Oatia Skysage Archetype (From Gatewalkers AP) needs some clarification and / or errata to function


Rules Discussion

Sczarni

The new Oatia Skysage archetype (https://2e.aonprd.com/Archetypes.aspx?ID=199) in Gatewalkers needs a few clarifications to function;

First off, the Basic/Expert/Master spellcasting feats grant new spells known but do not explicitly grant Basic/Expert/Master spellcasting benefits, nor does it clarify that these function as innate spells, as the Captivator/Ghost Hunter archetypes spells do. Essentially, the archetype has three feats that grant spells known, but never grant spell slots with which to cast those spells.

Is the intention that these be innate, as with the Captivator? (This would make sense because the spells known progression, like the Captivator, goes up to 9th level).

Or, is the intention that these feats grant Basic/Expert/Master spellcasting benefits implicitly, as is arguably indicated by the “Spellcasting Archetypes” section in the CRB? (This would make sense because the dedication explicitly declares that the Skysage has a Repertoire, as a typical spontaneous caster does.)

Or is the intention something else entirely? It would really help to have some clarity here.

Separately from this, there is also an issue with the 14th level feat Starlight Armor; it’s a 3 action activity to activate, but it has no listed duration. Is it indefinite? Does it last until the Skysages next daily preparations? Ten minutes? One minute? Until the end of the skysage’s next turn?

Since AP archetypes historically don’t get much actual errata, some clarification on intent would be helpful at least.

(I originally posted this in the Lost Omens errata thread, but I realize that's the wrong place to put this)


It tells you that "You learn to cast spontaneous spells", so those spells can't be innate though there IS a feat that adds innate spells [Starlit Spells]. As to spell slots, I'd assume they'd work like normal for spellcasting archetypes [1 per level].

As to Starlight Armor, you could do it once and it lasts for all time as it has no duration: I doubt that's what's intended though.


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Yeah, it sounds like this was written by someone still working under the assumptions of PF1 where 'learning' a spontaneous spell was the same as the PF2 equivalent of having a spell slot of that level, having a repertoire slot of that level, and adding the spell to your repertoire.

So I would use the PF2 equivalent of what is written. You gain a spell slot and repertoire slot, and put an appropriate spell in the repertoire slot.

But yes, it probably could use some errata.

And like graystone says, I can't figure out what duration is intended for Starlight Armor. I would probably rule that it lasts until the end of the battle considering the action cost. Having it only last one round seems a bit too little for the cost of your entire turn, but having it last for the rest of the day seems a bit much.

Fortunately with the new scheduled errata method, we may actually see some errata to AP rules.


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breithauptclan wrote:
Having it only last one round seems a bit too little for the cost of your entire turn, but having it last for the rest of the day seems a bit much.

Myself, I'd houserule 1 min as that sounds about right to me: long enough to see out through most fights bu not enough to get into another.

Dark Archive

The spell most similar to Starlight Armor is probably Prismatic Armor, which lasts a minute.
Seems like a viable baseline to me until dev clarification is received.


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I find this Archetype to be quite strong without being overpowered. There are a few combo that need exploration, like the Scholar's Hunch + Disturbing Knowledge one, which conveniently have the same level. The Armor is also super strong even if expensive in action, it can be a nice first round for a martial who doesn't want to move too far away from the party. And it can be nice to take it for martials who just want True Strikes.

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