Carl Cramér's page

The Core Rulebook defines these kinds of archetype (called "class archetypes"), even though it doesn't include them. They're just too core a concept and too fertile a ground for future rules expansion not to define them well.

As a potential 3rd party author, I really like this answer. Thank you!

We did consider the idea that Wennel had faked his death, but the undead flesh provided a more probable explanation.

Only in fantasy. :D

I'm all for removing "types2 on say modifiers. I think there only needs to be two kinds of bonuses on skills/attacks etc inherent (race/class/feat) and buff (spell/effect).

But I also fully support defining the types we do keep very precisely. Put it an appendix, its not that hard to do and makes so much rules-lawyering clearer, not to mention game design.

I'm excited for what three actions a round means for spells. Instead of a spell's power just being a function of its level you can easily make one, two, and three action spells.

Bless, for example, in PF1 is generally not castable in combat. It takes too long and provides too slight a bonus to be worthwhile. If Bless had only verbal components and was castable as 1 action it suddenly becomes a much more viable option.

The backside, naturally, is that there are more information to track for each spell. Currently, components only matter is certain situations.

This sounds like a good idea for all pets/companions/eidolons etc. If readying a shield takes an action, why shouldn't controlling a pet do so too? And it is still an advantage, as you avoid the multiple attack penalty you get if you put these actions into attacks of your own.

I want Martial Flexibility built in core fighter.

Not as a hybrid class. Not as an optional archetype.
As a core feature.

As one of say 3 "archetypes" of fighter (similar to how 5E does it), this could be very viable. But for ALL fighters? No.

The FAQ says they will be possible to order overseas.

I would not get too hopeful because of the Crypt of the Everflame conversion. Converting a level 1 adventure is completely different from converting a level 1-15 adventure path. As you advance in level, the difference between systems will inevitably increase.

I find the level of detail in armor descriptions hamper the game world. Especially so considering that of all armors, only 4 or so are actually ever used past level 3 or so (masterwork studded leather, chain shirt, half plate, full plate).

I'd prefer broader categories that can cover different armors in different settings, as outlined above.

And my pet peeve, cuirboili or hardened leather. Per the armor descriptions, this is what leather armor is, but hardened leather is really about as flexible as plate mail. No rogue would ever want to sneak around in this! Perhaps the best way to represent hardened leather leather is to use the stats of plate with a penalty and slight weight reduction.

Here is a video on shields of hardened leather https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1OTiMm4Pqc

Thanks... Oh, at first it was 1 person, 2 posts... You just happen to have the same pic. :o

Hi

I'm working on a shape dancer class built on the summoner. Scheduled for eventual publication with Purple Duck Games. Not quite sure yet if it will be an archetype, alternate class, or its own class entirely.

The basic concept of the class has been trough friendly playtesting, and it works if you don't try to abuse it. So what I'm asking for is friendly abuse - to spot the holes in the design, I need builders to look for ways to break the class and make absurd things with it.

So, here goes, the Shape Dancer:

Shape Dancer (Summoner Archetype)

The shape dancer is not a summoner at all. Rather than summoning creatures, he changes shape to become the monsters he wants.

Class Information
This is an archetype for the classic summoner (not the unchained summoner) that shifts their own shape instead of summoning other creatures.

Class Skills
Acrobatics (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int ), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Fly (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Perception (Wis), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Stealth (Dex), Survival (Wis), and Swim (Str).

Skill points per level: 4 + Int mod.

Class Features
This archetype has all classic summoner (not unchained summoner) class features, except as noted.

Spells
A shape dancer casts and learns spells as a summoner, but uses the alchemist formula list for his spell list. The spells on the list are not elixirs to the shape dancer, they are arcane spells. Spells that affect alchemist abilities the shape dancer does not have, such as bombs or discoveries, are not on the shape dancer's spell list. The shape dancer cannot use cantrips and ignores the level zero column in Table: Summoner Spells Known. This modifies spells and replaces cantrips.

Eidolon Form (Su)
As a standard action a shape dancer can assume the form of a powerful magical beast, an eidolon, or return to his normal shape. The shape dancer assumes the eidolon form's shape and abilities. The eidolon form is not a summoned creature, and cannot be banished, dismissed, or dispelled. If the shape dancer is unconscious, asleep, or killed, eidolon form immediately ends. Use the classic summoner's eidolon ability for eidolon form, not the unchained summoner's eidolon. The eidolon form is built as if it was a classic summoner's eidolon, with the modifications outlined here.

Each eidolon form receives a pool of evolution points, based on the shape dancer’s class level, that can be used to give the eidolon form different abilities and powers. Whenever the shape dancer gains a level, he must decide how these points are spent, and they are set until he gains another level of shape dancer.

