could I get an official clarification of what this rule =
"Note that the Advanced Player's Guide includes new rules that are not archetypes and therefore are not valid submissions for Round 2 of RPG Superstar. Examples of these invalid rules are barbarian rage powers, cleric subdomains, alternate classes like the anti-paladin, ranger combat styles, rogue talents, sorcerer bloodlines, wizard schools, alchemist discoveries, cavalier orders, oracle mysteries or revelations, summoner evolutions, or witch hexes or patrons. Your submission must be an archetype."
is specifically saying?
Is this saying that mentioning or using these rules are out of bounds? or that development of these specific subsets of rules are grounds for dismissal if its not an archetype
The rule refers to many other mechanics which "customize" a class, in a way that might be comparable to an archetype. For example, a new oracle mystery gives you a very different "flavor" of oracle than the existing mysteries do. And yet, an oracle mystery is not considered an archetype, and submitting an oracle mystery instead of an oracle archetype is grounds for disqualification.
Many of the examples are talking about "built-in" class choices - a wizard chooses his spells; a rogue his rogue talents; etc. Making these choices for a character - even if you're providing a new option for some choices - is not an archetype. Swapping out existing mechanics for different mechanics is.
Thats what I thought but I just wanted to get a clarification