FGU vs Foundry for PF2e

[Morfedel]

So, I am interested in feedback from people who have used both FGU and Foundry specifically for PF2e. See, I'm kinda torn. I own the ultimate license for FGU (and spent a LOT of money on it over the years, albeit 5e stuff), AND I own Foundry. So, the issue of purchasing one vs the other isn't an issue.

I also own the core PF2e stuff in foundry; a ton of it was free, and what wasn't came in through a humble bundle for $25. Now, with that in mind, Foundry has a lot less in terms of adventure modules and such but, on the other hand, I TEND to prefer original content of my own making rather than official adventures, so that means I only need rules material and not adventures.

As such, it would seem that, purely from a cash standpoint, Foundry is the cheaper way to go, as I'd have to buy everything for FGU's PF2e rules.

However.

I don't shy away from spending money on my hobby. Not rich here, but I can afford to spend some when I want to. As such, I am willing to invest the money if I find it worthwhile. The thing is, while the two VTTs both have their pros and cons, not sure I see one having enough strengths over the other to make it valuable to spend the money, based on the above stipulations. But maybe I'm wrong?

So, the question is, considering I already have PF2e's rules (like, basically ALL of them) in Foundry, and nothing for PF2e in FGU, what reasons might I have to use FGU anyway?

[dsaraujo]

This thread collects a lot of pros and cons from the platforms: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?77616-PF2e-rules-set-quality. A big point is, if you want official material (with all the art and text content, especially for the Lost Omens line) inside of your VTT, FG is the way to go. If you only care about rules and mechanical implementation, FG and Foundry are pretty similar in features (and will be even closer after recently announced support for webp/webm and Release 19 for PF2e ruleset).

[Morfedel]

This thread collects a lot of pros and cons from the platforms: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?77616-PF2e-rules-set-quality. A big point is, if you want official material (with all the art and text content, especially for the Lost Omens line) inside of your VTT, FG is the way to go. If you only care about rules and mechanical implementation, FG and Foundry are pretty similar in features (and will be even closer after recently announced support for webp/webm and Release 19 for PF2e ruleset).

Well, I went after posting this and did a bit of a price comparison; my humble bundle (or whatever it was I bought lol) and what I got for $25 would cost me ballpark $260 here (for the rules, advanced players guide, and the beastiaries; I dont need adventures but I do need critters!!!) and yes, I know, humble bundles tend to give great discounts, but....

Now again, I am still willing to spend the money IF I find the value in it, but it does kinda weigh in Foundry's favor to me. But, I've used FGU and its predecessor for a very long time. And, I have a lot more familiarity with FGU

I'll go read that thread you linked now :)

EDIT: omg, I'm the one who started that thread. OOPS! *blushing*

[Trenloe]

If you own the PDFs on Paizo.com then up to the value of that PDF is discounted from your purchase on FG. More info here: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/store/syncPaizoAccount.xcp

You can save a bit more by waiting for the sales - there's usually at least two PF2 products on sale each week.

And my comments in your original thread are still valid: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?77616-PF2e-rules-set-quality&p=685249&viewfull=1#post685249

[Morfedel]

If you own the PDFs on Paizo.com then up to the value of that PDF is discounted from your purchase on FG. More info here: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/store/syncPaizoAccount.xcp

You can save a bit more by waiting for the sales - there's usually at least two PF2 products on sale each week.

And my comments in your original thread are still valid: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?77616-PF2e-rules-set-quality&p=685249&viewfull=1#post685249

Yeah, last time I was just asking about the rules set for FGU specifically, though I obviously turned it into a Foundry vs FGU conversation pretty quickly.

That discount certainly helps!

Its interesting. I find that the pros and cons of the two systems really do kinda war with me. The sound nodes and integration is really nice in Foundry, but the combat tracker is so much nicer in FGU.

So... I'm probably leaning towards FGU, as the sound issue just isnt as important, cool as it is, and I may even use Talespire or the upcoming RPG Stories instead of the FGU mapping program, because 3D maps are so cool. If I do that, sound just wont be as important as the combat tracker.

[superteddy57]

Sound is currently being added to the program as it is currently on the TEST server available for testing.

[Morfedel]

Well well well, Paizocon just started, today being first day, and they have a time slot on twitch at 4 pm pdt, and 5 pm pdt, talking about foundry and FGU respectively! how fortuitous!

[Macgreine]

I currently GM PF2 on both and I love FGU but prefer Foundry at this point. Why:

1. You can ping on a map
2. Everything can pop out and be spread across multiple screens
3. Sound and audio is very streamline. I still can't figure out how it works in fgu.
4. Spell templates are the actual shape of the aoe instead of circles,cones and squares. Spell templates are active and apply damage ,saves ect automatically.
5. Pdf's can be imported into the table top with amazing results including maps with Los.
6. Overall better mod support and tons of free content.

