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I am curious.
What character classes do people see the most in PFS in their area? Are Alchemists very common? Fighters? Sorcerers? Rogues?
What character classes do people see the least in PFS in their area? Are Clerics very rare? Gunslingers? etc.
I am wondering is there a difference between what people like to play in the North East? The South East? The North West or South West of the US?
How about other parts of the world? Europe? Asia? Australia?
I'm just curious
Thanks
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Online, I have seen maybe two Clerics played. Face-to-face, I'm the only one I know of (South Mid-west/Afghanistan).
In both, Monk, Magus, Paladin, and Sorcerer are very common, as are Fighter (usually Cad or Lore Warden), pretty much in that order, I think. Inquisitor and Witches (online only) are also very popular. Ranger (usually ranged) and Druid are pretty common as well. Summoners and Alchemists had been, but it seems to have dropped off a lot in the last few months. With the playtest ACG, Bloodrager, Slayer, and Warpriests are a little common as well.
Cleric, Rogue, Cavaliers (except for Halfings with cheese), & Oracles tend to be very rare, (as do most of he other ACG classes), with everything else sort of fitting in the middle. There is almost always a Bard, or Wizard, but not usually more than one, and also I can't remember anyone saying that they would switch theirs out because there would be two in the party.
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16
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In my area (Asheville, NC), martial classes are probably the most popular, especially the fighter (and even including the samurai). Oracles, especially Life oracles, are also very popular. Rogues are a fairly common sight as well.
Full arcane casters are pretty rare; I can think of maybe 3 played locally, each a different class. Same story with clerics and monks. I think I've only ever seen two of each running around, including my own characters. I don't remember the last time I saw a magus.
Venture-Lieutenant, Finland—Tampere
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I actually did some simple grunt work using the database that has about 90% of Finland's non-convention players' characters on it. I counted all incidences of a class, without separating single-class and multiclass characters.
In descending order of popularity: Fighter, Ranger, Barbarian, Cleric, Rogue, Bard, Monk, Wizard, Alchemist, Paladin, Inquisitor, various prestige classes, Sorcerer, Oracle, Cavalier, Druid, Ninja, Magus, Gunslinger, Summoner, Witch, Bloodrager, Samurai, Warpriest, Slayer, Brawler, Shaman, and there are none of the remaining five ACG playtest classes.
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I have seen a pretty wide range of classes played in my area (Edmonton, AB). After playing a dozen scenarios the only things I have yet to see played here are Druid, Cavalier, Summoner, Magus, Samurai, and Ninja.
Sorcerer seems to be the full caster of choice around here, martials are a pretty mixed bag of barbarians and fighters with the occasional paladin running around. I am a little surprised that I don't see more clerics out there, and have had a rogue in the group for more adventures than I expected given how little love they seem to get on the boards these days.
Then again, messageboard opinions and what people like in real life often have little correlation.
EDIT: I have not seen any Advanced Class Guide playtest classes in PFS here yet.
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When I go to conventions here in Northern California I tend to notice more martial types than low hit point caster types. There have been plenty of tables that I've GMed or played at with no healer. Trapfinding Rogues are scarce as well (despite that being my highest level character). Grappling builds and characters with Animal Companions are usually at every table.
I wonder if it would be possible to implement some sort of survey at conventions, or maybe take a tally of what classes are signed up on Warhorn before the weekend is over. Would be a fascinating exercise in statistics.
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We're surprisingly mixed in Richmond, VA. Our lodge is big enough that I can't say I've seen what everyone plays, but I haven't seen any one dominant class. Most classes are represented by at least 3 characters. The most under-presented classes would be cavaliers, gunslingers(?!) and samurai. We actually have more straight rogues than we do cavaliers and samurai combined!
The full arcane classes (wizard/sorcerer/witch) have 2 or 3 characters each, but taken as a whole I think we're arcane light. We have a good dose of Magus players though, so it works out. Also, I know a lot of GM PC's are full casters being pulled through low levels, so that plays a part.
ACG classes haven't really been tried out much here, as far as I know. I've seen one low level bloodrager, but only once. I think we're all waiting for the book to come out so we don't have to deal with class changes mid-character.
