5 Pathfinder 2e Prep Tips Every GM Should Know

PF2e gives you incredible tools as a GM, but it also demands a bit more prep awareness than D&D 5e. Here are five tips that will save you headaches.

1. Trust the Encounter Building Math

Unlike D&D 5e's CR system, PF2e's encounter building rules actually work. A Moderate encounter will challenge your party. A Severe encounter might drop someone. An Extreme encounter could cause a TPK if the players don't play smart.

The formula is simple: every creature has a level, and the XP budget scales based on how that level compares to your party level. Use this table:

• Creature Level = Party Level: 40 XP each
• Party Level +1: 60 XP
• Party Level +2: 80 XP (boss threat)
• Party Level -1: 30 XP
• Party Level -2: 20 XP (minion)

For a party of 4, budgets are: Trivial (40 XP), Low (60), Moderate (80), Severe (120), Extreme (160).

Don't use creatures more than 4 levels above or below the party. A creature that's Party Level +4 has about an 80% chance to crit your players - that's not fun, that's a cutscene.

2. Prep Recall Knowledge DCs

Players will want to identify what creatures can do. Have the Recall Knowledge DCs ready:

• Unspecific (creature type): DC by creature level
• Specific (abilities, weaknesses): DC +2 to +5

When a player succeeds, give them one useful fact: "It's resistant to fire" or "It can grab on a critical hit." On a critical success, give them two. On a failure, give nothing. On a critical failure, give wrong information - this is where PF2e storytelling shines.

3. Use the Action Tax

The three-action economy means status effects are more powerful than in 5e. The most impactful thing you can do to a PF2e character is waste their actions:

• Frightened: Penalty to everything. Players will spend an action to reduce it.
• Grabbed/Restrained: Costs actions to escape.
• Prone: Standing up costs an action, and being prone imposes penalties.
• Difficult terrain: Movement costs double, eating precious actions.

When designing encounters, think about how the environment and enemy abilities interact with the action economy. A fight in a room full of difficult terrain with a creature that can Grab is way more interesting than a creature with slightly more damage.

4. Prepare Loot by Level

PF2e has specific loot distribution guidelines by level in the GM Core. Follow them. Unlike 5e where magic items are optional surprises, PF2e's math assumes players have level-appropriate equipment.

A Level 5 party should have fundamental runes on their weapons (+1 striking). If they don't, they'll fall behind the expected damage curve and encounters labeled "Moderate" will feel "Severe."

ArcForge generates level-appropriate loot automatically when you create a PF2e adventure, following Paizo's recommended treasure tables.

5. Keep a Cheat Sheet for Common Actions

PF2e has many more actions available than 5e. Your players -especially new ones -will forget what they can do. Keep a one-page reference covering:

• Aid: Help an ally's next check (reaction, DC 20)
• Demoralize: Intimidation check to inflict Frightened (1 action)
• Bon Mot: Diplomacy to penalize Will saves (1 action)
• Recall Knowledge: Identify creature abilities (1 action)
• Create a Diversion: Stealth-based Deception (1 action)
• Trip/Shove/Grapple/Disarm: Athletics actions (1 action each)

Post this at the table or share it in your VTT. Once players realize how many options they have, PF2e combat transforms.

ArcForge supports full Pathfinder 2e adventure generation with system-appropriate stat blocks, three-action formatting, and level-based encounter balance. Try it free.