Paizo, the publishing heavyweight best known for the deeply tactical, high-fantasy mathematics of Pathfinder, is taking a sharp detour into modern supernatural horror with the announcement of 13 Omens. Designed by Jason Bulmahn and Joe Pasini, the upcoming roleplaying game abandons complex, crunchy rulesets in favour of a single-evening, high-tension system set in a dark reflection of our own world.
Crucially for British fans, the first extensive hands-on experience with the system will take place in Birmingham rather than in Paizo’s native Washington. Publisher Erik Mona and lead designer Jason Bulmahn are flying over to the UK Games Expo in May 2026 to personally host full three-hour demonstration sessions. This physical presence at the UK’s largest tabletop convention signals a massive international push for the new standalone IP.
However, the real friction point surrounding 13 Omens isn’t geographic, but demographic. Can a studio built almost entirely on the appeal of deep, customisable, crunch-heavy combat successfully sell a rules-lite, high-lethality horror engine to their existing fanbase? The UKGE event listings shed light on the game’s core engine, which relies heavily on a tactile “shared bag of communal dice,” to which escalating “Omen Dice” are added throughout the evening to ramp up the danger. This pick-up-and-play mechanic feels entirely alien to the standard Pathfinder experience, posing a significant test of whether Paizo’s brand loyalty extends beyond the d20.
Unlike massive hardback campaigns, the bespoke dice mechanics and short-form intent strongly suggest a boxed-set format designed for immediate, high-stakes play.
13 Omens is a modern, supernatural, rules-lite horror TTRPG set in a dark reflection of our world; beset by horrifying specters, bloodthirsty killers, cursed places, and secrets best left unknown. This game features an easy-to-learn game engine that ramps up the tension as the story builds to a terrifying conclusion
Those eager to see if this rules-lite experiment appeals to their gaming group can secure their seats to play with the publisher himself via the official UK Games Expo 13 Omens booking page. Players looking to track the game’s development can also sign up for updates directly on Paizo’s teaser site.
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