#player core 2

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Vigilante (Pathfinder Second Edition Archetype)

(art by Zachanarious on DeviantArt)

Ah yes, the vigilante, a late addition to the classes of First Edition, and like the cavalier, reduced to an archetype in Second.

Admittedly, that can feel a bit like a demotion, but for the vigilante specifically, it honestly makes sense.

The vigilante class from the get-go in 1E always felt like it was trying to apply other classes to the core concept of “have two identities and have abilities meant only to work in one or the other. Heck, the class basically started with the options of “that but fighter” and “that, but rogue”, with archetypes (some derived from the beta version of the class, some not) that were basically “that, but wizard, or cleric, or witch with a blood magic vibe, or magical girl with the worst spell list in the game for some reason”.

With than in mind, it kinda makes sense in the “any class can take any archetype as long as they meet the prerequisites” paradigm of Second Edition that vigilante would be available as an archetype rather than a full class, as a way for you to apply the dual identity of being a masked figure to any skillset.

Whether they are freedom fighters, masked protectors of those that official channels will not protect, or just master thieves and criminals hiding their identities, the one unifying factor between motives and methods is that a vigilante wants to keep their identity a secret for protection, either theirs, or those that they care for.

So let’s get into it!

The base dedication for the archetype grants the dual identities associated with it, as well as sets the guidelines like maybe don’t use abilities associated with your vigilante identity while in the social identity, but also how difficult it is to discern that they are one and the same, even via magic.

Signature magic items might normally give a vigilante away if they wear them in both identities, so many learn to mask their power while in their civilian identity, making them appear to be ordinary jewelry or other adornments.

Those that have creature companions, familiars, or the like often work to disguise them as well so they cannot be recognized across identities either.

Oftentimes one must draw a weapon and strike in the same motion, and so vigilantes train to do just that.

Many superheroes in comics have hidden sanctums to return to, safe to switch between identities and plot their maneuvers in secret, and so vigilantes do the same, establishing lairs so well-hidden that not even magic can find them, at least most of the time.

Not every vigilante can be an unskilled fop in their social lives, and so, some develop cross training to help solidify their cover in their social identity, gaining another archetype even if they normally couldn’t due to dedication.

The rumor of a vigilante helps spread the fear of them long before they actually arrive on the scene, and so they can leverage this when they attack from the shadows, their appearance striking fear into their target as their pain gives way to the horrified realization of who has come for them.

Through cleverly hidden clothing, a bit of minor magic, and the like, some vigilantes train to be able to switch identities on the fly.

By using the divide between the two identities to their advantage, many can fool even truthtelling magic. After all, it was not Sir Daniel who raided Thieves Guild, but the Iron Mask.

The skill some vigilantes have at concealing their identity goes beyond the social and vigilante identities, allowing them to create a slew of minor cover identities that are equally impossible to discern.

Fear is relative, and a vigilante’s presence and stern glare can keep an ally, temporary or not grounded, as the vigilante is scarier than whatever is trying to scare them.

With greater mastery, their own frightening appearance affects all who see them, not just the one they directly startled.

Similarly, they might learn to frighten a single foe so badly that they are paralyzed with fear, slowing their reactions.

As a small aside, the AoN article on this archetype does have a feat in the legacy version shared with the alter ego archetype where the vigilante could reveal their true identity to leave a foe open to attack from the shocking reveal… and I can kinda see why that feat isn’t listed in the remastered version, as it is too risky of the vigilante rendering their abilities obsolete if they end up revealing themselves to far more than just that one target.

A very solid archetype and way to bring the old class over in it’s own way. You can go in heavy or just take what you need, but there are as many possible builds here as there are classes, and much more, so have fun with it!

I’ve gone over various thoughts about roleplaying vigilantes as I’ve covered the original and its archetypes, but I think it’s important to consider how your character interacts with and thinks of their vigilante identity. Is it merely a practical mask to hide themselves from a dangerous and persecutive world? A symbol of hope? Of punishment for the wicked? Or perhaps it is a convenient mask for them to indulge in base desires? All are possible and worth exploring.

