My Top Five Archetypes in Pathfinder 2e

#paizo #pathfinder2e #pathfinderrpg #archivesofnthys
Well, you asked for it. Here are my thoughts on some of the best archetypes out there for Pathfinder Second Edition.
And if you want to look all of this up yourself, look up the Pathfinder System Reference Document, called the Archives of Nethys: 2e.aonprd.com/

[@S1leNtRIP]

Dandy and Marshal are two of my favorites! Both grant expert proficiencies in certain skills at level 2, and they have a ton of fun and unique feats! Dandy especially has skill feats that are sweet! Honorable mention to Bastion!

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

I had a really hard time choosing between marshal and Acrobat for my number 5 slot. Marshal is great, don't get me wrong, but I don't know of any other archetype that for one feat upgrades a skill to legendary. Plus, I love swashbucklers, so that kinda swayed me.

[@connorschutz1]

As far as I know the only other archetype that gives free increases with just the dedication is twilight speaker with society. But that's uncommon and requires you to be a specific kind of elf.

[@SybilantSquid]

@@connorschutz1 Trick Driver gets you Driving Lore to legendary, and lets you use Dex instead of Int. Very niche.

[@quark12000]

Wrestler is great for locking down single enemies.

[@Zedrinbot]

Medic coupled with Forensic Investigator makes for a very potent and flexible, spell-free healer. One of my favorite combos. They were both released in the APG, so they were designed to have features that aren't redundant, which means you get the full value out of each.

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

I have a medic/forensic investigator in PFS. Elf with an Elven curved blade.

[@szegediadam8793]

Good list! For all those who are new to pf2nd archetype system, two more thing to consider: One: there is a reason, why free archetype optional rule is obligatory at so many table XD Two: some archetypes have archetype skill feat too, (acrobat and pirate the first two that come to my mind) and those skill feats will count into your dedication+2 treshold. Good video by the way! I may would have honorary mentioned the beast master, because that's a realy flavourful archetype that let you to have an animal companion to fight for you!

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

Good call on the skill feat thing, I had forgotten about that.

[@Schdt]

Free archetype rule only gain free start in an archetype, right? You will still have to spend feats to progress in an archetype?

[@Dudeman715]

The free archetype rule gives you an additional feat choice at every even level, these must be archetype feats which can be the dedication or the feats there within.

[@chase3803]

This is another reason medic is so amazing. Treat condition is a skill feat. So you can meet all you archetype feat requirements at level 4 and be free to choose another if wanted by level 6

[@VJK102]

Its sad that some Archetypes don't work well with it. Some Archetypes have gaps in the level progression, so sometimes you get to a level and have nothing to pick for the free archetype feat. Seems to usually be on lvl 4

[@PangoriaFallstar]

This was the closest I have ever come to understanding archetypes. Thank you.

[@squidrecluse2336]

Probably not the strongest archetype, but I really like the Talisman Dabbler. Even if a lot of talismans are kinda situational, it's hard to pass up free items everyday.

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

Same with alchemist. Even with the base dedication only giving you level 1 alchemical items, you can still craft antiplagues and antitoxins, which give you a +2 item bonus to saves . . . good until level 14 when you should start getting greater resilience runes on your armor.

[@szegediadam8793]

I so want to love talisman dabbler, but we always play with free archetype option and it is way harder to build something if they don't have archetype feats at every class feat level. However one day I will play a supersticious orc rogue with shit-ton of talismans on him XD

[@lued123]

​@@szegediadam8793The free archetype rules suggest waiving the 3 feat minimum rule in certain cases. The rule is intended to stop you from "one level dipping" on dedications, so it should be okay to waive it as long as you don't do that. "If the group all has the same archetype or draws from a limited list, you might want to ignore the free archetype's normal restriction of selecting a certain number of feats before taking a new archetype. That way a character can still pursue another archetype that also fits their character." That reasoning isn't exactly the same as yours, but I think most GMs would allow you to take Talisman Dabbler at 2, Quick Fix at 4, and then some other dedication at 6, as long as your overall plan doesn't give you too many dedications. Just take Deeper Dabbler at 8 to restore your honor.

[@TheLocalDisasterTourGuide]

Great Shout Out to Medic! I think Beast Master is the most popular in my group.

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

Interesting, I've never seen it in mine, but I'll look into it.

[@dalekreject7324]

@@PsiPrimeProductions1 Beastmaster can be great. Have one in my AV campaign, bear support for the win!

