Are these part of the game, or are they gone?
I know archetypes got streamlined, but I didn't hear something about PrCs.
I haven't heard anything about them yet. It's probably too early to say.
I will note that Pathfinder didn't emphasize PrCs very much, so I don't expect Starfinder to do so either.
Of course given the big changes they made to how Archetypes work, if we do see PrCs I suspect they will look very different than the ones we are used to.
The only clue I have so far is that Everyman Gaming's Alex Augunas converted several Pathfinder prestige classes to Starfinder archetypes. At this point, I have no idea whether that is his individual preference or it is perhaps something more.
I'm working on making a few PF->to->SF PrC conversions.
Humorously, one of the classes I've had the most difficult time with was one I thought would be super straight-forward. But SF's "science fantasy" and lower level/smaller spell-list magic casters means there are fewer things to refer to in the book, plus demand rules elements and tricky interactions that I really never considered.
It's really cool to learn about the system that way!
I'm not entirely sure how balanced they are - I've had no chance to play-test them, after all - but I'm working on making them as "clean" as possible, as well as balanced-apparent - as much as I can, anyway - with the base classes.
It should work like normal multiclassing, but with the requirement of certain skills or feats (chosen from SF's lists instead for conversion purposes, as necessary).
I'm absolutely certain many people won't like them. But that's just because many don't like them in principle. Same deal with 9th level spellcasters.
Obviously, my tastes vary.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
To each their own!
I'm having fun, though!
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
My guess is, Prestige Classes are gone. Their function will be fulfilled by Archetypes, instead.
Even those got streamlined. From the early rules in the Core Rulebook, all archetypes replace the same abilities every time.
The reason why I'm asking this is because some... kinds of characters/specializations kinda cannot be made into an archetype or even a regular class.
Given that Pathfinder has mostly eliminated Prestige classes (as compared to archetypes) I would say I would expect to see very few prestige classes.
Also, I would expect them to be like the two options that are in CRB already, where they simply replace features of your base class.
For archetypes to be used more, they need to be better than the current two and characters (especially Envoy and Solarian) need to be able to spend feats in order to make up for the loss in abilities they get. It sucks being an Envoy and only having one real combat trick until 8th level.
I think archetypes that use an "every other slot" approach might gain some traction. Instead of swapping out abilities at 2nd, 4th, and 6th levels, perhaps one that swapped at 2nd, 6th, and 12th.
I personally really like the idea of archetypes that only replace higher level abilities. The one downside that I could see with this is that some classes will be affected more than others and since high level abilities are more powerful it would be easier to mess with balance. For instance a soldier really doesn't need more combat greats, but a solarians really does want the high level Revelations.
Initially I read a post about how the devs (can't remember which one) didn't like PrC. I thought they were going to start fazing them out, but even the newer books have included them, and they got some feat love making them more viable, so who knows, maybe the thoughts have changed.
Piazo in general doesn't like multiclassing or prestige classes. Archetypes I think are a good middle ground, or at least could be. I do think that some classes are really punished at lower level right now when they take an archetype.
Starfinder Design Lead
|
| 5 people marked this as a favorite. |
The only clue I have so far is that Everyman Gaming's Alex Augunas converted several Pathfinder prestige classes to Starfinder archetypes. At this point, I have no idea whether that is his individual preference or it is perhaps something more.
Nothing in any 3pp product, regardless of who wrote, developed, edited, or published it, should ever be taken as an indication of what Paizo is or isn't going to do with Starfinder in the future.
It's only when Owen says "Here it is!" You can say that.
Could you give some examples? Because I cannot think of any off the top of my head. At least, aside from "this is a PrC you need to get an in-setting organization to allow you to take", which is something Paizo seems to want to avoid with good reason.
The reason why I'm asking this is because some... kinds of characters/specializations kinda cannot be made into an archetype or even a regular class.
Merging with a powered armor or a spaceship.
Merging with a powered armor or a spaceship.Could you give some examples? Because I cannot think of any off the top of my head. At least, aside from "this is a PrC you need to get an in-setting organization to allow you to take", which is something Paizo seems to want to avoid with good reason.
The reason why I'm asking this is because some... kinds of characters/specializations kinda cannot be made into an archetype or even a regular class.
That seems like it could be done with new Technomancer spells or Mechanic tricks.
That seems like it could be done with new Technomancer spells or Mechanic tricks.Merging with a powered armor or a spaceship.Could you give some examples? Because I cannot think of any off the top of my head. At least, aside from "this is a PrC you need to get an in-setting organization to allow you to take", which is something Paizo seems to want to avoid with good reason.
The reason why I'm asking this is because some... kinds of characters/specializations kinda cannot be made into an archetype or even a regular class.
Ok, hear me out on this one: in a setting known as Dragonmech (think of a post-apocalyptic steampunk world with mechs), there was a prestige class that literally merged you with your mech to the point where you became paralysed and fused to the core.
In Starfinder, I'm pretty sure you can merge your brain with your starship or your powered armor :P
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Or with an archetype built around it. Or around each one, "one with my armor" and "one with my spaceship" are rather different ideas.
True, they would need to be separated, but here's the real problem: you... cannot get a decent powered armor at early levels, and that goes for starships as well. As such, archetypes wouldn't work since you would need to be around 10th level to benefit from even owning these things.
That's why a Prestige Class would be better.
A pilot archetype (requiring the Ace Pilot theme at least) would work better, since you can get your hands on a basic lvl. 1 ground vehicle. Starships? Levels aren't even given for each frame :P
Or with an archetype built around it. Or around each one, "one with my armor" and "one with my spaceship" are rather different ideas.True, they would need to be separated, but here's the real problem: you... cannot get a decent powered armor at early levels, and that goes for starships as well. As such, archetypes wouldn't work since you would need to be around 10th level to benefit from even owning these things.
That's why a Prestige Class would be better.
You know you can create archetypes that don't kick in until 9th or 12th level, right? Both the archetypes in the CRB kick in at 2nd, but archetypes in general are not bound to that.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
is it me or owen said in some where before the launch which says like there is 9th level spells but you must do some things special to get them" aka there is prcs who cast the 7th to 9th level spells but you must complete some pre requiste events.
At the moment wish and miracle are in the game as capstones for the Technomancer and Mystic respectively.