Pathfinder Character Leveling and Archetypes

Class Basics

• A character's abilities in Pathfinder are mostly defined by their class.
• Leveling up involves checking the class advancement table.
• Example: Rangers improve weapon proficiencies at level 5; saving throw proficiencies improve at levels 3 and 7.

Feeling Creatively Unfulfilled

• Archetypes can be used when the class advancement table feels creatively limiting.
• Archetypes are optional mini-classes that replace some class abilities.
• They can be used by some characters in a party while others do not.

How Archetypes Work

• Archetypes consist of a selection of class feats or skill feats.
• These feats are unique to the archetype and unlock additional abilities.
• Taking an archetype requires getting the 'dedication feat' first.
• Once the dedication feat is taken, additional feats from the archetype can be selected.
• Archetypes allow for mixing archetype feats with regular class feats.

Archetype Features

• Archetypes can represent various themes or abilities:
  • Beast Master: Gain an animal companion.
  • Vigilante: Have a secret identity.
  • Sentinel: Gain armor proficiencies.
  • Weapon Improviser: Improve improvised weapon use.
  • Martial Artist: Use fists as lethal weapons.
  • Archaeologist: Gain expertise in society and thievery.
  • Pirate: Gain sailing lore and rope-swinging attacks.
  • Vampire: Gain vampire-related abilities.

Multiclassing and Archetypes

• Each class in Pathfinder has an associated archetype for multiclassing purposes.
• Multiclass archetypes offer a way to gain abilities of other classes in a limited form.

Class Archetypes

• A class archetype is chosen at level one and alters core class abilities.
• Example: Elementalist Class Archetype provides elemental magic options.

Variant Rule: Free Archetype

• Allows players to gain archetype feats without sacrificing class feats.
• Used to create special themed campaigns where all players adopt the same archetype.

Conclusion

• Archetypes offer a way to customize and creatively expand character abilities in Pathfinder.
• They provide flexibility in character development and enable diverse play styles.