non caster players

[Raijun]

Let me preface this by saying maybe it's just the way our campaigns or fights have been going. I am relatively new to DND type games. The issue I find myself running into is it seems like when it comes to Caster type characters it's easy for them to be very versatile as well as do damage well. But when it comes to the melee or ranged characters it seems very simple like everyone gets power attack everyone gets vital strike but those are pretty much her only real skills and at the end of the day when it comes to your turn casters have all these options what are melee or ranged characters either hit something or they don't. So basically I'm just looking for advice on how to mix up combat Since it's not like a video game per se where has you level up you get more skills kind of like a Caster would get spells. I really hope that makes sense it took a really long time just to figure out what I wanted to ask. I'm more than happy to elaborate or clarify if anyone needs

[Ediwir]

Uh... This is the Pathfinder Playtest forums, as in the playtest for the second edition of Pathfinder.

You are referring to first edition feats, which makes me think you maybe got the wrong place?

[N N 959]

No...he or she is in the right place.

[Ediwir]

Not with Vital Strike or "everyone getting power attack".

That said, non-casters do have some flexibility and options in combat in Pathfinder Playtest. The three-action system mostly allows them to mix up attacking and utility, whether it is by using manouvers (Athletics allows grapple, trip, shove, and in some cases disarm), Intimidation (demoralise is extremely strong right now, perhaps a bit much), shields, cover, class abilities or specific feats.

The weapon traits also affect the combat style of many characters, perhaps less than it could be but certainly enough to be a factor. A fighter with greatsword pays his high damage with less action flexibility, a rogue with hatchets can count on her "area" damage. Critical specialisations further expand this difference.

Outside of combat, most utility spells have been turned into "grant a high bonus to this check" and skills have gained a lot more importance, as well as the related skill feats (which are gained at the same rate for martials and casters). Certain things still require magic, but it's certainly much less one-sided.

[Very concerned Vidmaster7]

N N 959 wrote:

No...he or she is in the right place.

o_O are you in the wrong place? I haven't seen vital strike yet and I'm pretty sure power attack is fighter only.

[Raijun]

Sorry i didnt notice. I made the post on my phone so i didnt see playtest. But yea basically it just seems like most fights your just chooseing weather to hit something or not since you dont have actual skills like specific attacks like a caster would for example.

[Vidmaster7]

Raijun wrote:

Sorry i didnt notice. I made the post on my phone so i didnt see playtest. But yea basically it just seems like most fights your just chooseing weather to hit something or not since you dont have actual skills like specific attacks like a caster would for example.

Yeah I think their is a third party product called path of war that will ad some variety to yoru martial characters but that pretty well is how they play.

Were hopeing in PF2 once everything gets situated that more options will be available. (some already are) options whee you will be rewarded for doing more then 5 foot step and full attack.

[Ediwir]

Very true in PF1, and if that's your concern you should probably head to the PF1 forums.

Much less so in PF2.

[Vidmaster7]

I'll flag it for the wrong thread. so they can move it.