The eidolon form’s physical appearance is up to the shape dancer, but it always appears as some sort of fantastical creature. This control is not fine enough to make the shape dancer appear like a specific creature. A shape dancer retains his alignment, type, and subtypes. He uses his own base attack bonus, base saves, feats, skill ranks, and class skills (modified by the eidolon form's attribute modifiers and size); the eidolon form has no skills, class skills, or feats of its own. He gains the eidolon form's armor bonus (any natural armor an eidolon has becomes armor for the eidolon form), darkvision, and all the eidolon form’s evolutions. The eidolon form is limited to the eidolon forms’s maximum number of natural attacks. The eidolon form uses the shape dancer's ability scores as its base form ability scores, modified by the eidolon form's evolutions and the Str/Dex bonuses from Table: Eidolon Base Statistics. The eidolon form cannot apply the ability increase evolution to mental ability scores or the skilled evolution to skills with mental key attributes (Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma). The eidolon form cannot select any evolutions that are spell-like abilities, and can spend no more than one third of its evolution points on evolutions that are supernatural abilities.

While in eidolon form, the shape dancer gains 4 temporary hit points per class level. These temporary hit points are persistent from one use of eidolon form to another. When these temporary hit points reach 0, the eidolon form ends. The shape dancer cannot use eidolon form again until he has used renew shape to restore his eidolon form's temporary hit points. When the shape dancer is in eidolon form, the eidolon form’s temporary hit points can be restored with the rejuvenate shape ability, the rejuvenate eidolon spell, and other effects that specifically restore eidolon hit points, but not by other means such as natural rest or cure spells. The temporary hit points can never exceed the eidolon form's starting hit points. While using eidolon form, the shape dancer loses the benefits of any armor worn. The shape dancer can use all of his own abilities and gear, except for armor. To cast spells with somatic components, the eidolon form must have arms.

The shape dancer can use transmutation (polymorph) effects simultaneously with eidolon form, further transforming himself. When he does so, he loses darkvision and all evolutions that are exceptional abilities, except those affecting armor and physical ability scores (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution). He keeps the eidolon form's armor bonuses.

This replaces eidolon.

Renew Shape (Sp)
The shape dancer can restore the temporary hit points of his eidolon form to full with a 1-minute ritual. This ability can be used even if the eidolon form has been dispelled by reducing the temporary hit points to zero. This ability can be used once per day at 1st level, and one additional time per day for every four levels after the first. This replaces summon monster I, III, V, VII, and IX.

Shape Link (Su)
The shape dancer can use his own health to maintain his eidolon form. Whenever the temporary hit points from his eidolon form would be reduced to 0, the shape dancer can sacrifice any number of his own hit points. Each hit point sacrificed this way prevents 1 point of damage (thus preventing the loss of the shape dancer’s temporary hit points), preventing the eidolon form from being disrupted. This replaces life link.

Shapechanger Subtype (Ex)
At 2nd level the shape dancer becomes a natural shape changer and gains the shapechanger subtype. This replaces bond senses.

Shape Dance (Sp)
At 3rd level, as a 5-minute ritual, the shape dancer can change the distribution of his eidolon form's evolution points, as transmogrifyAPG (sp). If this ritual is interrupted, the shape dancer cannot use eidolon form until he has successfully finished this ritual on a later attempt. At third level the shape dancer can use this ability once per day. At level 7, and every 4 levels thereafter, the shapedancer gain an additional daily use, up to a maximum of 4 times per day at level 15. A ritual that is interrupted does not count against the daily limit. This replaces summon monster II, IV, VI, and VIII.

Shielded Shape (Ex)
At 4th level, whenever the shape dancer is in eidolon form, he gains a +2 shield bonus to his Armor Class and a +2 circumstance bonus on his saving throws. This ability replaces shield ally.

Swift Eidolon Form (Su)
At 6th level the shape dancer can use eidolon form as a swift action. This ability replaces maker's call.

Greater Shape Dance (Su)
At 8th level the shape dancer can change his eidolon form's base form when using shape dance. This ability replaces transposition.

Greater Shielded Shape (Ex)
At 12th level, whenever the shape dancer is in eidolon form, he gains a +4 shield bonus to his Armor Class and a +4 circumstance bonus on his saving throws. This ability replaces greater shield ally.

Extend Polymorph (Ex)
At 14th level, when the shape dancer casts a transmutation (polymorph) spell with a duration of 1 minute/level on himself, he can choose to extend the duration of that spell to 10 minutes/level(D). This ability replaces life bond.

Fast Shape Dance (Su)
At 16th level the shape dancer can use shape dance in one minute. This ability replaces merge forms.

Shapechange (Sp)
At 19th level, the shape danger can use shapechange (sp) as a swift action. The shape dancer can use this ability a number of rounds per day equal to his class level. This replaces gate.

Supreme Shielded Shape (Ex)
At 20th level, whenever the shape dancer is in eidolon form, he gains a +6 shield bonus to his Armor Class and a +6 circumstance bonus on his saving throws. This ability replaces twin eidolon.