Calling upon the power of chaos, a cult seeks to call forth a powerful beast called a lophiithu, whose devouring mouth leads to realms chaotic. Ready to fight and stop the ritual is The Arbiter, a warrior who wears mechanical armor inspired by the various inevitable guardians of law and order.

While most of his kind try to distance themselves from their lookalike god Sun Wukong, the vanara Yuhn seems some merit in the monkey king’s antics. And so, while during the day he is a peaceful monastic ascetic, at night he blends his martial arts with elemental primal magic as The Great Sage.

In the vampire-ruled land of Delginoth, few dare to stand against the blood-thirsting overlords of the nation, but among the rebels is the Midnight Dawn, a warrior magus wearing a golden sun mask. None suspect that this warrior maiden is none other than the dhampir daughter of Overlord Grigori, the Dark Dragon himself.

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One thing I really like in the remastered Pathfinder Core books, that I haven’t seen anyone else talk about yet, is these little flavor descriptors in each caster class’s Spellcasting feature:

As a wizard, when you cast spells, your incantations likely specify exactly what forces you call on and how to shape them, and your gestures precisely shape and direct your magic while circles of arcane runes flare to life.

Look at that! Pre remaster that was just “you use material components from a pouch”. Now there’s specific role play guidance like “Throw some mustard on that spell. Go all ‘BY THE EIGHT WINDS AND THE TWELVE STARS’ on some guys.”

And there’s one for every class!

As a bard, when you cast spells, your incantations might be musical riffs or clever limericks, your gestures might incorporate dance and dramatic pantomiming, and you might accompany your spellcasting by playing a musical instrument.

As a cleric, your chants generally invoke your deity and their powerful servants by name or title, while your gestures are followed by sacred symbols or other representations of your deity

As a druid, your spellcasting incantations might be pleas to the environment around you or the invocation of ancient vows; your hands might sway like willows or curl into clawlike shapes as your gestures direct your magic.

As a witch, when you cast spells, your incantations might rhyme, your gestures might be as simple as an ominous pointing finger or a complex folk sign, and your familiar might even echo your words or movements slightly as your patron's magic surges.

Just a little nudge toward roleplay potential in a central aspect of the game and how it differs from class to class, character to character.

They even brought it back for Player Core 2! “A Sorcerer with a demonic bloodline might chant guttural fiendish phrases or make brief curt gestures to cast a spell.” “As an Oracle, when you cast spells, your incantations may spill from your lips rapidly as you speak in tongues or intone in a voice not quite your own…”

Great stuff all around.

[pathfuckery]

The Player Core 2 artwork has been revealed and it's a certified Wayne Reynolds banger!

I love it! Seoni looks soo cool! Loving the art direction of the new dragons, and the little details to let us know it's her polymorphed is fantastic! Plus Fumbus and Jirelle appear to be living their best lives on the edge!

[haaaaaaaaaaaave-you-met-ted]

Player Core 2 Cover Art by Wayne Reynolds

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Strategist Expansion for the Marshal Archetype (Pathfinder Second Edition Options)

(art by LeAndraDawn on DeviantArt)

Today’s a bit unusual in that we’re only taking a look at part of an archetype today, specifically the feats added to the Marshal archetype from Tian Xia Character Guide, colloquially known as the Strategist feats.

I probably won’t make a habit of this, but I thought they were neat enough in what they added to the archetype that I thought it was worth including.

So anyway, the strategist feats take the marshal, which is heavily focused on commanding and inspiring allies, and adds a tactical edge to it, reflecting the mastery of the art of war.

Not that the base marshal isn’t already a strategist in it’s own right, but let’s have a look at what it has to offer!

These options start with a special stance feat for the marshall, as they open their minds and try to enter a mental state where they can absorb and process the information of the surrounding battle quickly. If successful, they can recall knowledge and analyze a foe, potentially picking up on gaps in their defenses that they or their allies can exploit.

Many strategists are willing to accept information from qualified sources, allowing them to ask nearby allies to help them read and identify foes.

Like a true military commander, many know all about the advantages of formations, and can expect allies to jump to when the command comes to form ranks.

