Contributor
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Hi all. I'm running a Tier 3-7 scenario next week and hope to attract some new players, so I've just been going through the fourth level pregenerated characters. Since there are 38 of them (!), I thought I'd create a summary sheet for folks to read instead of handing them a stack of paper fifty-odd sheets thick.
Basically, I'll present the 38 classes in alphabetical order with the summary description from the Classes chapter of the book they're from, the name, gender, and race of the pregen, and the brief personal description of the character from their sheet. So the first three entries would look like this, for example:
Alchemist: The alchemist is the master of alchemy, using extracts to grant him great power, mutagens to enhance his form, and bombs to destroy his enemies. The pregenerated alchemist is Damiel, a male elf. Obsessed with transmutation, Damiel began to use his alchemical creations on himself. Within him now lurks a mad and capricious second self.
Arcanist: Blending the power of the sorcerer with the versatility of the wizard, the arcanist draws upon a reservoir of power to bend magic to her will. The pregenerated arcanist is Enora, a female halfling. Brainy and cheerful, Enora is relentless in her pursuit of forbidden arcane knowledge, and possesses enough lost cultures’ secrets to make her a force to be reckoned with.
Barbarian: The barbarian is a brutal berserker from beyond the edge of civilized lands. The pregenerated barbarian is Amiri, a female human. Competitive and brash, Amiri is imposing in armor covered in small trophies from her kills. She speaks little of her past, and only her giant-sized sword gives any hint about her history.
But wait, that's not all. I want to add one sentence at the end of each description that reads "[Character classes] are X to play," where [Character classes] will the plural form of the class in question and X will stand for one of these three options:
Easy: recommended for players new to RPGs.
Moderately complex: Some experience with RPGs recommended.
Quite complex: A high degree of familiarity with the Pathfinder rules is recommended.
I don't want to get any more complicated than three options on that bit, and, as you can probably guess, the reason I'm bringing this to you good people is to solicit advice and input on which of those three categories of complexity each of the 38 classes fall into. Frankly, I think I'm either overestimating or underestimating the complexity of pretty much all of them, because of the 38, I only have four listed as "easy" in my rough draft (cleric, fighter, rogue, and sorcerer) and seven as "quite complex" (the six Occult Adventures classes and the summoner), with the remaining 27 all listed as "moderately complex."
Thoughts?
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Contributor
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Hmmm. Well, I guess instead of handing them fifty-plus pages I'll be handing them six pages as this document wound up coming in at over 2,500 words. I'm pasting in my first draft pass in spoiler tags here to give a clear idea of what I have in mind. But as I said in the original post, I'm not at all settled on the "degree of difficulty" ratings for each class.
Moderately complex: Some experience with RPGs recommended.
Quite complex: A high degree of familiarity with the Pathfinder rules is recommended.
Alchemist: The alchemist is the master of alchemy, using extracts to grant him great power, mutagens to enhance his form, and bombs to destroy his enemies. The pregenerated alchemist is Damiel, a male elf. Obsessed with transmutation, Damiel began to use his alchemical creations on himself. Within him now lurks a mad and capricious second self. Alchemists are moderately complex to play.
Arcanist: Blending the power of the sorcerer with the versatility of the wizard, the arcanist draws upon a reservoir of power to bend magic to her will. The pregenerated arcanist is Enora, a female halfling. Brainy and cheerful, Enora is relentless in her pursuit of forbidden arcane knowledge, and possesses enough lost cultures’ secrets to make her a force to be reckoned with. Arcanists are moderately complex to play.
Barbarian: The barbarian is a brutal berserker from beyond the edge of civilized lands. The pregenerated barbarian is Amiri, a female human. Competitive and brash, Amiri is imposing in armor covered in small trophies from her kills. She speaks little of her past, and only her giant-sized sword gives any hint about her history. Barbarians are moderately complex to play.
Bard: The bard uses skill and spell alike to bolster his allies, confound his enemies, and build upon his fame. The pregenerated bard is Lem, a male halfling. Short and well-dressed, Lem always seems to have a smile on his face and a perfect joke for any situation. He always jumps to support people who are being stepped on. Bards are moderately complex to play.
