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The Paragon path system is a new way to add thematic abilities to characters, while allowing them to direct their character towards a more specific role within the group. This is accomplished by providing players with three options they may choose from, once they reach 4th level: Defensive – Which focuses around abilities that raise AC, saves, HP, CMD, or provide damage mitigation; Offensive – Which focuses around gaining bonus damage, chance to hit, new ways of dealing damage, and causing stat ailments to enemies; Utility – Which focuses around increasing stats/skills, increasing/decreasing movement of targets, and granting abilities that increase battlefield control. Within each of these paths, a character will gain access to one of each of the following: A passive that remains active at all times (unless otherwise noted); a once per encounter ability, which is usually the core concept of the path; and a once per day ability, which is usually a powerful ability that gives the player an edge.

I know, I know….I personally have nothing against 4th edition, and this was a concept I have always liked. These kind of abilities give the characters something they can do every fight, no matter what. Even if your Sorcerer has ran out of every spell, and exhausted their bloodline powers, they will still have a unique ability to perform in combat, until they can find a sport to rest.

My players all come from MMO backgrounds, they are used to having an array of powers and abilities thematic to their characters. While I do understand adding in this system seems to gear the game towards the “Holy trinity” trap (Tank, Healer, DPS), I also know that some players simply don’t want to level of choice Pathfinder offers. Since these players require a structure in order to truly play their characters the way they want. With this in mind, I have tried to make each path flexible enough that they can be incorporated into most games. Just because a character chooses the Defense path, doesn’t mean they must be at the forefront of combat; just as a player who chooses the Offense path can still hold back and offer support his/her party.

Because it is early enough in the game for players to begin defining themselves and really come into their roles, while not being too late for the character to feel trapped choosing a specific path. Around 4th level, new players have a general gr asp of what they can do, and what their characters are capable of, allowing them to make informed decisions on what path appeals to them the most. 4th level also seemed to be a bit of a lull for most classes, the last thing I wanted to do was place it on a level where a class gains several abilities and overload the players.

Well yes and no; I am fully aware that adding abilities to any character always runs the risk of someone abusing it. While I have done my best to keep each ability within a reasonable level of power, I can also assume that number crunchers out there would find a way to break this system. That is why the Paragon Path system will not be for every group!

Well with my job and home life, I will be working on what I can, when I can. Further to that, I will be starting with the classes that my players are currently running: Barbarian, Cleric, Magus, Oracle, Ranger, and Sorcerer. Followed by their characters from our 2nd campaign: Druid, Fighter, Gunslinger, Inquisitor, Monk, and Rogue. At this time I have no plans on incorporating the ACG classes into this system, though I have given thought on characters choosing a Path based on the parent classes.

“In life there are no second chances; we must adapt, or risk extinction”

Passive – Ready for anything: The Ranger gains a +3 competence bonus to their survival skill. This bonus increases by 1 per 3 levels after 4th (+4 at 7th, +5 at 10th, +6 at 13th, +7 at 16th, +8 at 19th). In addition, after resting each day, the Ranger may select one of the following skills: Climb, Intimidate, Perception, Stealth, or Swim. Until the next time the Ranger rests, they gain a +2 bonus to the selected skill. This bonus increases by 1 per 3 levels after 4th (+2 at 7th, +3 at 10th, +4 at 13th, +5 at 16th, +6 at 19th.

Once per encounter – Warden’s Mark* (Move action): The Ranger selects 1 target to bear the Warden’s Mark, this does not provoke attack of opportunity. While marked, the target gains a +1 Natural Armor bonus to AC. This bonus increases by 1 for every 4 levels beyond 4th (+2 at 8th, +3 at 12th, +4 at 16th, and +5 at 20th). The Mark lasts until the end of the encounter, when the target is dead, when the Ranger dies, or when it is consumed (see below).

As a standard action, the Ranger may choose to consume the Mark and remove one of the following conditions from the target: Blind, Deaf, Fatigued, Shaken, or Sickened. Alternatively, the Ranger may remove a single Disease or Poison from the target by consuming the Mark. The target may take a Will save in order to avoid this effect (DC = 10 + ½ Ranger level + current Mark bonus). If their save is successful, the mark is still consumed, and the target retains the condition.

Once per day – Adapt (Swift action): Upon activating this ability, the Ranger may choose to apply their Warden’s Mark to a target as a free action, if they have not already done so this encounter. The Ranger can select one of the following adaptations which lasts until the end of the current encounter. The Ranger may choose to apply this adaptation to themselves, or the target of their Warden’s Mark. Once selected, the adaptation may be changed on the Ranger’s turn as a swift action, however the Ranger may not change the target of the adaptation. The numerical bonuses provided to the target of Adaptation are always based on the Ranger’s current level.

Chameleon skin: The Ranger or target gains 10% concealment; this does not stack with any other effects that grant concealment. Effects that bypass concealment also bypass the concealment granted by Chameleon skin.

