FantasyCraft versus Pathfinder

[Operator]

Originally Posted by Daedalus.Shard

In a Dramatic Scene, Standard NPC's can critical.

If the GC doesn't like the idea of standard characters scoring critical hits against PCs, all they have to do is wait for the big-bad to show up before making the scene dramatic. This is kind of like in The Phantom Menace when the party moves through the Naboo palace with no problems against minions until the doors slide open and Darth Maul whips out his lightsaber.

That, or the GC can save their allotment of dramatic scenes for non-combat encounters. If you think scenes can't be dramatic without a battle ... you're doing it wrong.

Originally Posted by Daedalus.Shard

More on topic, there's a lot more that you won't be familiar with in FC. It does have a steep learning curve and that can be a good or bad thing.

And more on topic, the GC can learn and use whatever rules they want just like any other game. Fantasy Craft is more modular than most games out there with its rules. That's a feature of it.

[Operator]

Just thought of another thing. Pathfinder doesn't have a bestiary in it. They have an upcoming monster manual type book that you'll have to purchase seperately.

Fantasy Craft does have an expansive bestiary in it, but believe me when I say that creating NPCs and monsters on your own is one of the more fun and interesting features of the game. There's even a conversion guide to walk you through bringing in monsters from your favorite 3.X books.

[snapbee]

I'd go with Fantasycraft. Actual balance (including worthwhile, HIGHLY interesting fighting classes), the game doesn't break at high levels, lots of room for system customization, wonderful character customization and options.

Pathfinder is 95% 3.5.

[pointyman2000]

Originally Posted by SilvercatMoonpaw

This site has someone who is using the Fantasycraft system to make characters, a world, and a holding (piece of property), so you can read their work and get a feel for if the system looks complicated.

Thanks for linking to my blog, SilvercatMoonpaw!

I've been pretty much enamored with Fantasy Craft the moment I got my hands on it. My current pet project is building a Wuxia setting as a litmus test to see how far Fantasy Craft can get away from the standard Western Fantasy (which it can already do really well.) So far I've yet to be disappointed.

[Tracker7]

Originally Posted by pointyman2000

Thanks for linking to my blog, SilvercatMoonpaw!

I've been pretty much enamored with Fantasy Craft the moment I got my hands on it. My current pet project is building a Wuxia setting as a litmus test to see how far Fantasy Craft can get away from the standard Western Fantasy (which it can already do really well.) So far I've yet to be disappointed.

Bookmarked! This should be good.

[SilvercatMoonpaw]

Originally Posted by pointyman2000

Thanks for linking to my blog, SilvercatMoonpaw!

It's what I do.

Originally Posted by pointyman2000

My current pet project is building a Wuxia setting as a litmus test to see how far Fantasy Craft can get away from the standard Western Fantasy (which it can already do really well.) So far I've yet to be disappointed.

You need to do something high-powered, test out how high a level of fantasy the system can take.

EDIT: Here's an old thread comparing a warrior and a mage in combat. Also illustrates what the combat system turns out like:
http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=468264

[Operator]

Originally Posted by pointyman2000

My current pet project is building a Wuxia setting as a litmus test to see how far Fantasy Craft can get away from the standard Western Fantasy (which it can already do really well.) So far I've yet to be disappointed.

I think this is one point that doesn't get across as often as it should.

The Fantasy Craft rules fit smoothly into a Tolkien-esque Western Fantasy setting, but they are very flexible. Wth a few campaign qualities, you could just as easily do a wuxia Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon style game, a greek-epic style game where the PCs are demigods, a victorian steam punk game, feudal Japan like L5R, a low magic / high intrigue game like A Song of Ice and Fire, or even a swords and sorcery game like Conan.

My current pet project is something similar to the American Civil War, but with magic and dragons.

[pointyman2000]

Originally Posted by SilvercatMoonpaw

It's what I do.

You need to do something high-powered, test out how high a level of fantasy the system can take.

Yeah, been considering that idea as well, just need to figure out what kind of concept would be good for a high powered character for a Wuxia game. Possibly some legendary Xia like Nameless from Storm Riders.

[SilvercatMoonpaw]

This thread is starting a Fantasycraft game, and has some very detailed character builds:

http://forums.somethingawful.com/sho...3&pagenumber=1

[Tori Bergquist]

First, let me preface by saying I own both systems, and love them to bits. I started a Pathfinder campaign a few weeks ago, and spent the last three days absorbing Fantasy Craft in total. For the purposes of the OP I would suggest Fantasy Craft, however, because it's an "all-in-one" book, and requires no further purchases. However, if he did have the budget for the upcoming Pathfinder Bestiary, then I would suggest Pathfinder for the comfort level it offers....it does 3.X the way I want, with all the fixes I could possibly want to make the overall experience smoother and more entertaining, and is loaded with excellent production values.

Fantasy Craft is damned cool, and it's completeness in one volume is a major plus. On the downside, it's much crunchier and fiddlier than I'm used to these days, and still employs mechanics from 3.X that I prefer the Pathfinder take on, but that said, everything new and interesting it does is really damned cool and unusual.....I definitely need to run it, even though its going to take me a while to properly get my head around all of it.

So: for the OP, Fantasy Craft if you want "all in one" and don't mind crunch. Pathfinder otherwise unless the Bestiary is not going to be in your purchase range come October.

ADDENDUM: unless you're one of those guys who can live without a book of monsters, in which case Pathfinder all the way!