[@Wonderwall627]

I played a beast master because I wanted the flavor. Then I heard it was the best archtype. I was very let down. It mostly gave me a free flank and occasionally added a small amount of damage. It needs a AoO.

[@TheLocalDisasterTourGuide]

@@Wonderwall627 My players are mostly obsessed with collecting pets! LOL! The amount of use varies, but the desire to collect never abates!

[@davidriggs538]

Great video. I'd add Beastmaster. Getting an animal companion can enhance any class. Undead Master with undead companions is also pretty cool. Ghost archetype is a great way to keep playing a killed character (with the "unfinished business" being the campaign's objective.)

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

Agree about ghost archetype! Didn't think of that.

[@jamesblagden4382]

I like the Herbalist archetype, for thematic reasons (playing a Druid or Centaur) and for Poultice Preparation and level 4 which allows to you apply healing effects just by interacting with an ally.

[@link090909]

Just had the mental image of a centaur galloping up and smacking someone with goo saying "you're healed"

[@SkarmoryThePG]

You can feed a potion to somebody too, but poultices work on sickened people

[@GrimmDichotomy]

Medic is SUCH a great Archetype, it's almost become a mandatory selection for whoever plays the healer in the group because it's just that good xP Doctor's Visitation is also a fabulous must-have feat, because anything that lets you get better action economy is a huge boon! Normally I stick with one, maaaaybe two archetypes, but my next character is going to have an ABSURD number xD We're getting Free Archetype for the Pathfinder Agent, and later the "advanced" versions of that archetype (Scrollmaster, Spellmaster, or Swordmaster). So I'm starting off as a Wizard, then at level two get Pathfinder Agent automatically and am using my class feat to multiclass into Psychic via Intelligence, now that the Remaster has Tradition-agnostic spell proficiency (a decent chunk of my Wizard class feats are going to be for Archetype feats) and the Occult list has some fun spells for honing in on my "chronomancer" theme ^_^ Then I plan to spec into Scrollmaster with Free Archetype, which has some fabulous interplay with Recall Knowledge and the "Knowledge is Power" build I'm looking to go into, and then I believe around level 14 I'm picking up the Time Mage dedication since at that point I'll have plenty enough Psychic feats to allow me to pick up a new archetype =]

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

My friend played a wizard in strength of thousands, got free archetype into Druid, then picked up occult witch and then cleric. He was described as ‘just a bunch of spells in a trench coat.’

[@Ditidos]

I love the Archeologist archetype. It gives you expert in both Society and Thievery, plus it's skill feats are fun and flavourful so it's very easy to get out of afterwards. Albeit I think it works best without free archetype.

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

I’ve seen it used before.

[@kidrissa]

Great video. I hadn’t heard of some of these, so I’m excited to check them out. I’m still very much learning the system, but I have to mention the Wrestler archetype. I heard about from Swingripper and his Grapple Cleric build. After playing a Level 1 version of it in some PFS games during PaizoCon this year, I’m convinced. But I can also see how it’s not for everyone. It requires a bit of a “teamwork/support” mindset. Extra buffs & debuffs for your team, along with Cleric. But PF2 is built around teamwork, so there you go.

[@deadpoolegor]

Since the release of Howl of the Wild, my absolutely favorite archetype is Ostilli Host. This is so good for your 3rd action, you can literally get a stronger Electric Arc for a caster, that you can use only for one action with your Spell DC. The amount of good feats is stunning there

[@legomojo]

This was great! There are so many that, as the rules-conduit for my players, it’s nice to see some general use ideas from these archetypes. Like your mention of the Lay on Hands or getting skills from Rogue. I’d love more of that. In fact there are some “weird” ones that I’d love to see you dive in to just like these ones. Celebrity, Sniper Duo, Undeadmaster, or Pactbound Initiate to name a few that have made me personally go “huh… I guess this could be neat?🤔” Also, when the PC2 comes out I’d love to see what you think of the NEW Champion archetype. Again, great work.

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

Thank you!

[@jediprotector216]

My top 5 does not have any multiclass archetype dedications. #5 is the Spellscared dedication for Summoner and Magus builds for the extra spellcasting #4 is the Pathfinder Agent Dedication as it is a great expansion of knowledge for any class that wants to do more. #3 is Medic for all the healing the cleric gets without some downsides of other dedications. #2 is Linguist Archetype as is a great flavor expansion for Wizards, Rogues, and Investigators. #1 is the Beastmaster Archetype, which is great for expanding your menagerie with Druid, Ranger, or any other Survival based classes. Also, multiple animals to use in an adventure.

