History Classes / Pathfinder

* EasyEvangelism: There's an archetype called the Evangelist who focuses on spreading the good word by any way they can, up to and including KnockingOnHeathensDoors. They tend to have a fairly high success rate... well, that's only to be expected, given they have the ability to spontaneously cast all of the clerical CharmPerson type spells -- Command, Enthrall, Suggestion, Greater Command, Geas/Quest, Mass Suggestion, Sympathy and Demand. They can also spontaneously cast the Tongues spell, making them an {{Omniglot}}, so they can preach to anyone they meet.

* WhiteMage: The Merciful Healer archetype loses access to a lot of the

* GrislyTrophy: The True Primitive archetype has a class feature called "Trophy Fetish", which lets them make talismans from the teeth, bones, hair or other remnants of vanquished enemies, which can be attached to the barbarian's armor or weapons to grant an enhanced

* AdventurerArchaelogist: There's an archetype actually ''called'' the Adventurer in ''Ultimate Combat''. It has a LuckManipulationMechanic, can take Rogue Talents, and has special abilities relating to perception, dodging, disabling devices and detecting traps.

* CelibateHero: One of the {{Heroic Vow}}s that a Monk can take is the Vow of Celibacy, which requires abstaining from all sexual and intimate physical activities. The Nonk takes it UpToEleven compared to the Paladin; they refuse to share a room with another person, sleep on the opposite side of the camp from the rest of the group, and are forbidden from even touching others or allowing others to touch them -- combat is, thankfully, a valid exception, but all peaceful or pleasurable contact must be shunned, including receiving helpful touch-delivered spells.

* CelibateHero: Oathbound Paladins pursuing the Oath of Chastity [{CaptainObvious have to be this]], with their Code of Conduct specifically stating "never engage in a romantic relationship or a sexual act".

* KnightInShiningArmor: Embodies the archetype. The Sword of Valor class archetype takes it UpToEleven.

* DungeonCrawling: The Dungeon Rover [[CaptainObvious is specialized in surving in underground environments]].

* TheHunter
* LoyalAnimalCompanion: Save for a few archetypes that give them all, most Rangers can take one. Some archetypes open up different possible animal companions.

* MasterOfUnlocking

* GoodIsNotNice: Thanks to bonuses to intimidate, it's easy to build an Inquisitor that does this.

* TheFundamentalist: The Exarch archetype is based upon the idea of an Inquisitor dedicated to adhering to strict orthodoxy, and punishing those who would diverge from it.
* TheHeretic: Not only do Inquisitors hunt these in general, but there's an actual archetype for the Inquisitor ''called'' the Heretic.
* TheHunter: Inquisitors have abilities that lend themselves to this type of character. Extra damage against specific creature types? Check. The ability to discern the weaknesses of monsters? Check.

* VampireHunter: An archetype by that specific name appears in ''Inner Sea Magic'', whilst the ''Advanced Races Guide'' houses an archetype for vampire-hunting {{dhampyr}} Inquisitors called "[[HunterOfHisOwnKind the Kinslayer]]".
* WitchHunter: The general motif, and a specific class archetype.

* {{Reincarnation}}: The Reincarnated Oracle archetype, as one might expect, is based on the idea of an Oracle whose powers come because of their ability to draw upon the knowledge and power of their past lives. Always having either the Haunted or [[SpeakingInTongues Tongues]] curses, melding best with the Mysteries of Ancestors, Lore and Time, they are most common amongst the Samsarans, a race of mysterious humanoids from the Dragon Empires who are blessed with BornAgainImmortality.

* PowerAtAPirce: The Scarred Witch Doctor archetype engages in SelfHarm in order to foster and focus its magical powers. It uses Constitution as its casting stat, rather than Intelligence, and has to carve or brand scars into its body to symbolize its hexes (and loses these hexes if the scarring is removed).

* ThePowerOfHate / UnstoppableRage: The Barbarian's Rage lets them tap into superhuman physical and mental feats due to the sheer power of their rage and hate.
* NowThatsUsingYourTeeth: The Feral Gnasher archetype reflects a Barbarian so savage and vicious they specialize in biting their enemy to death. Needless to say, it is most common amongst monstrous races, such as goblins and gnolls.