[Morfedel]

A question regarding FGU and its automation:

PF2e has the ability to use skills to do targeted actions, much like spells; for example, if you want to do a Feint or Demoralize, those are skill actions against a DC based on one of the target's abilities. You can do that with spells, but is there a way to do that with skills?

[Trenloe]

A question regarding FGU and its automation:

PF2e has the ability to use skills to do targeted actions, much like spells; for example, if you want to do a Feint or Demoralize, those are skill actions against a DC based on one of the target's abilities. You can do that with spells, but is there a way to do that with skills?
Coming soon(TM): https://youtu.be/K3vomDTseB4

[Morfedel]

That video was very helpful, thanks!

[Morfedel]

Hey Trenloe, I'm starting out with the Beginner's box... if we are running the pregen characters, will that be sufficient or do I need to purchase the core rulebook too?

[Birger Tucholski]

OK here am my 2 cents
(hope i can translate it right in my head)
if you ar new to PF2 use Fantasy Grounds. here are a ton of rules inplemented in the system and the automations help a lot. I Start RP with the crowdfunding for PF2 in Germany. All of my People strat with me. Our Campain was Plagstone and we tryed it on Roll 20. Yea was good but there are some Rule spesifics that we dont know. Ist a lot to Learn in the begining. After this campain we changed to FG and here was the moment that the System calculated something that we were not aware of. I tryed Foundry but there ist not enough calculation to support new Player and GM´s.

[Trenloe]

Hey Trenloe, I'm starting out with the Beginner's box... if we are running the pregen characters, will that be sufficient or do I need to purchase the core rulebook too?
Just the Beginner Box is all you need. It has everything for the adventure (a two level dungeon crawl) and to take the four classes included to level 3. Troubles in Otari then has three more adventures that follow on from the Beginner Box and the data to take the four classes in the Beginner Box to level 4: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/store/product.php?id=PZOSMWPZO9558FG

You can switch to the Core Rules at any point - when you level up (via the button in the chargen tracker) you'll be prompted if you want to convert the character to full rules or keep with the Beginner Box.

[MaxAstro]

Hey Trenloe, I'm starting out with the Beginner's box... if we are running the pregen characters, will that be sufficient or do I need to purchase the core rulebook too?

One thing to add to what Trenloe said, since I've seen a couple people get confused: If/when you do convert over to the core rules, make sure to disable to Beginner Box box module once you aren't using it! Otherwise you will end up with some confusing duplicates of certain feats, spells, etc.

[Milke]

Foundry can be absolutely fantastic. Lots of bells & whistles.
But it is so driven by community mods to be up to what you'd need for a smooth game. And, the mods are usually free. But then some mods clash with other mods. And if the person who made the mod doesn't constantly update it to be compatible with the latest version of the Foundry software.
Also, you basically are forced to rent a monthly server to be able to use it reliably.

Most the stuff in FGU is baked into the ruleset, not reliant on modifications.. There are some cool quality of life extensions, but they're not required.
For my money, I feel like FGU is more stable and consistent.
The connection is solid. You don't need a separate server.

[Morfedel]

Foundry can be absolutely fantastic. Lots of bells & whistles.
But it is so driven by community mods to be up to what you'd need for a smooth game. And, the mods are usually free. But then some mods clash with other mods. And if the person who made the mod doesn't constantly update it to be compatible with the latest version of the Foundry software.
Also, you basically are forced to rent a monthly server to be able to use it reliably.

Most the stuff in FGU is baked into the ruleset, not reliant on modifications.. There are some cool quality of life extensions, but they're not required.
For my money, I feel like FGU is more stable and consistent.
The connection is solid. You don't need a separate server.

Kind of what I was starting to conclude with, too.

[mwfantasygrounds]

This is purely anecdotal, but when I watch streams of people playing PFRPG2 on Twitch or YouTube, I notice that the Foundry problems tend to be technical (e.g., can't connect to the game, conflicting mods, game crashes, wrong hardware acceleration setting messes things up, etc.) whereas the FG problems tend to be knowledge-based (e.g., how do I use this ability or create this automation or navigate the UI).

[Macgreine]

This is purely anecdotal, but when I watch streams of people playing PFRPG2 on Twitch or YouTube, I notice that the Foundry problems tend to be technical (e.g., can't connect to the game, conflicting mods, game crashes, wrong hardware acceleration setting messes things up, etc.) whereas the FG problems tend to be knowledge-based (e.g., how do I use this ability or create this automation or navigate the UI).

I have never experienced the issues your referring to and I gm 2 weekly games on Foundry with people from different parts of the world.