The Champion is a versatile martial class with divine undertones, blending defense and offense seamlessly. They excel as defenders, strikers, or supporters, offering flexibility in any party composition.
1.1 Overview of the Champion Class
The Champion is a versatile and dynamic class in Pathfinder 2E, blending martial prowess with divine inspiration. They serve as defenders, capable of absorbing damage and protecting allies, while also dealing significant damage in combat. This class offers a unique blend of flexibility and specialization, making it adaptable to various playstyles. Champions are deeply tied to their chosen cause, whether it aligns with good, evil, or neutrality, influencing their abilities and role in the party. Their key features include a reaction-based defensive mechanic, divine ally bonuses, and weapon mastery, allowing them to excel in both offense and defense. This makes the Champion a cornerstone of any party composition, providing resilience, damage output, and strategic utility.
1.2 Historical Context: Evolution from Pathfinder 1E to PF2E
The Champion class in Pathfinder 2E traces its roots to the Paladin class in Pathfinder 1E, traditionally bound by a strict code of conduct and Lawful-Good alignment. In PF2E, the Champion has evolved to embrace a broader moral spectrum, allowing for both good and evil alignments. This shift reflects the game’s move toward greater flexibility and inclusivity, enabling players to craft Champions that align with diverse party dynamics. The class retains its martial and divine elements but now offers more customization options, such as subclass archetypes like the Paladin and Antipaladin. This evolution ensures the Champion remains a powerful and versatile defender while accommodating varied playstyles and narrative preferences.
1.3 Champion’s Role in the Party: Defender, Striker, and Support
The Champion excels as a versatile defender, using abilities like Champions Reaction to protect allies and control the battlefield. They can also transition into a striker role, leveraging weapon specialization and divine feats to deal significant damage. Additionally, Champions can fulfill support roles by aiding allies through movement and resource management. Their divine ally options further enhance their utility, whether through offensive, defensive, or mobility-focused playstyles. This adaptability makes the Champion a cornerstone of any party, capable of adjusting their role to meet the needs of the adventure. Their blend of martial prowess and divine influence ensures they remain effective in various combat scenarios and party compositions.
Key Features of the Champion Class
The Champion class in PF2E is built around versatility, with a focus on defense, offense, and support. One of its core mechanics is the Champion’s Reaction, a defensive ability that triggers when an ally is attacked, providing resistance to damage. This reaction is central to the Champion’s role as a defender. Additionally, the class features Divine Allies—Blade, Shield, and Steed—that offer distinct playstyles, whether focusing on offense, defense, or mobility. Weapon Specialization and Mastery allow Champions to excel with specific weapons, enhancing their combat effectiveness. Champion Feats provide further customization, enabling players to tailor their character’s abilities to suit their preferred role. This blend of martial prowess and divine influence makes the Champion a flexible and powerful addition to any party.
2.1 Champions Reaction: A Central Defensive Mechanic
Champions Reaction is a cornerstone ability, triggering when an ally within 15 feet takes damage, granting resistance equal to the Champion’s level; This mechanic emphasizes protective play, incentivizing melee positioning to safeguard allies. While powerful early on, enemies may adapt by targeting allies instead, reducing its effectiveness. This highlights the need for strategic positioning and party coordination to maximize its utility in combat scenarios.
2.2 Divine Ally: Blade, Shield, and Steed
The Divine Ally feature allows Champions to choose between three distinct options: Blade, Shield, and Steed, each offering unique benefits. Blade Ally enhances two-handed weapon proficiency, ideal for aggressive builds. Shield Ally boosts defensive capabilities, perfect for tanky characters. Steed Ally provides a mounted companion, excelling in mobility and combat. This choice significantly shapes the Champion’s role, whether as a formidable striker, a steadfast defender, or a mobile skirmisher. Players must carefully select their ally based on preferred playstyle and party needs, as this decision cannot be altered later, making it a pivotal moment in character creation.
