|
Yep, there are just shy of thirty different classes represented among the current pregenerated characters. They are currently missing the Iconics from the Advanced Player's Guide and the Magus from Ultimate Magic (and the Unchained classes, I guess), but from what I've seen they are on the list of things that Management would like to get to. Until then, we'll have to settle for every other class that has been printed.
|
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
For brand new players, I find that asking them what they're interested in and then providing a curated choice of pregens based on that is the way to go, because not all pregens are created equal. For instance, if a player says that they're interested in playing a wizard, I'll recommend the Seoni pregen, or possibly the arcanist depending on how familiar they are with pathfinder.
|
|
| 4 people marked this as a favorite. |
For brand new players, I find that asking them what they're interested in and then providing a curated choice of pregens based on that is the way to go, because not all pregens are created equal. For instance, if a player says that they're interested in playing a wizard, I'll recommend the Seoni pregen, or possibly the arcanist depending on how familiar they are with pathfinder.
I just hand them Crowe, king of pregens.
Them: "I'd like to play a wizard."
Me: "You should instead play Crowe, because he's the wizard of bashing."
Them: "So is he actually a wizard?"
Me: "...of bashing, yes."
|
|
I personally only bring the core pregens and leave the rest at home, because I don't want new players trying to learn the Occult Adventures classes at the same time they are learning the game.
Same here. I only ever bothered to print the 10 Core pregens (Harsk doesn't count), and I bring them to every con and game day, in case someone needs one.
|
I have printed out and laminated all of the pre-Occult pregens. They are in a 3-inch binder along with blank character sheets, faction cards, grapple flowcharts, and a few other PFS things, and they take up most of the binder.
I think there's already choice paralysis. We might as well keep adding more! (Schedules and priorities allowing, of course.)
Every now and then we break out a pregen we haven't tried before when we need to round out a table of 3 or something. My last attempt was Hayato. Early in the scenario he and his horse fell into a pit trap and he had no way of getting the horse out... the combined party didn't even have the carrying capacity to lift it! It was a complete Harsk moment.
|
Designer
|
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
For brand new players, I find that asking them what they're interested in and then providing a curated choice of pregens based on that is the way to go, because not all pregens are created equal. For instance, if a player says that they're interested in playing a wizard, I'll recommend the Seoni pregen, or possibly the arcanist depending on how familiar they are with pathfinder.I just hand them Crowe, king of pregens.
Them: "I'd like to play a wizard."
Me: "You should instead play Crowe, because he's the wizard of bashing."
Them: "So is he actually a wizard?"
Me: "...of bashing, yes."
He's clearly a singing ice...err lightning wizard of some sort.
|
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
I find that there are a lot of experienced players grabbing pregens to fill table slots for which they don't have an appropriately leveled character.
Also, why would you ever give Amiri over Crowe?
In case anyone wanted to go surfing on that enormous sword of hers?
He's clearly a singing ice...err lightning wizard of some sort.wordsI just hand them Crowe, king of pregens.
Them: "I'd like to play a wizard."
Me: "You should instead play Crowe, because he's the wizard of bashing."
Them: "So is he actually a wizard?"
Me: "...of bashing, yes."
I once handed that song to a player using the pregen. I think that might become a mandatory addition to the sheet.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
He's clearly a singing ice...err lightning wizard of some sort.For brand new players, I find that asking them what they're interested in and then providing a curated choice of pregens based on that is the way to go, because not all pregens are created equal. For instance, if a player says that they're interested in playing a wizard, I'll recommend the Seoni pregen, or possibly the arcanist depending on how familiar they are with pathfinder.I just hand them Crowe, king of pregens.
Them: "I'd like to play a wizard."
Me: "You should instead play Crowe, because he's the wizard of bashing."
Them: "So is he actually a wizard?"
Me: "...of bashing, yes."
...and my day has just been made.
|
|
I'd like to be able to 'try out' a Magus, an Alchemist, or a Cavalier without having to *build* the darn thing first and make a ton of mistakes on it.
That may make me weird, but having a solid viable character I can 'plug and play' when I'm trying things out is kind of neat?
That being said, I'm sure it'll come up someday, just need to hang on until then.
|
I'd like to be able to 'try out' a Magus, an Alchemist, or a Cavalier without having to *build* the darn thing first and make a ton of mistakes on it.
That may make me weird, but having a solid viable character I can 'plug and play' when I'm trying things out is kind of neat?
That being said, I'm sure it'll come up someday, just need to hang on until then.
I don't know where you can find the Magus, but for the Alchemist AND the Cavalier, play the Master of the Fallen Fortress. It's even tier 1, so you can play it twice. Or you could even play it 6 times total and also play an Inquisitor, Oracle, Summoner, or Witch.
Edit: Note these 6 lvl 1 pregens are only legal in that module for PFS. Technically if you have a GM that would be willing you can use those pregens outside of that module for non-PFS credit.
