RPG Superstar 2013 Round 2: Archetypes

The Round 2 rules will be revealed later this week—be sure to check the Paizo blog and the RPG Superstar page for the surprise twist!

Ahh, yes. That surprise twist. But many thanks for posting the rules well ahead of time. Once the contest is rolling, those deadlines are just brutal.

Good luck, all.

Good luck indeed. From all I've been reading and hearing from friends, we will need it :p

I want to enter my zen mode to calmly handle round 2, but that surprise twist has my gut in a twist.

Serenity now!

Yeah, good luck to everyone.

Especially me. But you guys, too. :)

Good luck everyone. :-)

Twist: Archetypes based on kingdom building rules! Since Ultimate Campaign is coming out soon...

Surprise twist. He's like freaking Jigsaw up in here. Or maybe Calliborn.

Whoo! Man, I'm glad for getting the rules early. I was so busy with finals that I didn't have time to really work on my item until 4 days before the deadline.

Looking forward to seeing the twist.

Twist: His best friend is a pie.

Starting work on my Zealous Zitherer now! ;)

I'm looking forward to the bard with a poncho and maracas.

The twist is... it's not an archetype at all but a villain!

:P

Is round 2 anonymous? Or can we reveal what we'd submit (like, "I'll be making an alchemist archetype," not "I'm making an alchemist archetype which replaces bomb and replaces it with *this*) should we make it to round 2?

Is round 2 anonymous? Or can we reveal what we'd submit (like, "I'll be making an alchemist archetype," not "I'm making an alchemist archetype which replaces bomb and replaces it with *this*) should we make it to round 2?

No. Revealing what your making, and especially posting about it may be grounds for disqualification. The judges are pretty hard-line about this. I'm sure you can make your intentions seem more like some kind of "hypothetical" intent, but its risky territory none the less.

I'm not sure that's actually true, Nick (other than in Round 1 obviously).

5. During public voting rounds, contestants are prohibited from any public discussion that could be considered as adding to, expanding upon, or clarifying the content of their current submissions. This applies to (but is not limited to) interviews, personal blogs, and messageboard posts on paizo.com or elsewhere, including the paizo.com discussion thread for the entry itself. Any such discussion may result in disqualification, in the sole discretion of the judges and/or Paizo Publishing.

If I were to say in the Guildhall thread before the deadline to submit that I'm working on an alchemist archetype, I don't think that's breaking that rule. I don't think anybody's done it, and I certainly wouldn't recommend it, because it's not the best way to compete, but I don't think it is actually against the rules.

Now, once the entries are revealed and public voting begins, then contestants can't say ANYTHING, which is a change from previous years:

Contestants are prohibited from commenting on their own entries (in the entry's own thread or elsewhere) while the voting booth is open. In past years, contestants were allowed to post in their entry's thread to thank others for their support and encourage voting, but there have been times where these comments pushed the boundaries of acceptable commentary, so in this year's contest the contestants are not allowed to comment on their own entries in any way while the voting period is open. See Rule #5 on the Official Rules page.

Once the voting booth has closed, contestants may comment freely on their own entries.
Contestants are allowed to comment on the entries of others, as long as they do so tactfully (see the guidelines for conduct, above.)

You might be right about this Jacob. While it may not be grounds for dis-Q I'd certainly avoid it, even if just to avoid tipping my hat.

Also, thanks for clarifying that there should be no commenting on your own entries at all. I know I certainly missed this, as a veteran I guess I just assumed things were as the always were.

Can a Wizard Archtype replace the Spellbook?

Can a Wizard Archtype replace the Spellbook?

I don't see why not, it is a class feature. There are witch archetypes that replace the familiar (scarred witchdoctor[?]), so that is precedent.

I do think it would be hard to do effectively. Spellbooks are part and parcel of wizards.

I don't think there's any rules reason that you can't reveal what archetype you're going to do, but there is the possible concern of "maybe someone else will be working on a similar idea, and do I want to give them clues about what I'm writing?"

Good point, Sean.

I am definitely, absolutely not working on a Zithering Zealot archetype.

Good point, Sean.

I am definitely, absolutely not working on a Zithering Zealot archetype.

Well played, sir, ...well played. ;)

Starting work on my Zealous Zitherer now! ;)

Looks like someone is covering the Z's. I think that leaves J, X and Y.

Dibs on Xenophobic Xylophonist.

