Complete GM Checklist for Pathfinder Adventure Paths, Practical Best Practices

A new practical guide for Game Masters lays out a clear checklist and best practices for running Pathfinder Adventure Paths, focusing on pacing and player agency. Adventure Paths are multivolume campaigns that demand long term planning, and this guide gives GMs actionable steps to keep play consistent and engaging from session one through the climax.

Read ahead and prepare. Read each module in the Adventure Path at least once before running it, prepare one to two compelling NPC voices, and map potential player hooks to the APs main beats. Doing this work up front prevents on the fly scrambling and makes it easier to weave player decisions into the official storyline.

Structure each session for reliable progress. Aim for two to three encounters per session that vary social, exploration, and combat elements. Always open with a short recap and a clear objective for the session so players know what matters immediately. This rhythm preserves momentum and helps players judge their own pace.

Pacing across volumes matters as much as pacing within sessions. Use narrative interludes or downtime between volumes to let players pursue personal goals and to level up without burning out. These breaks make the campaign feel less like a marathon and more like a series of meaningful chapters.

Keep player agency front and center by highlighting decisions that will change the campaign, such as resource allocation, political choices, or which faction to support. Track consequences visibly so players see the impact of their choices and feel ownership of the story.

Manage difficulty with flexibility. Use minions or adjustable hit points and change tactics to scale encounters. Include non lethal options and escape routes so a single bad roll does not produce a total party kill. These options keep stakes real while avoiding campaign ending setbacks.

Stay organized with tools and records. Keep a shared campaign log, milestone tracker, and NPC roster so the whole table can catch up quickly and GMs can follow long term threads. Finish strong by tying player backstories into the climax and keeping stakes local and personal when possible. The guide also includes sample session zero questions and a one page GM quick check checklist to make setup fast and repeatable.