lokidr's page

Organized Play Member. 38 posts. No reviews. No lists. No wishlists. 3 Organized Play characters. 1 alias.




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Most game groups have at least an unofficial "do not use" list. In Pathfinder Society, you cannot be a vivisectionist for example. Some of these are thematic: assassins don't fit in a "heroic, open and for the people" style game, at least without a strong justification.

I'm considering the more general options; those archetypes/builds/feats that just stick out as too unwieldy or just too good to allow casually into a game. To me, these options should be heavily justified before being taken and the DM should reserve the right to say "that's enough".

Craft Wondrous Item: just about everything fits into this category and extensive use (in a campaign with any significant downtime) hurt the wealth by level curve. Unlike weapons or armor, there are always more wondrous trinkets you want. The caster/normal divide doesn't need any help.
Invulnerable Rager: I'm less sure of this but the DR combined with high hitpoints seem overpowering.
Leadership: it is functionally a second character. Just a caster performing buffs is major change in power level of the party. Then there is the spotlight problem.
Master Summoner: too many actions in a longer combat for one player, too much tracking, too much headache
Musket Master: See pistolero
Non-Unchained Summoner: eidolons were given too much latitude and are too easy to break
Pistolero: they only do one thing, but that thing is win combats. The game devolves into "kill the gunslinger" which isn't fun for the DM or the player. Double barreled pistols on a pistolero just throw out too much damage or are useless and invalidate the character concept (underwater combat).
Ranger Improved Precise Shot: see Zen Archer
Sap Master: sneak attack does not need to be doubled plus twice the number of dice rolled
Slumber Hex: one save, most dangerous monster is done. It makes the game boring
Zen Archer: flurry of arrows with improved precise shot at half the normal level. Like the pistolero they either win or magic renders them entirely inert, either way is not very fun.

What is your list? Are any of these overblown?