*crosses fingers that the 'no vomit' rule doesn't persist into the second round*

Cthulhudrew wrote:

Starting work on my Zealous Zitherer now! ;)

Looks like someone is covering the Z's. I think that leaves J, X and Y.

I got dibs on Yazheng Percussionist...

Now, once the entries are revealed and public voting begins, then contestants can't say ANYTHING, which is a change from previous years:

Quote:

Contestants are prohibited from commenting on their own entries (in the entry's own thread or elsewhere) while the voting booth is open. In past years, contestants were allowed to post in their entry's thread to thank others for their support and encourage voting, but there have been times where these comments pushed the boundaries of acceptable commentary, so in this year's contest the contestants are not allowed to comment on their own entries in any way while the voting period is open. See Rule #5 on the Official Rules page.

Once the voting booth has closed, contestants may comment freely on their own entries.
Contestants are allowed to comment on the entries of others, as long as they do so tactfully (see the guidelines for conduct, above.)

I really think that information should be added to the official rules under section 5. If I had not read this thread, I might not have spotted that in the FAQ at all.

Working on the Jalmeray Jumper right now...

If you start planning now, that's four extra weeks of design time for your archetype masterpiece!

Got my thinking cap on!

Working on the Jalmeray Jumper right now...

Oh man, I heard their jumpstyle is the best!

At this rate, the twist is probably going to be that the archetypes have to be serious.

Working on the Jalmeray Jumper right now...

SWEET! All letters have been covered. I was afraid I was going to have to change my archetype idea, but Bearded Shwa stepped up.

At this rate, the twist is probably going to be that the archetypes have to be serious.

I was being serious, can you imagine getting hit over the head with a yazheng?

Being silly would have been nominating a Yarble Yanker (Monk Archetype) that focuses on Monkey Steals The Peach as a dirty trick.

EDIT: Or the halfling racial variant utilizing Underfoot, Gnat Grasps At Melon...

I really think that information should be added to the official rules under section 5. If I had not read this thread, I might not have spotted that in the FAQ at all.

I assume the judges will mention it. Either way, I was planning to make sure to announce it in the guildhall. I want to win, but not by everyone else disqualifying themselves*.

* I'm actually perfectly happy to win however I can, even if it's having the other 31 contestants disqualify themselves. Like Jesse the Body used to say, win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat. (And, yeah, that doesn't fit perfectly, but it's the spirit of the thing.) : )

last year i didn't find out about the contest until 3 or 4 days before round 1 closed, and it seemed like round 2 came in no time. i see a lot of people excited about having a long time to work but i miss those short deadlines and quick turn around... i'm just pulling my hair out waiting. in the last week i've made 4 different archetypes (for 4 different classes), each with a different twist that seems like it could be what they'll want...

can you submit unsolicited work to Paizo? maybe i'll occupy myself by writing an entire adventure path and then just mail it in and see if they want to buy it...

can you submit unsolicited work to Paizo? maybe i'll occupy myself by writing an entire adventure path and then just mail it in and see if they want to buy it...

Only for PFS Quests and Scenarios, I believe.

can you submit unsolicited work to Paizo? maybe i'll occupy myself by writing an entire adventure path and then just mail it in and see if they want to buy it...

Yes they have an Open Call. There is also Wayfinder magazine.

EDIT: DAMN YOU CHEAPY! {shakes fist}

Bearded Shwa wrote:

Working on the Jalmeray Jumper right now...

Oh man, I heard their jumpstyle is the best!

What you heard was nothing more than a rumor. They obviously keep their abilities secret to any non-members to the order...

Their order being a basketball team...

They dunk three point shots...

At this rate, the twist is probably going to be that the archetypes have to be serious.

Fortunately I can always fall back on the Xorn X-Radiologist.

SWEET! All letters have been covered.

But there's still plenty of room for my !Xu-Touched Magician oracle archetype. :P

Ah... Good to know. What I have in mind will replace more than a simple book of papyrus used to record recollections in the form of formulaic spells that are forgotten after the first casting.

Perhaps I have said to much...

Rules and Twist, (I believe) have been posted. Archetype is to be made to fit in the River Kingdoms.

Thomas LeBlanc wrote:

Bearded Shwa wrote:

Working on the Jalmeray Jumper right now...

Oh man, I heard their jumpstyle is the best!

What you heard was nothing more than a rumor. They obviously keep their abilities secret to any non-members to the order...

Their order being a basketball team...

