I'm relatively sure they're meant to be underpowered since the whole point is that you're not supposed to want them in-character. It's just a plot-hook thing that you're meant to try and get rid of and try to resist.
Remember, "rule of cool" > "+2 bonus".
I thought the good necromancer archetype was useable. Some mesmerist and spiritualist options, too.
Archetypes are designed to match the theme of a particular campaign. They won't all appeal to everyone. Finding the right archetype for a campaign is an art that the subtleties of which seem lost to many.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
There was plenty of useable stuff. Serial Killer was a very reasonable evil option. Plenty of things that are neutral enough trades, like the Witch archetypes. Haunt Collector is a very significant power boost, Moon-Cursed is a boon for any build that wants a non-animal totem, and Witch Killer Slayer is great for tons of campaigns, especially now that the party can have both psychic and divine casters in it.
Ok let me be specific I guess. In the future, we may be playing Hell's vengeance and we already have an anti paladin and a necromancer. I don't like to copy others. Fen, I used to go thematic all the time but after Iron Gods, I was done with it. The game suggested Blight druid for thematic, but everything ended up immune to every single thing I could do.
Serial Killer will let you play as the substitute-Rogue. You'll become infamous amongst the resistance, and be able to terrify them, all while maintaining a mild-mannered persona as, say, a clerk for the church or state. (In fact, you might eventually work for both if you pick your social talents the right way.)
Make a Haunt Collector, whose spirits are various portions of souls they've successfully bargained for through infernal dealings. Adds some nice flavor to a good archetype. Conjuration is an excellent resonant power to replace, since it does next to nothing for you.
Life Channeler Druid could be an infernal agent (NE), using sacrifices to bargain for good harvests out in the Chelish fields, and eventually to secure personal power. (Need to make sure the GM is okay with the Leadership aspect, but Hell's Vengeance seems like one of those games where it'd be appropriate.)
Blood Alchemist could also work similarly, performing state-sponsored studies on ritualistic sacrifices and how to get power from them directly without having to bargain with devils (thus reducing the state's dependence on the church).
Living Grimoire presents a lot of opportunities, as it seems like you've already noticed.
So I felt like throwing some characters together for whatever might come up in the future, or who knows. I want to really cut loose and be something evil, or bordering on it. Something monstrous. I had a skim through Horror Adventures for ideas and I am having a few issues. While some things look neat, from lovecraft horror, to demonic/diabolic stuff, to Friday the 13th slasher stuff, I always have to stop and think about the issues pathfinder has had. By which I mean, stuff that may look neat but is ultimately trash. I lack the system knowledge to just know what is out there and what is "better" while still being fun. So, using the horror adventure archetypes, can anyone help brainstorm some ideas and help me avoid the junk? I was looking at Hangman and Bloody Jake, but at the same time they seem like they might be trash overall for a player even though they feel neat. So any ideas would be nice. Lets discuss and figure this out for someone that wants to play something other than the good guy, and rather someone villainous. Of course, I need to still be able to play in a party with others.
Not asking for full builds. Just to discuss and figure this out. Oh and if corruptions are not just throw away trash, I would love to figure them in as well. Though I do hate that for SOME reason you can't play your character anymore when corrupt enough, because that totally makes sense...
A good chunk of the archetypes really in this book are designed more for GM use, to build thematic villains for a horror campaign. I don't think I would consider Horror Adventures as a player focused splat book in the same way Occult Adventures or the Ultimate line is.
Vigilante guide and Alchemist guide. (As with most guides, these will tell you how to play a strong character- I usually tone it down from there and use the spare feats/abilities to make it more fun.) Hopefully that helps!
Here are my observations/thoughts on Horror Adventures:
Corruptions: These are really, really cool, but don't mesh with APs. They need to be the center of a campaign if they are used as-written. Alternatively, adding them to represent transitions into becoming liches or vampires or whatnot, and then playing with the template and level adjustment as evil once you succumb could be fun.
Archetypes: Mad Scientist could be viable, with a bit of flexibility and a touch of random chance added to the preparation setup. Make sure to take Iron Will and have a good wisdom though. Probably best if you make a switch-hitter alch who alternates between using bombs and melee. Mooncursed Barbarian is probably even in the end. If you pick tiger you can skip beast totem in favor of another fun choice. Or you could choose another animal and get beast totem to pounce in addition to tripping or grabbing or what have you. Living Grimoire is really fun, I have been playing one and it really helps mix up the inquisitor playstyle. The hardest part is deciding blessed scripts, as there are just so many good spells to pick. Other archetypes haven't stood out to me yet, though I like the kineticist wysp familiar talent.
Feats: Deadhand and Maddening Style seem alright if you can afford the Ki cost, Kyton Style looks awesome if you like spiked chains and vicious weapons (really fun w/gear), and if you routinely get reach, Brute style seems like a nice way to up your damage at later levels, assuming you play in a game which doesn't make tripping/prone virtually impossible. Bully Breed also looks fun for Animal Companions with accuracy problems, and as a way to buff ones with fewer natural attacks.
Spells: Lots of flashy but kinda weak options here. Hedging Weapons is a lot of fun, Waves of Blood is a nice AoE sicken and has a bit of control options, and barbed chains looks like an efficient low-level debuff spell (trip+shaken). Rest seem more useful for rather specific campaign types.
Gear: Vampiric and Greater seems like a fun enhancement for martials, but is probably overpriced (still might be worth using in concert with kyton style). Many Eyed Staff looks like it has some more use than most staves. Kyton Ring looks like a sturdier, less versatile robe of infinite twine, and the rings of alien geometry are fantastic. Portal rings are always fun.
Overall: Looks like a book that is much better for GMs than players, but it has a few gems for players hoping to play something wierd. RP advice for horror games, and the new fear rules are probably my favorite parts of the book, though I doubt they are helpful to the OP.
Hope these can help.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I, personally, love the Dreadnought barbarian. The hexenhammer is a cool inquisitor too.
I'll offer up prayers and sacrifices for your GM. It sounds like she is going to need it. Your every comment in this thread is extremely negative. Try having fun with it.
I like the creature templates. I've already found a use for the Dread Lord template in my game, have plans for the Kryton Apostle template for another NPC, and am I looking for an appropriate creature for the Implacable Stalker template.