David, I don't think those pregens are currently legal, even for use in MotFF, as they are built on a 15 point chassis, not a 20 point chassis.
If you search, though,m you should be able to find a thread by Nefreet with his sample builds for first level PFS-legal PCs for the APG classes, and the Magus, I think. Not sure how many he completed before he got sidetracked with another project, though.
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Because maximum optimization is not the end-all, be-all of character design
I don't like Crowe solely because he does more damage. Crowe gives a new player something to grow into, more than I feel Amiri does. An equal learning floor, but a higher ceiling.
First level, Amiri has Power Attack and Rage - good concepts to work with at first level, not overly complex. You do have to remember Killer, but critical hits are an easy trigger to remind you of that one.
Crowe gets power attack, but has furious focus - you explain to the player how Power Attack works in 95% of situations, but let them know 'there may be an exception - I'll let you know when it applies for now' (Likely on an AOO). Then rage, just like Amiri. But, he also has his Elemental Strikes to tack on once per day - not necessary, but something else for the player to use.
Then, level 4 - Amiri has rage powers (Guarded Stance and Powerful Blow) which are alright for learning - small buffs that you have to choose when to use, but don't have to use. Amiri just raging and power attacking works just fine, but there's room to grow with Cleave and her Rage Powers.
Crowe at level 4 touches on more opportunities, IMO. You can still Rage and Power Attack, and that will work fine, but now you get to learn about something new: Spells! He doesn't need them and there's a safety in place to keep the player from getting bogged down with options - there are only two! Neither are attacks, so you don't have to go over all the conditions for a ranged attack/ranged touch attack, and one of them is even Personal. So a player can learn about casting a spell, casting time, and casting defensively, but Crowe isn't useless if they don't feel up to it yet. (He starts with 3 more AC than Amiri - the shield boost is just icing).
This continues at level 7 - Amiri gets 1 more Rage Power (Surprise Accuracy) and a feat that isn't explained - Improved Bull Rush. But she's got iterative attacks now, so you can also fit in Full Attacks (if someone playing Lvl 7 Amiri isn't comfortable with/hasn't gotten a chance to full attack).
Crowe improves greatly but suffers a bit in usability at 7 as he increases to two pages - but those two pages are now amazing. Spell versatility is increased (level 2 spells, including Glitterdust and Burning Hands (elec)) and summary descriptions of all of his spells (including the potions/oils he has). He gets the full attacks like Amiri too. Best part: Even if you cut off the spells section completely, a player with level 7 Crowe is still a good, contributing member to the party (Handle Animal, Intimidate, Climb, Perception, CLW wand, composite bow) - something that some of the pregens have trouble with.
Anyway, I love Crowe, I've had plenty of new players love Crowe, Crowe is great.
NOTE: I am aware that a player can't go from playing Crowe as a Pregen to making their own Crowe.0 if they don't have the book - I think that's terrible reasoning and that we should just get rid of anything but Core pregens if that's your justification.
|
|
I've played Shardra at all three levels.
She starts off like pretty much any non-rage-gimmick 1st level, gets solid (no pun intended) at L4 and then becomes a team Swiss Army Knife by L7 based on play experience.
This is not a bad thing.
I'd hate to show up and wanting to play someone who can cast spells and fight with a sword (magus) and be given Crowe or Ezren... "But you'll do moar damage!"
|
Venture-Agent, Minnesota—Minneapolis
|
Also, why would you ever give Amiri over Crowe?
The obvious answer is some people want to play a pre-gen of a particular gender. I tell them go ahead and change the gender but still they often go for the one with the picture that calls to them.
On a mechanics basis, Amiri has:
Better Hit Points (although Crow almost catches up at level 7)
Better Will save (except at level 7)
Better skills
Less ACP
Better healing supplies
If you could swap out her sword at level 7 for a +1 Furious, they would be a lot closer in combat ability.
The ACG pre-gens are generally much better built than the previous ones. Part of it is new content, another part of it is Mark S. did an awesome job building Crowe.
I'll be honest here, Crowe is my favorite with Quinn a close second. Quinn has the jacket and skills, but Crowe has the song.
|
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
why would you ever give Amiri over Crowe?Because maximum optimization is not the end-all, be-all of character design
Is your goal to allow the new player to feel like they're contributing? I find that is typically key to a fun experience. How about minimizing the amount of math they have to do, which intimidates a lot of players?
Amiri is flavorful and interesting. So is Crowe. The difference, especially for first level, is that Crowe is also easier to use and generally more effective. Crowe doesn't scare people away from the game. As Keith pointed out, as well, later iterations of Crowe also introduce additional concepts in bite-sized portions, which is appropriate for a new player. Crowe's design is the equivalent of Mario 1-1 as a tutorial.