The Most Intriguing Classes

Wednesday, March 10, 2016

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Intrigue is only a few weeks away, and it's time for the first rules preview blog—this time focusing on classes!

The new class in Ultimate Intrigue is the vigilante. An upstanding member of society by day and adventurer by night, the vigilante has two different identities which can even have different alignments. Unless someone discovers that the two identities are the same, divinations like scrying only work when the vigilante is in the form the diviner is trying to scry. Each vigilante chooses to be either a stalker, focusing on sneaking up on foes and punishing them before the foe notices the stalker is there, or the avenger, focusing on giving foes a more straightforward beatdown and gaining a full base attack bonus. The vigilante class is extremely modular, with a talent option at every level, switching off between social talents that give him an edge in social situations and other intrigue hijinks out of combat, and vigilante talents, which generally provide powerful combat options that he can use in either identity, though it might give him away if people see him using them in his social identity.


Illustrations by Tomasz Chistowski

If you've been with us since the playtest, the biggest change is that zealot and warlock are now archetypes, and while avenger and stalker each have some talents that only that specialization can choose, many of the talents that seemed like they fit the vigilante in general are now available to all vigilantes, as you requested in the playtest. Also, you asked for social talents based on being a craftsman or professional, and those are now available as well!

So I mentioned that warlock and zealot (which were arcane and divine vigilantes for those of you not part of the playtest) are now archetypes. All told, the vigilante has 10 pages of archetypes, the most that any class has ever received in a book. After all, he has plenty of catch-up in order to match his older cousins that have been around for more books. The brute has a hulking out-of control vigilante identity, and he can't always stop the transformation when he's in danger. Cabalists make blood pacts with dark patrons, gaining witch spells, blood powers, and a familiar. Gunmasters bring justice with firearms, and they gain a bunch of deeds as potential vigilante talents. The magical child archetype covers the "magical girl" trope, with a transformation sequence ability (faster switch between identities, but with flashy lights and music), summoner spells, and an otherworldly buddy. Mounted furies are mounted vigilantes like Zorro whose steeds also have a secret identity. Psychometrists are gadgetmasters and tinkerers who create personal occult gadgets to do things like fly (basically creating gadgets that each perform a single occultist focus power). Warlocks, are arcane casters from the magus list, with elemental options and mystic bolts of energy. Wildsouls are vigilantes who gain animalistic features in their vigilante identity. Finally, zealots are secret champions of their faiths, often because their religion is outlawed or persecuted, who cast from the inquisitor list and smite foes of one opposing alignment.

But vigilantes aren't the only ones with archetypes. Exciting archetypes for other classes include the tyrant (a lawful evil antipaladin archetype!), cardinal (a politics-heavy cleric with 6 skill points per level), gray paladin (can be one step from lawful good and smite any foe, but the lack of absolute conviction makes many abilities less absolute), fey caller (unchained summoner that summons a fey, with an all-new fey eidolon), zeitgeist binder (spiritualist that calls in a local zeitgeist based on a settlement statistic like corruption or society), battle scion (Celt/King Arthur blend skald that can call others to a quest and go into a deathlike sleep to return some day), dandy (a courtly ranger with the ability to manipulate rumors instead of wild empathy), vizier (a mesmerist that has a "power behind the throne" ability to make it look like his allies are the real threat while insidiously influencing them for his own agenda), feyspeaker (a fey-themed druid with 6 skill points per level that casts using Charisma!), and plenty more. In addition, the classes chapter two new inquisitions (Crime and Secrets), three new ranger combat styles (deceptive, menacing, and underhanded), four new rogue talents (follow along, shades of gray, hidden mind, and stalker talent), an oracle mystery (Intrigue), and even five intrigue-themed kineticist utility wild talents (earthmeld, flame trap, spying touchsight, greater voice of the wind, and greater watersense).

Tune in next week to hear more about some of the cool feats, spells, and magic items of intrigue!

Mark Seifter
Designer

More Paizo Blog.
Tags: Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Pathfinder RPG Tomasz Chistowski Ultimate Intrigue Vigilante
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David knott 242 wrote:
PhD. Okkam wrote:
What bonuses gives the basic ability is, skinshaper archetype for the druid?

As Alter Self with the Improved Unarmed Strike feat temporarily granted as a bonus feat.

Does the Skinchanger also get access to the Monstrous Physique abilities like the Metamorph alchemist does?

Designer

HeHateMe wrote:
David knott 242 wrote:
PhD. Okkam wrote:
What bonuses gives the basic ability is, skinshaper archetype for the druid?

