so this is just renamed shaman right

whatever the name primal list seem more suitable than divine list

like caster start using stance system within base class feat

level 6 feat list are a little weak level 12 feat are amazing

concept of dedicating primary apparition and apparition disperse are fascinating

hope to see it more

complain about this many times and will repeat it again

replace metamagic with spellshape is a horrible mistake

why not at least call it spell trick

there are already archetype called spell trickster

In fact, the class is taking over from Medium + Shaman.

About spellshape this is a remaster change. Paizo made the switch for legal reasons this can be better discussed in some remaster topic in general forum.

Except for all the class features and the name and the flavor being different yeah pretty much.

Yeah, my read was more "The medium is a full caster now" since the Animist straight up doesn't have a familiar.

I haven't played a Shaman. But Medium was my one 1e character that I ever played.

Differences:

Looking over it, Shaman has a permanent 'spirit' that acts a lot like a familiar. Animist doesn't, they pick new Apparitions each day. You can choose to have one of them be a permanent pick, but that isn't enforced.

Medium is a pretty lacking spellcaster. They only went up to level 4 spells. Animist is at least as good of a spellcaster as Psychic.

Similarities:

Other than the theme of talking to and getting power from spirits, I don't see a lot of similarity with Shaman. But maybe that is because I haven't actually played a Shaman.

Medium - oh yeah. Lots of similarities there. Primarily the 'rebuild your character each morning' mechanics. Both attuning to Apparitions that gives you new spell repertoire and focus spells, and the Wandering feats that you can switch out each day as you feel the desire.

I think medium's awareness is a pretty strong level 6 feat. It is essentially a proficiency boost to Perception for a class that already has wisdom as a key attribute.

There is also clearly an intended semi-martial path in the Animist for whom Grudge strike would be a good fit. Roaring heart is kind of interesting too. And the real kicker for level 6 feats is that they are all wandering, so you can switch them out every day. So default to medium's awareness and then you can just pick a different one when it is a better fit.

I haven't played a Shaman. But Medium was my one 1e character that I ever played.

Differences:

Looking over it, Shaman has a permanent 'spirit' that acts a lot like a familiar. Animist doesn't, they pick new Apparitions each day. You can choose to have one of them be a permanent pick, but that isn't enforced.

Medium is a pretty lacking spellcaster. They only went up to level 4 spells. Animist is at least as good of a spellcaster as Psychic.

Similarities:

Other than the theme of talking to and getting power from spirits, I don't see a lot of similarity with Shaman. But maybe that is because I haven't actually played a Shaman.

Medium - oh yeah. Lots of similarities there. Primarily the 'rebuild your character each morning' mechanics. Both attuning to Apparitions that gives you new spell repertoire and focus spells, and the Wandering feats that you can switch out each day as you feel the desire.

Given that shaman was quite literally, explicitly I should say, witch+cleric, a divine witch, this new class is much much more interesting

I certainly agree that this is far closer to IRL shamanism than to IRL animism, insofar as either exist as real things.

Except for all the class features and the name and the flavor being different yeah pretty much.

Switchable spirits with their own spells and features attached is the thing that I moat remember about the 1e shaman and it's also by far the most interesting thing the animist has going on. So whilst it might have some new names for similar features I would rate the better adaptations of an old class for capturing the feel of the original.

Better than the summoner and the kinetesist purely on the metric of feeling like it's 1e version.