They dunk three point shots...

What the hell, I needed a diversion:

Khibenball
Deep beneath one of Jalmeray's ancient temples is an expansive court room. But the maharaja Khiben-Sald didn't create this court for noble intrigue--its polished wooden floor, marked and outlined with strange shapes, was built for brilliant displays of athletic prowess.

At each end of the 85-by-50-foot hardwood rectangle is a 10-foot adamantium pole tipped with a broad glass panel, a metal ring hanging parallel to the floor from the glass. The maharaja's game was simple: two parties would compete to drop a special leather sphere into their opponents' hoop as many times as possible in an hour's time. The maharaja wasn't concerned with how the ball passed through the hoop or how the defenders stopped it as long as no spellcasters set foot on the court and none of the competitors died.

Wild tales of the matches circulated among Golarion's elite: the scorching match between the Monasteries of Unfolding Wind and Unblinking Flame that singed the brows of all present, the unchaining of the Bound God from the Vudran squad's bench during the first (and last) Impossible Invitational's finals, and even the relatively mundane but controversial contest between the Niswan Princes and Padiskar Jewels that ended with a shot sunk at the final second with help from an anonymous wish spell cast from the audience.

Some Vudran historians even speculate that Nex's disappearance and Khiben-Sald's departure from Jalmeray was the result of a wager on a secret one-on-one game between Nex and Geb, though no record to back such an unlikely event has been found.

Thousands of years after the Vudrani returned to Jalmeray, explorers unearthed and restored the sealed-off court. The isle's ruling class aims to resurrect the sport by dispatching colorful ships of emissaries known as Worldtrotters to stage exhibitions across Golarion. In the process, some of Golarion's heroes are finding that their skills are quite compatible with the frantic sport of Khibenball.

Archetypes

Jalmeray Jumper (Monk)
The Jalmeray Jumper best understands the core concept of Khibenball: to win, one's consciousness must be elevated to new heights. For the Jumper, this means soaring through the air with mighty leaps and muscling past massive defenders with physical prowess.
Jalmeray Jumpers must be native to Jalmeray.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Jalmeray Jumpers are proficient with all thrown weapons, including improvised weapons. This replaces the monk's ranged weapon proficiencies.
Throw Anything (Ex): The Jalmeray Jumper gains Throw Anything as a bonus feat at 1st level. This replaces the monk's 1st level bonus feat.
Spring Attack (Ex): At 1st level, the Jalmeray Jumper gains Spring Attack as a bonus feat, even if he does not meet the prerequisites. Additionally, when using Spring Attack he may add 5 feet to his total move for every two ranks of the Acrobatics skill he possesses. The move bonus cannot be applied when the monk is wearing any type of armor. This ability replaces stunning fist.
High Jump (Ex): The Jalmeray Jumper gains this ability at 2nd level rather than 5th level. This ability replaces evasion.
Power Forward (Ex): At 5th level, the Jalmeray Jumper gains Improved Overrun as a bonus feat. Additionally, when using Improved Overrun, the Jumper may add his ranks in Acrobatics to his overrun checks. This ability replaces purity of body.

Shoanti Slinger (Ranger)
The Shoanti Slinger has an uncanny ability to launch the ball in beautiful arcs. His shots and passes are uncannily unerring, ricocheting and spinning in improbable ways to reach the hoop, much like his famous bola entwines foes' legs in combat.
Shoanti Slingers must belong to a Shoanti clan.
Class Skills: The Shoanti Slinger adds Acrobatics and Sense Motive as class skills and removes Climb and Knowledge (dungeoneering) from his list of class skills.
Skilled Thrower (Ex): The Shoanti Slinger is skilled at throwing objects in combat. He gains Throw Anything as a bonus feat at 1st level and increases the range increment of any thrown weapon or object by 10 feet. This ability replaces wild empathy.
Favored Shot (Ex): The Shoanti Slinger has a signature technique when using thrown weapons. At 1st level, he selects a 10-foot range of distance and gains a +2 stacking bonus on all attack and critical confirmation rolls with any thrown weapon or object while that far away from his target. At 5th level and every five levels thereafter, he can choose to expand the range by 10 feet or increase the bonus by 2. This ability replaces favored enemy at all levels.
Ricochet Shot (Sp): At 2nd level, the Shoanti Slinger may use Ricochet Shot as a spell-like effect once per day with an effective caster level equal to his Shoanti Slinger level. He adds one additional use per day at 5th, 10th, and 15th levels. This replaces his 2nd level combat style feat.
Floor General (Ex): At 5th, 10th, and 15th levels, the Shoanti Slinger may select any teamwork feat as a bonus feat as long as he meets the prerequisites.
Shot on the Run (Ex): At 10th level, the Shoanti Slinger gains Shot on the Run as a bonus feat, even if he does not meet the prerequisites.