Bloodrager: Fusing the frenzy of the barbarian with the bloodline might of the sorcerer, the bloodrager calls upon innate power to give himself extraordinary abilities. The pregenerated bloodrager is Crowe, a male human. A man of few words, Crow keeps a tight hold on the storm that always rages inside him, letting it loose only on the battlefield. Bloodragers are moderately complex to play.
Brawler: Focusing on hand-to-hand combat, the brawler mixes the martial artistry of the monk with the specialist training of the fighter. The pregenerated brawler is Kess, a female human. Kess wears her bruises and scars as proudly as she wears the medals adorning her outfit. She isn’t afraid to say what’s on her mind, especially when facing authorities who try to tell others what to do. Brawlers are moderately complex to play.
Cavalier: Mounted upon his mighty steed, the cavalier is a brave warrior, using his wit, charm, and strength at arms to rally his companions and achieve his goals. The pregenerated cavalier is Alain, a male human. Alain wanders as he wills, taking commissions when they suit his fancy. Thanks to his prowess on the battlefield, warriors are often drawn to fight at his side, and to Alain’s secret surprise he’s developed quite a knack for leading them. Cavaliers are moderately complex to play.
Cleric: A devout follower of a deity, the cleric can heal wounds, raise the dead, and call down the wrath of the gods. The pregenerated cleric is Kyra, a female human. Kyra has sworn her life and sword arm to Sarenrae, vowing to protect the helpless and to not spare the blade when the time for redemption has passed. Clerics are easy to play.
Druid: The druid is a worshiper of all things natural—a spellcaster, a friend to animals, and a skilled shapechanger. The pregenerated druid is Lini, a female gnome. The gnome Lini has a way with wild creatures, but seems eccentric to people—as evidenced by the bundle of sticks she guards closely. A faithful snow leopard, Droogami, stalks near her. Druids are moderately complex to play.
Fighter: Brave and stalwart, the fighter is a master of all manner of arms and armor. The pregenerated fighter is Valeros, a male human. Noble at heart, and fiercely loyal to his friends, Valeros nevertheless hides such sentiments under a jaded and crass demeanor, frequently observing that there’s nothing better than ending a day with an evening of hard drinking and a night of soft company. Fighters are easy to play.
Gunslinger: The infamous gunslinger is that rare warrior who foregoes blades and bows in favor of the mysterious art of black powder. The pregenerated gunslinger is Lirianne, a female half-elf. Lirianne has set her sights on a life of adventure and faces any problems the world throws at her with both barrels blazing. Gunslingers are moderately complex to play.
Hunter: Though both the druid and the ranger can have animal companions, the hunter takes this bond to the next level, forming a deadly duo with her savage ally. The pregenerated hunter is Adowyn, a female human. Adowyn wanders the Inner Sea as a bounty hunter, with her wolf, Leryn, at her side. She is quiet around people, but often engages in animated conversations with Leryn as the two of them track their prey. Hunters are moderately complex to play.
Inquisitor: Scourge of the unfaithful and hunter of horrors, the inquisitor roots out the enemies of her faith with grim conviction and an array of divine blessings. The pregenerated inquisitor is Imrijka, a female half-orc. Imrijka serves the church of the death goddess Pharasma. She also assists her adopted grandfather with his work consulting on religious antiquities. Inquisitors are moderately complex to play.
Investigator: With the rogue’s cunning complementged by the alchemist’s magical talent, the investigator is a peerless problem solver. The pregenerated investigator is Quinn, a male human. Urbane, comfortable in both high society and low, and quick with a joke, Quinn was chased from his homeland for exposing the corruption in its legal system, but still works tirelessly to uphold the law and defend the innocent. Investigators are moderately complex to play.
