Secret Wizard
2014-10-22, 04:10 PM
Hey, I don't play casters so I will avoid commenting on those classes or their spells. Someone else can get on it.
So, without further ado:
Bloodragers
Kyton bloodline is AWESOME. However, it seems more CHA heavy than other bloodlines. Magical Knack seems like a must for this BL. Still, between the combination of high AC, high Strength and Persuasive Goad, it looks like it would make for some amazing tanks. I'd combine it with Steelblood for an uber tank. The lost mobility is recovered later.
Black Blood bloodline is ohkay, with its hallmark being the extra reach. Perhaps, that could be combined with Kyton for a Cross-blooded Rager, and become a reach-based tank to counter the lack of good mobility early on. This requires heavy Will-save patching though.
Brawler
There's one crappy archetype and then there's the Winding Path Renegade. This latter archetype seems tricky to use, but very flexible.
The Metal path seems great for an Exemplar, since you will be using Close Weapons a lot... but it seems AMAZING for the Shield Champion. Get rid of that useless AC bonus, get a ton of movement speed and better items.
The Wind Path is alright, also very good for the Shield Champion and the Exemplar (if the Exemplar goes thrown weapon style).
I'd argue Flame Path is amazing for every other Brawler. You get fast movement, some grapple damage (situational, sadly), and TROLL POOL.
The best thing about this archetype is the ability to gain Improved Evasion on the fly though. Seems worth it to me, since it also allows for tricks with Martial Flexibility.
I'm not gonna say it's a must since the bonus feats and the AC might be nice to have, but I'm gonna say the archetype is overall an upgrade and it really makes you want to take Master of Many Styles so you stack the Faster Movement.
Investigator
Leipstadt Investigator archetype seems very good for combat focused Investigators, although it seems to be sort of a one-trick pony.
The real winner here is DOMINO STRIKE. That's a Talent that allows you to pass on Studied Combat from target to target whenever you use Studied Strike, which means you can have a HUGE uptime on it. THIS is a must for combat focused Sherlocks.
Skald
War Drummer archetype is awesome simply because it replaces Scribe Scroll (ew) for Weapon Training and Improved Critical and Quick Draw.
I'd say the archetype is a must, unless you really want to go skill monkey.
Dragon Skald is an oh-kay archetype for skill monkeys.
Slayer
Nothing AWESOME. Sczarni Executioner is nice for Assassinate based builds, but you are gonna need a high ass Intelligence score to assassinate dudes, and possibly the use of Headman's Blade and Ability Focus and stuff. Great mage killer though.
Swashbuckler
Oh boy. OH BOY.
First, let's start with the Shackles Corsair archetype. It's nice. Very good for Shatter Defenses builds, it has some great utility. I'd say it's an even trade though, so not a strict upgrade and much more specialized. But it seems very good for Intimidate builds anyhow.
THEN THERE'S THE WHIRLING DERVISH.
Free dex-to-damage is nice although it comes a bit too late (4th level), but it also gets a free Whirlwind pounce, which is amazing! It solves your mobility issues right away, making it unnecessary to take Spring Attack or anything.
Warpriest
Mantis Zealot is the winner here, though it makes for specialized builds. The fact that you get Sneak Attack and you can get Deadly Stroke makes for a really nice build around Shatter Defenses, but you probably can't afford the points on CHA or STR (for Intimidating Prowess)... but you make for a nice Rogue-like build. Not entirely sold on this but it seems to have potential.
Feats and stuff
Besides Fencing Grace, the only thing that called my attention is the Mad Magic feat, that allows Bloodragers to use any spell they get from other classes while raging.
So, without further ado:
Bloodragers
Kyton bloodline is AWESOME. However, it seems more CHA heavy than other bloodlines. Magical Knack seems like a must for this BL. Still, between the combination of high AC, high Strength and Persuasive Goad, it looks like it would make for some amazing tanks. I'd combine it with Steelblood for an uber tank. The lost mobility is recovered later.
Black Blood bloodline is ohkay, with its hallmark being the extra reach. Perhaps, that could be combined with Kyton for a Cross-blooded Rager, and become a reach-based tank to counter the lack of good mobility early on. This requires heavy Will-save patching though.
Brawler
There's one crappy archetype and then there's the Winding Path Renegade. This latter archetype seems tricky to use, but very flexible.
The Metal path seems great for an Exemplar, since you will be using Close Weapons a lot... but it seems AMAZING for the Shield Champion. Get rid of that useless AC bonus, get a ton of movement speed and better items.
The Wind Path is alright, also very good for the Shield Champion and the Exemplar (if the Exemplar goes thrown weapon style).
I'd argue Flame Path is amazing for every other Brawler. You get fast movement, some grapple damage (situational, sadly), and TROLL POOL.
The best thing about this archetype is the ability to gain Improved Evasion on the fly though. Seems worth it to me, since it also allows for tricks with Martial Flexibility.
I'm not gonna say it's a must since the bonus feats and the AC might be nice to have, but I'm gonna say the archetype is overall an upgrade and it really makes you want to take Master of Many Styles so you stack the Faster Movement.
Investigator
Leipstadt Investigator archetype seems very good for combat focused Investigators, although it seems to be sort of a one-trick pony.
The real winner here is DOMINO STRIKE. That's a Talent that allows you to pass on Studied Combat from target to target whenever you use Studied Strike, which means you can have a HUGE uptime on it. THIS is a must for combat focused Sherlocks.
Skald
War Drummer archetype is awesome simply because it replaces Scribe Scroll (ew) for Weapon Training and Improved Critical and Quick Draw.
I'd say the archetype is a must, unless you really want to go skill monkey.
Dragon Skald is an oh-kay archetype for skill monkeys.
Slayer
Nothing AWESOME. Sczarni Executioner is nice for Assassinate based builds, but you are gonna need a high ass Intelligence score to assassinate dudes, and possibly the use of Headman's Blade and Ability Focus and stuff. Great mage killer though.
Swashbuckler
Oh boy. OH BOY.
First, let's start with the Shackles Corsair archetype. It's nice. Very good for Shatter Defenses builds, it has some great utility. I'd say it's an even trade though, so not a strict upgrade and much more specialized. But it seems very good for Intimidate builds anyhow.
THEN THERE'S THE WHIRLING DERVISH.
Free dex-to-damage is nice although it comes a bit too late (4th level), but it also gets a free Whirlwind pounce, which is amazing! It solves your mobility issues right away, making it unnecessary to take Spring Attack or anything.
Warpriest
Mantis Zealot is the winner here, though it makes for specialized builds. The fact that you get Sneak Attack and you can get Deadly Stroke makes for a really nice build around Shatter Defenses, but you probably can't afford the points on CHA or STR (for Intimidating Prowess)... but you make for a nice Rogue-like build. Not entirely sold on this but it seems to have potential.
Feats and stuff
Besides Fencing Grace, the only thing that called my attention is the Mad Magic feat, that allows Bloodragers to use any spell they get from other classes while raging.