Pathfinder: Kingmaker

Hey there! So, you're diving into Pathfinder: Kingmaker, huh? Awesome choice! Think of this as your friendly nudge into the world. You're here because you've got ambitions – maybe you crave adventure, want to be a hero, or perhaps you're eyeing that sweet, sweet power and wealth. Whatever your drive, a lord's offer has landed you in the Stolen Lands, a wild frontier currently under the thumb of a bandit named the Stag Lord. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to deal with him, and in return, you get to rule whatever you liberate. Pretty neat, right?

You get to decide what kind of ruler you'll be. Will you be the valiant defender of the weak, the stern hand of law bringing civilization to the wilderness, or maybe someone who just wants to amass power and tax everyone into oblivion? It's all up to you, and your choices will shape not just your kingdom, but your entire adventure.

But don't think it's just about kicking out one bandit. The Stolen Lands are a tangled mess. You've got foreign powers meddling, slavers and barbarian tribes causing trouble, and even factions back home who might not have your best interests at heart. Plus, these lands have a reputation for a reason – they're crawling with bandits and monsters, and something sinister seems determined to keep them masterless. So, keep your wits about you!

Pathfinder: Kingmaker is a party-based RPG, kind of like those old-school gems like Baldur's Gate. If you're familiar with classic CRPGs or tabletop Pathfinder/D&D, you'll feel right at home, though the rules can be a bit dense. Don't worry, the game explains a lot, and we've got a detailed breakdown in the Pathfinder Rules and Terms section if you need a deeper dive.

When you start, you'll create your character (or pick a ready-made one), and soon enough, you'll be managing a whole crew. Who you bring along, how you gear them up, and how you use their unique spells and abilities are super important. Throughout this guide, I'll give you tips on tactics, spell choices, how to allocate skill points, and the weaknesses of those tough enemies you'll run into.

Beyond the usual questing, looting, and trap-disarming, Pathfinder: Kingmaker has a whole kingdom management system. It's not just a side-gig; it's where a lot of new quests pop up! You'll be assigning your companions to government roles, solving problems, and boosting your kingdom's stats to fend off threats. Your decisions will determine if you're a benevolent ruler or a ruthless tyrant. We cover all of that in the Kingdom Development section.

Hopefully, this guide helps you on your epic journey. It was certainly an adventure writing it!

– Nathan “Haeravon” Garvin (author of Pathfinder: Kingmaker) and the Gamer Guides team.