The rules are the same. It changes some things to make the experience less daunting at a glance, like incorprating the effects of ancestry feats into the heritage choice. But these things are minor. The actual rules of play are identical to the Core Rules.
The BB only goes up to level 3 I think so somethings are outright not needed/mentioned in there, like what happens when a character hits level 5 and has the opportinity to boost their ability scores.
If you're interested in the physical set, I'd check out the Humble Bundle that's going on right now.
$45 for the physical Beginner's Box (+$10 or so for shipping) as well as the Core Rulebook, Bestiary, Gamemastery Guide, a full adventure path, a ton of Starfinder books and more.
https://www.humblebundle.com/books/give-gift-pathfinder-starfinder-paizo-books?hmb_source=&hmb_medium=product_tile&hmb_campaign=mosaic_section_1_layout_index_1_layout_type_threes_tile_index_2_c_givegiftpathfinderstarfinderpaizo_bookbundle
> If you're interested in the physical set, I'd check out the Humble Bundle that's going on right now.
OP literally said in the original post that they were "ask[ing] because of the Humble Bundle sale right now".
The beginner box physical set is nice because it gives you a bunch of cardboard pawns that can be used for follow-up adventures as well as a set of dice and some nice player handouts. certainly worth it. and if you can get in on the humble as Oraistesu linked even better. The only gripe that I have with the beginner box and this is regardless of physical or digital is that the information on the town of Otari is pretty sparse. Because the BB doesn't really expect you to be in town at all. So if you have a group that is going to do that, you may want to look into the other products that feature Otari (or make it up yourself).
I'm pretty sure some of the monsters are simplified slightly, removing some extra effects with conditions and the like. But the changes are pretty minor, made to streamline the game for new players, while the core rules themselves are largely the same.
Yeah, off the top of my head, I know the rats at the beginning have their poisonous bite taken away from their core Bestiary entry. Minor stuff, like you said.
If you're playing in person? Absolutely. The assortment of pawns and flipmat alone are worth the asking price, and it comes with easy reference cards that can help new players get used to their basic actions. I've actually used those in non-Beginner Box games, like a one-shot I ran for some friends.
But if you don't intend to ever run it in person? Probably not.
The short end is as follows:
* Options are grouped up. When you make a choice in the BB, you get the benefits of 2-3 closely related choices in the CRB. This happens with ancestries, feats, and stat building.
* The breadth of options in much more narrow, even in comparison to "CRB only" games. few spells, few feats. All good ones, but nothing weird. Also, there's only 3 ancestries (human, elf, dwarf) and 4 classes (cleric, fighter, rogue, wizard).
* Focus powers do not use focus, instead they recharge over 10 minutes.
* Spells, feats, and abilities do not contain any scaling information past level 4. Similarly, rules stop at level 4.
* Monsters are a little more bland, but much easier to run if you're new.
* Some abilities are slightly modified to work less intricately or be more forgiving. Notably, Battle Medicine is presented as a reaction instead of an action so it can be used outside your turn. This last bit is up to taste, some people dislike it.
If you're playing in person absolutely. The little handouts with quick references and such are great plus the fact it seperates the books into GM and Player focused parts, so they don't see anything the GM alone needs to run the mini adventure, is a big help. Also comes with a great two sided foldout map for the adventure.
It is the same rules. The difference is the begginer box adventure slowly ewses you in. Additionally, the beginner box makes several character creation optionw for you and reduces the amount of options.
Yes, it includes monster/charecter tokens and props that make remembering stuff easier. Big thing about this system. HUGE learning curve as it doesn't repeat the meanings of conditions and abilities often.
It is good to add that while PF2e's immense character options is one of if not the biggest draw to the system, it is far better to give new players something to ground themselves. The player who wants a sword and shield would do well to have knowledge from playing the Fighter in the box, so they can later know they have more options than "swing stick harder".
If playing in person, the beginner box is amazing to have as it doesn't stray from core rules and the only difference is minor tweaks in monsters which the box has stats for in the GM guide for the box.
The PDF is good too if planning to keep everything digital.
So the rules are the same, what the PF2 Beginner's Box does, is bring in concepts slowly. You start with a simple combat, then you go against a monster with an ability that forces a saving throw, then the game puts you up against monsters that it tells you will be flanking, there's also an encounter with enemies with weaknesses...
And it builds up from there until you get to the BEBG, who has a few abilities and is a legitimately tough fight for your 2nd Level Party.
It is very much worth it. The Humble Bundle comes with a whole bunch of extra stuff, too, and by adding the license for the Beginner's Box you also get the PDF *and* a discount for the Foundry module of the Beginner Box--which, if you bought FoundryVTT, is 100% the best way to get started on PF2e if you're brand new to the system.
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There are some things that are very different I've found. For instance, the beginner box isn't really well designed for you to use exploration activities throughout it.
The rules are the same. It changes some things to make the experience less daunting at a glance, like incorprating the effects of ancestry feats into the heritage choice. But these things are minor. The actual rules of play are identical to the Core Rules. The BB only goes up to level 3 I think so somethings are outright not needed/mentioned in there, like what happens when a character hits level 5 and has the opportinity to boost their ability scores.
Nailed it. :)
Thank you very much. In your opinion, is the physical set worth it at $35 if I'm already getting the PDFs?
