Pathfinder 2e Remaster: upcoming changes
Greetings, brave adventurers, Today, we shed light on the Pathfinder 2e Remaster Project, also known as PF2.1 or P2R, which is set to reshape core elements of Pathfinder 2e, in an effort to remove its ties with Wizards of the Coast and the OGL and what that means for Adventurers Arsenal.
What is the Pathfinder 2e Remaster Project?
In January 2023, the TTRPG industry was thrown into disarray due to legal challenges that questioned the perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license granted by the OGL in 2000. Wizards of the Coast (WotC) caused concerns about the irrevocability of this licence, proposing significant alterations to the OGL which saw huge community backlash. Paizo took the initiative and introduced the Open RPG Creative (ORC) License, the ORC provides a legal safe harbour for sharing rules mechanics without the concerns of later changes to the licence.
Alongside the ORC License, Paizo announced they intend to release a remastered version of Pathfinder 2e. This involved a complete rewrite of core books, ensuring they no longer contained any content that could be traced back to WotC, D&D, or the OGL. The remaster project entailed extensive rewording, name changes, and the creation of separate printed products to achieve its objectives.
Timeframes and General Information:
The Pathfinder Remaster will unfold in four books, divided into three sections: Player Core 1 and Game Master Core (November 2023), Monster Core (March 2024), and Player Core 2 (Aug 2024). Most changes will involve terms, lore, and names, as well as rules that rely on these elements. Existing PDFs will not be updated, but rules updates will be available for free on Archives of Nethys.
Known Changes in the Pathfinder 2e Remaster: (Updated 03/08/2023)
Transition Away from Alignment:
Alignment system replaced by a binary holy/unholy trait system.
Spirit damage associated with divine spells.
Edict/Anathema system used for character characterizations.
Magic System Changes:
Spell schools divination and transmutations removed.
Spell levels replaced by "Spell Ranks."
Illusion remains as an effect trait.
Spell components have been removed. Spells will instead include their casting traits such as manipulate.
The Spells “Light” and “Dancing Lights” are being merged.
The Spells “Glitterdust” and “Fairie Fire” are being merged into “Revealing Lights.”
The spell “Magic Missile” is being renamed to “Force Barrage.”
The Spell “Magic Weapon” is being renamed to “Runic Weapon.”
The Spell “Runic Weapon” can now be heightened starting at +1.
The Spell “Magic Fang” is being renamed to “Runic Body.”
The Spell “Wish” is now a ritual.
Staves are being reworked due to the removal of magic schools.
Overhaul of Ancestries:
Drow have been retconned from Pathfinder 2e.
Svirfneblin (Deep Gnomes) renamed to Drathnelar.
Duergar (Deep Dwarves) renamed to Hryngar.
Introduction of Nephilim heritage for angelic and fiendish characters.
Revisions to Tiefling and Aasimar ancestries.
Archetype and Class Updates:
Bards and Rogues gain martial weapon proficiency.
Wizards gain simple weapon proficiency and lose schools of magic.
Druids metal-based anathema is being removed.
Fighter’s “Open Trait” is being removed.
Ranger’s spell proficiency now scales natively.
Witches Patrons are gaining additional effects via the familiar.
Clerics have the option to “Sanctify,” giving them access to the holy or unholy trait and all associated spells.
Barbarian Dragon Instinct is receiving changes to reflect changes to Dragons.
Sorcerer Draconic Bloodline is receiving changes to reflect changes to Dragons.
Enhanced Crafting:
Formulas no longer required for crafting common items.
Creature Changes:
Chromatic and metallic dragons take a backline role.
Magical dragons based on magic traditions become prominent.
Mephits renamed to Elemental Scamps.
Ifrit renamed to Naari.
Djinni renamed to Jaathooms.
Marid renamed to Faydhaans.
Efreeti renamed to Ifrits.
Shaitan renamed to Jabalis.
Metal Genie added and named Zuhras.
Wood Genie added and named Kizidhars.
Gnolls renamed to Kholo.
Azers renamed to Munashir.
Talisman Enhancements:
Talismans receive buffs for better payouts and lessened requirements.
Languages:
Elemental languages named with pseudo-Greek titles.
Aquan changes to Susurran.
Auran changes to Petran.
Ignan changes to Pyric.
Terran changes to Thalassic.
Druidic changes to Wildsong.
Mechanical Terms:
"Off-Guard" replaces "flatfooted."
"Reactive Strike" replaces "Attack of Opportunity."
Positive trait changes to Vitality.
Negative trait changes to Void.
Ability scores replaced with pure modifiers (-1 to +7).
Assumed Changes in the Pathfinder 2e Remaster (Not Confirmed): (Updated 03/08/2023)
While the official details of the Pathfinder 2e Remaster are yet to be fully disclosed, there are some assumptions and speculations within the community regarding potential changes that may be introduced. It is essential to note that these changes have not been officially confirmed by Paizo, but they serve as interesting points of discussion among players and enthusiasts:
Breathe Fire" is speculated to be "Burning Hands."
"Divine Immolation" is speculated to be a substitute for "Flame Strike"
"Falling Star" is speculated to be "Meteor Swarm."
"Interplanar Teleport" is speculated to be "Plane Shift."
"Mountain Resilience" is speculated to be "Stoneskin."
"One with Stone" is speculated to be "Meld into Stone."
"Petrify" is speculated to be "Flesh to Stone."
"See the Unseen" is speculated to be either "True Seeing" or "See Invisibility."
"Telekinetic Hand" speculated to be "Mage Hand."
"Translocate" is speculated to be "Dimension Door."
"Truespeech" is speculated to be "Tongues."
Adventurer's Arsenal and the Pathfinder 2e Remaster
As the Pathfinder Remaster project unfolds, our dedication extends to the item cards we have previously released for Pathfinder 2e. With the spotlight on the revised ruleset, we understand the significance of aligning our item cards seamlessly with the remastered edition. Therefore, we stand fully prepared to remaster any item cards that may be impacted by the new rules and mechanics.
This process involves adjusting terminology, addressing any rule changes, and potentially refining the card designs to ensure that they complement the enhanced gaming experience.
We are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. This blog will serve as your reliable source for updates and insights into the changes coming to Pathfinder 2e. As we learn more about the remaster, we will diligently update this blog to ensure you have the latest information at your fingertips.
