Opinions on the Name-Keeper Shaman archetype


Advice


I found the Name-Keeper Shaman archetype very intriguing, but I've seen no comments here in the forums. Is it worth it? You lose Wandering Spirit and Hex. Guess it could be very beneficial to a melee Shaman with the Battle spirit. What about casters? Which spirit (and then spirits) would be recommended? Would a gish build be possible/recommended? I do play home games, guess could have an 18 in two stats with Dual Talent


I should probably mention my rolls 16,15,15,15,14,13 and the fact that we could start at about level 6 and go on quite slowly. But I was looking primarily for more general advice on the archetype.


This link shows the archetype better


While losing wandering spirit and wandering hex archetype do hurt some, I think the abilities the Name-Keeper gets in return are about what you lose. If you want to play a spellcasting-focused shaman, the Lore spirit is a good idea since Versatile Hex will let you pick up Arcane Enlightenment.

The Waves spirit would also be an interesting pick because of the Fluid Magic Hex and the way it interacts with the Pathfinders Past (Spells) feature.


Ventnor wrote:
The Waves spirit would also be an interesting pick because of the Fluid Magic Hex and the way it interacts with the Pathfinders Past (Spells) feature.

Thank you very much for your reply! Indeed, preparing two "spirit lists" in your regular slot seems quite powerful. Maybe worth giving up Arcane Enlightenment. I'll try to figure out the best spirits to pick in this case. I don't know about Swords... Looks like when you adventure, either you rely on combat or on spells. It is true that the Shaman offers also Hexes which can interact well with both


Technically it is absolutely horrible, since it doesn't alter the Shaman's spells class feature at all, and the shaman's spells feature says that have to contemplate with your spirit animal to prepare spells, and this archetype doesn't have one, so you can't prepare spells at all.

Obviously that isn't the intent, and I doubt any GM would rule that way and I expect Paizo/PFS would clear that up but I do find it amusing.

Personally, I'd rather have a familiar than a broken wayfinder bonded object, and spirit animals are a little better than regular familiars.

The other trades seems more balanced, but I don't think they are quite as good as what the original had.


Dave Justus wrote:

Personally, I'd rather have a familiar than a broken wayfinder bonded object, and spirit animals are a little better than regular familiars.

The other trades seems more balanced, but I don't think they are quite as good as what the original had.

Thank you very much for your opinion! I don't mind the bonded object but I can see your point. Never having played a Shaman, I cannot figure out if it loses both in power and flexibility.

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