TLDR: New GM requesting ideas for updating Remastered Iconic Pre-Gen sheets with the FA variant rules.
As a relatively new PF 2ER GM, I run an open table at a FLGS and my player count varies from 3-8 players, depending on attendance and if a “walk in” guest stick around or not. I make heavy use of the PF 2ER Iconics Sheets located on the main Paizo webpage for all my sessions.
The Party has now advance to second level, and we do make use of the Free Archetype Variant Rule, and I am in the process of updating a selection of these Iconic Remastered Pre-Gens to 2nd Level and adding an Archetype that makes sense for each character, based on their entries in their respective Paizo Blog entries. My game is set in the year 4707 AR in Sandpoint, Varisia, just before the events of the Rise of the Runelords AP.
So far I have read the three 2ER Core Books, received a big boxload of new books from the 2026 Spring Clearance Sale (which I have yet to read), and I use the Pathfinder Wiki, Archives of Nethys and Pathbuilder 2E app as primary resources.
I am in the initial stages of selecting a Free Archetype for the following Remastered Iconic Pre-Gen Iconic PCs listed below, and I am open to the idea of adjusting ability modifiers, backgrounds, feats, gears, and more, to work with the outlines of my campaign.
In the spirit of the Free Archetype Variant Rules, I am looking for Archetypes options that can expand on these characters adventuring skills (in social, exploration, and/or combat encounters), explore an interesting aspect of their personality, and/or make use of some regional lore or rule mechanic of any of the Lost Omens books that fits their backstory.
Amiri
Considering her backstory and weapon of choice, specializing as a Mauler and aggressively applying maximum force to an enemy, seems to a natural calling.
Ezren
Out of all the cool FA options available, the strongest thematic fit for me is him becoming a dedicated Pathfinder Agent, as this seems a solid path of success for himself and his companions.
Feiya
I am drawing a blank here for this complex witch, and how the 2ER magic system works with Occult spells and Occultism of the Dark Archives book. An interesting choice might be to build upon her faith as a MC Cleric of Desna, or to increase the versatility of her magic by becoming a Ritualist?
Harsk
With the crossbow as his primary weapon, I can see him leaning into the role of a Sniper as an Archer, or developing his skills in tracking as a Scout. Other options are to branch out as a MC Fighter, or even learn new weapons as a MC Gunslinger?
Kyra
As a frontline battle priest of Sarenrae, developing the skills of a Field Medic goes a long way in keeping her companions alive after a hard fought battle when he healing spells run out, yet I can also see her taking the fight directly to the enemy as a Battle Harbringer as the best way to prevent battle damage is by taking out the source of damage dealing.
Lem
I am pretty sure there are some “obvious” Archetypes for a bard to go for, yet I find Lem going deep into history and exploration as an Archaeologist or exploring a wholly different way of doing things and becoming a MC Kineticist for some more offensive combat options.
Lini
For our small druid, building upon her knowledge and mastery of the forces of nature as a MC Ranger or as a master Herbalist seem to be good choice for her.
Merisiel
I don’t have a strong feel for what FA works best with her backstory, in a pinch I would go with increasing her combat skills as a MC Fighter, or picking up a new skillset as a MC Monk, so that she will never find herself without a weapon in a moment of need.
Sajan
The idea of him mastering the raw power of nature as a MC Elementalist or MC Kineticist as he travels the world searching for his twin sister, really appeals to me.
Seelah
The first two things that come to mind for this Paladin is to build upon her faith as a MC Cleric of Iomedae or her natural leadership talent as a battle hardened leader as a Marshal. Both options build upon her abilities, her demeanor, and her martial skills in my view.
Seoni
The Runescarred Archetype seems to have been specifically created with her in mind, with Runelord being a close second as she develops a greater understanding of her tattoos and knowledge as she explores the ruins of the Saga Lands.
Valeros
There are two versions of this fighter I have seen in various artwork, as a two weapon specialist using a Sword and Dagger in 1E, and Sword and Shield in 2E.
I do like the new combat options that Shields bring to 2ER combat, so it seems that the Bastion is a good fit, as he seems to prioritize protecting his adventuring companions. A strong case however, can be made that his personality of “jump in feet first” makes him a natural as a Dual-Weapon Warrior.
These are just first drafts, and if there is anything obvious I am missing or misunderstanding, I see them as “teachable moments” to learn more about the PF rules and lore.:)
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For more insight into Valeros in 2e I recommend reading or listening to the Operation Hellmouth novelization, Valeros has good reasons behind why he's a sword-and-board fighter these days.
Merisiel is a good choice for Dual-Weapon Warrior with a knife in each hand, and her penchant for mixing melee and ranged dagger throwing.
For more insight into Valeros in 2e I recommend reading or listening to the Operation Hellmouth novelization, Valeros has good reasons behind why he's a sword-and-board fighter these days.
I just like the cool artwork with him and with a sword and shield, very "classic" warrior type, Bastion it is then.
Merisiel is a good choice for Dual-Weapon Warrior with a knife in each hand, and her penchant for mixing melee and ranged dagger throwing.
I read the whole dedication tree again, and you are right, it does make sense for her, since her main weapon is the rapier and dagger, and she does have the high dexterity to make it work.
Thanks
I definitely agree that it's more in the spirit of things to avoid multiclass archetypes on the iconics. Sorry in advance for not including links; I've only got so much time this morning.
(One useful tidbit I'll add in based on your suggestions- Kineticist MC is actually a very poor choice if you want offensive options. Because it is tied to a low-proficiency class DC that is always on an off-stat, most of the offensive options will be really unreliable past level 7. It's good for elemental utility and support instead, since those mostly don't rely on that forever-low Kineticist archetype class DC.)