[@claudioroperti4785]

Great video!!! Medic its by far my favorite archetype, I went to healing decent, to awesome, the feat Doctor's Visitation, one of the best feats, move + cure in battle, great.

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

My friend has a monk with medic. He likes to joke he can get 5 actions in a turn, by using flurry of blows than doctor's visitation, (then his 3rd action).

[@VJK102]

One thematic archetype that seems somewhat fun is the Lumberjack archetype Climbing using axes is always a fun visual

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

Hadn’t seen that.

[@3_14pie]

mind smith is fun and so strong that I don't understand how it isn't talked about more. you can make a weapon have so many fun combinations of traits, like grapple and reach, besides it is so flavourful

[@ZeroRoyale]

I really like Dragon Disciple for the flavor. It might not be the best for the classes that automatically qualify, but I still like it

[@kyros905]

Kineticist is amazing. Impulses use your level to heighten, and you can take one feat to gain heavy armor or médium armor and shield block.

[@Mega24fun]

I had no idea how strong some of these other ones were especially just the dedication feat alone thanks for opening up my eyes.

[@philippedaigneault366]

One very cool character I'm playing right now using free archetype is a Magus with Champion dedication and I play her as a frontline tank. Another one I have fun with is a Thaumaturge with a Monk dedication with stumbling stance slowly working it up to flurry of blows. Being able to attack twice for one action with full Thaumaturge damage bonuses is gonna be nuts! Downside is it takes about two rounds to set up with stance and exploit weakness.

[@LeoJNidise]

Idk if anyone else mentioned it, but the psychic dedication is op as hell. 1 focus point + an amped spell at level 2 is a lot of power!

[@Stryxion]

Nice list ^^. For me personally, nothing beats Kinetisist, just because of the impulses, as well as the rp and flavor provided by actually having control over an element.

[@syruproast1598]

Our game doesn't have free archetype, but thankfully the Medic archetype's Treat Condition and Holistic Care can both be taken as skill feats!

[@SquidasaurusRex]

Duelist (from APG) is fun! If youre playing a martial with not a lot of one 1-h weapon support its a great way to get some Fighter/Swashbuckler esque feats. It has some unique feats that are thematic and RP friendly. Aldori Duelist is similar but doesnt have as many unique feats and its only real benefit is getting proficiencies with the Aldori Dueling Sword.

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

Lol, I have a barbarian with Duelist. He can offset his penalty to AC with duelist stance with his bastard sword (one handed) because it doesn’t have the concentrate trait.

[@num1otori143]

Another one to add to a couple skill increases the Archeologist Dedication gets you expert in Theivery and Society. Some if the other feats seem solid to me. Unfortunately do need to be trained in those skills as a prerequisite.

[@christopherg2347]

If you want Lay on Hands, another option is Blessed One archetype. Champion has other advantages if you can met the requirements, but Blessed One is easier to get.

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

True, true.

[@lyracian]

Four out if five match with mine. Rogue and Champion are both great; although less fond of Champion if your game is going past level 12 due to needing another feat to increase Armour training. I also love Mobility from Rogue to be able to move with out getting attacked. Medic and Acrobat are also wonderful. With Free Archetype builds I like to drop Acrobat in at level 8 then use Human ancestry to be Multitalented at 9 and build into something else (often more spellcasting). I think my final pick would be Wrestler or Bastion for Disarming Block now that skill action got better. I also think there is some shift in value on Archetypes depending if you use Free Archetype or not. Without it is much easier to just throw in any dedication and not worry about having something useful at every level.

[@artpaul8909]

very helpful as i have a new group just getting to level 2. This will help them with their characters greatly

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

Glad I could help!

[@toushi0u]

I like Herbalist very much. It makes your Nature a "super" skill. It's a really cool healer build (and it's fun to "slap heal" with poultices).

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

I already think nature is a super skill. Know about nature, primal magic, identify elementals, fey, magical beasts, AND normal beasts? But no, I get your point.

[@NakkaVT]

Sentinel + my melee fire kineticist has been fantastic. Got medium armor from an ancestry feat.

