I am rather disappointed by the fighter's 19th-level class feature. For comparison, at 5th and at 13th, fighters gain major class features that are quite possibly some of the best in their category: direct improvements to accuracy (and, by extension, critical hit chances) for their primary weapon. By 13th level, a fighter is legendary with their weapon category of choice, and that is fantastic. Fighter feats generally push a fighter into a specific weapon style, too.
On the other hand, at 19th-level all a fighter receives is... legendary proficiency in all other weapon categories, or merely master for advanced weapons. That is not very good. This is the level wherein backup weapons are at their absolute weakest, since the primary weapon is most likely a pile of runes, so switching away from it would be a tremendous downgrade. Backup weapons may still be necessary at times (e.g. against balors), but even then, this 19th-level class feature only really matters for backup weapons of a different category than the fighter's main weapon group of choice.
For comparison, spellcasters receive a 10th-level spell slot at 19th level. Alchemists, barbarians, rangers, and rogues get better AC on top of auxiliary benefits. Champions receive a great focus spell, and monks improve their accuracy. By comparison, the locked-in fighter capstone is "get better with your backup weapons" at the level when backup weapons are at their weakest.
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Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber
The ability seems to fit the lore behind the Fighter as the overall master of weapons. If he gets disarmed or loses a weapon, he takes the next one and keeps on fighting.
Tarkon the Brave is used to fighting with a longsword but his weapon is destroyed in the battle against a great wyrm. In the hoard, Tarkon finds a rune-carved battleaxe and is able to continue his quest to stop the vile king who is raising a legion of demon-sworn dragons against his homeland.
What story space does this ability grant the high level fighters?
When we look at archetypes that swap class abilities out, what can take this ability's place and maintain the lore of that new archetype?
BishopMcQ wrote:
When we look at archetypes that swap class abilities out, what can take this ability's place and maintain the lore of that new archetype?
Maybe something that causes any weapon you hold of x category to gain the effects of a +3 potency rune and a major striking rune or something like that? Like you're so good with your chosen weapon group that any weapon of its kind becomes supernaturally powerful in your hands?
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In advocacy of the feature, I feel it's worth mentioning that a +3 greater striking weapon (that is, one dice behind a +3 major striking weapon) is only a level 16 item. It's actually quite affordable to have a backup weapon or two of this level at 19th level. And by gaining Legendary you're getting full accuracy and Greater Weapon Specialization damage with them, making that one die not a huge loss in the end.
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Colette Brunel wrote: I am rather disappointed by the fighter's 19th-level class feature. For comparison, at 5th and at 13th, fighters gain major class features that are quite possibly some of the best in their category: direct improvements to accuracy (and, by extension, critical hit chances) for their primary weapon. By 13th level, a fighter is legendary with their weapon category of choice, and that is fantastic. Fighter feats generally push a fighter into a specific weapon style, too.
On the other hand, at 19th-level all a fighter receives is... legendary proficiency in all other weapon categories, or merely master for advanced weapons. That is not very good. This is the level wherein backup weapons are at their absolute weakest, since the primary weapon is most likely a pile of runes, so switching away from it would be a tremendous downgrade. Backup weapons may still be necessary at times (e.g. against balors), but even then, this 19th-level class feature only really matters for backup weapons of a different category than the fighter's main weapon group of choice.
For comparison, spellcasters receive a 10th-level spell slot at 19th level. Alchemists, barbarians, rangers, and rogues get better AC on top of auxiliary benefits. Champions receive a great focus spell, and monks improve their accuracy. By comparison, the locked-in fighter capstone is "get better with your backup weapons" at the level when backup weapons are at their weakest.
Extra accuracy for a ranged option (or melee option or off-hand weapon) is still really strong even if your backup weapons are one rune behind in terms of their damage.
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It should be noted that the paradigm of "your backup weapons not having the runes (and therefore, the expected accuracy and damage output) of your primary weapon" is only an artifact of the default system. The GMG is supposed to have alternate rules, including an automatic bonus progression. Presumably, under such a system, ALL of your expected accuracy and damage comes from you, not the runes on one specific weapon. So, that 19th level Fighter class feature would be more worthwhile in such a ruleset.
Oh, on top of my grievances over the fighter's 19th-level class feature, the spellcasters generally receive both a 10th-level slot on top of legendary spellcasting.
Backup weapons by this point might be +3 greater striking, but likely not major striking or loaded up with property runes.
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Colette Brunel wrote: Oh, on top of my grievances over the fighter's 19th-level class feature, the spellcasters generally receive both a 10th-level slot on top of legendary spellcasting.
Backup weapons by this point might be +3 greater striking, but likely not major striking or loaded up with property runes.
Greater striking is still pretty good if that is your only way to hit a flying target or changing weapons lets your hit a weakness/avoid a resistance or you like to pair two weapons of different categories (such as sword and shield).
It also lets you take maximum advantage of a shifting rune. It's a good ability, yo.
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