Beginner Box?

[danman71]

Just wondering if the Beginner box (releasing soon) will be added? I am not seeing a PDF of it on Paizo's site, so no discount apparently. Hopefully it will be less than the retail of the box?

[Trenloe]

We are working on it. Don’t know if we’ll make official release date though, there’s a lot to do in terms of ruleset code and data across the approx. 200 pages of the product.

Standard FG pricing, as set by the license agreement with Paizo, is that of the physical product.

[seanny]

I am looking forward to this as well,both the physical and digital product. Have the 1e version and it is a really good product, interesting story my gamemasters Guide from the boxset was missing around 20 pages in the middle of the book and when I emailed Paizo they sent a new book internationally to me in 2 weeks once I told them which store I had bought it from, fabulous customer service.

[Gwydion]

We are working on it. Don’t know if we’ll make official release date though, there’s a lot to do in terms of ruleset code and data across the approx. 200 pages of the product.

Standard FG pricing, as set by the license agreement with Paizo, is that of the physical product.

Bought the physical copy (actually two) and can't wait for the FG version! I'm in when it drops!

[JesterOC]

There is a pdf purchase option of the beginner box. Hopefully that will help with a discount as well.

[Gwydion]

Just curious if there is an ETA. Was hoping start running this the weekend of 12/5 but I know it still shows as early stages of conversion. Completely understand it might not be out by then, just curious...

[Trenloe]

Just curious if there is an ETA. Was hoping start running this the weekend of 12/5 but I know it still shows as early stages of conversion. Completely understand it might not be out by then, just curious...
I highly doubt it will be out by then. The GMs guide is mostly done, and some of the players - but the underlying data and coding changes required are still to be finalised. I'm prioritising the Core Rules errata at the moment - and that is taking a lot to do. Paizo supplied a spreadsheet with 567 lines of changes - and some of the single lines cover multiple instances of a change!

[Gwydion]

Really appreciate the quick reply and completely understand! Wow! 567 lines of changes! Thanks for all you are doing.

[lostsanityreturned]

Standard FG pricing, as set by the license agreement with Paizo, is that of the physical product.

Disappointing to hear, as the physical product has its price primarily because of the dice, flip mat, pawns and pawn bases.
It will suck to have to tell people "I would recommend starting with the beginner box and the troubles in otari adventure on FG but the beginner box is WAY too expensive for a single level adventure" on the platform.

The troubles of standardized systems I guess.

[Trenloe]

Disappointing to hear, as the physical product has its price primarily because of the dice, flip mat, pawns and pawn bases.
It will suck to have to tell people "I would recommend starting with the beginner box and the troubles in otari adventure on FG but the beginner box is WAY too expensive for a single level adventure" on the platform.

The troubles of standardized systems I guess.
It's not just a single level adventure. It's also all the data to create a beginner box character and play them to level 3. And it's well over 100 hours of development - ruleset changes, adventure, bestiary, ancestry, background, class, weapon, armor, shield and gear data, etc., etc..

As usual, if anyone feels the price of a product if way too expensive then you can always enter all of the data yourself. Pay $15 for the PDFs from Paizo and do the work yourself, or pay another $25 to have it all done for you. With over 100 hours of developer time spent on this product already, I personally don't think that $40, including the Paizo PDFs, is "WAY too expensive". Only you can decide if that's too expensive for you or not.

[Gwydion]

I agree with you, Trenloe. As an example, I chose to buy the discounted pdf's (paizo's black friday's 25% off deal on all pdf's I think) to buy all the condition, armor, adventuring gear and critical hit and fumble decks. The artwork is great and I was able to spend a couple hrs to get all the decks (except critical hit and fumble for now) into an FG module. However, for the beginner box I will definitely wait and pay for the conversion. 100% worth it for me and I want to continue to support smiteworks. Definitely options, though.

[lostsanityreturned]

It's not just a single level adventure. It's also all the data to create a beginner box character and play them to level 3. And it's well over 100 hours of development - ruleset changes, adventure, bestiary, ancestry, background, class, weapon, armor, shield and gear data, etc., etc..

As usual, if anyone feels the price of a product if way too expensive then you can always enter all of the data yourself. Pay $15 for the PDFs from Paizo and do the work yourself, or pay another $25 to have it all done for you. With over 100 hours of developer time spent on this product already, I personally don't think that $40, including the Paizo PDFs, is "WAY too expensive". Only you can decide if that's too expensive for you or not.

I feel like I am being taken out of context here, or at least having my intent misunderstood/misrepresented.

I am not asking for this myself, I am not intentionally disrespecting the effort that you and others have put into products released so far and specifically the ruleset.

I am saying that to get people into GMing in fantasygrounds it is an expensive path for the adventure that I think is best suited to getting people into PF2e GMing / playing for the first time. And thus the one I would currently wish to direct people towards.
For a 1-4 adventure it ends up being $65, the extra content from the Beginner Box is temporarily useful for GMs, and not so much for those who already own the bestiaries and CRBs or plan to buy them.

My comment was purely on the sticker price shock it commands compared to other products, as something that would likely naturally push people away from it as a comfortable entry point, and I don't think I can recommend people buy it who are just stepping into FG for the first time.

And as for new GMs that are being converted to FG data entrying it themselves.

