The new Pathfinder Second Edition update has officially released, and it brings a massive amount of changes, lore additions, and more to the already popular tabletop experience provided by Paizo Inc. Pathfinder is a tabletop roleplaying game in the same vein as Dungeons & Dragons, and builds upon many of the elements that made the latter successful while establishing its own identity within the popular genre.
Pathfinder Second Edition has already been getting a lot of hype for quite some time thanks to early information and access for some players. One of the biggest elements of Pathfinder is the character creation process, something that is deliberately designed to be as flexible as possible so that players don't feel forced into a particular archetype. While there's still the opportunity to play an Elven rogue, there's also equal opportunity to create characters that go well against the grain of high fantasy archetypes. Pathfinder got its start as a set of house rules for the 3.5 edition of DND, but has now evolved into its own property with captivating Adventure Paths.
Today, Pathfinder Second Edition has officially released, and it will launch with a combination of a new 640-page Pathfinder Core Rulebook alongside a 360-page Pathfinder Bestiary that contains details on over 400 monsters. The game is also launching a brand new Adventure Path, a standalone adventure called the Fall of Plaguestone, new character sheets, and more, with the intent being an offering of completely new gameplay to fans who were looking for a fresh start on Pathfinder. More dedicated players will find Hellknight Hill, a new adventure in the Age of Ashes Adventure Path, more catered to their interests - it's described as a lengthy, epic campaign that will span continents and bring players into conflict with cultists and dragons.
Above all else, though, Pathfinder Second Edition appears to be prioritizing smoother play. The adventures are more accessible than ever, the rulebook and monster information makes running a campaign as easy as it has ever been, and the addition of new character sheets and other clerical accessories helps bolster the experience to remain fun and not overwhelming. It's a wise decision, too - the resurgence in popularity of Dungeons & Dragons makes pursuing tabletop roleplaying a lucrative decision at the moment for those who handle it adeptly, something that Paizo Inc. has already proven with Pathfinder several times before.
Pathfinder is an excellent alternative for those who have either never tried DND because of its complexity or those who have and want something a little different. When a new edition of a tabletop roleplaying game releases, its community is often as its most active, and it also represents a great time to jump in as everyone learns new rules or functions. Pathfinder Second Edition is as approachable a tabletop roleplaying experience as any, and now seems like the time to dive in.