Kineticist: With a connection to the elements, a kineticist can bring forth energy in the form of kinetic blasts. Instead of casting psychic spells, the kineticist uses unique psychic spell-like abilities called wild talents to manipulate elemental energy and matter. The pregenerated kineticist is Yoon, a female human. Prone to fits of giggling and goofiness, Yoon is a joyful child despite the terrible tragedies she’s endured. Wit the help of Gom-Gom, her stuffed owlbear, she plans to become a brave adventurer just like her late mother. Kineticists are quite complex to play.
Magus: The magus blends both the mage’s arts and the warrior’s arms with devastating results, slicing apart foes and blasting them with eldritch flames. The pregenerated magus is Seltyiel, a male half-elf. For years, Seltyiel rotted in a dungeon, listening to dark whispers. Now free, he wields the magic he has learned in a quest for vengeance. Magi are moderately complex to play.
Medium: By contacting spirits in places of power, the medium allows the personalities of legendary heroes to overcome his own, vastly changing his abilities and spells. He holds séances to benefit himself and his allies. The pregenerated medium is Erasmus, a male human. Once tormented by the voices in his head, Erasmus has come to realize that they are the spirits of his murdered family, and now seeks to avenge them. Mediums are quite complex to play.
Mesmerist: A mesmerist’s piercing stare lets him insinuate himself into other people’s minds. A master of enchantment and illusion, the mesmerist controls and influences the behavior of others. The pregenerated mesmerist is Meligaster, a male halfling. Raised as a slave in Cheliax, Meligaster learned how to channel his natural persuasive powers into powerful magical influence over others, making him a master manipulator with a cruel sense of humor. Mesmerists are quite complex to play.
Monk: A student of martial arts, the monk trains his body to be his greatest weapon and defense. The pregenerated monk is Sajan, a male human. Dutiful and dedicated to the arts of battle, Sajan is precise in both combat and interaction. His search for his sister Sajni defines his life. Monks are moderately complex to play.
Ninja: Mystical powers augment keenly honed reflexes to make the ninja a deadly spy and assassin. The pregenerated ninja is Reiko, a female human. Unassuming when she wishes to be, Reiko is a master of disguise and subtlety, and absolutely deadly when she strikes. Ninja are moderately complex to play.
Occultist: To make use of his powers, an occultist channels psychic energy into a varied collection of antiques and mementos with stories pasts. Every type of implement allws him to sue a different school of magic. The pregenerated occultist is Mavaro, a male human. Quick with his strange but fascinating stories, Mavaro knows much about the world but speaks little of his past. His obsession with finding esoteric relics makes him invaluable to the Pathfinder Society. Occultists are quite complex to play.
Oracle: Drawing upn divine mysteries, the oracle channels divine power through her body and soul, but at a terrible price. The pregenerated oracle is Alahazra, a female human. While her detractors call her cold, in battle Alahazra’s rage—especially toward injustice and intolerance—flares out in a wall of divine flame. Oracles are moderately complex to play.
Paladin: The paladin is a knight in shining armor, a devoted follower of law and good. The pregenerated paladin is Seelah, a female human. A young paladin, Seelah believes she allowed the knight Acemi to die, and wears her hair in the same style in tribute. She hopes to dary on the good work that Acemi might have done. Paladins are moderately complex to play.
Psychic: With her incredibly potent mind, the psychic can cast spells that are more powerful than those of members of any other occult class. She accesses these spells through a specific discipline, and can bend and amplify psychic spells as she casts them. The pregenerated psychic is Rivani, a female human. Rivani is studious but imaginative, and she sees it as her duty to experience life and develop a mature philosophy by using her psychic gifts to help others grow. Psychics are quite complex to play.
Ranger: A tracker and hunter, the ranger is a creature of the wild and of tracking down his favored foes. The pregenerated ranger is Harsk, a male dwarf. A gruff, taciturn loner, Harsk is atypical for a dwarf in that he prefers plains and forests over dark tunnels in the mountains. Rangers are moderately complex to play.