Imposing and threatening, marshals that are also Five-Breath Vanguards can choose to step forward, away from the protection of allies as bait or an imposing threat, drawing attention away from their allies.

The Marshal archetype is already about supporting and guiding allies in an organized and military way, but this addition provides a fun new stance and some options for moving and protecting allies as need be, good for both front-line and back-line marshals.

Marshals can be of any sort of background as long as they’ve got leadership skills, but these feats do imply an actual background in the military, so that should probably shape how your character acts.

I think since this is a minor expansion to an existing archetype, I don’t think there’s any need for me to post adventure hooks, since those in my original Marshal entry are just as applicable here. Look forward to another entry tomorrow though!

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Class Feature Friday: Superstition Instinct (Pathfinder Second Edition Barbarian Instinct)

(art by MissChroma on DeviantArt)

With witches cursing those that slight them or are just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and powerful wizards acting as though the laws of the land and common decency do not apply to them, it’s no surprise that some folk are rightfully suspicious of magic in general.

This goes doubly in wild, untamed places, where there are often no laws except what the powerful can enforce, and education on magic and it’s capabilities are at a premium, causing the locals to develop assumptions about how magic works and how spellcasters are likely to behave, coloring their reaction to the use of magic.

And that is where we get today’s archetype, representing barbarian warriors that distrust all magic and avoid it whenever possible. If they use magical at all, it is purely in the form of equipment that needs little to no direction to work. A potion can simply be drank. A magic sword still swings like a normal sword, and so on, allowing them to be tolerated since such armaments are unlikely to do anything unexpected. (Insert joke about tech-savvy people keeping a gun by the printer to shoot it in case it makes a sound they don’t like).

This barbarian instinct evolved out of 1e’s Superstitious rage power and various associated mage-hunting rage power options, which were apparently popular enough back in the day to warrant being included in 2e as a whole major character option. (I didn’t play much barbarian, but I can see the appeal)

Unlike other instincts, the barbarians in this case are not trying to emulate anything with their rage, but instead simply labor on the baseline belief that magic is scary and dangerous and that a wise warrior focuses on the mages first, and in general never willingly allows spells to be cast upon them.

This of course has the downside that an ally getting the barbarian to accept beneficial magic even when it’s for their own good is like pulling teeth, leading to the occasional headache. Still, this instinct has a lot to offer, so let’s take a look.

As a baseline, these barbarians find the casting or learning of magic, even from items that cast spells, to be anathema. However, that aversion also makes them fight harder to resist magic cast on them, and their bonus damage is increased on spellcasters. Additionally, while they might be convinced to allow beneficial spells to be cast on them while calm, the heightened state of their emotions during a battle rage means willingly choosing to do so while raging unnerves them deeply. They do make up for it with a determination to not rely on magical healing, letting them fight longer when they rage.

Their specialization further bolsters their might against spellcasters, as you might expect.

Finally, these warriors begin to consider two particular magic traditions to be especially unpleasant, and gain further benefits in resisting those two traditions, warding themselves against any damage caused by them.

Additionally, the following feats are associated with this instinct, including Mage Hunter to give them an edge against spellcasters; Sunder Spell to allow them to dispel magic with physical might alone; and Sunder Enchantment to do the same temporarily to magic items.

Other feats they might benefit from include Sudden Charge, Shake it Off, Inured to Alchemy, Pain Tolerance, Reactive Strike, Disarming Assault, Instinctive Strike, Tangle of Battle, Impaling Thrust, Perfect Clarity, as well as any others that suit your particular build.

With their aversion to spellcasters and several abilities tied to targeting mages and those that benefit from spellcasting, this instinct seems perfect for a mage-hunting build that punishes and seeks to eliminate spellcaster threats.

The dynamics between party members in regards to this instinct can be interesting, but should be given some limits. It’s one thing for a barbarian to be nervous around an allied spellcaster at first. Not so much if they spend every interaction insulting them. Use discretion and common sense.

Merfolk are often associated with water magic and enchanting songs, but the Black Crack tribe that dwells in an undersea trench on the edge of light and darkness barely as any magical traditions at all, instead focusing on warding themselves against it thanks to their encounters with a dark magical power in the deepest, lightless depths.