* TheBeastmaster: The Animal Speaker archetype. It has natural affinity with the Handle Animal ability, SpeaksFluentAnimal, can cast the Summon Nature's Ally spells, and their two unique types of bardic performance are performing a [[Literature/ThePiedPiperOfHamlin Pied Piper]] routine by summoning rat swarms via music and actively using MusicSoothesTheSavageBeast.

* CombatPragmatist: ''Advanced Player's Guide'' introduced the idea of dirty trick combat manuevers, which are based on fighting this way. The Dirty Fighter archetype specializes in using these dirty tricks, as one might expect.

* BandOfBrothers: Cavaliers of the Order of the Dragon dedicate themselves to serving with and aiding a group of like-minded individuals.

* FiringInTheAirALot: The variant of this trope where a person shoots once into the sky to silence and/or startle people is invoked in the form of the high level[[note]]15 or higher[[/note]] Deed known as Menacing Shot, which lets the gunslinger spend a Grit point and fire off a round to create a Fear spell.

* {{Handguns}}: Gunslingers can choose to specialize in pistols, and the Gulch Gunner archetype, which is based on a Gunslinger specializing in fighting in tight, close combat environments, is mentioned as typically favoring these guns.

Wandering entertainers who weave together magic and music into a single skillful whole. With a diverse array of skills and abilities, Bards are a difficult class to define. They typically aim for shoring up weakspots in the overall party, or else focusing their abilities on an area that the party lacks. Their innate tie-in with the diplomatic skills, not to mention their innate ability to manipulate emotions and minds, makes them excel in the role of the Party Face.

* CelebrityStar: One of the Bardic archetypes in ''Ultimate Magic'' is actually called the Ceelbrity. Its basic class feature is being famous in a given area, giving a bonus to Diplomacy and Intimidate checks in that area.

* LoyalPhlebotinium: An Alchemist's mutagen only works for the Alchemist, as a general rule of thumb. The Oenopion Researcher is an exception, via its Experimental Mutagen class feature.

* {{Mana}}: Like several other classes in Pathfinder, the Gunslinger's more spectacular class abilities are fueled by points withdrawn from a pool of energy. The Gunslinger's version is called "Grit".
* {{Pirate}}: One of the archetypes for the Gunslinger from the ''Advanced Races Guide'' is the Buccaneer, which is a seafaring specialized variant of the Gunslinger most commonly seen amongst pirate ships.

Legendary experts of stealth and murder. Officially described as a "Japanese/Oriental" replacement for the Ranger class.

* {{Ninja}}: Well, duh. Crunch-wise, it's effectively a beefier Rogue/stealthier Ranger which uses a "ki pool" to power certain special abilities, including duplicating the effects of certain Illusion spells.

* DishingOutDirty: The Shaitan Binder calls upon earthen elementals and Eidolons.
* FaerieCompanion: Summoners can theme their Eidolons this way in general, but it is the specialty of the First Worlder archetype, which can summon various fey creatures through its Summon Nature's Ally spell-like ability and which grants the Fey type to its Eidolon.

* TheWhiteMage: The Songhealer archetype specializes in the bard's healing magic.

* TheZealot: Clerics of the Theologian archetype tend to be this, as they focus intensely on a single particular area of their patron god's religion. The Seperatist archetype, meanwhile, also tends to be this, as they are dedicated to forging a new branch of their parent religion.

* SupernaturalMartialArts: The Monk's more spectacular superhuman feats are fuelled by ki energy. One archetype from Ultimate Magic, the Quigong Monk, emphasizes the supernatural aspect of their training with enhanced abilities and even spell-mimicking KiAttacks.

* StealthExpert: The Nirmathi Irregular.

* MakeAWish: The Wishcrafter Bloodline represents a Sorcerer who has a genie ancestor, allowing them to draw upon their bloodline and grant wishes to express their magic.

** InUniverse, the former is often the viewpoint of the Oracles themselves, especially since they rarely, if ever, asked to be "blessed". The iconic Oracle lost her home and family because of her powers, since she was originally a member of the militantly atheist cities of Rahadoum.

** Kind of invoked with the Ancestors Mystery from ''Ultimate Magic''.

* BondCreature: The Eidolon.

* SummonMagic: The class's specialty.

