Been looking through the Archetypes and seeing a few that would be great combos. The obvious limitation is that no 2 archetypes can change the same class feature of its parent class. But, I have not found a rule anywhere that stats you can not take a parent class twice.
Here are are my thoughts an how this could work. Please let me know if this would work, and any helpful suggestions.
()= archetype
ECL= Equivalent Character Level
Example1: Fighter (cad)2/Fighter (Free hand Fighter)1
This would of course become complicated in the case of wizards as they have the ability to specialize in a school of casting. My simple answer for this in to let the negatives stack for opposed schools. The wizard could not however, take the same specialization for its individual wizard levels due to duplicate school abilities.
[]= specialization
()= archetype
ECL= Equivalent Character Level
Thus a Wizard[evoker](any)1/Wizard[evoker](any) 1,ECL2 could not be a class combination despite any archetype combination.
As for Sorcerers and their Blood lines, This would replace the Crossblooded archetype, as each blood line would level separately.
{blood Line}
Sorcerer{Draconic}/Sorcerer{Abyssal}
These Bloodlines would be very character storyline related, and would have to be carefully tailored to the campaign in question.
Clerics/Paladins/Inquisitors/Oracles combinations` would be pretty much limitless and allow for polytheistic builds, ( 1 or more gods) Limitations would be corresponding alignments as most divine followers only work for those they have a connection, or shared values with. Patron Gods would have to share one alignment of the PC and Each other. However you would end up with 4 or more domains
<> god
()= archetype
ECL= Equivalent Character Level
CG Cleric()<Cayden Cailean>4/cleric()<Gorum>2
In all cases of Spell casting you would make up separate lists, just like regular multi-classing.
I'm fairly certain this is covered by the multiclassing note in the PRD:
"Instead of gaining the abilities granted by the next level in your character's current class, he can instead gain the 1st-level abilities of a new class, adding all of those abilities to his existing ones."
I would say differently archetyped classes don't count as "new classes" for the purpose of multiclassing. That having been said, as a GM I might allow it if the PC has a decent player concept and the result is not over- or under-balanced (I'm thinking the end result will more likely be the latter than the former).
Techincally the archetypes only modify the 'parent class' but you are, to use your first example, still a Fighter and cannot mutliclass into the same class.
Alternatively, you can simple make it so the character sacrifices their 'normal' bonus feats to gain the abilties (at the appropraite level).
Example: Fighter (Cad) [Normal], (Free Hand Fighter) [Alternative]
CAD
Lose
Armor Proficency (Medium, Heavy)
Tower Shield Proficency
Bravery
Armor Training 1
Weapon Training 1
Armor Training 2
Weapon Training 2
Armor Training 3
Weapon Training 3
Armor Training 4
Weapon Training 4
Weapon Mastery
Gains
Skills: Acrobatics, Bluff, Escape Artist, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth
Dirt Maneuvers
Catch-Off Guard
Payback
Razor-Sharp Chair Leg
Craven Combatant
Sweeping Prank
Treacherous Blow
Ultimate Payback
Free Hand
Feats at levels
3rd
5th
7th
9th
11th
13th
15th
18th
Gains
Deceptive Strike
Elusive
Singleton
Timely Tip
Interference
Reversal
Though honestly you could have very few feats (well thats not entierly true for fighters, as they would have the same number as a 'normal' class) and find your options more limited.
But Your Mileage Mave Vary Of Course
nifty, never thought of sacing feats for altrenates, thanks Magus Black
Interesting idea but I'm not sure I would let my players do it.
With a bit of time and good knowledge of the ins and outs of a class you could design a game breaking character.