Rogue: The rogue is a thief and a scout, an opportunist capable of delivering brutal strikes against unwary foes. The pregenerated rogue is Merisiel, a female elf. Never the sharpest knife in the drawer, Merisiel makes up for this by carrying at least a dozen of them on her person at any given time. Rogues are easy to play.
Samurai: The samurai is a disciplined warrior whose skill is matched only by his impeccable sense of honor and iron-hard resolve. The pregenerated samurai is Hayato, a male human. Hayato cuts a stern and sileng figure. Exiled for avenging his master’s murder, he now travels as a ronin, serving whatever cause seems noble. Samurai are moderately complex to play.
Shaman: Calling on the divine power of the oracle and the hexes of a witch, the shaman communes with her spirit animal to unleash doom upon her foes. The pregenerated shaman is Shardra, a female dwarf. Shardra travels the world, guarded but curious, uncovering lost treasure and listening to the tales ithas to tell. Permanent bonds chafe her, but her hear softens toward any who wander. Shamans are moderately complex to play.
Skald: Sharing fury through song and deed, the skald takes the rage that lives in the heart of the barbarian and inspires it in others using the performances of the bard. The pregenerated skald is Hakon, a male human. To keep the tales of heroes he hopes to emulate fresh in his mind, Hakon embroiders representations of their stories into cloth badges sewn along the hem of his long coat. His retellings fill his companions with unparalleled battle spirit and combat prowess, further cementing Hakon’s own growing legend. Skalds are moderately complex to play.
Slayer: Mixing the precise strikes of the rouge with the special training of the ranger, the slayer hunts down his foes with ruthless efficiency. The pregenerated slayer is Zadim, a male human. Zadim provides his church with deadly solutions to problems that cannot be solved through diplomacy and forgiveness. He has trained for years to be a killer, and kill he must, whether in the name of his goddess, his homeland, or his church. Slayers are moderately complex to play.
Sorcerer: The spellcasting sorcerer is born with an innate knack for magic and has strange, eldritch powers. The pregenerated sorcerer is Seoni, a female human. Seoni is meticulous, with many long-term plans in mind at all times. She’s bound by codes she doesn’t reveal, and keeps her emotions tightly bottled. Sorcerers are easy to play.
Spiritualist: Attuned to the spirits of the dead, a spiritualist forms a bond with a phantom—a returned spirit that has unfinished business but did not become undead. This spectral ally can alternate between forms, emerging from the safety of the spiritualist’s mind to take on an incorporeal form or an ectoplasmic body. The pregenerated spiritualist is Estra, a female human. Caring but a touch mischievous, Estra learned a great deal about empathy upon the death of her beloved husband, Honaire. She now uses her psychic magic and Honaire’s loyal spirit to guide others. Spiritualists are quite complex to play.
Summoner: Bonded to a mysterious creature called an eidolon, the summoner focuses his power on strengthening that connection and enhancing his strange, otherworldly companion. The pregenerated summoner is Balazar, a male gnome. Despite occasional moments of maudling reflection on all he has lost, Balazaar takes comfort in his enduring friendship with the eidolon he rescued from oblivion so long ago. Summoners are quite complex to play.
Swashbuckler: Combining the prowess of the fighter with the determination of the gunslinger, the swashbuckler is an acrobatic melee combatant. The pregenerated swashbuckler is Jirelle, a female half-elf. Jirelle is a friendly sort with a biting wit and a charming personality. Plunder and cruelty hold no appeal for her, but she has a vendetta to fulfill. Swashbucklers are moderately complex to play.
Vigilante: By day, the vigilante maneuvers through society, dealing with other nobles or influential individuals. By night, he dons a disguise and an utterly different set of goals, taking the fight to his foes and solving problems with a blade when words will not suffice. The pregenerated vigilante is Aric of Halvon, the Red Raven, a male human. Aric is a wanderer who wields his courtly charms as an outspoken defender of liberty and peace. When nothing can stop an injustice but cold steel, Ari dons his disguise, and the Red Raven flies once more. Vigilantes are moderately complex to play.
