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I'm currently running Stolen Lands with core classes. With the release of the APG, the players are interested in using the new powers and features presented in that book.
I'm concerned about the power creep. Will the use of the APG by the PC's reduce the challenge of the AP as written? I'm not interested in the extra work that may be required to compensate for the increased power of the PC's. Thoughts?
I also just started Kingmaker, and am not using the APG at this time for a variety of reasons, including power creep.
However, 90-95% of what I have seen of the APG is very well-balanced and shouldn't impact the power level of a group in an AP too much (can't say "at all" because additional options always increase power level by some extent).
If balance is your only concern, I'd suggest allowing it, but keeping in mind that this is a book of options, and not all need to be allowed, whether due to power or flavor for the campaign.
For instance, Weapon Master? - appropriate flavor given the Sword Lords, and reasonably powered. Court Bard? - highly appropriate on flavor, but could be overpowered. Acrobat, Urban Ranger, and Protean Bloodline may not fit the campaign flavor though, regardless of power.
Paizo has done a great job of keeping the inevitable creep under control.
I have a Kingmaker campaign starting up in September and I am allowing the APG. In fact, we delayed the start just a bit so the players could use the book during character creation and save the hassle of swapping things out after we started.
My party includes a Witch, a Ranger with the 2h weapon focus, a Rogue with the Swashbuckler template, and a Cleric of Abadar using the new sub domains.
So far, everything feels fine. It's hard to tell because the first part of an AP always feels "easy mode" for veteran players. I always see the first part as setting up the story anyway.
They're set to take on the Stag Lord and Co. in our next session. That will give me a good frame of reference on their power level.
