Hello friends! Just finished another playtest tonight and I'm here to share my findings. Same setup like before. I ran 2 characters and DMed while my friend ran the Bloodrager and Slayer.
The Party:
Human Celestial Bloodrager 6
Human Investigator 6
Elf Slayer 6
Dwarf Shaman 6
Ambush is successful on the first night with a 80% chance of success. All members except the Bloodrager succeed their skill checks. Investigator bluffs, Shaman used Kn.Religion, and the Slayer used Stealth.
Encounter 1
Slayer succeeds on Stealth vs the Scarlet Son as he flies in. Investigator succeeds on his spot to see Zadendi creeping up on him and succeeds his bluff to act like he doesn't notice. Zadendi charges and the Investigator is allowed to maintain his dex bonus to AC. Party begins to close in and Zadendi flees with the Scarlet Son taking her.
Party keeps sight of Zadendi through the air and tracks them to their lair.
Encounter 2
Slayer scouts around the church. Neither he nor the Scarlet Son detect one another. Regrouping, the Slayer moves into the church first, while the party watches at the doorway. This time he is surprised by the Scarlet Son. Combat ensues. Party is victorious due to everyone having magic weapons. Bloodrager enlarged for this encounter.
Encounter 3
Slayer scouts the catacombs. Rolls very low on stealth. I roll some amazing stealth checks for the Wights. 34 34 35 @_@. Slayer gets wrecked. Surprisingly I miss all but 1 attack, the Slayer had a well invested AC. Shaman moves first, using the Heavens Leap ability to get the Bloodrager into full attacking position. Wights give the Slayer another 2 negative levels. Investigator goes invisible and moves in. Slayer just tries to deal some damage being unable to use his bow properly or flee. Bloodrager kills one of the Wights. Shaman uses Heaven's Leap on the Slayer, teleporting him to safety. Party decimates the rest of the wights without anymore trouble.
Party buffs a ton now. Investigator shields, barkskins, and Bull's Strength for some impressive numbers. Bloodrager casts Shield.
Trap
Investigator spots the Trap DC28. He ends up spending 3 inspiration points trying not to horribly fumble the check and setting off the trap. Eventually he succeeds.
Encounter 4
Bloodrager wins initiative, hits Zadendi for 26, then gets Hold Personed. Investigator was invisible and takes her down.
Encounter 5
Everyone fails their Sense Motive against the Succubus' natural 1 on her bluff. 23. Investigator gets hit with the Death Attack, but he took Great Fortitude at 1st level for a +9 to his fort save total. He succeeds =). Shaman casts Communal Protection from Evil while the Succubus tries summoning the Babau. Long fight, Avalexi fails her Babau summon. Slayer mostly useless with the -3 from negative levels. Witty innuendo between Bloodrager and Avalexi. A lucky crit throws her into flee mode, but the Slayer finally lands a shot taking her out before she can act.
Ending thoughts,
Bloodrager: Celestial is crazy good, Good Aligned attacks saved his bacon in that fight. Wishes the other Bloodlines were brought up to the same level as the Celestial and Arcane Bloodlines are.
Slayer: A move action for Favored Target is too harsh when you can full attack instead. Even moreso for an Archer who would otherwise not have to waste time closing anyways. I was of the opinion that it would be fine to wait till 10, but I let him know that he hadn't done it yet in fights and he almost always chose to full attack instead.
Investigator: Solid. I like his general contribution to battles, makes Knowledge checks, aims for flanks to help his party. Damage is a bit low but thats okay considering his utility with extracts and skills.
Shaman: Is really good. Heaven's Leap is a godsend to help the martials get into place and get their full attack. Pretty balanced.
Any suggestions for the next playtest? We're going to run another at 6th before upping the characters to 10th.
Also playtested a Celestial bloodrager and yes, very awesome. Did you have a chance to cast spells? I found the opportunity didn't present itself.
Nice to see the Slayer getting some positive feedback- ours was hampered by dismal dice all night.