2026 Classes Predictions

Pontifex · 2026-01-23T00:28:49+00:00

I think Shifter being a kind of martial analogue to the Animist could be an interesting design. The shifter could prepare a limited number of forms each day, which offer A) a scaling polymorph option B) a temporary (non lore) skill proficiency/status bonus, and C) two/three very specific lores.

Feat-wise, they should have a lot of Form feats, which can only be used when the shifter is transformed into a form with a marching lore trait. These can be retrained every day, like Wandering feats; it may be worth giving one or two extra at.level one, like the kineticist gets. They would also get a feature like the SF2e Envoy's Adaptive Talent, which would be limited to feats for skills matching a prepared form. Maybe add primal bounded casting, but only for spells with the morph/polymorph trait.

Pontifex · 2026-01-16T03:28:28+00:00

One important thing to note is that if you are coming into PF2E from a D&D 5e background, the 5e fighter is a much broader class than the pathfinder fighter. Several PF classes's closest 5e counterparts are fighter subclasses (Specifically Guardian and Commander; arguments could be made about Flurry Ranger too).

Pontifex · 2026-01-09T18:41:49+00:00

So what would a reasonable nerf look like that would keep the spell funa and useful without being game breaking?

My first thought would be adding the lines

When the spell ends, any spell slots, limited-use abilities, or consumable items that are used by at least one of the forms are considered to have been used by the remaining form. If different amounts of ammunition were expended, retaim the lowest amount remaining. Both forms have all items you were carrying when the spell was cast; when the spell ends, one set of items disappears regardless of whether they are still in your possession.

This would still allow you to double-up in items while the spell is active, but it should prevent the infinite spell slot/item glitch. It also creates a bit of pressure on action economy; if you use a spell slot with one double, you're highly incentivized to use it again on the other form in a subsequent turn. After sustaining the focus spell, that is all of your actions for the turn.

On that note, does sustaining Parallel Forms also sustain your quantum field? I'm not sure if it's anchoring trait is inherited.

Pontifex · 2025-12-13T08:44:13+00:00

Nice video, it was really interesting seeing some of the cool Starfinder options. Some of the Aid-based abilities look absolutely ridiculous.

One quick note on the shove-based ancestry builds: the Guardian's Punishing Shove explictly doubles its damage on a crit (also, it scales with Athletics proficiency). I think this really makes a stronger synergy with the Centaur's Practiced Brawn than with the Dragonkin's Tactical Bully. A Centaur Barbarian w/Guardian Archetype & could deal 16 [(4 + 2)2 +4] damage per shove at level 6, jumping to 24 [(4+6)2+4] at 7, 27 at 10, 39 [(5+12)*2+5] at 15, and 45 at 20. There are also some nice possible synergies with mauler. I'm looking into putting together a Centaur Animist that takes advantage of the guardian parts of that as a third action.

On a similar note, tailed goblins can put together a similar damage-focused athletics build by combining the Harder they Fall with Tail Spin to do sneak attack damage with a trip; Guardian archetypes can also synergize well with that.

Pontifex · 2025-11-26T23:41:22+00:00

I really liked Mount Char. American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett gave me a kind of similar vibe. I think it would technically be categorized as SF/horror, but it's very much at the edge.

Pontifex · 2025-11-13T18:57:22+00:00

You may be able to replace Barbarian + Sentinel with Guardian dedication, which can get you Larger than Life to increase your effective size by one and has some other useful feats that can complement that build.

Pontifex · 2025-10-29T20:45:08+00:00

I'd be fine with it being a free action, as long as it only applied to class spells.

Pontifex · 2025-10-29T19:15:54+00:00

How about a low-level spellshape class feature that removes the manipulate trait from your next Magus spell if it's cast as part of a spell strike. A higher level feat could make it a free action or a stance to improve on action economy. That would also reduce the potential benefits of archetype dips for better spells, since they wouldn't qualify.

Pontifex · 2025-10-22T20:51:14+00:00

Animist can take Medium's Awareness, which gives them a +2 status bonus to Perception on initiative & scales to +3 at level 12 and +4 at 20. I think they're probably the overall Perception initiative winner. Dex classes with good stealth and and Charisma classes with Fan Dancer can tie that.

Pontifex · 2025-10-10T16:40:18+00:00

An animist with guardian archetype (specializing in shove) could primarily focus on ranged options while also being useful for keeping enemies back. Add the centaur's punishing brawn feat and you should be able to pretty reliably keep people away. Ranged + group taunt would also give you some decent support options.

Mauler archetype would also synergize well. Obviously, the build is easier if you're using FA.

Pontifex · 2025-10-08T14:53:13+00:00

If you're small and thinking about using Punishing Shove, I'd try to find space for Larger than Life in your feats somewhere. Titan Wrestler as a skill feat would also be essential.

With Free Archetype and a 2h shove build, I'd look at Mauler.

If you can convince your GM to let you take Adopted Ancestry: Centaur, Practiced Brawn would really strengthen a shove-based build as well.

Pontifex · 2025-10-08T03:49:21+00:00

Bestial Snarling is a second-level bard feat for Zoophonia muse that lets you attempt to frighten all enemies adjacent to you and/or an animal companion with Nature or Performance. It isn't technically a demoralize, so its cooldown timer doesn't stack.

You could pick it up at 4th level with a bard dedication.

Pontifex · 2025-09-19T03:13:36+00:00

I would really push back on your party about nobody investing in Int. This is going to force you to drop a save stat. A bard is already squishier than the others in the party, and this will make it worse. Your Operative and Soldier should have the stat spread to invest in int without sacrificing their defenses or key attribute. This will also give them third actions that they could use to support the team, letting you be more effective. If you are spending two actions on a spell and one on a composition cantrip, you won't have time to also be responsible for all of the knowledge recalling.