2.3 Weapon Specialization and Mastery
Weapon Specialization and Mastery are cornerstone features of the Champion class, enabling them to excel in combat. Weapon Specialization grants increased damage with selected weapons, scaling as the Champion advances. At higher levels, this specialization becomes even more potent, ensuring the Champion remains a formidable combatant. Mastery further enhances this by improving weapon proficiency, allowing Champions to maintain effectiveness alongside other martial classes. This system ensures that Champions can adapt to various playstyles, whether wielding a sword, greatsword, or other weapons. The combination of specialization and mastery makes the Champion a versatile and reliable fighter, capable of holding their own in any battle. This progression ensures the Champion’s offensive capabilities remain strong throughout their journey.
2.4 Champion Feats: Customizing Your Playstyle
Champion Feats are essential for tailoring your character to specific roles and combat styles. These feats allow you to enhance defensive capabilities, bolster offensive prowess, or add unique utility. Key feats like Shield Ally and Blade Ally define your combat identity, while others, such as Exalt or Divine Smite, amplify your reaction abilities or add offensive flair. Each feat offers distinct benefits, enabling you to craft a Champion that fits your preferred playstyle. However, careful selection is crucial, as some feats may conflict with others, like Shield Block competing with your Champions Reaction. By choosing the right combination, you can create a Champion that excels in both versatility and effectiveness, making them a invaluable asset to any party. This customization ensures no two Champions are alike, offering endless possibilities for players.
Subclasses of the Champion
The Champion class offers diverse subclasses, each with unique abilities and themes, allowing players to craft characters that embody different ideals, from the noble Paladin to the vengeful Antipaladin.
3.1 Paladin: The Classic Good-Aligned Champion
The Paladin is the quintessential good-aligned Champion, embodying virtue and justice. With abilities like Champion’s Reaction, they protect allies by granting damage resistance; Their Divine Smite adds persistent Good damage, making them formidable opponents. Paladins excel in melee combat, using heavy armor and weapons to shield allies and smite enemies. Their strict moral code can sometimes clash with party dynamics, requiring careful discussion.
With access to Focus Spells like Hero’s Defiance, Paladins can inspire and heal allies. Their Weapon Specialization enhances damage output, while Armor Mastery ensures superior defense. Paladins are versatile, capable of serving as both defenders and healers, making them a cornerstone of any good-aligned party.
3.2 Antipaladin: The Evil Counterpart with Destructive Vengeance
The Antipaladin is the evil counterpart to the Paladin, embracing darkness and vengeance. This subclass thrives on risky, aggressive play, rewarding those who court danger. Its Champion’s Reaction triggers when the Antipaladin is hit in melee, unleashing Destructive Vengeance, which damages the attacker. This encourages enemies to target the Antipaladin, fostering a “tank” role.
With Aura of Vengeance, the Antipaladin punishes foes for hitting allies, amplifying their offensive potential. However, this subclass suffers from the “Tank Fallacy,” as enemies may avoid targeting them once they understand the mechanics. Still, the Antipaladin excels at dealing damage and controlling combat’s flow, making them a powerful, chaotic force on the battlefield.
3.3 Desecrator: A Tanky Subclass with Selfish Shield
The Desecrator is a defensively focused subclass, emphasizing survival and damage mitigation. Its key feature, Selfish Shield, allows the Desecrator to reduce damage taken by nearby allies, redirecting it to themselves. This ability makes them highly durable, capable of absorbing significant punishment.
While the Desecrator lacks offensive tools compared to other subclasses, their ability to protect allies and endure prolonged combat makes them invaluable in tough encounters. However, like other tank-focused classes, they risk falling victim to the “Tank Fallacy,” where enemies ignore them in favor of more vulnerable targets. Despite this, the Desecrator’s resilience and protective capabilities ensure they remain a formidable and reliable presence on the battlefield.
