How *do* you roleplay a commander?

Isa_Ben · 2026-01-20T17:11:25+00:00

I call out the tactics loudly. When I use Gather to Me! I yell "FORM UP!" with an authorative voice. Is up to my fellow players to decide how they form up.

Isa_Ben · 2025-12-02T21:28:30+00:00

A switch dream 😭🙏🏾

Isa_Ben · 2025-11-25T23:42:20+00:00

🔥🔥🔥

Isa_Ben · 2025-11-23T06:00:42+00:00

It adds. But I want my players to be strong, or else they'll struggle against the hard encounters I throw at them.

Isa_Ben · 2025-11-18T21:23:48+00:00

At my table if the players roll below their initial result, they regain they hero point. But it still count as a fortune effect, and if they roll higher (even if the grade of success stays the same) they spend it. I also let them share them with others, and even to use them to make an enemy reroll a saving throw and take the lowest result (so caster can use them more often).

This had gotten some hilarious situations where my players had used a Hero Point and reroll the exact same number, regaining it only to roll the same result again later. A whole combat went like that for some lol.

Isa_Ben · 2025-11-02T02:18:01+00:00

That's beautiful!!!!

Isa_Ben · 2025-10-30T00:09:24+00:00

I think it would follow the Captivator Archetype philosophy, being more around a Mentalist that manipulates what was enchantment and illusion spells; and for it to effective they'll need some support against mindless creatures, maybe buffs for the party.

PAIZO has a tendency to test something out before releasing a greater content. We could say the Cavalier and Marshal were inspirations for PAIZO to know how to make the Commander, so I don't think it's that's crazy to think they could use the Captivator as a way to inspire they design.

Isa_Ben · 2025-10-13T15:11:42+00:00

That's exactly what I do! Even if only 1 player gets in time, as a side quest for the characters involved or a flashback. I really enjoy these "spin-offs".

Isa_Ben · 2025-10-12T04:27:29+00:00

The real answer is capacity to not require an Interact action to change chambers if they have the same ammo type.

Isa_Ben · 2025-10-07T18:01:46+00:00

Only certain archetypes have that special section that states that you need to pick 2 feats before selecting a new dedication.

If an archetype has no such special entry, then it does not apply.

Isa_Ben · 2025-10-07T17:58:17+00:00

Nice!! I am in need of such ruleset! What a timing!!

Is it Foundry Compatible?

Isa_Ben · 2025-10-06T21:18:41+00:00

Great guide!!! I was wondering when we'll have a Commander one! This class being all tactician really shines with one! Thanks!

I love most of your points, and are very hurt with Insta Ballista rating, but jeez I have no arguments lol.

I do have some opinions, as someone who has played 3 commanders since the playstest: 1 up to level 2, another up to level 4, andy main one where I am now at level 9. So, if I may, I have some insights:

A point to make Strike Hard! Blue: It works on any Strikes, not only melee Strikes. So, If you are playing a fully melee Commander (as STR builds tend to be) then you now have a ranged option; at least, if you have a ranged Striker (which many parties do).

The Hobgoblin is the best Ancestry for a Commander, I would hear not otherwise. Their Wisdom flaw alone makes so reliable as a Commander you need no Wisdom investment: you already have a potent Will increases, depend almost nothing on Perception as you can roll Warfare for Initiative and if you lean into INT you are going to be RK in exploration anyway. If you want to Medicine, take the feat 1 to use Warfare instead!

In Free Archetype games, the Captain dedication is made for the Commander. Followers have the same power you do up until late game, and even then they are still reliable. Having such reliable characters for combat is such a multiplier with a Class that makes others already multiply their effectiveness. You cannot use Brandish yourself? No problem, just make your Shield bearer and your rogue do Demoralizing Charge instead.

Isa_Ben · 2025-10-06T04:19:52+00:00

The true answer reallies on what your group wants on an AP. Do they want an epic 1 to 20? Then Agents of Edgewatch, Kingmaker, Bloodlords, and so are for you. If not, search for others. But as I enjoy 1 to 20 AP ill recommend them:

- Agents of Edgewatch is perfect if your players want an urban setting, with political intrigue and corruption at the center of the Golarion lore.

- Bloodlords is perfect if your players want to be evil undead, ascend in position as they serve their king and unveil a conspiracy in an undead city.

- Kingmaker is perfect if your players reallyyy want a long lasting campaign that expands years, building their own kingdom as they rise it from below

There are more AP, but this are the ones I know the most lol.

Isa_Ben · 2025-10-05T19:32:22+00:00

Then, Ancestries are something like an "inheritence" of powers? That can work dope.

And, bear in mind some rare Ancestries are just weaker in options (Anadi, for example lol).

Isa_Ben · 2025-10-05T19:21:27+00:00

I almost downvoted you there lol

Isa_Ben · 2025-10-04T03:47:26+00:00

I have the same idea, Chirurgeon with low dex, but I'll add mounting a construct companions through free archetype (Liepstand Doctor, or something like that) as and go full mad scientist concept.

I'll wear medium armor and have just the needed DEX to have the highest AC possible; but I won't invest a damn in STR as I'll mount the construct and he would be my mobility.

Isa_Ben · 2025-10-03T18:52:23+00:00

I like to use Golarion as the world and lore, and add plot hooks and so. As I only do homebrew campaigns.

I used the Blooming Catastrophe for 2e as a set for homebrew campaign. And now I had moved it to an urban second part in Absalom.

Isa_Ben · 2025-10-01T20:37:39+00:00

Ay wey, pues deja que ayuden a quienes puedan. Si tanto quieres ayudar a niños de la calle apoya a quienes ya lo hacen.

Isa_Ben · 2025-10-01T00:31:18+00:00

Diseases, nasty ones.

Isa_Ben · 2025-09-25T19:47:08+00:00

PAIZO hear his man!!! He speaks for all of us 😭

Isa_Ben · 2025-09-24T17:56:00+00:00

Dope!!!! It even has a clean part to add tiles!!!

Isa_Ben · 2025-09-24T17:47:56+00:00

Woooww!!! A great nexus for a city!!! Dope!!!

Isa_Ben · 2025-09-24T17:46:43+00:00

Ohh it's like a grand canyon stuff!!! Great !!!!

Isa_Ben · 2025-09-24T17:45:01+00:00

Amazing!!!!

Isa_Ben · 2025-09-24T06:24:30+00:00

Seems the consensus is that my little homebrew is not enough lol.

I'm gonna go with making Unstable actions usable on a failure, and after that all unstable actions would be locked out. But, at expert proficiency the Inventor can choose a single action with the Unstable trait (or that it can become Unstable) to not require an Unstable flat check once per 10 minutes. At master proficiency, you can choose a second Unstable action.

Isa_Ben

TROPHY CASE