1. Is it intentional that this archetype doesn’t give you a trained/expert skill like all other archetypes? If so, why might that be?
2. None of the archetype feats look very useful, and will probably be outmoded once the Swashbuckler launches.
I love the flavor but it seems wholly suboptimal in every way, and that whatever options it does offer are going to be overshadowed by an upcoming base class.
Is this the first 2e “trap” option? Has anyone built a mechanically effective character with it?
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I tried. Then the playtest started for the APG classes, and I realized that Firebrand Braggart is terrible. It's only pickable at 4, the dedication feat is a misfortune action that is once per day per skill action that doesn't combine with the other "more useful" feats that the dedication gets, as they're not specific skill actions (as far as my reading comprehension tells me), and the best one, daring act, is two actions for the playtest's swashbuckler's one. I honestly just liked the lore of the archetype and the Firebrands in general. I ended up dropping it on my character and choosing another archetype since the APG isn't out yet, but if I had the opportunity, I would have chosen the Swashbuckler archetype even without a good dedication feat because it couldn't be worse than the Firebrand Braggart Dedication Feat.
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Intentional? I mean, there's no glaring typos or obvious errors that make it look like someone messed up.
On the other hand, it's bar none one of the worst feats in the entire game, inexplicably not only a higher level than a traditional dedication (but lower level than a 'prestige' dedication) but also lacking in any of the normal bonuses. Only a "buff" so sketchy the ability would be stronger if you could use it on your enemies instead. It could legitimately be a blank feat with no text inside and I'm not sure I'd notice.
The price of entry isn't really justified by the followup feats either.
Intentional? I mean, there's no glaring typos or obvious errors that make it look like someone messed up.
On the other hand, it's bar none one of the worst feats in the entire game, inexplicably not only a higher level than a traditional dedication (but lower level than a 'prestige' dedication) but also lacking in any of the normal bonuses. Only a "buff" so sketchy the ability would be stronger if you could use it on your enemies instead. It could legitimately be a blank feat with no text inside and I'm not sure I'd notice.
The price of entry isn't really justified by the followup feats either.
The question about intentionality is not because I saw an error, but because thought 2E was going to be more carefully designed to have basic balance and avoid trap options.
Literally every other archetype in the game offers a skill or boost; this one doesn't. It's a glaring omission. And the mechanics are terrible.
I suppose trap options are inevitable in any system but it's happening sooner than I hoped.
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The question about intentionality is not because I saw an error, but because thought 2E was going to be more carefully designed to have basic balance and avoid trap options.
My guess is that what appears was what was intended, but the value of what was intended was overestimated. This archetype appeared pretty early in the game’s life. I’m not sure we’re reached the point even now that it’s totally clear where balance points should be.
I suppose trap options are inevitable in any system but it's happening sooner than I hoped.
I’d say suboptimal options are inevitable. Trap options, i.e. intentionally suboptimal choices aren’t inevitable. I sure hope this is one that just slipped in.