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I may be wrong here, but rogues seem rather underrepresented. And by that, I mean skill monkeys who can disable traps and pick locks. That's why one of my characters dipped into rogue for one level and why another carries five skeleton keys on him at all times. Seems most rogues take archetypes that remove those aspects or they just don't use them because they don't do damage.
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RPG Superstar 2014 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2013 Top 16
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It seems weird to me that a couple of people have mentioned Lore Wardens being popular. I think I've got the only one in my area, and most people who ask about my character (which happens when I keep out-Knowledging the bard) aren't familiar with the archetype.
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I play in southern california, with a large player base that encompasses groups from L.A., Temecula, San Diego, Irvine, Lake Forest, Long Beach and more.
I see a large amount of variety and some VERY good players. The ACG playtest classes are still somewhat rare here, though I've seen a few. Other than that, I'd say the class I see the least here in PFS is probably the Cavalier.
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Nobody understands the cavalier! lol
I've been playing off and on alongside a cavalier for a good while. It seemed like a particularly tanky version of a front line fighter, but really nothing to get excited about. I'd see the character every now and again, and it was always nice to have as a frontliner but otherwise forgettable.
I played alongside it in a recent Siege of the Diamond City group, and the Cav had hit its level 8 powers. The player hardly ever moved his character- he just spent the whole time using a special ability to let US get a movement (or take some nice bonuses to defense or attack) and verbally directing the battle. It was a 6 hour long shining moment of awesome that forever changed my view of the class. At the end of the mod, we were all willing to follow that Cavalier into hell. It was the best sessions I've ever had.
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Going off the last six months of sign ups at our FLGS, I put together a list of single-class characters played, a list of multi-classes played and a list of prestige classes played. I'm going off our online registration, so I don't have all the info but it's a good robust sample.
Obviously with single classes, multiple folks played that type of class. If only one person listed their archetype, that's the only archetype in parenthesis (although multiple archetypes may have been played). The least represented single class in play were ACG classes, the ninja, the witch and the samurai.
When you move to multi-class characters, those tend to be more unique although more than one person might have played a Fighter/Cleric. Optimizers, gird yourself for some of the...interesting...combinations that may hurt your brain.
For prestige classes, those are all unique characters.
PURE SINGLE CLASSES (various archetypes played if known):
Alchemist (mindchemist, internal alchemist)
Bard (archeologist, arcane duelist, archivist, dawnflower dervish, lotus geisha, prankster, shadow puppeteer, thundercaller)
Barbarian (invulnerable rager, urban)
Cleric
Druid (naga aspirant)
Fighter (archer, crossbowman, viking)
Gunslinger (pistolero, musketmaster)
Inquisitor
Magus (Kensai)
Monk (tetori, qinggong, four winds, zen archer)
Ninja
Oracle (dual-cursed, life, lore, metal)
Paladin (stonelord, oath of vengeance, hospitaller)
Ranger (urban)
Rogue
Samurai (sword saint)
Shaman
Skald
Summoner (evolutionist)
Swashbuckler
Warpriest
Witch (winter witch)
Wizard
MULTI-CLASSES:
Barbarian (urban)/Alchemist (crypt breaker)
Barbarian/Monk/Magus
Barbarian (sea reaver)/Sorcerer
Bard (arcane duelist)/Magus (kensai)
Bard/Druid
Druid/Barbarian/Monk
Fighter/Rogue/Ranger/Barbarian/Monk
Fighter/Cleric
Fighter/Inquisitor
Fighter (lore warden)/Monk (maneuver master)
Fighter/Ranger
Fighter/Ranger/Wizard
Fighter/Rogue
Fighter/Wizard
Inquisitor/Monk (zen archer)
Investigator/Monk
Magus/Samurai
Monk (sohei)/Alchemist (ragechemist)
Monk (qiggong tetori)/Barbarian (brutal pugilist)
Monk/Cleric
Monk/Oracle
Oracle/Paladin
Rogue/Fighter
Rogue/Gunslinger
Rogue/Summoner
Rogue/Sorcerer
Sorcerer/Wizard
Wizard/Sorcerer (sage)
PRESTIGE CLASSES
Bard/Shadow Dancer
Bard (Dawnflower Dervish)/Rogue/Halfling Opportunist
Bard/Fighter/Eldritch Knight
Druid (wolf shaman)/Horizon Walker
Fighter/Horizon Walker
Holy Vindicator
Ranger/Rogue/Horizon Walker
Ranger (freebooter)/Horizon Walker/Fighter (lore warden)
Rogue (Sniper)/Magus/Arcane Archer
Summoner/Dragon Disciple
Wizard (shadow caster)/Pathfinder Savant
eta: this is for my FLGS in Chicago
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I dislike seeing the "medium sized cavaliers in dungeons" item brought up these days. With feats like Narrow frame, spells like Carry Companion, the hosteling armor enchant and such, the notion of a lack of mount utility in enclosed spaces has been vastly reduced.