- Amiri's definitely good with Mauler, adding some combat options that don't rely on rage.
- You're 100% correct on Ezren having Pathfinder Agent.
- Feiya getting Ritualist isn't a bad idea, although with PF2 making her familiar more dramatic, I would also consider Familiar Master. (It's a shame that Familiar Sage doesn't start until 4th level and doesn't function right correctly when you take it with Familiar Master on a class that starts with a familiar, since that's the perfect archetype.)
- Harsk getting Scout feels pretty fitting to me, yeah. Archer feels like a mostly dead dedication on Ranger, since you already get crit spec, and advanced crossbows aren't bringing much to the table. (Yes, Harsk would be better off with a regular bow, but I'm generally trying to keep the iconics mostly looking the same.)
- For Kyra, I would also consider Blessed One as an option for her, giving her a focus point healing option. Medic is solid, since Medicine is one of her main skills. I would rule out class archetypes like Battle Harbinger, seeing as those also move away from the idea of an "iconic".
- Lem grabbing Archaeologist makes sense, although Loremaster might capture it a little better. As for "obvious" Bard options, Dandy is a good fit for Lem. As mentioned, even if you do use multiclass archetypes, Kineticist is a poor fit for offense, and Bard has a hard time maxing out constitution.
- Lini would really benefit from Beastmaster with how many feats it has for animal companions, although that would also require her picking another Druid order so that the dedication isn't giving her a second companion that you would have to come up with. (Reflavoring it as a special Nature-based healing/resurrection, though, isn't bad- swap Droogami One out for Droogami Two, and it's like they've been healed up.) Herbalist is also a solid option, like you mention.
- Merisiel could take Assassin, Scout, or Acrobat. Sadly, Dual-Weapon Warrior doesn't work great with Rogue's precision damage, but it is an option that includes a few useful feats, and the dedication still helps the class out when it can't get its off-guard or faces precision immunity.
- Sajan doesn't qualify for Elementalist, since he's not a caster class. There are plenty of "more Monk" archetypes: Student of Perfection, Jalmeri Heavenseeker, Martial Artist, and Spirit Warrior all stand out. Cultivator is also a good fit. If you want that elemental theme, Student of Perfection is the way to go.
- Seelah grabbing Marshall makes sense. Blessed One would offload the Lay On Hands feats and let her take the alternate focus spell for Champions. Bastion gives some additional shield options.
- Seoni grabbing Runescarred would make sense, but it's unfortunately not especially compatible with the Remaster. It requires picking a school of magic, and spells are no longer divided up that way. There isn't a whole lot that fits her super well, so I'd probably go with Scroll Trickster to get some versatility onto Sorcerer. Actually- she used to have a familiar, and unlike Feiya, Sorcerer no longer starts with a familiar, so going Familiar Master into Familiar Sage works just fine. There's even a familiar ability to turn into a tattoo like her old familiar could.
- Valeros grabbing Bastion is something I definitely agree with.
Hope that's helpful!
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I think I would definitely suggest "non-class" free archetype. For characters like Iconics that are single-purpose and designed to teach you about the class, I think it muddles the mixture to start making the Ranger a Druid and vice versa. I think your options like Marshal and Herbalist are more fun and interesting than the class archetypes.
You make a good point about not adding the complexities of a multi-class to Pre-Gen PCs if the purpose is to teach new players. Had not considered it from that angle, so thanks.
Some of the "non-class" options are "near obvious/make sense", like a Ranger/Scout, Cleric/Field Medic, and Druid/Herbalist. Some of the others not so much (at first glance perhaps).
Any suggestions for Sajan (Monk)?
Lots of Suggestions
Very helpful, I was creating a new list seconds before you posted, so I edited my post in progress and will revise it with your feedback. First, Breakfast, then more writing. :)
Lots of Suggestions, continued.
I read through all the new suggestions provided, and I am adding to the list all but a few.
Merisiel and Assassin didn't see like a good thematic fit, and I don't have the Tian Xia or Impossible Land books for Sajan, so I am leaving those out. Thanks for the heads up on the MC Kineticist and the Beastmaster options.
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I will come back to this topic to add more Iconics (the list is VERY long, and not all have 2ER equivalent rules yet), but this has been very informative learning experience. :)
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PF 2ER Iconic Pre-Gens w/FA v2:
(Amiri) Barbarian/Mauler
(Ezren) Wizard/Pathfinder Agent
(Feiya) Witch/Ritualist
(Feiya) Witch/Familiar Master
(Harsk) Ranger/Archer
(Harsk) Ranger/Scout
(Kyra) Cleric/Field Medic
(Kyra) Cleric/Blessed One
(Lem) Bard/Archaeologist
(Lem) Bard/Loremaster
(Lem) Bard/Dandy
(Lini) Druid/Herbalist
(Lini) Druid/Beastmaster
(Merisiel) Rogue/Dual-Weapon Warrior
(Merisiel) Rogue/Scout
(Merisiel) Rogue/Acrobat
(Sajan) Monk/Student of Perfection
(Sajan) Monk/Martial Artist
(Seelah) Paladin/Marshal
(Seelah) Paladin/Blessed One
(Seelah) Paladin/Bastion
(Seoni) Sorcerer/Runescarred(2E)
(Seoni) Sorcerer/Familiar Master
(Valeros) Fighter/Bastion
Looking back at it, I would also strike Martial Artist off the list for Sajan. The dedication is a dead feat on Monk, and I think for the iconics, you especially want to avoid that.
(Kyra) Cleric/Medic (Edit)
(Kyra) Cleric/Blessed One
I made a mistake and wrote "Field Medic" which is a Background, and not a Dedication. I intended to write "Medic" instead. I will update this for v2 of the list.