[@harjutapa]

My absolute favorite archetype is Scout, for one reason: Scout's Speed. The archetype overall is great for a sneaky wilderness focused character, but that +10 speed bonus puts it over the top. My next character, if i ever get to play instead of run, is likely going to be a Thief rogue with the Acrobat and then Scout archetypes.

[@harjutapa]

Consider: 6th level elven rogue (or just take Fleet at 3rd) can take Fleeting Shadow and Scout's Speed in order to Hide, Sneak 40ft, and still get a shot off.

[@Jermbot15]

With the prevalence of the free archetype at so many tables. I'd like to give a shout out to archetypes that defy this idea that a character should branch out. That say, "I'm going to let you be even more of a (insert class here) than you were before." Acrobat, Archer, Bastion, Beastmaster, Blessed One, Dual-Weapon Warrior, Duelist, Loremaster, Martial Artist, Mauler, Scout, Sentinel and I'm sure others. These are the archetypes for those of us who are told by our gamemaster, "You don't have to just be a boring old (insert class here). We're using the free archetype variant! Your friend is playing a monk with the medic archetype to be a medical ninja like in Naruto!" and we say, "No thank you. I don't think (insert class here) is boring at all. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to use these free feats to get the bastion archetype entirely because my Champion was always going to have a shield and now I can use my class feats on holy stuff."

[@Gristoufle2]

My animal barbarian player struggles to do just that, and is "forced" to branch due to lack of choice. He does not like the flavor of the monk dedication, and strangely also not the brawler (whereas it fits his gameplay style). So he went with Bounty Hunter but that did not do too much for him in combat.

[@Jermbot15]

@@Gristoufle2 Bounty Hunter is fun. But if he tends to use Intimidate as his third action, he may also find the Marshall to be an interesting choice. It gives some combat utility that is agnostic enough to be flavored around his beast form. And of course wrestler would also seem to synergize well with an animal instinct barbarian.

[@Wonderwall627]

Starts at 5:50 if you know how to play PF2e already

[@sapphirII]

I like the familiar master and beast master archetypes. I thought I could make an elemental instinct barbarian and with an elemental companion.

[@SuperEagle112]

Blessed one is my go to, as long as I can justify it in character. The best part of this game is the absolute insane amount of variation in two seemingly identical characters. It’s something other RPGs are trying desperately to copy

[@alarkhar]

You forgot that a high level medic can literally rez an ally with a skill roll! Sure, the DC is 40, but being able to literally bring your buddies back to life with no magic at all... Oh, and let's not forget the NEW archetypes - the racial ones. Now, imagine an adorable little elven rogue exploring a dungeon... she gets sprung on by an undead. She has nobody to flank, and her AC isn't exactly top notch. Next thing you kinow, the poor walking corpse is facing a HUGE and very angry wif-bear ("wif" is the female for "were"). Yes, there is a werecreature archetype, just like there are quite a few undead archetypes (the Mummy and the Lich are possibly the best). Last but not least, let me remind everyone of the best optional rule ever: the Extra Archetype. Basically, you get one extra feat every even level, but it can ONLY be used for archetypes. Nothing else is allowed. Suffice to say, all the players (and quite a few GMs) love this thing - it allows a player to customize his character without nerfing it. It's awesome.

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

Didn’t forget, just didn’t have time to mention EVERY feat. Actually did mention that feat in my battlecry playtest video. Good looking out though.

[@jesucar3811]

Soulforger... I really like storm light archive

[@kidrissa]

I’m still very much learning the system, but I have to mention the Wrestler archetype. I heard about from Swingripper and his Grapple Cleric build. After playing a Level 1 version of it in some PFS games during PaizoCon this year, I’m convinced. But I can also see how it’s not for everyone. It requires a bit of a “teamwork/support” mindset. Extra buffs & debuffs for your team, along with Cleric. But PF2 is built around teamwork, so there you go.

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

In a Quest for the Frozen Flame game, we had a Wrestler monk who just locked down enemies with that archetype. It was useful.

[@SkarmoryThePG]

I am very fond of Drow Shootist. Skirmish strike is so hard to get

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

Level 12 rogue dedication or ranger dedication can pick it up with Advanced Trickery/Advanced Hunter's Trick. Does take the basic feats though, so it is a bit more invovled but it doesn't require an uncommon archetype.