Read the animal archive, knights of the inner sea, faiths and philosophies, etc. Options have been introduced.
Do not perpetuate old notions that are no longer fully valid.
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I play in southern california, with a large player base that encompasses groups from L.A., Temecula, San Diego, Irvine, Lake Forest, Long Beach and more.
I see a large amount of variety and some VERY good players. The ACG playtest classes are still somewhat rare here, though I've seen a few. Other than that, I'd say the class I see the least here in PFS is probably the Cavalier.
Also being a resident of the SoCal area, I'd have to second Lamontius' statement. I've only ever seen one Cavalier played and it was a pregen used by a first time player, one time only. I've also yet to see someone run a Samurai.
I'm from Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Most common: Fighter, Sorcerer, Cleric, Monk, Barbarian.
Very Rare: Wizard (!), Cavalier, Paladin, Witch, Druid, Prestige classes in general except for Dragon Disciple.
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Our area seems to go in waves. We had a Ninja/Rogue craze for a while, then Alchemists, following a certain Season 4 scenario where they appear and are quite effective. Now there are a few Inquisitors running around together. Most of our Clerics are also bunched up in level, and at one point we were looking at a potential Eyes of the 10 group with three Clerics (though I think one of the players might be planning to use his Gunslinger now).
We only have one active Gunslinger (there used to be another, but he hasn't shown up in months), that I know of, and only two Monks.
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I dislike seeing the "medium sized cavaliers in dungeons" item brought up these days. With feats like Narrow frame, spells like Carry Companion, the hosteling armor enchant and such, the notion of a lack of mount utility in enclosed spaces has been vastly reduced.
Read the animal archive, knights of the inner sea, faiths and philosophies, etc. Options have been introduced.
Do not perpetuate old notions that are no longer fully valid.
I'll disagree, and that is still the number one complaint I hear. I'm not really sure any (or all) of those help at all. But, I'm happy to agree to disagree. :)
Am curious though, have you noticed an influx of Non-Halfling/Small-sized Cavaliers since then? I have one, which I believe is the only medium one I have seen ever in PFS, with the exception of someone that dipped just to get the Axe Beak.
3 Monks.
2 ea. Rogues, Druids, Rangers and Wizards.
1 ea. Fighter, Cleric, Paladin/Sorcerer, Witch, Magus, and Barbarian.
0 ea. Everything Else (so far).
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This is what I've seen so far in the South-West of England:
Cleric - 3
Wizard - 4
Sorcerer - 3
Rogue - 3
Paladin - 1
Barbarian - 2
Ranger - 2
Witch - 1
Oracle - 1
Gunslinger - 1
Monk - 2
Alchemist - 1
Magus - 1
Bard - 4
Inquisitor - 1
Druid - 1
Cavalier - 1
Summoner - 2
Oddly, I've never seen anyone playing a Fighter in my locale.
PFS is fairly new in my City (Baton Rouge). Not counting level 1, Characters I can remember are:
Sorcerer/Orcale (levels 4/1)
Paladin (level 5)
Druid (level 4)
Ninja (level 4)
Inquisitor (level 3)
Cleric/Rogue (level 1/1)
Fighter/Barbarian (level 1/1)
Summoner (level 2)
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Venture-Lieutenant, Indiana—Martinsville
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The class you will see the least is the lowly Wizard. Lousy mechanics aside, it is an expensive class to run properly/well in the society organized play, as full price for scrolls and items that is supposed to be half price (IE, making it yourself) for the overall balance perspective puts the poor Wizard at a disadvantage.
