, human, kobold, hobgoblin, orc, catfolk, tengu, leshy, and dozens more)
Signature ancestry + heritage layers.
BACKGROUNDS: characters get background bonuses + skills before class (e.g., scholar, soldier, merchant)
Signature background layer.
CLASSES: 20+ options (fighter, wizard, rogue, cleric, ranger, monk, sorcerer, druid, bard + expansions like magus, thaumaturge, kineticist, gunslinger, inventor)
Signature 20+ class options.
FEATS at EVERY EVEN LEVEL: ANCESTRY, CLASS, SKILL, GENERAL — deep customization at every level (~500+ feats total)
Signature feats-at-every-level customization.
CRITICAL HITS/FAILURES: 10 over target = crit success (double damage on attack, extra effect on save/skill); 10 under = crit fail (extra bad effect)
Signature 10-over/under crit system.
FREE RULES: full rulebook available FREE at Archives of Nethys (open license via Creative Commons)
Signature open-license free rules.
Scoring
No score — collaborative story-driven; XP system optional; adventure completion or milestone leveling.
Win condition · Party successfully completes adventure or campaign; no formal winning.
Equipment
PLAYER CORE BOOK (2023) — ancestries, classes, feats, spells
Signature 2023 Player Core Book.
GM CORE BOOK (2023) — DM rules + hazards + treasure
Signature 2023 GM Core Book.
MONSTER CORE (2024)
Signature 2024 Monster Core.
PATHFINDER DICE: d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20, percentile d10
Standard 7-dice set.
CHARACTER SHEETS + MINIATURES + BATTLE MAP
Standard TTRPG accessories.
Terminology
- PF2E
- Pathfinder 2nd Edition abbreviation.
- Golarion
- Paizo's official campaign setting world.
- Archives of Nethys
- Free official online SRD (system reference document).
- AON
- Archives of Nethys abbreviation.
- Ancestry
- Character's species/race (dwarf, elf, orc, etc.).
- Adventure Path
- Multi-book long-form campaign (~6 books, 1-20 levels, 1-2 years play).
Major competitions
Pathfinder Society Organized Play (worldwide GM-run events)
ongoing · Worldwide · since 2008
PaizoCon (annual convention)
annual (June) · Seattle, USA · since 2008
GenCon (Pathfinder events at world's largest TTRPG con)
annual (August) · Indianapolis, USA · since 1968
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Paizo Publishing (rights holder + design + publisher)
Founded 2002 · Redmond, WA, USA
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Pathfinder Roleplaying Game— Wikipedia
- Archives of Nethys (free SRD)— AON
- Paizo official— Paizo