3.4 Liberator: Freedom Fighter Against Movement Restrictions
The Liberator subclass excels at countering movement-restricting effects, making them a valuable asset against enemies who rely on grappling, paralyzing, or similar tactics. Their key ability allows allies to either repeat a saving throw or escape from such effects, ensuring they remain mobile and effective in combat.
This subclass shines in specific scenarios but may feel less impactful in broader encounters. However, their ability to free allies and maintain action economy makes them a strategic choice for parties facing foes who rely on control mechanics. The Liberator’s focus on mobility and freedom ensures they play a crucial role in keeping their team active and unencumbered, even if their contributions may not always be as visible as those of other subclasses.
Building a Champion
Building a champion involves selecting the right ancestry, managing ability scores, and choosing skills and equipment to maximize versatility. This ensures effectiveness in both combat and party dynamics.
4.1 Choosing the Right Ancestry and Heritage
Selecting the appropriate ancestry and heritage is crucial for a champion, as they provide foundational abilities and traits. For instance, humans offer versatility with flexible ability boosts, while dwarves excel in Fortitude saves, enhancing survivability. Halflings, with their Dexterity and stealth skills, complement ranged or agile builds. Each ancestry brings unique bonuses that align with specific playstyles, such as the gnome’s mental acuity or the half-orc’s ferocity in combat. Heritage choices further refine these traits, allowing customization that fits the champion’s role, whether as a defender, striker, or support. Proper selection ensures the champion’s effectiveness from the start, making ancestry and heritage pivotal decisions in character creation.
4.2 Ability Scores: Strength, Dexterity, and Charisma
Ability scores are foundational to a champion’s effectiveness in Pathfinder 2E. Strength is crucial for melee builds, determining weapon damage and combat maneuvers, while Dexterity enhances agility, reflex saves, and armor class. Charisma, though secondary, influences Divine spellcasting and class DCs, making it vital for champions relying on divine magic. Prioritizing ability scores depends on your build: two-handed weapon users benefit most from Strength, while sword-and-board builds may favor Dexterity for higher AC. Balancing these scores ensures versatility, as neglecting one can hinder combat performance. Proper allocation of ability boosts during character creation is essential to align with your champion’s role and playstyle, ensuring optimal effectiveness in both offense and defense.
4.3 Skills: Maximizing Utility and Versatility
Skill selection is crucial for a champion, enhancing their utility and versatility both in and out of combat. Perception is essential for awareness, while Athletics and Acrobatics improve physical maneuverability. Diplomacy and Intimidation can be valuable for social interactions, aligning with the champion’s moral alignment. Crafting and Medicine offer out-of-combat utility, allowing the champion to contribute to party logistics. Skills like Religion or Arcana can complement divine spellcasting, adding depth to the champion’s thematic role. While the champion has fewer skill choices compared to other classes, careful selection ensures they remain adaptable. Balancing combat prowess with skill versatility makes the champion a well-rounded asset to any adventuring party, capable of handling diverse challenges effectively.
4.4 Armor and Weapon Selection: Balancing Offense and Defense
Armor and weapon choices are pivotal for a champion, balancing offensive prowess with defensive resilience. Heavy armor maximizes AC, leveraging the champion’s high proficiency, while light armor offers mobility for Dexterity-focused builds. Shields provide defensive utility, enhancing survivability through Shield Block and Champions Reaction. Weapons like greatswords excel for two-handed attackers, delivering higher damage, while one-handed weapons with shields offer versatility. Potency runes on weapons boost damage consistency, while property runes like flaming or frost enhance elemental utility. Armor potency runes improve defensive capabilities, ensuring the champion remains durable. By tailoring equipment to their playstyle, champions can optimize their role as formidable defenders or aggressive strikers, ensuring they thrive in any combat scenario.
Advanced Champion Guide
Master advanced strategies for optimizing your champion, including multiclassing, equipment optimization, focus spells, and expertise scaling. Elevate your playstyle with refined combat tactics and divine magic mastery.
