Brayden Worrell's page

I am concerned over the license changes and how it affects the wider Paizo and TTRPG community. I think that a single employee's assurances that this or that case is fine and good are welcome, but I wish that Mr. Moreland didn't have to do this in the first place - it should be crystal clear in the license as to what is and is not allowed. Uncertainty is beneficial to the entity making the license it seems, and harmful to the fans it claims to be for.

I sincerely hope things can be clarified soon. I'm afraid that I don't want to purchase Player Core 2 for the time being because I don't want to show support for this policy or its abrupt implementation. Hopefully we get updates after GenCon about how things are going to change, and then I'll be happy to continue supporting Paizo's work.

Mark: Where is this FAQ that you are referring to?

Earlier, Mark mentioned he was working on an FAQ for the new license changes so people don't need to read the entire thread to view his helpful answers. It isn't done yet but I assume there will be a post here in the thread when it is.

Additionally, resistances don't stack, as the playtest PDF reminds you, so the 1 resistance damage for Composite/Leather/Plate armors don't stack with your Intercept Strike. Composite only activates on a Critical Hit,so it will grant only 1 more resistance to damage against the hit than Intercept Strike would have.

Apologies, I meant to say Chain activates on a Critical Hit, not Composite.

I have questions about what role the Guardian is supposed to fit, since it seems to hit a similar role to the Champion. Reading over the class, the major appeal of the class is the ability to gain the critical specialization at 1st level… which might be overpowered. Most of the feats and abilities of the class would be right at home with the Fighter or Champion.

I will be giving this one a play test this coming weekend and see what I think about it after some practical application.

I believe you meant Armor Specialization, not Critical Specialization. Armor Specialization at 1st level seems like it doesn't do too much, as it is very hard to afford the Heavy armors at 1st level with the standard 15 gp you receive at the start of the game. This means you get resistance 1 to one type of physical damage, or 4 resistance against a critical hit.

Additionally, resistances don't stack, as the playtest PDF reminds you, so the 1 resistance damage for Composite/Leather/Plate armors don't stack with your Intercept Strike. Composite only activates on a Critical Hit,so it will grant only 1 more resistance to damage against the hit than Intercept Strike would have.

I think the Armor Specialization is there to help the Guardian hold onto small amounts of HP when damaged normally, so you might be able to take one more Strike than a Fighter could over the course of an encounter.

Three deaths between two PCs. Currently near the end of Book 4 in the anniversary edition.

Character: Vale, Dreamthief Changeling Alchemist (Vivisectionist) 6/Mortal Usher 1.
Adventure: The Skinsaw Murders
Location: E1: The Scarecrow's Lair
Catalyst: Overconfidence, one lucky crit.

Story: The party did not notice Scarecrow hiding, so it stepped out after the party began to spread out and search the ground floor of The Shadow Clock. The awakened flesh golem drew their scythe and slashed at the party's healer, narrowly missing her.

Vale then attempted to change forward and make a claw attack, hoping to draw attention away from the fragile healer. Unfortunately, the player forgot to refresh their defensive buffs before entering the building. Unfortunately, the player decided that they would take the attack of opportunity. Unfortunately, the Scarecrow rolled a natural 20, then another. As is often the case with high crit weapons, I dealt enough damage with the x4 crit scythe to instantly kill Vale, slicing her from shoulder to hip in a single, neat cut.

The party then finished the fight, took Vale's neatly-bisected body, and went off to the church of Sarenrae to spend all their hard-earned rewards for the book to buy a single raise dead scroll, which the healer (a Kitsune Oracle) used to bring Vale back.

Character: Vale, same race, Alchemist (Vivisectionist) 6/Mortal Usher 4.
Adventure: The Hook Mountain Massacre
Location: D1: The Entrance
Catalyst: Ogre Fighter getting a lucky crit.

Story: Not much, just a lucky crit on an already-injured character proving lethal. Healer had not yet learned breath of life, leading to a side adventure to restore the alchemist to life.

Character: Andêl, Archon-blooded Aasimar Unchained Monk (Scarred Monk) 11. I house-ruled that the player could take that archetype with the Unchained variant, despite it not being normally compatible.
Adventure: Fortress of the Stone Giants.
Location: B3: The General's Lair
Catalyst: Underestimating Galenmir's damage output while in a tactically strong position.

Story: Andêl was scouting ahead of the party, when they noticed Galenmir approaching from his Lair after being alerted to intruders. He was in a narrow passage, meaning he could not move much, so he decided to stand his ground there.

Andêl then attacked Galenmir, using their Scarred Monk abilities to inflict damage back upon Galenmir as they were hit repeatedly. Unfortunately, the healer was unable to close in and heal Andêl due to the narrow caves, and the sudden appearance of Enga the Kobold Barbarian to provide backup meant that Galenmir could continue making full attacks until one finally dropped Andêl. Breath of life managed to save the day, and the party then had to rest and recuperate after that one.