Bovados Forest is notorious for it’s fey population, ranging from sprites to yaganty to the Wild Hunt itself. Small wonder then that the Bovada people living on it’s outskirts distrust magic as fey trickery, and carry cold iron weapons with them at all times.

Deeply distrustful of magic on principle, Molgradd the Sword has a sour opinion indeed of most spellcasters. He would never admit, however, that he is alive today thanks to the celestial sorceress that insists on making sure he doesn’t end up dead with an arrow in his belly somewhere.

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Class Feature Friday: Antipaladin/Iniquity Cause (Pathfinder Second Edition Champion Cause)

(art by DanielClasquin on DeviantArt)

It’s time for our second to last champion cause, and the last one that had a presence pre-remaster.

Originally called Antipaladins given their chaotic evil nature as a direct opposite of paladins, champions of this cause are meant to be everything a paladin is not. In fact this option is worth noting for the fact that is was in part the First Edition alternate class that shared the same name with this option that paved the way for the champion to evolve out of the paladin, creating powerful divinely-empowered knights that were not all good and just.

But with the remaster came the end of alignment, and with it, the baggage of such holy warriors being divided along that strict system of morality. Instead, champions are now divided based on what they value and what they vow to uphold. And in the case of today’s archetype, these warriors values Iniquity.

Champions of Iniquity are selfish, impulsive, indulgent, and independent. They do exactly what they want when they want, answering only to the divine power that gave them this power in the first place. Even without an alignment system, it’s clear that these figures are the polar opposite of Justice champions (formerly paladins), since they reject any concept of accountability for their actions.

These unholy warriors are not necessarily insane murder-hobos, but their impulses are their guide. If they ever do anything that helps another it is because it also benefits them in some way, most usually in the form of payment, but any agreement they make only holds as long as these iniquitous champions find the benefits outweighing any inconvenience they experience.

At their best, they are pitiless and cruel mercenaries, at their worst, they are petty tyrants with a cosmic benefactor that will do nothing to reign them in because setting them loose is the entire point.

Indeed, unlike other causes, the powers that grant the path of iniquity do not choose someone for their dedication to the concepts, but because of a lack of discipline. They choose their champions because they know that setting them loose will bring about more violence and iniquity as a consequence of their actions, and if any antipaladin expresses any sort of fervor for the cause, it is because they have the brains at least to see that they are making the world more like what they want to see: might making right, whims being indulged, and power seized by those unfettered by the weakness of mercy or hesitation. If the powers granting this might ever tug on the leash, it is when they have a very specific interest in the situation, and then the champion might find their collar much too tight for their liking.

So let’s see what they get!

Like all causes, these champions get a reaction ability, theirs being a punishing aspect of their aura that rewards violence against them with more violence. Foes that strike them within their aura risk their very spirit being shredded by feedback damage. Additionally, the champion’s own reprisal against the offending party becomes more lethal as well. As they grow in power, the damaging effect lingers on such assailants, and even bystanders are not safe as they also take feedback damage.

There is also a feat specifically for this cause. Vicious Vengeance improves the damage caused by their aura, making them all the deadlier to even stand near.

Meanwhile, other feats fit with the tenets of evil and otherwise are just useful for them, such as Conceited Mindset, Aura of Despair, Cruelty, Corrupted Shield, Expand Aura, Smite, Greater Cruelty, Litany of Self-Interest, Gruesome Strike, Pale Horse, Divine Reflexes, Litany of Depravity, Instrument of Slaughter, Fiendish Form, Swift Retribution, and others that fit your build.

This cause loves getting into the thick of things and butchering foes, not just because it’s where a melee class thrives, but also because their reaction makes hitting them back a painful process. With that in mind, this option is begging for a tanky build that can absorb a lot of punishment.

There is no denying that these champions are evil, but with alignments out of the way, replaced by edicts and personal values, it can be less of a headache to justify playing one of these in a non-villain campaign. After all, a champion of iniquity is entirely self-motivated, so being motivated by the prospect of treasure and payment is perfectly viable even if they tend to leave a mess and things worse than they left. It could be the setup for an interesting foil for the rest of the party or a possible redemption arch, especially if the champion doesn’t mind waiting a bit ot achieve their selfish goals on occasion.

