So, Ultimate Intrigue has set a spark, a desire to either run or play in a Vigilante only campaign. I thought that I would turn to the boards to help work some of the potential wrinkles out. For purposes of this thread I will assume that I am 'forced' to run it. The main idea is to use Pathfinder to to create a sort of fantasy street level supers game. My biggest question at this point is is if I should allow my players to dip into other classes? The main reason that I am considering this is because a Vigilante idea of my own seems to practically require a level or two of Investigator.
If it strikes you that way, I'd bet it strikes some others of the people you game with the same way. Maybe at least half their levels have to be in the Vigilante class, if you need a less absolute rule? Most will go Vigilante-only but there will likely be some dips.
Yeah, it is probably to find some way, such as making people pick Vigilante as their favored class, to focus on the class rather then out right forbid anything else.
Could just use Gestalt: Vigilante//other class.
So they can be anything else to help out.
Because Hulk seems like a Vigilante (Brute)//Monk (he uses fists mostly)
Captain America like a Vigilante//other class (Fighter or Cavalier due to all the team based feat he takes)
Spiderman seems like Vigilante//other class (Rogue or some danger sense adding class like Barbarian).
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Firstly, as a side question, why would you need to dip Investigator? Isn't there a Vigilante Talent for Inspiration? Investigator's a great class, but you get very little from only a dip that you don't from just taking that Talent.
Could just use Gestalt: Vigilante//other class.
So they can be anything else to help out.
Gestalt isn't a bad idea and would synchronize well with the 'supers' thing.
That said, I'm not sure it's necessary. Vigilante Archetypes can handle all roles decently if not spectacularly. For example:
Because Hulk seems like a Vigilante (Brute)//Monk (he uses fists mostly)
Brute actually has a Talent for using Monk damage progression, so no multiclassing is needed here.
Spiderman seems like Vigilante//other class (Rogue or some danger sense adding class like Barbarian).
Ditto here. The Wild Soul Archetype's arachnid totem gives uncanny dodge (and all Stalkers can get it anyway).
There is one problem that this bit brings up:
Captain America like a Vigilante//other class (Fighter or Cavalier due to all the team based feat he takes)
Captain America actually isn't a Vigilante and shouldn't be. He entirely lacks a secret identity.
So do you want to allow people to play a character without a real secret ID? If so, restricting the game to Vigilantes is weird and unnecessary. If you don't allow that, you get a very different vibe from if you do. Think on it.
To answer your side question, because his civilian persona is a PI.
Hulk seems like a Vigilante (Brute)//Monk (he uses fists mostly)
Captain America like a Vigilante//other class (Fighter or Cavalier due to all the team based feat he takes)
I disagree with this. Hulk doesn't have a secret identity, so I think he'd just be a Ragechemist (Alchemist)/Master Chymist. When he's not under the effects of a mutagen, the alchemist parts would perfectly represent Bruce Banner. No vigilante or monk needed at all. Plus, Hulk really has no connection to ki.
Captain America doesn't have a secret identity either, so he would be a Shield Champion (Brawler). Shield Champion is basically specifically made to be what Cap is.|
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I disagree with this. Hulk doesn't have a secret identity, so I think he'd just be a Ragechemist (Alchemist)/Master Chymist. When he's not under the effects of a mutagen, the alchemist parts would perfectly represent Bruce Banner. No vigilante or monk needed at all. Plus, Hulk really has no connection to ki.
I tend to agree. Though I'd give him a couple Barbarian levels as well (for Rage, y'know).
Captain America doesn't have a secret identity either, so he would be a Shield Champion (Brawler). Shield Champion is basically specifically made to be what Cap is.
Captain America also has a few levels of Paladin, IMO. Paladin (Oath of Vengeance) 4/Brawler (Shield Champion) 11+ is probably the best way to go to represent him.
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Actually, I don't tend to think any of the Avengers should really be Vigilantes. Some other superheroes (like Spider Man and Batman) probably should, but the Avengers are mostly a bit high-profile and secret-less for that.
The Avengers mostly wouldn't be 'street level' supers anyway. Hawkeye and Black Widow maybe, the rest are kind of out of that class.
What I would do if I were to run such a game, is let the players know that the theme of the campaign will be battling injustice in an urban setting and even the authorities will cause problems for them if they can. Suggest that one way to deal with this sort of thing is baked into the Vigilante class, and they are allowed to go that way. It isn't the only way to get around that issue though, and if some players want to try a different method they should be free to do so.