One of the most important concepts in this guide is the distinction between a game rule and Fantasy Grounds automation.
A rule can exist in Savage Worlds for Pathfinder even if Fantasy Grounds does not automatically enforce it.
Likewise, Fantasy Grounds may automate a calculation behind the scenes that players normally perform manually at the table.
Understanding the difference can prevent a great deal of confusion.
Rules
The Savage Worlds for Pathfinder rulebooks determine how the game works.
For example, the rules determine:
- How Trait rolls work
- How Raises are calculated
- How Size and Scale affect combat
- How Armor and Toughness interact with damage
- How Powers are activated
- How Conditions affect characters
- How Tests and Support work
Fantasy Grounds does not define these rules. It attempts to implement them.
Automation
Fantasy Grounds can perform many of the calculations required by those rules.
Depending on the situation, Fantasy Grounds may:
- Apply modifiers
- Determine success or failure
- Detect Raises
- Compare attack rolls to Parry
- Compare damage to Toughness
- Apply Armor Piercing
- Track Wounds
- Track Conditions
- Manage initiative
- Track Power Points
- Apply Effects
However, not every rule is fully automated.
Some rules require the player or GM to:
- Apply a modifier manually
- Add or remove an Effect
- Choose the correct target
- Change a character or NPC value
- Interpret a situational rule
- Resolve an unusual interaction
Fantasy Grounds should therefore be thought of as an assistant to the tabletop rules, not as the rules themselves.
The Three Questions
When something unexpected happens, ask these questions in order:
- What does the Savage Worlds for Pathfinder rule say should happen?
- How is Fantasy Grounds supposed to implement that rule?
- Did Fantasy Grounds behave as expected?
That simple process can usually determine whether you are dealing with a misunderstanding, configuration issue, limitation, documentation problem, or software bug.