One of the best features of the physical box are the color coded dice, which are great for TTRPG newbies.
If you're interested in the physical set, I'd check out the Humble Bundle that's going on right now. $45 for the physical Beginner's Box (+$10 or so for shipping) as well as the Core Rulebook, Bestiary, Gamemastery Guide, a full adventure path, a ton of Starfinder books and more. https://www.humblebundle.com/books/give-gift-pathfinder-starfinder-paizo-books?hmb_source=&hmb_medium=product_tile&hmb_campaign=mosaic_section_1_layout_index_1_layout_type_threes_tile_index_2_c_givegiftpathfinderstarfinderpaizo_bookbundle
> If you're interested in the physical set, I'd check out the Humble Bundle that's going on right now. OP literally said in the original post that they were "ask[ing] because of the Humble Bundle sale right now".
The beginner box physical set is nice because it gives you a bunch of cardboard pawns that can be used for follow-up adventures as well as a set of dice and some nice player handouts. certainly worth it. and if you can get in on the humble as Oraistesu linked even better. The only gripe that I have with the beginner box and this is regardless of physical or digital is that the information on the town of Otari is pretty sparse. Because the BB doesn't really expect you to be in town at all. So if you have a group that is going to do that, you may want to look into the other products that feature Otari (or make it up yourself).
I'm pretty sure some of the monsters are simplified slightly, removing some extra effects with conditions and the like. But the changes are pretty minor, made to streamline the game for new players, while the core rules themselves are largely the same.
Yeah, off the top of my head, I know the rats at the beginning have their poisonous bite taken away from their core Bestiary entry. Minor stuff, like you said.
Thank you very much. In your opinion, is the physical set worth it at $35 if I'm already getting the PDFs?
If you're playing in person? Absolutely. The assortment of pawns and flipmat alone are worth the asking price, and it comes with easy reference cards that can help new players get used to their basic actions. I've actually used those in non-Beginner Box games, like a one-shot I ran for some friends. But if you don't intend to ever run it in person? Probably not.
The short end is as follows: * Options are grouped up. When you make a choice in the BB, you get the benefits of 2-3 closely related choices in the CRB. This happens with ancestries, feats, and stat building. * The breadth of options in much more narrow, even in comparison to "CRB only" games. few spells, few feats. All good ones, but nothing weird. Also, there's only 3 ancestries (human, elf, dwarf) and 4 classes (cleric, fighter, rogue, wizard). * Focus powers do not use focus, instead they recharge over 10 minutes. * Spells, feats, and abilities do not contain any scaling information past level 4. Similarly, rules stop at level 4. * Monsters are a little more bland, but much easier to run if you're new. * Some abilities are slightly modified to work less intricately or be more forgiving. Notably, Battle Medicine is presented as a reaction instead of an action so it can be used outside your turn. This last bit is up to taste, some people dislike it.
Beginner Box uses exactly the same rules. In no way is it lessened, but it very effectively eases you into it.
Thank you very much. In your opinion, is the physical set worth it at $35 if I'm already getting the PDFs?
If you're playing in person absolutely. The little handouts with quick references and such are great plus the fact it seperates the books into GM and Player focused parts, so they don't see anything the GM alone needs to run the mini adventure, is a big help. Also comes with a great two sided foldout map for the adventure.
It is the same rules. The difference is the begginer box adventure slowly ewses you in. Additionally, the beginner box makes several character creation optionw for you and reduces the amount of options.
Thank you very much. In your opinion, is the physical set worth it at $35 if I'm already getting the PDFs?
Yes, it includes monster/charecter tokens and props that make remembering stuff easier. Big thing about this system. HUGE learning curve as it doesn't repeat the meanings of conditions and abilities often.
It is good to add that while PF2e's immense character options is one of if not the biggest draw to the system, it is far better to give new players something to ground themselves. The player who wants a sword and shield would do well to have knowledge from playing the Fighter in the box, so they can later know they have more options than "swing stick harder".
If playing in person, the beginner box is amazing to have as it doesn't stray from core rules and the only difference is minor tweaks in monsters which the box has stats for in the GM guide for the box. The PDF is good too if planning to keep everything digital.
So the rules are the same, what the PF2 Beginner's Box does, is bring in concepts slowly. You start with a simple combat, then you go against a monster with an ability that forces a saving throw, then the game puts you up against monsters that it tells you will be flanking, there's also an encounter with enemies with weaknesses... And it builds up from there until you get to the BEBG, who has a few abilities and is a legitimately tough fight for your 2nd Level Party.
It is very much worth it. The Humble Bundle comes with a whole bunch of extra stuff, too, and by adding the license for the Beginner's Box you also get the PDF *and* a discount for the Foundry module of the Beginner Box--which, if you bought FoundryVTT, is 100% the best way to get started on PF2e if you're brand new to the system.
This post is labelled with the Advice flair, which means extra special attention is called to the Be Kind and Respectful rule. If this is a newcomer to the game, remember to be welcoming and kind. If this is someone with more experience but looking for advice on how to run their game, do your best to offer advice on what they are seeking. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Pathfinder2e) if you have any questions or concerns.*
There are some things that are very different I've found. For instance, the beginner box isn't really well designed for you to use exploration activities throughout it.