[Tripod Machine] Adventuring Classes: A Fistful of Denarii, it's that time again


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A Fistful of Denarii has been an evergreen seller, so I do what I can to keep it up to date. With the Advanced Class Guide and Pathfinder Unchained out, I think it's time to revisit the designs in the book again. I already have some ideas for some revisions, but I really want some input from you. If you have an axe to grind, now is the time to speak up!

What do you like about each class? What do you not like? What do you see as the central themes of each class?

Some initial thoughts:

Beastmaster: A fighting duo. Originally, this was based on the barbarian, with rage being swapped out for the druid's animal companion. Now, it makes sense to compare it to the hunter (ACG).

Bounty Hunter: A ranger-rogue hybrid that focuses on a single target. This class has had its toes substantially stepped on by the slayer (ACG). Is there something notable about this class that warrants it being revised? What if anything distinguishes it from the slayer (bounty hunter)?

Corbie: A variant fighter that trades heavy combat for better skill use and save advantages. This one is probably the least affected by recently published material, although I feel like I should eyeball it in relation to the unchained rogue. I also find myself wondering if the corbie would thrive as a grit/panache class, or if that would push it too close to the swashbuckler.

Corsair: The corsair is a pretty straight-up fighter-rogue hybrid with a nautical theme. As such, I'm looking at elements of the unchained rogue that might apply.

Gladiator: The gladiator is basically a fighter variant with some barbarian and monk thrown in. I have some thoughts about turning the gladiator into a panache class. On the other hand, I could see adding some variation on the warpriest's sacred weapon ability.

Hunter: Obviously needs a rename. I don't think it needs a lot of changes, but maybe some enhanced prowess with critical hits.

Knight: The cavalier and samurai now cover a lot of the same ground archetypally. In terms of abilities, I think I missed in beat in making this character an effective diplomat. It was built as a fighter-bard hybrid, but I think it may need a little more bard.

Martial Artist: May need to be re-examined in light of the brawler and monk unchained.

Scholar: The unchained rogue may warrant some adjustments in this class. When it was written, the scholar had this realm almost all to itself. Now the Investigator has moved into similar territory.

Scout: As this class was based heavily on the rogue, I am looking at the unchained rogue to make some tune-ups. I may also modify their targeted strike slightly.

Spy: Already more of a variant rogue or mega-archetype rogue, the unchained rogue begs some obvious comparisons, especially with regard to when some skill unlock abilities come online.


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The Beastmaster could use access to teamwork feats. I like the class as a spell-less Hunter before there was a Hunter. The Wild Child archetype for Brawler steps on it's toes but I think it has a place if it's updated.

Bounty Hunter thematically feels short compared to the Slayer, mostly because the slayer has a lot of support. The Corbie has a similar story but mechanically is in a better place. Could merge the two.

Corsair feels a bit limited now due to the seafaring theme. I haven't seen one in play and never felt the need to play one.

Gladiator being a panache class would be nice but its mostly fine as is.

Hunter getting a new name is good. It is fairly unmodular so I think that part could use an update.

I know that Cavalier and Samurai take a lot of thunder from Knight but I think it could share the Order class feature. I also value the Knight for being less mount focused so losing Heavy Cavalry would be helpful and be enough to distinguish it from Cavaliers.

I think you'd be doing everyone a favor if the Martial artist gained Ki Powers instead of some of it's abilities so that the Unchained Monk and The Martial Artist can gain some better ki powers. Either that or lose Ki altogether and gain synergy with style feats. I feel like if it's updated Ki or style is the way to go. Style feats are probably thematically a better idea as it would quickly differenciate it from the Brawler and Monk.

Scholar probably needs nor changes.

Scout and Spy feel a bit out-themed by Unchained Rogue and Slayer.

Overall I think Scholar is your heaviest hitter in terms of styles and themes I can't play in the core rules. Knight, Beastmaster and Gladiator follow beyind that. The rest could use some re examination and possibly steal or merge abilities given that Slayer and Unchained Rogue does kind of step on the toes of a third of the classes. I wouldn't worry too much about the Unchained Monk, there's a lot of mixed feelings there.


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RJGrady wrote:
Knight: The cavalier and samurai now cover a lot of the same ground archetypally. In terms of abilities, I think I missed in beat in making this character an effective diplomat. It was built as a fighter-bard hybrid, but I think it may need a little more bard.

The Knight could focus more heavily on class abilities that inspire/make people fighter better and social than the Cavalier/Samurai. Maybe instead of being a fighter/bard it's a cavalier/skald.

I think that's one thing you should explore with all your classes: now that there are more classes with more features you should consider which ones fit your classes better.

Above everything keep to the best point of the original which was providing a greater variety of non-spellcasting classes. That's still needed!

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