The Path of the Mystic: Unlocking the Secrets of Magic in PF2E

The world of magic in Pathfinder Second Edition is filled with secrets and wonders. It is a realm where mortals can tap into the arcane energies that flow through the cosmos and use them to shape reality. But like any other craft, the art of magic has its secrets, and those who possess them can unlock even greater power. One of the first secrets of magic is understanding the theory behind it. Magic is not just a random collection of spells and incantations; it is a systematic manipulation of the four fundamental forces of the universe: earth, air, fire, and water. By understanding how these forces interact and how they can be channeled, a wizard can manipulate reality itself.

By understanding how these forces interact and how they can be channeled, a wizard can manipulate reality itself. Another secret lies in the study of magic traditions. There are many paths to harnessing the arcane energies, and each tradition has its own unique spells, techniques, and philosophies.

Pathfinder 2E Secrets of Magic coming in 2021 for Pathfinder

With two new classes - the Magus (a fighter/mage type) and the Summoner which bonds with an eidolon which advances along with the Summoner - Secrets of Magic is coming to Pathfinder 2E next year.

There will be a playtest from September 7th through to October. Not much else was revealed about the book at the (virtual) Gen Con panel where it ws announced by Paizo's Erik Mona.

Morrus is the owner of EN World and EN Publishing, creator of the ENnies, creator of the What's OLD is NEW (WOIN), Simply6, and Awfully Cheerful Engine game systems, and co-host of the weekly Morrus' Unofficial Tabletop RPG Talk podcast. He has been a game publisher and RPG community administrator for over 20 years, and has been reporting on D&D news for two decades. He also is on a Twitter.

CapnZapp

Legend

"the Summoner with bonds with an eidolon chic advances along with the Summoner"

Not sure what this means?

Retreater

Legend

"the Summoner with bonds with an eidolon chic advances along with the Summoner"

Not sure what this means?

Rhianni32

Adventurer

"the Summoner with bonds with an eidolon chic advances along with the Summoner"

Not sure what this means?

Guessing "advance" meaning it levels up as the character levels. Like a better more advanced animal companion that advances in steps

kenada

Legend

Looks like it was a typo since the text in the story has been changed. I’m pretty sure the eidolon advanced with you as you leveled in PF1, and it sounds like that’s still going to be the case in PF2.

Weiley31

Legend

RangerWickett

Legend

I tried out PF2 and it didn't click with me. But I'll take a look at these classes, and maybe the mechanics will be more to my liking. I didn't really dig PF1 either from 2009 until 2015.

Erdric Dragin

Adventurer

This is why I hate new editons.

Let's sell you the exact same thing only in a much more inferior product. I wouldn't be this upset if they simply just continued to support PF1e but they abandoned it.

Can't we have an RPG company that does that? Support all editions? Heck if I owned D&D and/or Pathfinder, I'd support all the editions with new stuff. Not hard to do and would be extremely profitable. You lose no one and continue to gain customers who can actually pick and choose what edition suits their tastes and they keep coming to you because they want more for the edition they want to play.

Morrus

Well, that was fun

Can't we have an RPG company that does that? Support all editions? Heck if I owned D&D and/or Pathfinder, I'd support all the editions with new stuff.

Fractures the customer base. you lose economies of scale on each product; instead of selling lots of a few things, you're selling a few of lots of things. That's what TSR did, and look what happened to them.

Nilbog

Snotling Herder

JThursby

Adventurer

Can't we have an RPG company that does that? Support all editions? Heck if I owned D&D and/or Pathfinder, I'd support all the editions with new stuff. Not hard to do and would be extremely profitable.

Pathfinder 1e lasted a decade, and the system it's based on is now two decades old. The amount of content that is compatible with D&D3e/PF1e is, frankly, insane. You could spend a lifetime trying to play it all and not run out of stuff.

Nilbog

Snotling Herder

Pathfinder 1e lasted a decade, and the system it's based on is now two decades old. The amount of content that is compatible with D&D3e/PF1e is, frankly, insane. You could spend a lifetime trying to play it all and not run out of stuff.

Matrix Sorcica

Hero

Philip Benz

A Dragontooth Grognard

Contrary to what the naysayers seem to be suggesting, PF2 is not an "inferior product". It's very different from PF1, and also very different from DD3.5 (and DD4 and DD5, for that matter.

A lot of people who have actually given it a chance by playing in a PF2 campaign have good things to say about it. Here is not the place to extoll its virtues, however.

