Pathfinder Second Edition has a lot in common with Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition storytelling-wise. Both games are about parties of adventures going on epic quests and recovering treasure from dungeons. However, they’re very different games mechanically. They both diverge from the very similar Dungeons & Dragons Third Edition and Pathfinder First Edition.
At a time when many D&D fans may be exploring other systems, Pathfinder is an obvious choice for many. However, some may find its different mechanics daunting. Pathfinder character building is an involved process that continues throughout the entire game. Nonetheless, there are some builds that may be easier for a new player to learn the system with.
10 It Doesn’t Get Much Simpler Than A Sword-And-Shield Fighter
D&D and Pathfinder both have a simple fighter class. In comparison to many others, the fighter has to use fewer mechanics. Their focus is on swinging weapons and battling enemies. Playing a fighter can help players learn combat and more general mechanics, without focusing on anything too specialized.
In Pathfinder 2e, even the fighter has plenty of choices to make in character creation. They have hundreds of weapons to choose from and pick feats at every level, like any other character. A fighter wielding a shield and one of the game’s simpler swords will be an effective character. They can keep themselves safe and deal respectable damage, without being too complicated to build.
9 A Two-Weapon Ranger Can Devastate Foes
Pathfinder 2e rangers are one of the game’s simpler classes. They eschew spellcasting, aside from Focus Spells. In addition, they don’t have to add additional systems like animal companions. A player is free to create a ranger who specializes in weaponry and hunting down enemies.
In particular, rangers are well-suited to dual-wielding. It also makes for a simple build. With two weapons, the Twin Takedown feat, and the Flurry Hunter’s Edge, the ranger can attack more than most characters, with less loss of accuracy. It’s a simple way to do a lot of damage. In addition, wielding two weapons can help a player learn Pathfinder 2e‘s large arsenal that bit more quickly.
8 A Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer Gets The Simplest Spellcasting
Pathfinder 2e‘s spellcasting mechanics can throw some players off. Most casters have to prepare every casting of a spell they want to use the next day. If they want to cast a spell multiple times, they have to prepare it several times. This is far from D&D 5e‘s more lenient preparation rules.
Pathfinder‘s sorcerer goes about spellcasting in a simpler way. It is a far more spontaneous caster. It simply has to learn spells, and then it can choose how often to use them each day. Sorcerers can also get access to any magical tradition in Pathfinder 2e. The Draconic Bloodline learns the versatile Arcane magic. It’s one of the best ways to get to grips with the system’s spellcasting.
7 The Fury Instinct Barbarian Is A Straightforward Combat Machine
Barbarians are a versatile class in Pathfinder Second Edition. On top of their Rage and combat abilities, they get several features from their Instinct. Of these, the Fury Instinct is by far the most straightforward. However, this doesn’t mean it lacks for power or fun. The Fury Instinct simply makes a barbarian hit harder while using their Rage and take less damage.
On top of this, the Fury Instinct barbarian gets an additional first-level barbarian feat. This can give a starting player more freedom in their options and cushion any suboptimal choices. A Fury Instinct barbarian can teach a player how to fight in combat, and how to use abilities like Rage, without overwhelming them.
6 A Cloistered Cleric Is A Reliable Spellcaster
Many of Pathfinder 2e‘s most interesting classes have spellcasting. However, Pathfinder‘s spellcasting mechanics, including spell preparation, can be daunting for some players. A cleric can introduce the complex spellcasting system without drowning a player in options. The Cloistered Doctrine introduces other new mechanics.
A Cloistered Cleric focuses more on spellcasting than other types of combat. They gain access to Focus Spells and their spells are more effective throughout the game. The sheer number of Domains can be overwhelming, but a DM should be able to point out some of the simpler ones. Between spellcasting, Focus Spells, and a cleric’s Divine Font, a player should always be able to do something helpful. However, they also have reliable fallback options should they be spoiled for choice.
5 A Two-Handed Weapon Fighter Introduces Some Tactical Options
Fighters can be built many ways in Pathfinder 2e. A popular starting choice, even included as a sample archetype, is a fighter using two-handed weapons. These allow for both powerful strikes and options to disrupt some foes. Such a build uses a dangerous two-handed weapon and takes feats like Knockdown and Positioning Assault.
A two-handed weapon can do good damage on its own. A player can also learn the importance of trade-offs with feats like Power Attack. However, the build’s other feats showcase other parts of combat than just damage dealing. It’s a slightly more complex fighter build that can help players understand more of the game.
4 A Crane Stance Monk Introduces Useful Mechanics
Monks are a powerful class in Pathfinder 2e while also being fairly simple. They focus on making a large number of unarmed strikes. However, they introduce more variety than it sounds. A good monk for a starting player takes the Crane Stance feat at first level. This improves their Armor Class and forces them to use Crane Wing unarmed strikes.
Between Crane Stance and Flurry of Blows, a starting monk gets introduced to two useful mechanics: Flourishes and Stances. These are introduced in an easy-to-understand way with this build. It will also introduce players to magic items through the build’s eventual need for handwraps of mighty blows.
3 A Weapon Ally Paladin Gets To Interact With A Lot Of Mechanics
Champions are a Pathfinder class that can look intimidating at first. They get access to a lot of features from their very first level. However, many of these abilities are easy to understand, and some can even help ease a new player in. Additionally, they’re a safe choice for new players for another reason. They have some of the best defenses in the game, making it very hard for a champion to die.
Features like a Champion’s Cause can seem complex, but simply open up a single combat ability with complementary feats down the way. Deity can be more daunting, but will then inform abilities like Deific Weapon. Later down the line, a champion can choose an Ally. Selecting a Weapon Ally introduces the magic weapon mechanics before a character might find one in the game world.
2 Thief Rogues Can Help Teach Combat Tactics
Pathfinder rogues are similar to their D&D counterparts. They’re skill experts who damage enemies with their Sneak Attack in combat. The Pathfinder rogue is slightly more complex, but operates on similar principles. In particular, Sneak Attack is a useful tool to help players learn tactical combat. Enemies have to be flat-footed for Sneak Attack to work. This encourages a rogue to learn how to catch enemies off-guard.
The Thief rogue is one of the most straightforward Rackets that a rogue can take. It gets to add its Dexterity to attacks with Finesse weapons. As such, a player will always be able to do respectable damage with a Thief rogue, even if they’re not playing their best. The greater amounts of Skill Feats can throw some players off, but they’re easy enough to remember.
1 Dragon Instinct Barbarians Build Over Time
The Dragon Instinct is one of the most popular barbarian builds. However, it’s also well-designed for new players. Its abilities start off simple and become gradually more complex and powerful. A Dragon Instinct barbarian initially starts off dealing elemental damage with their Rage.
However, their later features and feats make things much more interesting. They gain damage resistance, an area-of-effect breath weapon, draconic wings, and finally a full transformation into a dragon form. The Dragon Instinct starts off simple for new players and then gets more complex as they come to grips with Pathfinder.
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