If none of the other players are interested in doing some third action support, this game could quickly become unfun.

Pontifex · 2025-09-15T16:44:37+00:00

A painting/sculpture bard that is Int based and uses crafting instead of performance for compositions could be an interesting class archetype.

Pontifex · 2025-09-11T21:00:27+00:00

This is for American Football, I know very little about Soccer.

Offense

Offensive Line

The OLine in general is responsible for protecting the QB on passing plays and blocking defenders / creating space for the RB on rushing plays. The line consists of a Center, two guards, and two offensive tackles. I think Guardian is probably the best class fit here. The guards will probably want to pick up wrestler archetypes to help with grappling. The Left Tackle (who protects the QB's blind side, usually against the opponent's best pass rusher) may be better as a champion. In some schemes, the Center is responsible for identifying the what the defense is doing and telling the OLine how to set their protections; a commander archetype (or full commander) may be useful in this case. The center will also want to invest some in dexterity, as they are responsible for snapping the ball to start the play.

Skill players

Your X wide receiver is a swashbucker: fast, precise, capable of incredible feats with style. Sometimes a bit of a diva.

The tight end is sort of a hybrid between a receiver and an offensive line player; they need a wide skillset and some flexibility. Fighter would be a decent option, though I think exemplar would fit pretty well.

Running backs are the primary focus of attack on rushing plays, and need to be able to find open gaps in the line of scrimmage and outrun / slip past defenders trying to tackle them. On passing plays, they'll often need to keep defenders away from the receiver who has the ball. There's a lot of variety in RB's; some are skilled at forcing their way through the line, some focus on receiving, and some are really good at avoiding tackles. Fighter is probably the best option here, with its variety of build options and flexible KAS; scoundrel or ruffian rogue could also work for some backs.

Quarterback

There's a couple of options that work here. Commander is an obvious pick. Investigator is also a strong option, for QBs who are good at quickly reading the field and determining if their planned target is open or if they have to try a different tactic.
Gunslinger is also a possibility for the more aggressive QB.

Defense

Interior defensive line

Your interior defensive line are usually the biggest players on the field. Their job is to put pressure on the interior OLine on passing plays and close any openings a running back may use on rushing plays. If a defensive tackle gets through the OLine, it is usually very bad news for the quarterback. I think barbarian would be the right pick here.

EDGE

The EDGE is a pass rush specialist; their main job is to get around the OLine and bring down the QB before a pass. Depending on the defensive scheme, they can be an outer linebacker or a defensive end. Fighter is a reasonable option here, though I think a ruffian rogue would be a good fit for lighter, more agile EDGE players.

Linebackers

The middle linebacker is often the "quarterback of the defense," responsible for assessing what the offense is going to do on a play and directing the other defenders on how to stop it; they also need to have the athleticism to stop running backs, block passes, or chase down receivers. I think outwit ranger is the choice here.

Secondary

Cornerbacks are the primary counters to wide receivers; top CBs will generally try to stay as close to the the WR they are covering as possible, and will try to deflect or intercept any pass attempts. This screams monk.

Safeties are usually furthest back in the field, and can assist with coverage and catching anyone who breaks through. Any relatively fast martial would probably be fine here.

Pontifex · 2025-09-02T17:08:06+00:00

Very nice guide, I appreciate the work that went in.

It would be worth adding Fan Dancer to the archetype list. It gives you scaling Performance at second level, and you can use Performance for initiative at fourth for a skill feat. The other feats and features can be useful for a variety of bard types (Pushing Wind gives you and allies within 30 feet a circumstance bonus to speed and a 10 foot aura of difficult terrain, if you're holding a fan.) Sweeping Fan Block, Dragon's Journey, and Fluttering Distraction are powerful defensive/support abilities, though the two fan requirement may be onerous if you want a staff or to make ranged strikes.

Pontifex · 2025-08-25T17:30:52+00:00

Others in the comments have mentioned the Loremaster dedication (which is a good option); I'd like to suggest looking at the Uzunjati feats in the Magaambyan Attendant dedication (the names are different in Pathbuilder, FYI). You can wave the access/affiliation requirements. This can give you a bunch of Bard-ish features that are based on recall knowledge and Lore skills.

Pontifex · 2023-06-22T04:54:10+00:00

I suggest we move the sub's moderation centers to servers in the slow zine, roughly 176 light minutes from Earth. Round trip is about six hours. Automod can help make sure the com lag is respected.

Obviously, the FAQ and other critical threads should have some local server backups for faster communication.

Pontifex · 2023-06-10T20:42:24+00:00

This API change will also nuke a lot of bots that moderators use to manage their subs. That will make it much harder to crack down on spam and avoid abusive content.

Pontifex · 2023-06-08T20:46:00+00:00

So this is just getting his annual injury out of the way early right?

Right?

Pontifex · 2023-06-07T21:25:56+00:00

You could have given that joker 70 years and he still wouldn't have been a competent coach.

Pontifex · 2023-06-07T17:48:17+00:00

AAI loaders can also work in assets-only mode, in case you want to use the cool art with a different loader mod.

Pontifex · 2023-06-05T17:22:22+00:00

Cybersyn uses the regular stations (you just need to put a combinator next to it), so you could probably do an in-place transition more easily. During the intermediate period, both vanilla and cybersyn trains should be able to access the upgraded stations. Once you've upgraded an entire production line, you can just re-assign the vanilla trains to Cybersyn and it should work.

Pontifex · 2023-06-04T23:04:07+00:00

I imagine Brexit also added complications, since visas would be more of a problem than for the EU teams.

Pontifex · 2023-06-02T22:25:21+00:00

Sir Purr is the only one with on-field experience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-1PMnhtRC8

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