Palodios's page

The Argument of "why pick any class over animist if animist can do all the stuff" is easily answered with flavour and action economy.

Not everbody wants to play someone who communes with spirits even If they are very versatile of what they can do. A lot of their feats are flavoured around their connection with the spirit world. Yes those can potentially be reflavoured but at that point I reckon most would rather take the particular class because they provide more feats, more customization and more possibilities to do what an animist can do but more tailored to a certain flavor or playstyle.

Everything the Animist can do comes at the cost of less actions. They might be able to fight like a martial but only have two actions in doing so. Sure they could move with Sustaining Dance but the movement is still less than what for example a fighter could do with their turn. Same with Earth's Bile. Sure you can dance around in a circle with 3 instances of the spell running (which I do think is absolutely awesome and shouldn't be restricted away but maybe nerfed?) but you lose out on spells with perhaps more utility, the possibility to react to what is happening in combat without dropping your spell. You don't excel at everything but you shouldn't be weaker. You should be able to substitute a role thats missing in a party or complement one that is already their and perhaps needs help. While looking at everything the animist could potentially do It makes sense to remember at the things they can actually do at any given moment.

I feel like the opposite. The complicated subsystems working together give the class more of an identity. They allow for more expression of flavorful themes and streamlining these systems will lead to the problem a lot of classes, especially casters have currently, which is being the same thing with a different coat of paint.

I really appreciate Paizo taking risks, straying from usual class design and I think It really pays off with these playtests. I agree that certain things are over- (Damage of Earth's Bile) and under- ( Whole Vanguard of Roaring Waters Apparition, Eye-Catching Spot) tuned , aswell as something that are clunky or bland (Sage Subclass, Sustaining Dance being so integral) but overall the classes seem to be in a good place.

I think that Pathfinder has plenty of simple streamlined classes, which have their place, and could benefit from the variety of having a few more on the complicated of the spectrum.

I really like the aspect of the spells having to be sustained, with a unique effect upon being sustained. It makes them feel like something unique. Juggling your actions around your vessel spells seems like a core part of the combat experience for the animist, which I think is something rather iconic.

Depending on which Adventure Path we will play and If my DM allows It I was thinking of reflavouring an Anadi as a Jorogumo for Season of Ghosts.

He would be a Jorogumo Animist who is reformed in the sense that he doesn't follow his base instincts anymore and instead tries to pursue that which actually brings him joy. Now he tries to help other evil yokai or kami achieve the same goal. A spirit therapist if you will.

Gameplay wise he will probably be a channeler who starts with Steward of Stone and Fire and Witness to Ancient Battles. I want him to gradually bond with new spirits over the campaign that we perhaps encounter.

As I posted in another thread but fits pretty well here

Sower of Vivid Decay:
- A spirit found around the harvest time on fields and in autumnal forest, maybe the manifestation of a large micellular network of fungi or the embodiment of decomposition in a graveyard
- Gameplay and spell wise it would be the Minionmancer apparition
- Vessel Spell could either allow it to command many minions or heal and sacrifice them, ala Final Sacrifice.
- Lore Wise definitely something like Corpse Lore and Herbalism Lore

I had two more Ideas

Hermit in Frigid Solitude:
- A spirit found mainly during Winter but also in any particularly remote or cold. It could be the soul of someone who perished in a blizzard, the spirit of a frozen forest or am embodiment of greed and hunger due to the scarcity of food during winter.
- Gameplay and spell wise they would focus on CC
- The vessel spell could be something that deals more damage the more isolated the target is. Meaning the further you push it away via CC effects the easier you can take care of it. Would also interact very well with the Grasping Spirit spellshape.
- Lore wise I think Tundra Lore and Hunting Lore

Dreamer Beyond the Void
- A spirit attracted to all things that make no sense. It could be the soul of lunatic, the embodiment of some outer god touched place or the lingering remnant of something that could never be understood.
- Gameplay and spell wise the focus would be on harmful mental influence
- The vessel spell could maybe induce friendly fire on this one but If anyone has a more flavourful Idea let me know.
- Lore Wise I would suggest Aberrant Lore and Cult Lore