As Alter Self with the Improved Unarmed Strike feat temporarily granted as a bonus feat.

Does the Skinchanger also get access to the Monstrous Physique abilities like the Metamorph alchemist does?

Nope, it's a humanoid specialist. It gets unique benefits with alter self as it levels up.


This book is Intriguing.

I had a compulsion to use that pun. Does that mean I can benifit from an absolution spell to restore my powers?

Scarab Sages

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Mark Seifter wrote:
HeHateMe wrote:
David knott 242 wrote:
PhD. Okkam wrote:
What bonuses gives the basic ability is, skinshaper archetype for the druid?

As Alter Self with the Improved Unarmed Strike feat temporarily granted as a bonus feat.

Does the Skinchanger also get access to the Monstrous Physique abilities like the Metamorph alchemist does?
Nope, it's a humanoid specialist. It gets unique benefits with alter self as it levels up.

It does get the unique abilities, but I feel that Urban Druid is better at it's shtick than Skinchanger. At will base Alter Self at level 6 + a normal wildshape at reduced level is more powerful than Alter Self as wild shape, even with the bonus features.


what are there unique abilities ?


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber
PhD. Okkam wrote:


what are there unique abilities ?

Abilities like most other polymorph Stat enhancements(more as they level). Abilities based on what they change into, (like darkvision), and racial abilities.

They also get some ability to fight unarmed like a monk.


In what circumstances does a Brute reflexively change into the vigilante identity? Is there a save? Is it faster than usual, or are forced to give up a minute of the fight?


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber
jedi8187 wrote:
In what circumstances does a Brute reflexively change into the vigilante identity? Is there a save? Is it faster than usual, or are forced to give up a minute of the fight?

In what circumstances does a Brute reflexively change into the vigilante identity?

Says mortal peril, like combat.

Is there a save?
yes, will

Is it faster than usual, or are forced to give up a minute of the fight?
It is faster, a full round, has down side of people may see you change.


Azouth wrote:
jedi8187 wrote:
In what circumstances does a Brute reflexively change into the vigilante identity? Is there a save? Is it faster than usual, or are forced to give up a minute of the fight?

In what circumstances does a Brute reflexively change into the vigilante identity?

Says mortal peril, like combat.

Is there a save?
yes, will

Is it faster than usual, or are forced to give up a minute of the fight?
It is faster, a full round, has down side of people may see you change.

Thanks, that's about what I figured. but wanted to make sure.


nighttree wrote:
zergtitan wrote:
AlgaeNymph wrote:
nighttree wrote:
Not a fan of Manga...so I can't really put a finger on the trope that everyone is referring to in the "magical Girl"....although the pictures people have posted make my colon spasm...

Don't be fooled by the sparkly, they're living weapons. Magical girls are one of the few natural predators of evil wizards and fiend lords.

I wanna sic Sailor Somol on Sorshen.

A friend of mine is a magical girl fan and if you want a Faustian twist to the genre watch "Magical Girl Madoka"

I actually just tried watching some video's in an attempt to understand the trope....but I can't get past the art style....it's not just uninteresting....but a complete turn off (at least in my opinion)...

I mean mini skirts and bows...I cant imagine any one outside of an eight year old girl finding that interesting.....

Ah well...to each their own.

Would it help to say that the miniskirts and bows are the stylistic equivalent for capes and "spandex"/unstable molecules in Superhero genres? ;)

Ventnor wrote:
nighttree wrote:
zergtitan wrote:
AlgaeNymph wrote:
nighttree wrote:
Not a fan of Manga...so I can't really put a finger on the trope that everyone is referring to in the "magical Girl"....although the pictures people have posted make my colon spasm...

Don't be fooled by the sparkly, they're living weapons. Magical girls are one of the few natural predators of evil wizards and fiend lords.

I wanna sic Sailor Somol on Sorshen.

A friend of mine is a magical girl fan and if you want a Faustian twist to the genre watch "Magical Girl Madoka"

I actually just tried watching some video's in an attempt to understand the trope....but I can't get past the art style....it's not just uninteresting....but a complete turn off (at least in my opinion)...

I mean mini skirts and bows...I cant imagine any one outside of an eight year old girl finding that interesting.....

Ah well...to each their own.

That's actually part of what makes it creepy. You start with generic cutesy anime girls and then the Lovecraftian elements start to kick in...

