The infuriating design of Pathfinder: Kingmaker shows the value of a Dungeon Master

Here’s the kind of game Pathfinder: Kingmaker (Owlcat Games, PC) is. It opens with a fairly linear tutorial that lasts about an hour, introducing players to mechanics, characters, and the effects of choices. It’s possible to die during it, sure, but it’s not excessively difficult  Excellent. Then, I get into the main game, fight for a headquarters, and finally have space to quest. A local alchemist has a traditional role-playing game quest for you: Gather some herbs. Look, he’s even marked their location on the map.

So I gather my party and venture forth. There are Giant Spiders in the cave, perfect intro fight for an RPG. It also has something called a “Spider Swarm,” but this doesn’t sound so scary, right? I charge on in, kill the Giant Spiders, and turn your attention to the swarms, and … they kill your characters. Easily, and quickly.