Cerebral insulation: The Ranger or target gains a +2 resistance bonus to Will saves; this bonus increases by 1 per 4 levels after 4th (+3 at 8th, +4 at 12th, +5 at 16th, +6 at 20th)

Elastic muscles: The Ranger or target gains a +2 dodge bonus to reflex saves; this bonus increases by 1 per 4 levels after 4th (+3 at 8th, +4 at 12th, +5 at 16th, +6 at 20th)

Elemental adaptation: The Ranger or target chooses one of the following energy types - Acid, Cold, Electricity, Fire. The Ranger or target then gains energy resistance (3) to that type; this resistance increases by 2 for every 3 Ranger levels after 4th (5 at 7th, 7 at 10th, 9 at 13th, 11 at 16th, 13 at 19th.)

Mutagenic Blood: The Ranger or target gains a +3 resistance bonus to saves against poisons or diseases. This bonus increases by 1 for every 3 levels after 4th (+4 at 7th, +5 at 10th, +6 at 13th, +7 at 16th, +8 at 19th.)

Resilient Anatomy: The Ranger or target gains a +2 resistance bonus to fortitude saves; this bonus increases by 1 per 4 levels after 4th (+3 at 8th, +4 at 12th, +5 at 16th, +6 at 20th)

Thick Skin: The Ranger or target gains a + 1 natural armor bonus to AC, this bonus increases by 1 per 4 levels after 4th (+2 at 8th, +3 at 12th, +4 at 16th, +5 at 20th)

“All creatures have a weakness, it’s just a matter of finding and exploiting it”

Passive – Thrill of the hunt: The Ranger gains +2 morale bonus to initiative (increases by 1 per 3 levels after 4th).

Once per encounter – Hunter’s Mark* (Move action): The Ranger selects 1 target to bear the Hunter’s Mark, this does not provoke attack of opportunity. While marked, the Ranger Gains a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls against that creature. This bonus increases by 1 for every 4 Ranger levels beyond 4th (+2 at 8th, +3 at 12th, +4 at 16th, and +5 at 20th). The Mark lasts until the end of the encounter, when the target is dead, when the Ranger dies, or when it is consumed (see below)

As a standard action, the Ranger may choose to consume the Mark and apply one of the following conditions to the target: Blind, Deaf, Fatigued, Shaken, or Sickened. Alternatively, the Ranger may disarm one weapon from the target, or knock the target prone. The target may take a Reflex save in order to avoid any of these effects (DC = 10 + ½ Ranger level + current Mark bonus). If their save is successful, the Mark is still consumed, and the target suffers no ill effects. If this target fails this save, the condition last for 1 round per 3 Ranger levels (disarm and prone excluded).

Once per day – Ambush (Immediate action): Upon activating this ability, the Ranger may choose to apply their Hunter’s Mark to a target as a free action, if they have not already done so this encounter. The Ranger becomes invisible for 1 round per 2 Ranger levels, this does not provoke an attack of opportunity. If the Ranger successfully hits their marked target while invisible, they will deal an additional 1d8 damage. This damage increases by 1d8 for every 4 levels beyond 4th (2d8 at 8th, 3d8 at 12th, 4d8 at 16th, 5d8 at 20th). Targets immune to sneak attacks are unaffected by this additional damage.

“The road ahead may be dangerous, let’s go find out!”

Passive – Awareness: The Ranger may always act during a surprise round; in addition, the Ranger gains a +1 dodge bonus to reflex saves. This Bonus increases by 1 per 3 levels after 4th (+2 at 7th, +3 at 10th, +4 at 13th, +5 at 16th, and +6 at 19th).

Once per encounter – Vanguard’s Mark* (Move action): The Ranger selects a single square within 15 feet to bear the Vanguard’s Mark. While marked, the selected square projects a 30ft aura. All allies that begin their turn within the aura are granted +10ft movement bonus to their speed, until the start of their next turn. This bonus increases by 5 for every 4 levels after 4th (+15ft at 8th, +20ft at 12th, +25ft at 16th, +30ft at 20th). This bonus movement is added before the character’s armor movement penalty applies. The Mark lasts until the end of the encounter, when the Ranger dies, or when it is consumed (see below).

As a standard action, the Ranger may choose to consume the Mark and apply the “entangled” condition to all enemies within the Mark’s aura. All affected targets may take a reflex to avoid this effect (DC = 10 + ½ Ranger level + the Rangers CHA mod.). If their save is successful the affected targets suffer no ill effects. If a creature fails this save, the condition last for 1 round per 3 Ranger levels, or until the creature frees itself.

Once per day – (Move action): Upon activating this ability, the Ranger may choose to apply their Vanguard’s Mark to a target location as a free action, if they have not already done so this encounter. Enemies within the aura are always considered flat-footed against any of the Ranger’s attacks. As long as the Ranger is standing within the Aura of their Vanguard’s Mark, they cannot be flanked and are Immune to sneak attacks. In addition, the first time the Ranger enters the aura, they gain 10 temporary hit points. The Ranger may choose to divide these temporary hit points among any allies within the Vanguard’s Mark aura. These hit points increase by 10 for every 4 levels beyond 4th (+20 at 8th, +30 at 12th, +40 at 16th,+50 at 20th). The Ranger or his allies may only gain these hit points once during the current encounter, and unlike the other bonuses, these hit point persist even if the Ranger (or affected ally) moves out of the aura of their Vanguard’s Mark. These temporary hit points last until the end of the current encounter.