Restricted free archetype options?

[Shadowfoot]

I think I want to permit free archetypes in Agents of Edgewatch, but limited to only a few, along the lines of Strength of Thousands.

The obvious ones (to me) are:
- Edgewatch Detective (Int 14 or Wis 14)
- Marshal (trained in martial weapons; trained in Diplomacy or Intimidation)
- Martial Artist
- Medic (Battle Medicine; trained in Medicine)
- Sentinel
- Investigator (Int 14).

Are there any that make it easier to do non-lethal damage with weapons or spells?
Are there other suggestions?

I will encourage my players to choose other archetypes as part of their class feats if they want them. This post is focusing on the free archetype.

[Naurgul]

I just let my players make suggestions about what they think is relevant to the campaign/genre/story and then I get final say whether to approve them or not.

This does have its drawbacks because my players have started playing more and more fast and loose with the definition of "it's relevant to the campaign/story" over time, so that's one thing to try to keep in mind.

They've picked investigator multiclass, medic, archer, sentinel so far. I kinda wish to rein them in a little bit but I haven't done that so far.

[GreatGraySkwid]

I gave my players free archetypes as 2 weeks of specialized training after completing book 1 (when they were promoted to junior detective grade), so I have limited it to anything I could stretch into seeming plausible, and here's my list with rationales:

Acrobat - Rooftop Pursuit Unit

Alchemist - Alchemical items are hugely useful to investigators

Animal Trainer - Specified as being frequent among the Sleepless Suns

Archer - Seems self-evident as a martial support option

Beastmaster - Specified as being frequent among the Sleepless Suns

Bounty Hunter - Fugitive retrieval specialist seems obvious

Bastion - Seems self-evident as a martial support option

Celebrity - Justified by the party's increasing fame

Dual Weapon Warrior - Seems self-evident as a martial support option

Edgewatch Detective - Durrrh

Fighter - Seems self-evident as a martial support option

Investigator - See: Edgewatch Detective

Marshall - Seems self-evident as a martial support option

Martial Artist - Seems self-evident as a martial support option

Mauler - Seems self-evident as a martial support option

Medic - Seems self-evident as a support option

Monk - Seems self-evident as a martial support option

Oracle - Spontaneous casters could be anybody!

Pathfinder Agent - I had already inserted associations with the Society, so it seemed like a natural fit

Rogue - Training as Rogues assists in apprehending criminals

Sentinel - Seems self-evident as a martial support option

Sorcerer - Spontaneous casters could be anybody!

Summoner - Spontaneous casters could be anybody!

Vigilante - Undercover operatives

Witch - Spontaneous casters could be anybody!

[BobTheArchmage]

For my game I just let them have Free Archetype with no restrictions other than "If uncommon/rare, ask me" and it has gone fine. No one really chose any archetypes that were "out there" so to speak, they all picked stuff that fit with either the campaign or their character's story.

Fighter went Bastion initially, focusing on his shield fighter focus and the ability to protect others (like civilians in danger). Later he picked up Barbarian due to a growing anger with the villains.

Alchemist went with inventor because she was from the Clockwork Cathedral and was a student of science.

Bard went with Edgewatch Detective to be more of a grizzled veteran. Once he exhausted the archetype he went with Loremaster for more knowledge.

Cleric went Medic, having trained with the forensic unit.

Gunslinger went Swashbuckler to lean heavier into her sword and gun theme.

Monk went Wrestler, reasoning that learning how to grab and restrain criminals would make a lot of sense for a hand-to-hand fighter. Later he branched out to Student of Perfection once we got through Book 2 and he was introduced to the captain of the Sleepless Suns

GreatGraySkwid wrote:

Witch - Spontaneous casters could be anybody!

Witches are prepared casters, not spontaneous casters.