So something like this? or even this, if you don't mind the loss in SAN? ;)

Dragon78 wrote:
As far as magical series go my favorites are Sailor Moon, Card Capture Sakura, Princess Tutu, W.i.t.c.h., Miraculous Ladybug, Devil Hunter Yoko, Shugo Chara, Akazukin Chacha, and Magic Users Club. I would also count Cutey Honey but she is technically an android and her abilities are non-magical. You could also count Rainbow Brite, She-Ra, and Moondreamers as magical girls series. Though Jem and Holograms is similar just like Cutey Honey, her powers are based on tech not magic.

With Cutey Honey's secret abilities being tied to the anime equivalent of a ST:NG+ replicator, it'd be kind of like technology as magic? ;)

Also will throw in Filmation's Web Woman as another example for western based magical girls...

The Mortonator wrote:

How has no one mentioned Power Rangers? If you don't like cutie girl archetypes, Power Rangers are like the iconic super masculine magical girls.

It's morphin time!

An example of how "magical girl tropes" gets placed into another genre that doesn't usually have such.


For Bard fans out there: the Sorrowsoul is very thematically cool. And, if you do not mind giving up Versatile Performance, it has some oomph to it as well. Basically, when you use Bardic Performance, at the expenditure of extra performance, you amp up the effects the performance has. Inspire courage is amped for everyone. The others often apply just for you (inspire greatness/heroics). All this power from the angst/sorrow of the tragedies in your life...


Fourshadow wrote:
giving up Versatile Performance

Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

That's gonna be rough.


So has anyone tried running a super-heroish game with this? I keep thinking that Pathfinder really isn't the system for it with the 'Fail horrible on a 1, fail on 2-9, maybe succeed on 11-19 and be heroic on a 20' system


Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
MannyGoblin wrote:
SO has anyone tried running a super-heroish game with this? I keep thinking that Pathfinder really isn't the system for it with the 'Fail horrible on a 1, fail on 2-9, maybe succeed on 11-19 and be heroic on a 20' system

I wouldn't say it's quite ready for a superhero style game on its own, more of a low-powered masked hero one. If you want to do superhero, you should probably either use Hero Points and be fairly generous with them, or bring in Mythic (perhaps modified).


DominusMegadeus wrote:
Fourshadow wrote:
giving up Versatile Performance

Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

That's gonna be rough.

I agree. There are 3 bardic abilities of particular importance to me: Inspire Courage, Bardic Knowledge, Versatile Performance. If an archetype does away with any of those, I may admire what the archetype does, but not willing to play it.


Surprisingly, one of my favorite archetypes is the phantom thief. They give up sneak attack for getting 1/2 rogue level to 1 skill at every level they would get an additional die of sneak attack, and the ability to take combat trick, major and minor magic as many times as they want, as well as being able to take skill focus as rogue talents (as many times as they want), as well as social vigilante talents.

oh, and if you're a unchained rogue, they give get to add half their rogue levels in addition to their rogue levels for purpose of skill unlocks.....which they gain on the skills that they get 1/2 level to!

at 20 they get to reroll any skill check, with no cost.

I haven't given them a completely thorough read yet, but the heist rules seem pretty interesting so far (which I will grant is at a 5 minute or so overview).


1 person marked this as a favorite.
DominusMegadeus wrote:
Fourshadow wrote:
giving up Versatile Performance

Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

That's gonna be rough.

Yeah, that's like punishing yourself! You have to want to live in misery to choose an archetype like this!

Oh wait, that's the emo bard archetype, right? Well played Paizo, well played!


Well my order is placed with Amazon so I am officially intruiged !!


Luthorne wrote:
MannyGoblin wrote:
SO has anyone tried running a super-heroish game with this? I keep thinking that Pathfinder really isn't the system for it with the 'Fail horrible on a 1, fail on 2-9, maybe succeed on 11-19 and be heroic on a 20' system
I wouldn't say it's quite ready for a superhero style game on its own, more of a low-powered masked hero one. If you want to do superhero, you should probably either use Hero Points and be fairly generous with them, or bring in Mythic (perhaps modified).

Now you've reminded me that I want to see an unholy hybrid of Pathfinder with Mutants and Masterminds . . . .

Sovereign Court

Pathfinder Starfinder Society Subscriber
Milo v3 wrote:
Ventnor wrote:
Wouldn't he just be a Vigilante with the Warlock Archetype now?
The warlock's spell list change invalidates my concept since it used spells that aren't on the magus spell list as some of his most used things.

