Pathfinder

Pathfinder
Title	Pathfinder
Designer	Clint Black; Jason Bulmahn; Paolo Greco; James Jacobs; F. Wesley Schneider
Publisher	Paizo Publishing
Date	2009
Genre	Role-playing game
System	d20 System; Open Game License

Pathfinder is a tabletop role-playing game published by Paizo Publishing that originated as an evolution of the d20 System used in the Third Edition of Dungeons & Dragons era. It provides a framework for cooperative storytelling, tactical combat, and character progression, and has spawned multiple editions, adventure modules, campaign settings, and licensed products. The game has influenced and interacted with a wide array of publishers, conventions, distributors, and organized play programs across the United States, United Kingdom, and international hobby scenes.

Overview

Pathfinder blends elements from Dungeons & Dragons (3rd edition), GURPS, Call of Cthulhu (role-playing game), and other tabletop properties, emphasizing extensible character options, detailed rules, and modular adventure design. The core books—commonly the Core Rulebook and the Bestiary—define classes, races, spells, and monsters used in published adventures such as those in the Adventure Path lineup produced by Paizo Publishing. Organized play programs like Pathfinder Society operate at conventions including Gen Con, Dragon Con, UK Games Expo, and PAX West, while distributors such as Wizards of the Coast and retailers like GameStop and Barnes & Noble have intersected with the product through cross-promotion and stocking. Critical reception in magazines such as Dragon (magazine), White Dwarf, and online outlets like EN World and Polygon has shaped design choices and community expectations.

History and Development

Pathfinder emerged from a period when Wizards of the Coast moved from the Open Game License associated with the d20 System toward new editions, prompting publishers such as Paizo Publishing to develop compatible products. Key figures at Paizo, including Lisa Stevens and designers like Jason Bulmahn and James Jacobs, guided the project through early releases such as the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook and the first Adventure Path installments. The product lifecycle intersected with events at Gen Con, licensing discussions involving Hasbro, and market shifts influenced by retailers like Friendly Local Game Store networks and online platforms such as DriveThruRPG. International localization involved partners in Germany, France, Spain, Brazil, and Japan, and translation efforts brought responses from communities around Reddit, ENWorld, and Paizo Community forums. Later developments responded to the release of Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition, competitive titles from Monte Cook Games and Fantasy Flight Games, and crowdfunding trends exemplified by Kickstarter projects.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Mechanically, Pathfinder built on the d20 System with refinements to character classes, feats, skills, and combat actions; designers referenced precedents in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons and consulted with contributors associated with Wizards of the Coast alumni. Core gameplay alternates between exploration, social interaction, and combat encounters drawn from modules like Rise of the Runelords and Iron Gods. Character options allow archetypes and multiclassing, with rule expansions found in supplements such as the Advanced Player’s Guide and the Ultimate Combat series. Magic systems include spell lists and traditions familiar from Dungeons & Dragons (3rd edition), while monster design echoes bestiaries from Dragon (magazine) and works by authors like Monte Cook, Ed Greenwood, and R. A. Salvatore. Mechanics support miniatures play with grids and tokens used at conventions such as Gen Con and in stores like The Source (game store).

Editions and Supplements

Paizo released multiple editions and an extensive catalog of accessories: the Original Edition (often retroactively called Pathfinder First Edition), Pathfinder Second Edition, and a range of supplements: Bestiary, Advanced Player’s Guide, Ultimate Magic, and campaign Adventure Path series like Kingmaker and Wrath of the Righteous. Third-party publishers produced licensed material under the Open Game License and compatible systems from companies including Green Ronin Publishing, Kobold Press, Legendary Games, Paizo, and Alderac Entertainment Group. Collectible products and support included hardcover rulebooks, adventure modules, map packs from Paizo, card decks, and miniatures produced in partnership with manufacturers like WizKids. Digital tools and virtual tabletops such as Roll20, Foundry Virtual Tabletop, and Fantasy Grounds offered integrations with official content and community-created modules.

Community and Competitive Play

The organized play program Pathfinder Society coordinates sanctioned scenarios, character advancement, and tournament-style events at conventions like Origins Game Fair, Gen Con, Dragon Con, and regional meetups hosted by retailers and clubs. Competitive scenes involve scenario grading, judge certification, and awards; parallel events include the Gamer's Choice Awards and recognition at hobby press such as ICv2. Fan communities congregate on platforms including Reddit, Paizo Forums, EN World, Discord servers, and livestream networks on Twitch and YouTube where creators like Wil Wheaton and community GMs run games. Organized tournaments and high-level play have produced notable participants connected to conventions and publishers such as Paizo Publishing, Wizards of the Coast, and PAX programming teams.

Media Adaptations and Merchandise

Pathfinder expanded into fiction, comics, audio dramas, and digital games with tie-ins from publishers like Del Rey Books, Dark Horse Comics, and developers such as Obsidian Entertainment and Owlcat Games; notable adaptations include computer RPGs inspired by Pathfinder settings and licensed novels by authors appearing in New York Times Best Seller lists. Merchandise ranges from miniatures by WizKids to licensed apparel sold through outlets like Hot Topic and ThinkGeek; licensed card games, board games, and soundtrack releases have been produced in collaboration with companies such as Paizo Publishing, Green Ronin Publishing, Owlcat Games, and Devolver Digital. Cross-media presence includes appearances at San Diego Comic-Con, coverage in Wired and Kotaku, and partnerships with distributors like Asmodee USA and online stores such as DriveThruRPG.

Category:Role-playing games