Warpriest: Blending the cleric’s divine miht and the fighter’s martial skills, the warpriest brings the fight to the enemies of his faith. The pregenerated warpriest is Oloch, a male half-orc. A quiet, brooding warrior with a disturbing love of violence, Oloch is scornful of those who pick on weaker opponents, but nonetheless takes it as a given that might makes right. Warpriests are moderately complex to play.
Witch: Lurking on the fringe of civilization, the witch makes a powerful connection with a patron that grants her strange and mysterious powers through a special familiar. The pregenerated witch is Feiya, a female human. Feiya may one day try to track down the parents she barely remembers, but for now she is content to roam the world, developing her newfound power. Witches are moderately complex to play.
Wizard: The wizard masters magic through constant study that gives him incredible magical power. The pregenerated wizard is Ezren, a male human. A pragmatist, skeptic, and atheist, the self-taught wizard Ezren often comes across as gruff and curmudgeonly, but his mastery of the arcane arts makes him a valued member of the Pathfinder society. Wizards are moderately complex to play.
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Contributor
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This really seems like a good idea, but maybe better done as a spreadsheet?
Six pages of text is not particularly scannable at high speed, which kind of seems like the thing you'd want for this purpose.
Good points. I'm not sure what it would look like in a physical form I could hand over at the local game shop as a spreadsheet, though. Like a chart or graph or something, I guess?
Perhaps breaking them down by difficulty, and then only handing them the sheets for "easy" or "quite complex" or "moderately complex". Then you'd aim to have those be 2-3 sheets, which shouldn't be hard to parse
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Good points. I'm not sure what it would look like in a physical form I could hand over at the local game shop as a spreadsheet, though. Like a chart or graph or something, I guess?This really seems like a good idea, but maybe better done as a spreadsheet?
Six pages of text is not particularly scannable at high speed, which kind of seems like the thing you'd want for this purpose.
Well, what are your goals for this sheet?
I'm inferring that you have a few characteristics you want to define for each pregen and you want people to be able to quickly differentiate between them.
Right now, you've got 30+ lines of unstructured text, and the important stuff is at the end, and it takes a lot of time for someone to read that far. If they start trying to skip through it, because there's too much and there's not much time, it's a difficult task to quickly identify where each line ends and read the class's complexity. So even though it's faster than trying to grok each individual class, it's still going to take a while.
You could try to structure the content itself in a way that makes it easily scannable. The first thing you probably want to do is put the important stuff first, right? So get the complexity information up front and center. If you put this in a spreadsheet you could have the complexity in its own column and a new player could just scan the column looking for the right level of complexity without having to read the whole thing.
Putting this information in the same spot will also help, that's why I suggested a spreadsheet. Columns or tabs in other types of documents will serve much the same function, but it takes a little longer to make.
To make scanning any type of text faster, you can try to color-code this stuff. As long as the colors are high-enough contrast, people can still read the text fine, but if every pregen that's very complex is red and every pregen that's very easy is blue, that makes the whole operation go even more quickly.
You could also cut down on the content, or provide a cheat sheet for the cheat sheet. You've got two types of information that are really important--class name and difficulty, right? So you could make a cheat sheet with only those two types of information on them.
There are a few ways to wrap this up into one approach. CrystalSeas has a really good idea--limiting the data always helps. In addition to that, you can reduce things to names and colors and sort by color--a list of all the easy classes, a list of all the hard classes, and then the really hard classes.
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I can't do tables here so here's a freeform example, something you could stick in front maybe. Help people whittle the list down a bit before the dive into your longer descriptions.
Cleric, Fighter, Rogue, Sorcerer
Alchemist, Arcanist, Barbarian, Bard, Bloodrager, Bloodrager, Cavalier, Druid, Gunslinger, Hunter, Inquisitor, Investigator, Magus, Monk, Ninja, Oracle, Paladin, Ranger, Samurai, Shaman, Skald, Slayer, Swashbuckler, Vigilante, Warpriest, Witch, Wizard
Kineticist, Medium, Mesmerist, Occultist, Psychic, Spiritualist, Summoner