Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition vs Pathfinder First Edition
Compare Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition and Pathfinder First Edition side by side. See differences in complexity, dice, genre, cost, and more.
| Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition | Pathfinder First Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Fantasy | Fantasy |
| Tags | Crunchy, Tactical, Character Building, Exploration, High-Fantasy, CC-Licensed Rules | Tactical, Crunchy, Character Building, High-Fantasy, Classic Fantasy, Dungeon Crawl, Vancian Casting |
| Core Mechanic | d20 + modifier vs. DC/AC with advantage/disadvantage. Adds expertise dice, combat maneuvers with exertion pool, and structured exploration/social systems. | Most uncertain actions roll a d20, add relevant modifiers, and compare the total with a target or opposing result. Difficulty Class, Armor Class, and Combat Maneuver Defense are common targets; natural 1s and 20s can override some comparisons. |
| Dice | d20 | d20 |
| Complexity | High | Very High |
| Accessibility | Very High | Very High |
| Runnability | High | Very High |
| License | CC BY 4.0 | Open Game License 1.0a |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Publisher | EN Publishing | Paizo Publishing, LLC |
| Year | 2021 | 2009 |
| Best For | 5e players who want deeper character builds, meaningful exploration and social pillar mechanics, and combat maneuvers without changing the core d20 framework. | Groups who want long fantasy campaigns centered on detailed character development and tactical grid combat. |
| Highlights | Backwards-compatible with 5e adventures, much deeper exploration and social pillars, combat maneuvers for martial classes, rich origin system (heritage + culture + background + destiny) | Eleven core classes progress through twenty levels with interlocking feat and class choices that support specialized builds. Combat makes positioning and turn timing consequential through attacks of opportunity and combat maneuvers. Prepared and spontaneous spellcasting draw from hundreds of level-gated spells, giving magical classes distinct planning and resource cycles. |
| Considerations | More complex than base 5e, some players find the extra systems overwhelming, Requires the separate Trials & Treasures book for GM tools and magic items while monsters are in the Monstrous Menagerie book. | Character creation and advancement require cross-checking large option catalogs and prerequisites, which can front-load decision making. Combat combines situational modifiers with nested action and exception rules, which can slow adjudication. High-level play layers additional character abilities and magical options, increasing preparation for players and GMs. |