* DarkIsNotEvil: Though heavily based on folkloric Witches and hags -- one "hex" lets them use a hideous cackling to extend the duration of their MagicalEye hexes -- this class has no CharacterAlignment restriction and, though usually CreepyGood, it's quite possible to be a good Witch.
* {{Familiar}}: Serves as a source for their magic spells. Certain archetypes take different interpretations of them.

* ImAHumanitarian: Evil Witches can take the "Cook People" hex from Ultimate Magic, which lets them brew up certain potions by murdering a sentient humanoid and boiling their remains down in a cauldron.

* DanceBattler:
** The Dervish Dancer archetype is this trope played straight.
** The Dawnflower Dervish archetype, on the other hand, has a similar motif, but specializes in dances that invoke their magical spells, especially healing spells.

* LoyalAnimalCompanion: A part of the standard class abilities, though various archetypes will modify this somehow. Treesingers can have killer plant companions instead.

* WeatherManipulation: The specialty of the Tempest Druid, which is most associated with the Sodden Lands, wracked as they are under a permanent hurricane.

Agents of the church charged with hunting down enemies of the faith both within and without.

Armored warrior-wizards who wield spells and swords with equal aplomb.

* CarryABigStick: One archetype for the class from ''Ultimate Magic'' forsakes the usual sword and instead wields a similarly empowered quarterstaff.

* KnightInShiningArmor: Embodies the archetype.

* ElementalPowers: Beyond the myriad elemental spells, there are actually six class archetypes based around mastery over a particular element; ''Advanced Player's Guide'' gives us the Western classics of the [[DishingOutDirt Earth Elementalist]], the [[BlowYouAway Air Elementalist]], the [[MakingASplash Water Elementalist]] and the [[KillItWithFire Fire Elementalist]], whilst ''Ultimate Magic'' adds the [[ElementNumberSix more Eastern-themed]] [[ExtraOreDinary Metal Elementalist]] and [[GreenThumb Wood Elementalist]].

* LoyalAnimalCompanion: Eidolons in general can be flavored as animals, but the Wild Caller in particular specializes in animal or nature-themed Eidolons, as well as trading its wizardly summoning spells for the druidic "Summon Nature's Ally/Elder Worm/Froghemoth" spells.

* MadeOfIron: The Ironskin Monk archetype is a Monk that specializes in absorbing punishment and tanking blows rather than evading and agility.

* BackStab
* BadassNormal

* WitchSpecies: The "Accursed" Bloodline connects the Sorcerer to a hag ancestor, while the "Dreamweaver" bloodline is tied to both Changelings[[note]]the CuteMonsterGirl daughter-forms of hags[[/note]] and Night Hags[[note]]extraplanar hags that specialize in invading peoples' dreams to torment and murder them[[/note]]. One could argue that the Sorcerer itself represents a Witch Species, given that they are defined as casters whose power is InTheBlood.

* CripplingOverspecialization: Cavalier's fighting style typically emphasizes mounted combat. Fighting in areas where mounted combat is impractical or impossible can severely hamper the Cavalier's fighting strength (and given that this is '''Dungeons''' and dragons, a Cavalier can generally expect to see these kinds of areas often). Although, some players have worked around this by using small sized characters.

* KungFuWizard: Rather literally, the Shigento archetype is based on an Oracle who also knows martial arts abilities, complete with gaining a [[{{mana}} ki pool]], like the Monk and Ninja, and the Monk's Ki Strike and Quivering Palm abilities.

* TechnicalPacifist: Redeemer Paladins accept that sometimes violence is necessary, but prefer to try and redeem monsters rather than kill them. Consequently, they have a specialized Smite ability called Merciful Smite that lets them do non-lethal damage without penalty.

* FiveFingerDiscount

* WitchSpecies: The "Accursed" Bloodline connects the Sorcerer to a hag ancestor, while the "Dreamweaver" bloodline is tied to both Changelings[[note]]the CuteMonsterGirl daughter-forms of hags[[/note]] and Night Hags[[note]]extraplanar hags that specialize in invading peoples' dreams to torment and murder them[[/note]]. One could argue that the Sorcerer itself represents one

* CoolHorse: Though not necessarily limited to horses, Cavaliers always have mounts, as their class revolves heavily around their skill at fighting whilst mounted.