Doreji the Blightblooded refuses to hide like the rest of his kin, the vishkanya seeing the tendency of his people to hide their true nature as a weakness and act of supplication. After all, humans cannot punish attackers with the lethal toxicity of their blood. Why should they rule? And who cares if the rest of his kind shun them. They’ve already proven themselves too weak.

To most, Ulrich the Slayer is as he always has been, a cruel man and leader of an especially savage warband. However, in truth he has been dead for some time, his body being now ridden by a xoarian, also known as a corpse rider or intellect devourer. The creature has evaded detection fairly easily since the host was known for drunken forgetfulness and a complete lack of loyalty anyway. Worse still, the horrible aberration has pleased the dark god Ulrich worshipped, transferring his power to the creature.

The party happens upon a mysterious girl clutching an amulet, who begs them to help her escape. The reason or her distress becomes clear when a figure clad in sinister black armor appears with a coterie of similarly-dressed troops. Though the figure claims something has been stolen from him, it’s clear that the amulet is not his to keep and his intentions for the girl are not motivated by justice.

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Talisman Dabbler (Pathfinder Second Edition Archetype)

(art by KeiBirch on DeviantArt) (edit: replaced art with an original piece rather than a repost)

While I will always be disappointed that 2nd edition moved away from real-world inspiration for the talisman items, I understand why they did so, and the value of such items as a new type of consumable for martial characters looking for temporary boosts to their weapons and armor.

However, unlike other consumables, talismans require a bit more setup without the help of certain feats, having to be affixed ahead of time, and normally being limited to only one per piece of equipment.

But there is an answer for those that wish to play with talismans a bit more, finding ways to affix multiple at once and make better use of them as needed.

These Talisman Dabblers might be superstitious types dangling with all sorts of totems, or they might be more mystically-inclined and have a keen understanding of the limits and power of such trinkets.

There’s so many aesthetics and ideas to play with her, fitting for an archetype with the sole identity of “be better at using talismans”, but that just makes it easier to adapt.

So if you’re playing a character that might make use of a lot of these items, some or all of this archetype might benefit you.

The base dedication of the archetype lets you invest mystical energy into various trinkets and baubles to create temporary talismans for the day, as well as affix up to four in a single session.

Sometimes ten minutes is far too short, and many dabblers learn to affix their talismans in about a minute, good for re-arming between fights.

With more training, they can produce more temporary talismans each day.

Finally, these talisman-wielders learn how to space out and overlay talismans so that two can be affixed to a single piece of equipment at once without cancelling each other out. They can only have one item doubled-up so, but it can give them more benefits in a protracted fight.

A relatively simple archetype, but one that can be a big boon if you really want to play with the mechanics for talismans. The fact that you can make some for free each day means you only ever need to spend money on uncommon or rarer talismans unless you really, really need to stock up for a major dungeon or ordeal, so that is a nice boon as well. Overall, the small number of feats means that it won’t impact your build much at all either.

From the shaman mystic to the ofuda-wielding Shinto priestess to the adorned holy warrior, there are so many different vibes to go off of here for this archetype. The one thing that remains true for them all is all the various mystical trinkets dangling off of them.

Martas Many-Shells has a curious strategy in protracted fights. He has many sets of armor enchanted to be portable and to be easily donned. Furthermore, each set he has loaded with different talismans for various effects, giving him answers for every situation, and with various weapons and alchemical bombs meant to hamper foes, he has the time to switch as needed.

While elves and dwarves were famed in the first age for their great wonders of magic that survive even into the modern era, the humble magecraft of early humans has survived in different ways, and while they now have monuments of their own, many human traditions teach how to make simple and useful talismans to ward off evil and enhance their tools and weapons.

Humble as they may seem in comparison to dragons or manticores or other magical beasts, predators like lions have mystical associations of their own. This is why the party are tasked with hunting for a lion’s tooth by the local shaman, perfect for making talismans of hunting and combat which will aid them in their quest.