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After these four and a half months of release, I think some of us have had the opportunity to experience the game’s features enough to have a vague idea for what each class excels at. I think we’ve all had enough of the debates about caster and martial disparity, so I’d like to open up what each class can contribute generally to a group, as this is a group game, where each member should be able to contribute, and I think this is the strongest point of Pathfinder Second Edition. But, I’d ask that all of the spell/caster/fighter/martial disparity/lack of action interaction be left to the other seven or eight threads on that group of topics.
These are my thoughts so far on the strengths of each class:
Alchemist: Best in-combat versatility with concoctions to adapt to varying situations (Mr. Quick Trick)
Barbarian: Best damage on hit, health, and melee AOE options (Sir Smash and Bash)
Bard: Best class support with sustained buffs and debuffs with the possibility of a skill monkey and knowledge support (The Battle Bro)
Cleric: Best heals and undead slaying (Saint Savior)
Champion: Best armor and reactions to reduce damage (Melee Mitigation)
Druid: Best balanced spell list with heals and damage as well as the possibility for shape changing and one PC party (Wild Were)
Fighter: Best in attacking and, well, fighting by living up to its name (Boom Headshot with a spoon )
Monk: Best our-the-gate action economy, speed, and poor person’s armor and weapon even though they be rolling in dough (Zippy Can’t Hit Me)
Ranger: Best action economy with weapons single-target fixation (When Hunter Crosses the Line into Stalker Territory)
Rogue: Best all-around through skills, above average possible damage, and eventual debuffs (I’m Biased But They Be the Best even if they don’t have any good dual wielding feats)
Sorcerer: Best face with charisma casting and best flexible spell use having four slots of each level as well as possible best AOE damage and magical choice (Pretty and Powerful)
Wizard: Best weakness spell exploitation, preparation versatility with crafting and scrolls, and show that knowledge is power (Razmir’s Really Right there’s no difference between a god and man if you know your enemies’ weaknesses)
Please feel free to add in more to what you think makes each class really good at what it does.
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It's a decent list for somebody wanting an overview for picking a class. That said, I have quibbles as you can likely tell from the length of my response. :)
While I think that versatility is an Alchemist's main strength, I don't think they're the strongest at that. A spontaneous caster w/ a diverse spell list does better on the fly IMO. And a prepared caster does better given time.
(Yes, that leaves them at best at nothing except Crafting.)
This thinking also applies to exploiting a Weakness re: Wizards, which I think favors a spontaneous caster too (if they can get a diverse set of spells). At least on the fly that is.
The Wizard has preparation, including prepared versatility, as well as several neat spell tricks, but crafting & knowledge are anybody's strength, especially since there are Wis-based knowledge skills in PF2.
(I'd also argue Rogues or Bards are better at knowledge skills.)
For Fighter I'd add action & reaction efficiency. Many of their feats blend actions, often saving an action or delaying MAP. Others give extra Reactions, which is pretty valuable.
I'd also they're the weapon specialist, as in if you want to specialize in one weapon (or group), they are the best.
Ranger: While they do need to use Hunt Prey, giving them that single-target vibe, Rangers aren't that great at action economy. This is partly because a Monk begins ahead of them and partly because Rangers constantly have refresh Hunt Prey as enemies die. They can hardly juggle having an animal companion too.
I think their strength is in their MAP via Flurry. Their 3rd+ attacks are legitimate, while for most others they might not bother. (I find this funny, since Ranger has so much use for its extra actions.)
(The boost to damage w/ Precision is also competitive.)
Possibly Rangers make the best throwers due to Hunt Prey, Far Shot, and Quick Draw (until they get a Returning Rune). A thrower is almost obliged to MCD Ranger if not already one.
Bards are as good a face as a Sorcerer, and possibly better because they get more skills. Bards are the best full caster at skills.
Monk: Mobility needs to be stressed more. They aren't just fast, but accomplished in all sorts of 3D actions. (Compare Flying Kick 4th, to Fighter/Barb getting similar feat at 8th, Rogues at 12th!)
Also, best Saves in game. Best exploitation of weaknesses for a martial.
Champion: Best anti-evil, or I should say anti-EVIL. Most fiends have Weakness to Good damage, and Champions can dish it out in many ways.
Also Lay on Hands worth a mention.
I don't think a Rogue's damage is in the "peak" category (though it's certainly competitive). I think the Dex-to-damage option is worth mentioning, being unique to them, but also freeing up stat points for mental stats on a semi-martial PC.
Thanks for the mental exercise.
Cheers.