* {{Medium}}: Kind of invoked with the Ancestors Revelation from ''Ultimate Magic''. The Occult Revelation, from ''Reign of Winter #5: [[GrigoriRasputin Rasputin]] Must Die!'', is emphatically based on this.

* LoyalAnimalCompanion

* SpeaksFluentAnimal

* CharlesAtlasSuperpower

* AllMonksKnowKungFu
* BareFistedMonk

* ForestRanger

* WitchSpecies: The "Accursed" Bloodline connects the Sorcerer to a hag ancestor.

* {{Familiar}}: Serves as a source for their magic spells.

* TheGunslinger: Well, yeah. They come in many different types.

* SquishyWizard

* DarkIsNotEvil: Though heavily based on folkloric Witches and hags -- one "hex" lets them use a hideous cackling to extend the duration of their EvilEye hexes -- this class has no CharacterAlignment restriction and, though usually CreepyGood, it's quite possible to be a good Witch.
* EvilEye: Several "hexes" resolve around this archetype.

* {{Ninja}}

* CharacterAlignment: As in [[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons the world’s oldest role-playing game]], Paladins must be LawfulGood. They received an EvilCounter class, the Antipaladin, which must be ChaoticEvil, in the Advanced Player's Guide.

* LamarkWasRight: In general, many of the Bloodlines use the idea that something magical that affected an ancestor could pass down that magic and result in the birth of a similarly empowered Sorcerer.

* ElementalPowers: Beyond the myriad elemental spells, there are actually six class archetypes based around mastery over a particular element; ''Advanced Player's Guide'' gives us the Western classics of the [[DishingOutDirt Earth Elementalist]], the [[BlowYouAway Air Elementalist]], the [[MakingASplash Water Elementalist]] and the [[KillItWithFire Fire Elementalist]], whilst ''Ultimate Magic'' adds the more Eastern-themed [[ExtraOreDinary Metal Elementalist]] and [[GreenThumb Wood Elementalist]].

** ''Ultimate Magic'' has the Reanimator archetype, which is quite obviously one to ''Literature/HerbertWestReanimator''

Wandering knights and mounted champions, dedicated to a purpose. Essentially the non-magical equivalent to the Paladin.

* CoolHorse: Though not necessarily limited to horses...

* {{Medium}}: Kind of invoked with the Ancestors Revelation from ''Ultimate Magic''. The Occult Revelation, from ''Reign of Winter #5: {{Rasputin}} Must Die!'', is emphatically based on this.

* CharacterAlignment: Averted. Though the Samurai of [[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons the world’s oldest role-playing game]] were required to be Lawful in alignment and lost their abilities if they ceased to be Lawful, the Pathfinder Samurai has no such restriction. Even the "anti-Samurai", or {{ronin}}, is a class archetype rather than a "state of fallen grace" or "EvilOpposite" PrestigeClass, in contrast to the fallen and anti-paladins.

* CharacterAlignment: As in [[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons the world’s oldest role-playing game]], Paladins must be LawfulGood. They received an EvilOpposite class, the Antipaladin, which must be ChaoticEvil, in the Advanced Player's Guide.

* InTheBlood: A Sorcerer's Bloodline is their most defining feature.

*** The Vivisectionist, from the same book, has elements of ''Literature/{{Frankenstein}}'' to it.

* BadassNormal

* TheBerserker

* MagicMusic

* TheBeastmaster

* {{Druid}}

* SummonMagic
* VoluntaryShapeshifting

* SupernaturalMartialArts: The Monk's more spectacular, superhuman feats are fuelled by ki energy.

* KnightInShiningArmor

Skilled hunters and trackers, adepts of the wilderness.

Meta: A warrior class that brings in some minor spells and nature-related abilities to aid in survival.

* BodyHorror: The Alchemist's Mutagen.

* ShoutOut: The mutagen's effects, and the Master Chymist PrestigeClass, are ones to Literature/TheStrangeCaseOfDoctorJekyllAndMrHyde.

Strange and enigmatic figures, touched by the gods themselves and given divine power -- but always at a cost to themselves. Essentially the divine counterpart to the Sorcerer, the Oracle's defining attributes are their Revelation (the precise connection they have to the divine, akin to the Sorcerer's bloodlines) and their Curse.