I am keen to see how they handle a dual character like the summoner and his eidelon. Many mistakes were made in the genesis of the PF1 summoner, to such an extent that they had to offer a revised version in PF Unchained, so as to avoid the hue and cry for major errata. Now, with the severe limits placed on typical "pet" classes in PF2, it's going to be very tricky indeed walking the tightrope between overpowered and over-nerfed.

But this sort of thing just goes to show how attentive and responsive to the fan base Paizo is, as a company and as individuals. I enjoyed DD3.5. I loved PF1. But PF2 has a lot more going for it than critics care to admit.

Now, in getting to the two new classes, I kinda skipped over Chapter 1… and I feel a little guilty doing that because there’s still good work and creativity that went into that as well. The first chapter starts with in-character world-building, with academic treatises written by various luminaries about the four traditions (arcane, primal, divine, occult), as well as a similar piece about magical “essences”. It then offers “The Eight Arches Of Incantation”, which summarizes the eight major magic fields – what makes something conjuration vs. illusion vs. transmutation? This one is meant to be in character as well, but written for a more general audience, so it’s closer to general GM info.

From the ancient and mystical ways of the occult to the more logical and scientific methods of the arcane, each tradition offers different insights and powers. Furthermore, mastering the art of spellcasting itself is a secret that many seek. Learning how to properly harness and control magical energies takes time, dedication, and practice. It requires a deep understanding of the forces at play and the ability to focus one's willpower. Those who can truly master spellcasting can perform feats that seem impossible to others. Another secret is the existence of hidden and forgotten spells. Throughout the ages, powerful wizards have invented spells that have been lost to time or deliberately hidden away. These spells hold incredible power and can provide a significant advantage to those who find and learn them. Finally, one of the greatest secrets of magic is the ability to tap into the divine. While arcane magic allows mortals to manipulate the fundamental forces of the universe, divine magic comes directly from the gods themselves. Only those who are truly devoted to their deity can unlock this power, and it grants them incredible abilities and blessings. In conclusion, the secrets of magic in Pathfinder Second Edition are vast and diverse. From understanding the theory of magic and studying different traditions to mastering spellcasting and uncovering hidden spells, there is much to discover and explore. Whether one seeks to become a powerful wizard, a devoted cleric, or a mystical sorcerer, the secrets of magic are waiting to be unlocked..

Reviews for "Tracing the Origins: Unlocking the Secrets of Magic in Pathfinder Second Edition"

1. Thomas - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Secrets of Magic pf2e". The mechanics were overly complicated and hard to follow. It felt like the game was more focused on impressing with its complex rules rather than creating a fun and enjoyable experience. The spellcasting system was particularly frustrating, with multiple steps and calculations needed just to cast a basic spell. I felt like I spent more time flipping through the rulebook than actually playing the game. Overall, I found "Secrets of Magic pf2e" to be a tedious and confusing game that I would not recommend.

2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I can honestly say that "Secrets of Magic pf2e" is one of the worst tabletop RPGs I have ever played. The rules are convoluted and poorly explained, making it impossible to understand what is going on most of the time. The character creation process was also needlessly complex, with an overwhelming number of options and choices that took forever to navigate. The game felt unbalanced, with certain classes and spells being far more powerful than others. Overall, the experience was frustrating and not enjoyable at all. I would not recommend "Secrets of Magic pf2e" to anyone.

3. Jessica - 2/5 stars - While I appreciate the effort put into "Secrets of Magic pf2e", I found it to be a confusing and poorly designed RPG. The rulebook was difficult to navigate, and the explanations often left me more confused than before. Character creation was overwhelming, with so many choices and options that it was hard to grasp the concept of creating a well-balanced character. The combat mechanics were also frustrating, with too many steps and calculations to follow. Ultimately, "Secrets of Magic pf2e" failed to provide an enjoyable gaming experience for me.

4. Michael - 2/5 stars - "Secrets of Magic pf2e" is a game that promises a deep and immersive magical world, but falls short in execution. The rulebook is poorly organized, making it hard to find specific information when needed. The spellcasting system is overly complex and time-consuming, detracting from the overall flow of the game. The game also lacks clear guidance on how to create engaging and challenging adventures, leaving the burden on the Game Master to come up with everything from scratch. Despite its potential, "Secrets of Magic pf2e" did not live up to my expectations and left me feeling disappointed.

The Arcane Academy: Exploring the Secrets of Magic in Pathfinder Second Edition