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So I've been working on my house rules and I noticed a lot of things that I like from other editions that I feel not only could work for Pathfinder, but work better.
In 5e, for the most part your character build is done at 1st-3rd level when you pick your archetype. After that you're pretty much just rolling dice until the game is over.
That doesn't mean that everything in that system is bad, in fact they have a lot more options in their core releases than Pathfinder did. One of those big choices was a particular background, which worked sort of as a Sub-class which gave you certain skills and narrative tools, I think this is something we could work into Pathfinder.
Issue is, we sorta already have a background system similar to 5e's with Traits and Drawbacks. I don't intend to touch those.
I was thinking about piggybacking the concurrent progression systems that Pathfinder has with Corruptions and Mythic and coming up with a new type of system that enhances characters based on the NPC classes.
At 1st level, 3rd level, and every three levels thereafter in this supposed system a PC would gain access to a background ability, or sub-class ability. They should all be fairly weak options, with one big ability (like a free optimal feat or something) that gives the player more power based on who they were before they were an adventurer. These choices need to be made at 1st level.
Commoner: The most generic of them, it will count as Universal and all the options available to the Commoner will be available to all characters. Options would include general feats and abilities like Additional Traits, Improved Saving Throw feats, Extra [class feature] feats, and other feats that are flavorful, but not necessarily seen on characters that see actual play. Things like Toughness.
Adept: Prerequisites would have to be playing a spellcasting class. Abilities would be something like adding spells to spells known or a spellbook/familiar. Other choices would be easy to explain caster feats like Combat Casting and Eschew Materials. Big ability could be something like a free metamagic feat or a cross spell list spell.
Warrior: Prerequisites would have to be playing a class with proficiency in all martial weapons. Abilities would be things like Armor Proficiencies, and other generic combat feats that otherwise hinder builds like Weapon Finesse, Combat Expertise, Exotic Weapon Proficiency, and Weapon Focus. Big ability would be a free unrestricted Combat Feat, or being able to skip prerequisites for a certain feat or feat chain.
Expert: Prerequisite would be playing a class with at least 4+INT skills per level. Would include feats like Skill Focus and Signature Skill. It would also include the ability to switch the relevant ability modifier on a particular skill (most likely keeping it physical or mental).
Aristocrat: Prerequisite would have to be something like Knowledge (Nobility) as a class skill. This can be met with traits. Abilities would include things like feats that improve your companion/mount/familiar/eidolon, Teamwork feats, and the big ability would be something like one of the Leadership variants (or just leadership).
I'm just spitballing ideas here, looking for advice/input on it.
I like the idea it probably needs to be worked out a little more but I don't see anything particularly unbalanced at first glance