5.1 Multiclassing: Combining Champion with Other Classes
Multiclassing a Champion offers immense versatility, allowing players to blend divine prowess with other classes. Pairing with Cleric enhances spellcasting, while Sorcerer adds bloodline powers. Fighter multiclassing boosts martial capabilities, and Rogue adds stealth and precision. Each combination enriches the Champion’s role, whether as a divine enforcer, a stealthy healer, or a formidable tank. However, careful planning is essential to avoid overlapping abilities and maintain balance. Strategic multiclassing can elevate the Champion from a solid defender to a dynamic, multi-faceted character, capable of adapting to any party’s needs while retaining their core defensive and offensive strengths.
5.2 Equipment Optimization: Potency Runes and Property Runes
Equipment optimization is crucial for a Champion, with Potency Runes and Property Runes playing a central role. Potency Runes enhance weapon attacks, improving accuracy and damage output, while Property Runes add unique effects like fire, frost, or force damage. Champions benefit from these runes as they scale with level, ensuring consistent effectiveness. For example, a Flaming rune adds fire damage, complementing a Champion’s divine attacks. Upgrading runes as you progress keeps your gear competitive. Property Runes also offer defensive options, such as the Resilient rune, boosting armor effectiveness. Strategic rune selection allows Champions to adapt to different combat scenarios, whether focusing on dealing damage, tanking, or supporting allies. This customization ensures the Champion remains a formidable force in any party composition.
5.3 Focus Spells and Divine Magic
Focus Spells are a cornerstone of the Champion’s divine magic, gained through class feats tied to their cause. These spells enhance the Champion’s abilities, offering offensive, defensive, or supportive effects. Heros Defiance, for example, allows the Champion to heal or protect allies, while other spells like Shield of Faith bolster defenses. Champions gain access to these spells at 1st level, with their potency increasing as they advance. Unlike full spellcasters, Champions have limited spell slots, making strategic use crucial. Their Divine spellcasting proficiency is robust, though not as expansive as that of clerics or sorcerers. Focus Spells complement the Champion’s martial prowess, adding versatility to their role as a defender, striker, or supporter. This divine magic integration sets the Champion apart, blending combat excellence with supernatural influence.
5.4 Expertise and Mastery: Scaling with Level
Expertise and Mastery are integral to the Champion’s progression, enhancing their combat effectiveness. Weapon Specialization at 3rd level boosts damage output, while Weapon Mastery at 13th level increases critical hit effectiveness. Armor Mastery, achieved at 15th level, grants Legendary proficiency in armor, maximizing AC. These advancements ensure the Champion remains a formidable tank and consistent damage dealer. Expertise also extends to Divine spellcasting, with Champion Expertise and Mastery feats improving spell DCs and attack proficiency. This scaling ensures the Champion’s abilities grow potent at higher levels, maintaining relevance in both offense and defense. Strategic use of these advancements is key to optimizing the Champion’s role as a versatile defender and striker in any party composition.
Champion Tactics and Playstyle
- Control the battlefield with strategic positioning to protect allies and manage threats effectively.
- Use Champions Reaction to mitigate damage and support teammates in critical moments.
- Synergize with party members to maximize offensive and defensive capabilities.
6.1 Positioning in Combat: Controlling the Battlefield
Positioning is crucial for Champions, as it allows them to shield allies and dictate enemy movements. By standing between foes and vulnerable party members, Champions can redirect attacks. Using reach weapons or mounts enhances this control, enabling them to intercept threats from a distance. Proper positioning also maximizes the effectiveness of their Reaction, ensuring they are always within range to protect allies. Additionally, controlling chokepoints or high ground can force enemies into unfavorable positions, giving the Champion and their party a strategic advantage. Effective battlefield management is key to fulfilling the Champion’s role as a defender and team anchor.
