this post was submitted on 08 Jul 2025
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I love Pathfinder 2E! I'm a pretty new player, but it's captured my heart. The three-action economy is great and offers so much freedom. The characters are INSANELY customizable, and I love how multiclassing works. And to top it all off, everything you need to play is free! Only the lore and campaigns have to be purchased. Plus, iirc, Paizo has vowed never to use generative AI in their works!
I literally can't believe it took us 50 years of ttrgs existing in basically their modern form for us to find the 3 action system. Its so intuitive and liberating compared to every other game system I've experienced.
Out of curiosity, what is the 3 action system?
I know FATE has 4 actions (overcome, attack, defend, create an advantage) so did PF merge attack and defend? Or is it a different choice?
Other guy gave an okey explanation, but to try my hand at explaining:
On a typical round of combat, you get three actions. You can spend them in a variety of ways. An attack is one action, movement ("stride" action) is one action, most offensive spells are 2 actions, etc.
A lot of classes get ways to "discount" actions. For example an early feat fighters and barbarians can take is "Sudden Charge" which let's them stride twice and attack an adjacent creature and costs 2 actions.
The whole thing lends so much freedom and takes a lot of burden off the DM for needing to homebrew / make up things on the fly. The whole system is very crunchy though (very detailed and particular on its rules) and so doesn't fit everyone's vibes.