Unchain yourself with the latest Pathfinder book

It seems like now is a great time to be a fan of RPGs.  The updated D&D 5th Edition has been a hit and is coming into it’s own.  FFG has come out with a Star Wars system with unique features.  Soon the Mutant Chronicles books will be available from the Modiphius Kickstarter.  The Pathfinder series has come on strong since its inception, challenging D&D 4th Edition.  Now Paizo has released Pathfinder Unchained, a new companion book with several updates.

Paizo Inc. announces today the release of Pathfinder Unchained, the new hardcover rulebook for the award-winning Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. Releasing April 2015 with an MSRP of $39.99, Pathfinder Unchained is an indispensable companion to the Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook.

From totally revised fundamentals like core classes and monster design, to brand-new systems for expanding the way the game is played, Pathfinder Unchained makes the player the game designer, and offers fresh ideas while still blending with the existing system.

Said Jason Bulmahn, Lead Designer for Pathfinder, “Over a year ago, I went to talk to Publisher Erik Mona about a book idea I had. The pitch was simple: ‘Let us do a book filled with whatever crazy ideas we have floating around in our heads.’ He said ‘no.’ I said, ‘Wait though, allow me to explain, our crazy ideas might make the game better.’ He said ‘tell me more,’ and Pathfinder Unchained was born.”

Pathfinder RPG: Unchained includes:

• New versions of the barbarian, monk, rogue, and summoner classes, all revised to make them more balanced and easier to play.
• New skill options for both those who want more skills to fill out their characters’ backgrounds and those seeking streamlined systems for speed and simplicity.
• Changes to how combat works, from a revised action system to an exhaustive list of combat tricks that draw upon your character’s stamina.
• Magic items that power up with you throughout your career—and ways to maintain variety while still letting players choose the “best” magic items.
• Simplified monster creation rules for making new creatures on the fly.
• Exotic material components ready to supercharge your spellcasting.
• New takes on alignment, multiclassing, iterative attacks, wounds, diseases and poisons, and item creation.
• And much, much more.

Pathfinder Unchained is available at hobby game and book stores nationwide, as well as on paizo.com.

I’m all for making these systems easier to play, since RPGs can be intimidating for people who have never played one before.  If you’ve found the system a bit too rigid, be sure to get Unchained and see where your imagination can lead you.