Kellid Keeper (Barbarian)
The Kellid Keeper towers over the court, raining hell upon anyone foolish enough to try to stop or pass by her. Whether it's crushing the goal or grabbing a rebound, the Keeper lives up to her moniker.
Kellid Keepers must be of Kellid descent.
Greater Powers: When selecting a rage power, the Kellid Keeper also adds the greater version of the power, if available, for free. This ability replaces fast movement.
Throwdown (Ex): At 2nd level, the Kellid Keeper may slam an inanimate unattended object as a full-round melee attack for 1d8 + the Keeper's Strength modifier in bludgeoning damage. All creatures in a 5-foot radius of the slammed object must make a Fortitude save of DC 12 + the slam's damage to avoid being knocked prone. At 7th and 11th levels, the range of the knockdown effect expands by 5 feet. This ability replaces uncanny dodge.
Rage Powers: The Kellid Keeper may select these additional rage powers:
Wingspan (Ex): The Kellid Keeper gains a 5-foot enhancement bonus to her melee reach while she is raging.
Slam (Ex): Once per hour, a Kellid Keeper may make any melee attack a slam attack, using her Strength modifier + her Keeper level in place of her BAB and doing 1d10 + her Strength modifier in bludgenoning damage. If the Keeper scores a critical attack, the target is knocked back 5 feet and is staggered for 1 round. If the victim succeeds at a Fortitude save with a DC of 16 + the Keeper's Strength modifier, the stagger effect is negated, but the victim is still knocked back. The save DC is Strength-based.
Pointy Elbows (Ex): A Kellid Keeper with this rage ability is always braced against charges while raging, dealing double damage when scoring a hit against a charging character.
Keepaway (Ex): At 5th level, a Kellid Keeper excels at grabbing thrown objects and projectiles. She gains Snatch Arrows as a bonus feat even if she does not meet the prerequisites. She may use the feat even when she is not the target of the ranged attack. If the target is within her melee reach, she may make a Reflex save of DC 16 + 4 for each 5 feet of distance to grab the weapon. This replaces the trap sense and improved uncanny dodge abilities.

Magic Item

Khibenball
Aura enchantment; CL 6th
Slot hands; Price 1,000 gp; Weight 1 lb.
Description
This tanned leather orb, less than two feet in diameter, is hollow and buoyant. When thrown against wood, it bounces back as though it's made from a springy material.

The ball may be thrown to a willing creature as a ranged touch "attack". If it hits, the target successfully catches the ball.

If the target is a metal hoop, however, treat the throw as a thrown weapon "attack" against an AC of 20. If the attack hits, roll 1d8 + the thrower's Dexterity modifier. (The thrower's size does not affect damage.) If the result is 6 or more, the ball goes through the hoop.

Treat a thrown Khibenball as a projectile for all projectile-related abilities, such as the Snatch Arrow feat.

The ball may also be used to "attack" the hoop as a melee attack if the character is within 10 feet of the rim. The AC of such an attack is 20, and the "attacker" gains a +1 stacking bonus to hit for each rank of Acrobatics he possesses, up to a maximum bonus of +3. If the attack hits, roll 1d8 + the thrower's Strength modifier or the number of his ranks in Acrobatics, whichever is greater. If the result is 6 or more, the ball goes through the hoop.

If any "attack" with the ball misses, it bounces away, landing 2d12 feet away in a direction determined by the Throw Splash Weapon miss rules. If the ball passes within 5 feet of a creature, the creature may attempt to grab the ball as a melee "attack" of opportunity (AC 18). If the ball passes within 5 feet of multiple creatures, they may all attempt to grab the ball with an opposed Reflex save. If such a Reflex save ends in a tie, break the tie with an opposed grapple check.
Construction
Requirements Spellcraft, repel wood; Cost 500 gp

Khibenball

Aura enchantment; CL 6th
...

A range for that weapon might be nice, let's say 20 ft. Let me get my map and minis out and start testing this and crap why am I not working on my actual R2 archetype