Defender of the Society Trait and Hybrid Classes

[shaxberd]

This trait is listed as only being applicable to Fighters, but what about Hybrid classes that include Fighter? For example, could a Brawler or Swashbuckler take this trait?

[Nefreet]

No.

The Fighter is still a distinct class of its own.

Some of the new classes state that their levels count as Fighter levels when qualifying for feats.

But I am unaware of any that state such for other purposes (like qualifying for traits).

[Diminuendo]

I'd allow a Swash/Brawler to take it, thinking aboutn it niether can really take unfair advantage of it - they only have access to the lighter armors

[Belafon]

The combat trait from the Faction Guide can only be taken by fighters.

The campaign trait from the Shattered Star Player's Guide (which is not PFS legal) can be taken by any class.

[Gauss]

The Brawler class has an ability that allows them to take Fighter only Feats. It would not be unreasonable to extend this to Traits but it would be a house rule.

[David knott 242]

The Brawler's Martial Training class feature could arguably let a 1st level Brawler count as both a Fighter and a Monk for traits. Of course, the trait in question also requires proficiency with medium armor to be of any use.

[Kodger]

In the Paizo Blog (mid-June?) a question was answered about retraining a hybrid class. They gave a list: for example, when you see brawler, think fighter.

The same sort of logic may apply here but I hope somebody else can give you a more solid answer.

[Nefreet]

Originally, IIRC, the hybrid classes were basically just half of one class, and half of the other.

You can still see where this assumption is written into some of the abilities.

You also couldn't multiclass a hybrid class with either of its parent classes.

But that all changed, for whatever reason, between the playtest and the final print version.

It's an okay houserule, I suppose.

But it's not how the current rules work.