Table: The Shape Dancer

Level:Special
1st:Eidolon form, renew shape I, shape link
2nd:Shapechanger subtype
3rd:Shape dance
4th:Shielded shape
5th:Renew shape (2/day)
6th:Swift eidolon form
7th:Shape dance (2/day)
8th:Greater shape dance
9th:Renew shape (3/day)
10th:Aspect
11th:Shape dance (3/day)
12th:Greater shielded shape
13th:Renew shape (4/day)
14th:Extend polymorph
15th:Shape dance (4/day)
16th:Fast shape dance
17th:Renew shape (5/day)
18th:Greater aspect
19th:Shapechange
20th:Supreme shielded shape

"Shibaten of Porphyra" by Purple Duck Games.

Thanks for the mention, Mats. Here is a link: Shibaten of Porphyra. (Shameless self-plug)

The ducks of Glorantha were death-cultists and actually quite serious, but RQW was a very unfair system, and ducks were very weak. That meant they were almost only played as comedy characters. I still have fond memories of three ducks in a howdah atop an elephant, firing arbalests.

For the Shibaten, I've included the comedy aspect, but they are a Small race with a Strength, Charisma, and Intimidation bonus, making them quite serious contenders for several physical classes, most of all bloodragers. Tame these ducks are not!

Quack!

If you're in melee, you've already lost.

Back in Dragonstar, people turned more and more to melee combat at higher levels. My elf got himself Str 22 to carry a minigun and still be at light encumbrance, but that also made him absurdly good in melee. Something like that might well apply here too.

While there is not a specific flat-footed Armor Class statistic per se, the flat-footed condition DOES still exist! Whenever a creature is flat-footed (presumably from not acting in combat, though that is unclear to me from what I recall; I do know that feinting still applies it), they take a -2 penalty to both of their Armor Classes!

This is the most significant improvement I have noted so far. It always irked me hugely that Dexterity is no good in surprise situations, where my intuition would make it THE most useful thing.

Well, this and rogues being unable to sneak attack in dim light, and that was corrected in Pathfinder Unchained.

Separate AC against energy is nice, but IMC we generally use various martial arts systems that render armor obsolete anyway.

Perhaps it would have been better to have the discussion here, where it would be more visible? Aw well, that's out of my hands.

Something that is possible to do is to replace the effects of these conditions/situations.

Flat-Footed: -2 AC, enables abilities like Sneak Attack.

Touch Attack: Casters add their caster level to touch attack rolls. (Yes, touch attack is that awesome at higher levels).

Pretty big buff to warriors. How do casters and fighters usually compare in your games? If casters dominate, this might be a fix for that.

3/4 BAB classes are likely to feel a bit left out, but they can still use the extra attack from TWF. Expect a TWF rogue.

The actual discussion is in the comments tab.

I'm working on a series of psychic discipline supplements for Purple Duck Games. Psychic Disciplines of Porphyra is out, more are in the works.

I like how a psychic discipline can set the theme and mood of a psychic. About 1/5 of all spells come from the discipline, along with abilities are relatively low levels, where they actually come into play.

I'm here looking for requests; anything people here want for psychic disciplines? I can write up your ideas if they mesh with mine. Basically, I'm asking you to give up ideas for free to see them written out and discussed.

Author of the golden legionnaire here, and shameless plug warning.

If your dream is to play an arcane trickster based on the alchemist or a hybrid of ninja and barbarian, now is your chance!

I feel the golden legionnaire is an interesting take on a defensive warrior, but it sorely needs reviews. So I issue a challenge to review the golden legionnaire!

I pride myself on having become something of a specialist at making archetypes and prestige archetypes. If you review the golden legionnaire prestige archetype, I offer to make an archetype or prestige archetype for the Pathfinder game to your specifications.

Your review should include a rating and be 200 words or more. It is to be posted on the golden legionnaire product page, and you must notify me so that I know you posted it. I will retain publishing rights on the archetype or prestige archetype I write, but you get to decide what it is to be about and what class(es) it is based on. Any classes or combination of classes is good, but some would get outright weird. You can also suggest abilities for the archetype to have. However, I am not signing on to work forever on this; I will make an honest attempt at the project, but am not responsible for continuing to develop it indefinitely.

First come, first served. I promise to make archetypes for the first three reviewers, but may continue if there is more interest.

And yeah, you have to get the PDF for yourself. Pay the $1.99 to get the file - or the $16.99 for the subscription.

Carl Cramér, Prestige Archetype designer.

I think its pretty cool to thinkof the familar as the "avatar" of the eidolon - sort of a representative that stays around when the eidolon is away. Not supported rules-wise, but an interesting flavor option.

That's how I read it too, ShadowcatX

I have a question on Knight's Challenge - Order of the Sword for the Cavalier class.

Is this an extra challenge per day, or is it a modification to one of the challenges you already have?

I have a question on Knight's Challenge - Order of the Sword for the Cavalier class.

Is this an extra challenge per day, or is it a modification to one of the challenges you already have?

((Noticed the post about the Rules Forum above and cross-posted this there))