* ImAHumanitarian: Evil Witches can take the "Cook Person" hex from Ultimate Magic, which lets them brew up certain powerful potions by murdering a sentient humanoid and boiling their remains down in a cauldron.

* TheGunslinger

* {{Expy}}: The Black Blade archetype is one of Elric of Melnibone.

A master of conjuration, the Summoner far outstrips the summoning abilities of wizards. Not only can they wield conjuration spells with expertise, they have formed a spiritual bond with a once-formless spirit and given it life and a body of their own design. This entity, known as the Eidolon, is an enternally loyal minion that obeys the Summoner's every command. The ultimate expression of the Conjurer, this Wizard spin-off class does one thing, but does it well, and the right summoned minion can more than make up for the caster's personal lack of versatility.

* ChurchMillitant: The default cleric archetype is proficient with light and medium armor, has a decent attack bonus, and is proficient with their deity's favored weapon. Clerics of gods such as Iomedae, Sarenrae, and Gorum especially tend to be this.

A brutal berserker warrior that uses raw savagery and passion to hew down all that stands in their way, most associated with primal and barbaric lands beyond the reach of civilization.

Meta: The barbarian is a non-magical GlassCannon character, capable of hitting hard and fast, but not as adept at soaking up damage as its cousin, the Fighter. It emphasizes attack over defense and is better at evading or shrugging off effects, through straightforward hitpoint damage will drop it faster than the Fighter.

Wandering entertainers who weave together magic and music into a single skillful whole.

Meta: With a diverse array of skills and abilities, Bards are a difficult class to define. They typically aim for shoring up weakspots in the overall party, or else focusing their abilities on an area that the party lacks. Their innate tie-in with the diplomatic skills, not to mention their innate ability to manipulate emotions and minds, makes them excel in the role of the Party Face.

Servitors of the gods who wield divine magic to spread their influence upon the world.

Meta: With access to all of the various spells of divine magic, Clerics excel at augmenting and healing the party.

Mystical servants of the forces of nature.

Meta: Though capable of mimicking the Cleric's role to an extent, the Druid's ability to summon and communicate with animals, assume far more physically imposing bestial forms, and command the loyalty of a mighty animal companion make it far more suited to direct combat.

Meta: Though orientated towards the traditional MeatShield role first and foremost, a Fighter's capacity for wielding weapons

[Class details]

* [Tropes]

[Class details]

* [Tropes]

[Class details]

[Class details]

Practitioners of strange scientific arts that allow them to brew up miraculous tonics, elixirs and chemical compounds.

Meta: An alchemist not only supports the party with potent augmentation potions and useful items via its "spells", but can both play a potent, bomb-wielding ranged attacker, or drink its mutagen and assume a more monstrous form to attack in melee.

[Class details]

[Class details]

* [Tropes]

Strange and enigmatic figures, touched by the gods themselves and given divine power -- but always at a cost to themselves.

Meta: Essentially the divine counterpart to the Sorcerer, the Oracle's defining attributes are their Revelation (the precise connection they have to the divine, akin to the Sorcerer's bloodlines) and their Curse.

A master of conjuration, the Summoner far outstrips the summoning abilities of wizards. Not only can they wield conjuration spells with expertise, they have formed a spiritual bond with a once-formless spirit and given it life and a body of their own design. This entity, known as the Eidolon, is an enternally loyal minion that obeys the Summoner's every command.

Meta: The ultimate expression of the Conjurer, this Wizard spin-off class does one thing, but does it well, and the right summoned minion can more than make up for the caster's personal lack of versatility.

* BondCreature

* SummonMagic

Mysterious and primal casters who wield eerie powers on behalf of mysterious patrons.

Meta: With a wide array of mystical abilities and access to an arsenal of both arcane and divine spells, the Witch is a highly versatile caster.

[Class details]

[Class details]

* [Tropes]

[Class details]

* [Tropes]

* MagicKnight

Note: For the iconic characters based on some of these classes, see Characters/DungeonsAndDragons.

* CharacterAlignment

* CharacterAlignment

* [Tropes]

* [Tropes]

[Class details]

* ShoutOut: The Mutagen's effects, and the Master Chymist PrestigeClass, are ones to Literature/DoctorJeckyllAndMisterHyde.

* CoolMount

[Class details]

* [Tropes]

[Class details]

[Class details]

* [Tropes]

* [Tropes]