Mark got it wrong? The Warlock uses the Sorcerer/Wizard spell list, not the magus list. It is a 6th level spell caster like the magus, though.


KingOfAnything wrote:
Milo v3 wrote:
Ventnor wrote:
Wouldn't he just be a Vigilante with the Warlock Archetype now?
The warlock's spell list change invalidates my concept since it used spells that aren't on the magus spell list as some of his most used things.
Mark got it wrong? The Warlock uses the Sorcerer/Wizard spell list, not the magus list. It is a 6th level spell caster like the magus, though.

That is apparently where the confusion set in...spell progression is like the Magus with the Sor/Wiz spell list.

Scarab Sages

Yeah, a warlock prepares ad casts spells as a magus, using spells from the sorc/wiz list.

Warlock Spellcasting:
Spellcasting: A warlock casts arcane spells and cantrips
as a magus. She prepares spells using a spellbook,
choosing them from the 6th-level and lower spells from
the sorcerer/wizard spell list; higher-level sorcerer/wizard
spells are not on the warlock’s spell list.
This replaces the 4th-, 8th-, 10th-, 14th-, and 16th-level
vigilante talents.


How do the vigilante archetypes work with regards to your choice in specialization?

When you play a vigilante, what's the main difference in styles between the stalker and the avenger?

During the playtest the stalker had the most options, and they worked like a better rogue.

Avengers were very weak, and their only outstanding option (Fist of the Avenger) was incredibly lackluster when compared to classes who fulfill similar roles in combat like the Brawler. They also retained their d8 hit die.

Sovereign Court

Pathfinder Starfinder Society Subscriber

Most of the archetypes replace specialization. Only one does not, and another only alters it.

I haven't played it yet, but there is a large pool of shared talents so neither specialization is lacking options. A quick summary of the exclusive talents:

Stalker- stealth against unusual senses, evasion, foe collision, hide in plain sight, rogue talent, sniping, always act in surprise round, bonus damage on fear effects, hidden strike on successful Acrobatics, and some other hidden strike modifiers

Avenger- bonus fighter feat, unarmed strike plus bonus damage, heavy armor, pounce, kool-aid man through doors, weapon focus/specialization, sucker punch, Diehard plus extra

Stalker is still a wannabe rogue, and avenger is more straightforward Power Attack. Both will offer some interesting build options.


The stealth against unusual senses would be perfect for unchained stealth. When you start meeting creatures with scent/tremorsense/blindsense/bloodsense/IsenseyoubecauseIcan, you are better off just scry and frying.


Am a bit concerned that the Vigilante could be another nail in the Rogue's coffin.....

Seems like an uber-customisable class

Sovereign Court

Pathfinder Starfinder Society Subscriber

I think there will still be a place for the rogue. The vigilante does well several concepts that are frustrating or difficult to achieve with a rogue or fighter, but doesn't outright replace either.


Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber

The way I see it the vigilante is better then rogue or fighter some of the time but worse at others. As an example a rogue always gets D6's for sneak attack but the stalker get D8's some of the time and D4's the other time.

Scarab Sages

Azouth wrote:
KingOfAnything wrote:
I think there will still be a place for the rogue. The vigilante does well several concepts that are frustrating or difficult to achieve with a rogue or fighter, but doesn't outright replace either.
The way I see it the vigilante is better then rogue or fighter some of the time but worse at others. As an example a rogue always gets D6's for sneak attack but the stalker get D8's some of the time and D4's the other time.

Unless the rogue is a knife master, and then they get d8s all the time.

Ad on the stalker, thanks to the up close and personal/leave an opening combo, d8 hidden strikes are plentiful.


Harleequin wrote:

Am a bit concerned that the Vigilante could be another nail in the Rogue's coffin.....

Seems like an uber-customisable class

I wouldn't put that on the Vigilante; EVERY class, with the possible exception of monks, is better than the Rogue. The Rogue class dug it's own grave by being outright terrible.

Scarab Sages

I would say the Unchained Rogue is the nail in the Rogues coffin, but Vigilante, UnRogue, Slayer, Investigator, Ranger, and Bard have enough overlap in abilities that they can all shine in the "Rogue" role.


3 people marked this as a favorite.
Imbicatus wrote:
I would say the Unchained Rogue is the nail in the Rogues coffin, but Vigilante, UnRogue, Slayer, Investigator, Ranger, and Bard have enough overlap in abilities that they can all shine in the "Rogue" role.

Good list, I would also add Inquisitor to it as well, based on my experience with that class.

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