Would you allow a PC to select an archetype, but not choose all the features of the archetype?
For example: a PC wants to be a Free Hand Fighter archetype, but does not want the Deceptive Strike ability received at 2nd level, instead, the PC would like to keep Bravery.
Would you allow a PC to select an archetype, but not choose all the features of the archetype?
For example: a PC wants to be a Free Hand Fighter archetype, but does not want the Deceptive Strike ability received at 2nd level, instead, the PC would like to keep Bravery.
No. Part of playing the game is taking the good with the bad. I am sure he would want to face a monster that could decide to ignore some of its weaknesses.
No. Part of playing the game is taking the good with the bad. I am sure he would want to face a monster that could decide to ignore some of its weaknesses.Would you allow a PC to select an archetype, but not choose all the features of the archetype?
For example: a PC wants to be a Free Hand Fighter archetype, but does not want the Deceptive Strike ability received at 2nd level, instead, the PC would like to keep Bravery.
This. While I wouldn't want to categorize any PC ability as a bad ability, I would say that each archetype has a flavor and everything supports that flavor, and part of the point is to replace them all (whether they're stronger or weaker than what they replace). That's also part of how they're balanced - since you can take multiple archetypes as long as they affect different things, if you allow something to be left out, it can then be used for another archetype.
A similar question would be: Would you let the player play a small character and benefit from the +1 to attack and AC, without also forcing them to use small weapons?
Would you allow a PC to select an archetype, but not choose all the features of the archetype?
For example: a PC wants to be a Free Hand Fighter archetype, but does not want the Deceptive Strike ability received at 2nd level, instead, the PC would like to keep Bravery.
I'd decide it on a case-by-case basis. A lot of the time, the changes are not just for flavour, but to balance each other out. One ability is replaced by a stronger one, so another will be replaced by something weaker. In such cases, letting a player only get the stronger ability will unbalance things.
In this instance (free-hand fighter without deceptive strike), I'd probably allow it.
Would you allow a PC to select an archetype, but not choose all the features of the archetype?
For example: a PC wants to be a Free Hand Fighter archetype, but does not want the Deceptive Strike ability received at 2nd level, instead, the PC would like to keep Bravery.
I'd decide it on a case-by-case basis. A lot of the time, the changes are not just for flavour, but to balance each other out. One ability is replaced by a stronger one, so another will be replaced by something weaker. In such cases, letting a player only get the stronger ability will unbalance things.
In this instance (free-hand fighter without deceptive strike), I'd probably allow it.
+1
If the Player has a concept that isnt met, and we can put it together without producing some monstrosity, Im willing to put forth some effort.
+2 Here. If it's just a case of min-maxing then of course not. However sometimes it's just to get the mechanics to match the personality of the character rather than gain more power. In this case Bravery is nothing special in the long run and the player in question is probably picking it to match their concept.