Yes but did you see all of these new and incredibly original archetypes that:
1)add sneak to base class
2) Add summons to base class
3) Copy pasted some some abilities from another class, sometimes the abilities might even gets renamed if Owlcats were feeling extra ambitious that day
Must really suck to have to make up random shit to keep yourself feeling miserable.
The two new Archetypes are the opposite of that.
Shield Block is a completely unique ability now exclusive to Fighter (where it belongs) and perfectly addresses a hole in the original design without trivializing it:
Unfair nat 20s on tanks.
TSS didn’t really do this (though it’s a fine class in its own right and was already on a Companion in PF anyway) because nat 20s don’t care about extra AC.
Crits (1 in 400) are whatever but you’ll regularly get hit even with 300 AC and some things hit hard enough for that to matter with Unfair stats and doubling. Protective Luck eats a whole additional action econ so defeats the purpose of having a tank.
DR effects apply before Unfair doubling so will be interesting to see where Shield Block applies in the order. Unlike previous DR abilities it’s also a percentage so kicks in more the more it’s needed.
Let’s say you’ve got 20 DR and get hit for 100.
Shield Block: .8 x 100 = 80
DR: 80 - 20 = 60
Unfair: 60 x 2 = 120
Saving 80 damage, DR alone saves 40
Hit for 200:
Shield Block: 200 x .8 = 160
DR: 160 - 20 = 140
Unfair: 140 x 2 = 280
Saving 120, DR still only 40
Splashed on Seelah tank it gives her Tower Prof and Shield Block at one trigger per round which should be all that’s needed.
Played Single Class it’s effectively always up and I’m guessing the Capstone stacks if you can trigger it multiple times for lulz.
The AoE is for “people who play difficulties they suck at so can’t hit anything and whine about the game” friendly. Will be interesting to see if it triggers weapon procs. Fine ability in any case.
Capstone is a build around I guess. The scaling by Fighter level stuff usually tops out at 17 so can’t fault anyone for going after kombos for last three levels instead.
The Witch Archetype is for kids which is appropriate for the cross promo. Hitting high AC targets with souped up Cantrips isn’t very good on a class that could Hexing them instead, but it beats sitting there just missing them with everything and giving up like
PorkyThePaladin.
Vortex is another unique but not broken effect that unlike Pit Spells doesn’t involve sitting around waiting for the boss to come back after your buffs have expired.
Two very good additions.