With keeping track of spells separately from spellbooks, having more consumables than other character would have and constantly being "Poor" the other caster, the Sorcerer, having a limit of only knowing a few spells that can be cast over and over makes switching from the Wizard to the Sorcerer a given.
The more popular few are the staples, Fighters (easy to run, level, "get"), Sorcerers (See above), Barbarians, Oracles and Clerics.
There are dips often into Gun Slinger (Obvious why), Lore Warden archtype fighter, and various rogue archtypes that augments the character build.
I say that the disappointing missing link is the Rogue, with her sis, the Ninja, tailing behind. Paladins are on an upswing since we have the new season that needs them.
The Summoner seems to be cooling off, since the overall rules confusion seem to make for strained play with GM's that get sour looks after various rulings and clarifications that, even though they may be correct, the player vehemently disagrees with. Others see this and look elsewhere for classes to play.
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Here in Colorado, we have a pretty active PFS community and I've seen Bifgoot as many times as I have a Rogue that wasn't the Merisiel Pregen. (for the record, Zero in both cases)
I'll echo what was said above about Cavaliers being playable in PFS. UMD (and a few Druid Spell Scrolls) was all it took to play a nonmunchkin 'normal sized' Cavalier. The advent of Hosteling armor makes it even easier.
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Venture-Lieutenant, Indiana—Martinsville
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They spend more on consumables and likely spends new cash on upkeep of those consumables. Now, I will admit, a smarter player than I can play a fire and forgetful Wizard, using Archtypes and being crafty using their abilities not related to casting spells, spells being very few at lower levels. most of the time, though, Wizards have less gold than their fellow Pathfinders.
I have seen a couple of Wizards (Particular players that are few and far between) but most go to the pretty girl sorcerer instead.
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We're surprisingly mixed in Richmond, VA. Our lodge is big enough that I can't say I've seen what everyone plays, but I haven't seen any one dominant class. Most classes are represented by at least 3 characters. The most under-presented classes would be cavaliers, gunslingers(?!) and samurai. We actually have more straight rogues than we do cavaliers and samurai combined!
The full arcane classes (wizard/sorcerer/witch) have 2 or 3 characters each, but taken as a whole I think we're arcane light. We have a good dose of Magus players though, so it works out. Also, I know a lot of GM PC's are full casters being pulled through low levels, so that plays a part.
ACG classes haven't really been tried out much here, as far as I know. I've seen one low level bloodrager, but only once. I think we're all waiting for the book to come out so we don't have to deal with class changes mid-character.
I'll confirm most of this. I know of several GMs (myself included) who have casters as GM monkeys. We are, however, about to get around 3 more clerics of Besmara in the mix, which will change the mix in some interesting ways. I think that's the upcoming fad, and in part due to the Undine GM boons from MarsCon.
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PFS is fairly new in my City (Baton Rouge). Not counting level 1, Characters I can remember are:
Sorcerer/Orcale (levels 4/1)
Paladin (level 5)
Druid (level 4)
Ninja (level 4)
Inquisitor (level 3)
Cleric/Rogue (level 1/1)
Fighter/Barbarian (level 1/1)
Summoner (level 2)** spoiler omitted **
As the the Venture Lt mentioned in the spoiler, I have a Inquisitor 9, Cavalier 5 (huntmaster!), Fighter 4, Summoner 2, Cleric 2, Sorcerer 3 (unplayed GM credit baby), and a seventh with GM credit that I haven't even made yet.
In addition to what was mentioned, we have a few barbarians and clerics out there, a ranger, a bard, a summoner, a samurai, and a as of late an explosion of ninja. Don't know why. New people keep trying out the pregen, finding out how non-optimized it is, and then come back with a black-clad death machine they pulled together themselves. Go figure.
New Orleans has a good representation of all the core rulebook classes. I've come across a few inquisitors, alchemists, witches, oracles, and summoners. And I think there is a gunslinger and a magus out there too. I've seen one other cavalier besides myself.