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One of the things that I have always liked about Pathfinder is the fact that, when it comes to classes, you can explain them pretty succinctly by pointing to a character in popular media to serve as an example. A player or newcomer might have no idea what the difference between a Brawler and a Monk is, but you can help clarify by saying that one is Captain America while the other is Pai Mei. Some class concepts are so broad that people who don't even play tabletop RPGs can name some characters who fit in with them; Barbarian, Fighters, Rogues, Wizards, Investigators, Vigilantes, etc.
But as Pathfinder's class roster has grown bigger, it's gotten a little harder to put faces to concepts. Wizards are easy, but who stands in for an Arcanist? Who represents the distinction between a Slayer and Rogue? Or a Paladin and a Warpriest?
Some character concepts are familiar, but just lack a distinct character to identify them with. If you or your players have played an MMO in the last decade, then Summoners really aren't that foreign a concept. But who in fiction best fits them?
This is a thread to suggest characters in popular media who emblemize some of the more esoteric classes in Pathfinder, just for fun. A little wiggle room is allowed, and if you think a character fits more than one class, that's fine too. It's likely a character fits into a broader class concept before a more narrow definition, so try not to get mired in the details; this is all in the name of fun. And if you're having trouble with a particular class , go ahead and ask; it might be that someone else can help you. Don't be afraid to draw from any media; literature, comics, movies, anime, video games, etc. Whatever it takes to fill in the blanks!
For arcanists, I look at it a lot like they're the Harry Potter spellcasters, they gain it through the blood, but need actual study to cast. In some ways, it makes a good Dresden Files caster, too.
For Summoners, I generally default to something like Final Fantasy to describe them, or I suppose Pokémon, though Digimon or Zatch Bell would actually be a better comparison.
Kineticists are easy, it really depends on the elements, but it covers everything from Avatar the Last Airbender to a host of X-Men and similar.
As for Slayer, I see them as the basic bounty hunters.
You pretty much got my exact thoughts down, down to Pokemon and Digimon as representative of Summoners. My go-to Summoners are still Yuna from Final Fantasy X and Zero from Drakengard 3 (though I guess she's really more of a Cavalier...). Slayers are always a little difficult because it's so easy for them to fall into either Rogues or Fighters. I generally try to go by the rule of thumb that Slayers 'could win in a fair fight, but choose not to'.
It's the Occult classes that give me the most trouble. I can't think of a Mesmerist for the life of me outside some depiction of Rasputin.
I think the Spider-Man villain, Mysterio, fits the mesmerist. Also Mantis from Guardians of the Galaxy. I am thinking about rolling up a lashunta mesmerist as a back-up character, and playing her like Mantis.
For brawler you can go with Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris. Each is iconic in their own right.
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I could see a strong argument for representing Harry Dresden as a PF occultist instead of a wizard. He relies pretty heavily on enchanted objects to focus his magic (eg blasting rod, shield bracelet) and has used abilities reminiscent of Aura Sight (the Sight), Magic Circles, and Outside Contact. The leather duster is also reminiscent of an enchanted Armoured Coat, which would be medium armour.
Kilgrave from Jessica Jones is what I consider a mesmerist. Although his powers are less restricted as he can make people commit suicide.
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Dr Strange would probably be an occultist, he seems to draw more power from the items than his own castings.
Not entirely sure about that. I only know the movie version, but for instance he could already do magic before he got his cape. His cape was literally his graduation ceremony gift, and it chose him more than he chose it. Then again, Harry Dresden doesn't fit this description 100% either, but I feel more than Dr. Strange, as Dresden literally powers up from his implements. Strip him away of his items, and he's still got a lot of magic power, but very much crippled. Dr. Strange can still bend space and time without his Cloak.
I like the description of "Slayers could win in a fair fight, but choose not to." It perfectly encapsulates the idea of a trained fighter who isn't afraid to play dirty. As for actual depictions of them, I think bounty hunters would fit the bill the best. Deadpool would be a great example, minus the super powers. Highly trained and lacking in morality, allowing him to do stuff other heroes wouldn't.
Slayers-
The movie version of Karl Ruprecht Kroenen from Hellboy. (The comic version was way less, uh... fighty/sneaky)
Jing Ke- especially, for me, the version depicted in The Emperor and the Assassin.
If a comic book version is absolutely required? The Punisher when he's being written as a thinker.
Mesmerists-
Mesmero. Duh.
I could see a strong argument for representing Harry Dresden as a PF occultist instead of a wizard. He relies pretty heavily on enchanted objects to focus his magic (eg blasting rod, shield bracelet) and has used abilities reminiscent of Aura Sight (the Sight), Magic Circles, and Outside Contact. The leather duster is also reminiscent of an enchanted Armoured Coat, which would be medium armour.
I was thinking that Harry Dresden and a lot of other modern fantasy 'occult detectives' make good role models for occultists. Early Hellboy in particular was always pulling out some magic charm or doo-dad to get out of a nasty situation.
I think maybe Zatana could also be a Mesmerist, kind of? She can manipulate illusions, and I get the feeling that the Mesmerist was built just a little bit around the classic stage magician as an archetype. It's admittedly a hard class to pin; half the characters who have mind-control powers these days are also vampires, so they really don't fit the mold.
I'd say Brawlers are actually one of the easier classes to find characters for. Do you know a character who does martial arts but isn't particularly spiritual or capable of manipulating mystical energy? Then they could probably be a brawler. The Goon, Kazuma Kiryu, El Santo; all good fits.
The Akashic mysteries work best for a Doctor Strange type.