So I'll start by saying I really do like the class - awesome concept and mostly great mechanics. I hope this post doesn't come off as too negative, most of the points are small in the big picture. But I did want to get my take on the forums, there doesn't seem to be enough discussion for me!
The main feel I got after reading the playtest is I loved the concept, but the mechanics don't seem to mesh very well. I'm not super sure what the class is supposed to be good at. I would think it would be about adapting, being ready for anything, but it doesn't do the best job of that I think. Dpr seems pretty low, and that's okay, if the adaptiveness is increased a little (imo).
As others have said, too little out of combat options. And I can see why the class is designed the way it is, it's kind of a weird spot. A lot of the stuff the evolutionist can do can be covered by (sometimes dirt cheap) augmentations. It would feel kind of crappy to spend class features on things that anyone can purchase. I'm not sure how to fix this, to be honest - maybe something as simple as a budget that can only be spent on augmentations (picked from the niche picked) that can be changed on level up (don't have to be installed, just mutated/grown/whatever).
In combat options are pretty cool. It is a little weird there is no damage boost type feature. Spending an EP every turn just to get full BAB feels kind of crappy, and may be my main gripe with the class. Spending your classes main resource just to get something other classes just have passively, and it seems to be really the only way to bump up dpr, feels wrong. I would rather a more unique damage booster, or something to give cool properties to attacks. The latter would, to me, fulfill what the class seems to be about, adapting to situations.
Its innate damage isn't as impressive as the Solarian or the Vanguard. Solarian has its crystals while the Vanguard actually gets some funky abilities.
They made what feels like a combat wannabe class which has to spend its 'unique' resource to maintain its combat usefulness without any pretty abilities.
The fact there is no out of combat use to them makes it very lack luster.
Combat Focus evolutionists seem to have pretty solid damage output when they spend EP on full BAB. I did some quick calcs and they fall short of solarians + soldiers but well ahead of vanguards. Its weird that from level 1-10 they have to give up their main resource mini-game in order to play on even footing with other martials.
As others have said, too little out of combat options. And I can see why the class is designed the way it is, it's kind of a weird spot. A lot of the stuff the evolutionist can do can be covered by (sometimes dirt cheap) augmentations. It would feel kind of crappy to spend class features on things that anyone can purchase. I'm not sure how to fix this, to be honest - maybe something as simple as a budget that can only be spent on augmentations (picked from the niche picked) that can be changed on level up (don't have to be installed, just mutated/grown/whatever).
Like, the Nanocyte is already going to do this. They just choose some gear of various levels, doesn't care about cost. Including some augmentations!
If augmentations are to be the Evolutionist's primary non-combat contribution, they should just get a couple for free. One of the character's level, and one at character level-2, which they can swap out at level-up without penalty. Augmentation Focus gets a third freebie on top of their bonus slots.
Also let Evolutionists upgrade to the higher marks on augments they actually buy for the cost minus their current grade's cost (like Personal Upgrades).
With the Vanguard its not just the damage output, bear in mind they can get a 25ft reach without a natural reach. Can mod it to be a blast or everyone within 20ft.
1- It feels like a very combat-oriented class, so... why not giving it Full BAB and/or make the Combat Evolutionary Focus part of the class?
2- There is no specialization for shapeshifting into other aliens, or shaping yourself to gain specific skill bonuses.
3- There should be an option to pick one more type for the Adaptative Strike as you level up. I get that you have an Adaptation for that, but getting one more type would be a good thing.
Plus isn't the teleport and ghost ability a 1 a day thing with combat option to boost your ghost to 3 turns?
Plus isn't the teleport and ghost ability a 1 a day thing with combat option to boost your ghost to 3 turns?
The ghost ability requires EP, so it is always a combat-only ability.
10th Level: Your transformation has reached an important milestone,
giving you an ability you can use once per day.
In the Niche section, it specifically states its a once a day ability.
The ghost ability costs cost 2 to start, 2 for round 2 and 3 for round 3.
I suppose with the increase in EP generation at 11th, you might be able to afford a 4th round.
Edit: If you was saying it also costs EP, I apologise, read it as you was saying its and EP spend ability, not a once a day with an EP cost.
10th Level: Your transformation has reached an important milestone,
giving you an ability you can use once per day.
In the Niche section, it specifically states its a once a day ability.
The ghost ability costs cost 2 to start, 2 for round 2 and 3 for round 3.
I suppose with the increase in EP generation at 11th, you might be able to afford a 4th round.Edit: If you was saying it also costs EP, I apologise, read it as you was saying its and EP spend ability, not a once a day with an EP cost.
That's what I'm saying, yeah- it is both 1/day and combat-only because of EP. I think I just misunderstood your initial post.
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Just wanted to chime in because I think one cool, niche thing that only an evolutionist could do - be the games first unarmored class. Basically everyone needs armor because of environmental protections and whatnot, but those are things that an evolutionist should be able to simply adapt to. Technically I suppose you would have to 'grow' armor or some such just to keep in line with the mechanics of the game, but flavour wise I think it makes sense and would be really cool.
Something like - you gain a carapace, thick hide, robotic armor, or some similar armor coating. This functions as light armor, giving a bonus to EAC equal to your level, and KAC equal to your level +2, and max dex bonus equal to 1 + an third of your level. You also gain environmental protections that armor would normally grant, for a number of days equal to your level. These recharge in an hour when in an area the environmental protections do not need to be active.
Gaulin, I agree. It would be cool and fitting.
It generally feels weird the "evolutionist" does not get any abilities that helps them survive in alien worlds aside from the occasional weak energy resistance.
The mechanics would need to be tweaked but I think it should be closer to the Solarian, as in you pick a weapon or armour. Having both would be a little overkill.
I do like the concept of the adaption to the environment, would be good to have a choice to permanently unlock say water breathing, a swim speed, climb or darkvision... Actually evolve to adapt to the environment rather then just a combat adaption
I do like the idea of having someone like Darwin from the X-Men or Sandman Slim who, when they take hits gain resistance to that kind of attack. It appears in adaptive armor-type features already.
The mechanics would need to be tweaked but I think it should be closer to the Solarian, as in you pick a weapon or armour. Having both would be a little overkill.
That would be cool, but honestly, I'd prefer the evolutionist to be as different as possible from other classes.
But admittedly, I'm bias because I've already seen a really well designed 3pp option for the solarian that gives a natural attack as a solar manifestation and transformative attunements and revelations.
To be fair, so far it looks like a modified Solarian already. Your free weapon, your abilities raising as the fight goes on, abilities that focus on either maintaining a 'level' in combat or spending it for big effect.