[@MaurizioBonelli]

5:20 I have some doubts about this: if you get 3 feats with the first dedication and then unlock the second dedication, can you switch back to the previous dedication without getting 3 feats also if the new? In some of my sessions we have to go with 3+3 prior to go back to the first dedication chosen! 😮

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

Rules as written: To be allowed to take a second DEDICATION FEAT (the entryway into the archetype), you have to have three feats in your first archetype. After that there are no rules on which feats you can take, so, yeah, rules as written you can bounce back and forth. The multitalented ancestry feat exploits this loophole by saying you can take a dedication feat even if you don't have the prerequisite feats in the other archetype. " Once you take a dedication feat, you can’t select a different dedication feat until you complete your dedication by taking two other feats from your current archetype. You can’t retrain a dedication feat as long as you have any other feats from that archetype." Source: 2e.aonprd.com/Rules.aspx?ID=2127&Redirected=1 You are, of course, free to house rule whatever you want in your homegames though!

[@HiImLerazzo]

Here is some feedback that you may or may not find useful. This video feels like it has two very distinct parts - a tutorial about how archetypes work and a list of useful archetypes. Both sections are very useful, but I think there is a slight mismatch in expectation when the video only advertises the latter, but spends a long time discussing the first. Intermediate and advanced players likely already know the rules, but may be interested in a discussion of the power and versatility of the best archetypes, may come the video and feel obstructed by the basic, although excellent, explanation of the rules. I do not have immidiate suggestions for how to fix this or if it is important enough to fix, but I thought I would share the observation regardless. Cheers, good luck on your content creation journey.

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

I did include a timestamp to skip to the list right away . . . I thought that was enough? I did originally intend the review of archetypes to be shorter but . . . well it takes a bit of time to explain the ins and outs.

[@HiImLerazzo]

@@PsiPrimeProductions1 I think I missed that line. That certainly does help the video flow if you do not require an explanation. If you are paying proper attention.

[@certifiedfunnyguy]

didn't mention medic...

[@liamcage7208]

Wow, completely different from literally Anything I would have thought of. I mean like 100% different. I see nothing in common with your list and mine. Isn't that what Pathfinder 2e is all about? People can get themselves in a rut with a game and all it takes is to see someone else's interpretation to see the possibilities. One (1) of my top 5 Archetypes is the ... Magus. Anyone who uses a weapon to deal the primary damage can benefit from being able to add spell damage to their weapon. A Rogue Sneak Attack... add some Acid damage, A Fighter needs a little extra something ... add Fire damage, etc.. You don't change the identity of your class you just add a little something to your damage when needed as well as the ability to read Arcane scrolls.

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

Magus archetype is nice, but it DOES say that you can basically only recharge your spellstrike 1/minute, AND you need to take a second feat for it. It's not the worst thing ever, don't get me wrong, but I'd rather be a magus with like, rogue archetype instead. Source: 2e.aonprd.com/Feats.aspx?ID=2948

[@FluffyFailure0]

Sadly, I feel disgusted by the false advertisement of calling the Pathfinders Paladin a "Champion". Being called a Champion would at least come with the idea that you could serve something other than gods, but no you are the god's champion and only the god's champion. Your powers are directly tied to the gods and are not your own, unlike the Fighter's marshall prowess, Wizard's magic, and Rogue's talents. If I would play a Cleric then I would accept being tied to a god as it is part of the job description. Still, the same cannot be said for the title of Champion, as a Champion should be able to be the representative of anything or anyone. I apologize for my tangent. But at least writing this gave me an idea. So behold my character the Crazy Cat Lady the Champion of Strays, who would slay gods and burn kingdoms to the ground, for the sake of finding her Kitty a good home. Her heart does not have room for religion, rules, or people. And so, she would go on a warpath the likes of which could only be heard of in cautionary tales and legends. :3

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

I mean, disgusted is a strong term, but you do you. I will say that you could homebrew anything you want in your own game, that you can make a champion (or cleric) of a pantheon, AND that there have been rumblings that Pathfinder may be allowing champions/clerics of philosophies in the upcoming Divine Mysteries book.

[@FluffyFailure0]

@@PsiPrimeProductions1 I don't know a better way to say this. I guess it's nice to know that there are alternate options on the way, but I'm probably not going to get much use out of it. Pathfinder 2E actually managed to bring order to the group I was in, for a while, but one of them whined about how prepared spellcasters work. I guess I'm really just watching these videos because I don't want to go back to the chaos of DnD 5E.

[@PsiPrimeProductions1]

Well, I hope you find a group and/or system that you are happy with. Remember, this hobby is supposed to be about having fun, so try to find a way to do that.