For the record:
- I buy every non adventure module as it comes out, even if I have already entered the data manually and created my own modules.
- I have spent a lot on FG, I have no qualms doing so, my comments were not regarding me but regarding the already strong kickback people have.
- I speak on this as someone who wants more people to buy FG pathfinder content and to help the community to continue growing.
- I am very thankful and supportive of the people who have worked to make PF2e on FG what it is currently, specifically you Trenloe.

It wouldn't be such an issue if plaguestone was a more appealing intro module and less of a meat grinder -mutters-

[danman71]

Too bad Paizo won't subsidize this and sell the beginner box for like $10. Charging $40 when many people just want the beginner adventure seems quite expensive.

[Yoshua]

I am on the edge of getting Fantasy Grounds to host some Pathfinder. I have the Beginner Box at home, and digital, and love it. Was looking on the site and couldn't find it here. This would probably push me over the edge to dive full into VTT with Fantasy Grounds if the Beginner Box was available.

Love what I am seeing with your product, this was the only thread I saw referencing the Beginner Box being added.

Also: First Post!

[damned]

Welcome Yoshua
Its coming...

[Trenloe]

It's coming, slowly... it's forcing a lot of changes to the ruleset, which is holding the release up. On the plus side, it means new functionality to all PF2 users, not just with the Beginner Box.

[Milke]

As far as the cost of this stuff. I find Fantasy Grounds stuff to be wicked cheap. Since it's linked to my Paizo account, I can get a whole adventure for around 7 bucks with the work all done for me. I can't give them my money fast enough.

[Larsenex]

I want this as well. I may by the set but I dont need it. I am getting it solely for the troubles in otari module as I really want it to dovetail into other things I am doing. Also Otari is the new 'Falcons Hollow' (starter area from long ago) and I love the writing so far.

Keep up the good work Team Smiteworks. Your efforts are really appreciated!

[Transmission89]

Hi. A question on this upcoming product. You mention all the rules changes needed to create this. I’m confused, isn’t the beginner box just the same rules as the main game but with reduced options for beginner players?

Secondly, if this does mean changes for it, does that mean I wouldn’t be able to GM the adventure module for “real” characters using the full rule set if I wished?
Many thanks, really looking forward to this.

[Trenloe]

Hi. A question on this upcoming product. You mention all the rules changes needed to create this. I’m confused, isn’t the beginner box just the same rules as the main game but with reduced options for beginner players?
They're reduced options, yes. But there are also differences that need to be coded for.


Secondly, if this does mean changes for it, does that mean I wouldn’t be able to GM the adventure module for “real” characters using the full rule set if I wished?
You can use the "core rules" to run the scenario without issue.


Many thanks, really looking forward to this.
It won't be for at least 4-6 weeks yet.

[Transmission89]

They're reduced options, yes. But there are also differences that need to be coded for.


You can use the "core rules" to run the scenario without issue.


It won't be for at least 4-6 weeks yet.


Thank you for the speedy response! That’s great to hear about its use. I don’t mind the wait, I’ve not been dissatisfied with any module I’ve purchased yet, I understand it takes time to get it right. Counting down the days though ;)

[danman71]

They're reduced options, yes. But there are also differences that need to be coded for.


You can use the "core rules" to run the scenario without issue.


It won't be for at least 4-6 weeks yet.

Will there be an option to get ONLY the module?

[Trenloe]

Will there be an option to get ONLY the module?
Nope. Paizo don’t provide that option so neither do SmiteWorks.

[Yoshua]

Still coming back seeing if there is an update. I have a group of friends I could possibly get into this but I would be the one getting ultimate to kick it off. Love seeing the releases though, really neat that the flip tiles are making the digital appearance. That has definitely gotten my attention too

[Renfield]

Color me as interested in Beginner Box content and the "Troubles in Otari" as well, want to introduce some new players to Pathfinder 2E while also learning the differences between editions myself, and the beginner box is the perfect opportunity for exactly that. Any sort of time window update?

[Larsenex]

I got the PDF from Paizo.

I think the effort the team here do for us (in the Pathfinder 2e) community is outstanding. I will be buying the set once its available here (along with Bestiary 3) and using it for the menace under Otari adventure (and the tokens, man I love me some tokens!)

Gotta hook up the two areas and this module does it.

[Yoshua]

Playing through the physical beginner box with the family, and realizing that there are just enough rules that are slightly different that I understand why this product would take time to convert. Still can't wait for it to be released though because I want to use this with Fantasy Grounds to introduce some of my friends to Pathfinder remotely.

[Zerbious]

Any word on how this is coming?

I'm a 40-year D&D player/DM (mainly) recently getting into Pathfinder 2 thanks to Gwydion peaking my interest in it and would love to buy this to assist in learning and getting started with PF.

[Trenloe]

Any word on how this is coming?
It's still a few weeks off. No exact ETA.

[Gwydion]

Any word on how this is coming?

I'm a 40-year D&D player/DM (mainly) recently getting into Pathfinder 2 thanks to Gwydion peaking my interest in it and would love to buy this to assist in learning and getting started with PF.

Some of the society adventures are good starting point. Blooming catastrophe was fun and a few more. Don’t recall if I converted it myself or if it was available on fg but I know they have a number of society adventures out now.

[Gwydion]

Here is the blooming catastrophe.

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/store/product.php?id=PZOSMWPZOPFS0115EFG

[adamdane]

Throwing in support and cheering for this being introduced. I'm starting it up this Thursday and was hoping to buy the content to use FG as the combat manager and a handier reference even though we're playing in-person. Still plenty of time to do that myself before then though~

Appreciate all the hard work!