6.2 Using Champions Reaction Effectively
The Champion’s Reaction is a cornerstone of their defensive capabilities, allowing them to grant allies resistance to damage. To use it effectively, position yourself within 15 feet of your allies to maximize opportunities for triggering this ability. Anticipate enemy attacks and prioritize protecting squishier party members, such as spellcasters or rogues. Timing is critical; use your Reaction when it will mitigate the most damage, especially against high-damage attacks. Be mindful of your positioning to avoid being out of range or blocked by obstacles. Consistent use of this ability can significantly enhance your party’s survivability, making you a reliable anchor in combat. However, avoid relying solely on it, as enemies may adapt by targeting you instead.
6.3 Synergizing with Allies: A Team-Oriented Playstyle
Synergy with allies is crucial for a Champion, enhancing both their defensive and offensive capabilities. By coordinating with healers like Clerics or bards, you can maintain your tank role while ensuring allies stay alive. Work with strikers to funnel enemy attacks toward you, allowing them to focus on dealing damage. Use your abilities to control the battlefield, creating opportunities for allies to execute powerful attacks or escape dangerous situations. Effective communication and positioning are key to maximizing your impact. Champions excel in a supportive role, so prioritize enabling your team’s strengths while mitigating their weaknesses. This collaborative approach ensures a balanced and formidable party dynamic, making you an indispensable asset in any adventure.
6.4 Managing Resources: Spells, Feats, and Actions
Effective resource management is vital for a Champion, ensuring they can maintain their role as a tank, striker, or supporter throughout combat. Spellcasting, particularly devotion spells, should be used judiciously, reserving powerful abilities for critical moments. Feats, especially those tied to reactions or Divine Ally abilities, require strategic timing to maximize their impact. Action economy is equally important; prioritize actions that protect allies or disrupt enemies, while avoiding unnecessary expenditures. Champions must balance their offensive and defensive capabilities, ensuring they can sustain their role without overextending. Proper resource management enhances the Champion’s versatility, making them a reliable and indispensable asset to any party.
Challenges and Pitfalls
Champions face challenges like the Tank Fallacy, moral conflicts, and limited skill flexibility. Managing divine resources and alignment expectations can strain party dynamics and combat effectiveness significantly.
7.1 The Tank Fallacy: Why Enemies Might Ignore You
The Tank Fallacy refers to the misconception that enemies will always target the Champion, making them the party’s primary defender. However, in practice, enemies may choose to bypass the Champion and focus on weaker allies, especially if the Champion’s defensive capabilities don’t directly threaten them. This can render the Champion’s reactive abilities, like Champions Reaction, less effective. To mitigate this, Champions must balance defense with offensive threats, ensuring they remain a viable target. Positioning, weapon selection, and feat choices play a crucial role in maintaining enemy attention and maximizing the Champion’s impact in combat.
7.2 Moral and Alignment Conflicts in the Party
Moral and alignment conflicts can arise due to the Champion’s strict adherence to their chosen cause, whether good or evil. This rigidity may clash with the party’s dynamic, causing friction among members. For instance, a Champion committed to justice might oppose a Rogue’s morally gray actions, leading to in-game disagreements. Such conflicts can enhance role-playing opportunities but may also disrupt party cohesion. Open communication with the group before introducing a Champion is crucial to ensure alignment with the party’s values and goals, fostering a harmonious and immersive gameplay experience. Addressing these potential issues early on helps maintain a balanced and enjoyable campaign for all players involved.
7.3 Limited Flexibility in Skills and Feats
The Champion class offers a robust set of abilities, but its skill and feat selection can feel restrictive. With only two locked-in Trained skills, players have limited flexibility in creating versatile characters. This contrasts sharply with other classes that offer more skill customization. Additionally, the early choice of Divine Ally locks players into specific playstyles, reducing adaptability. While Champion feats provide meaningful customization, the demand for essential feats like Shield Block or Second Ally can leave little room for experimentation. This rigid structure can make it challenging for players to explore diverse builds without compromising core functionality, potentially limiting creativity for those seeking highly specialized or unconventional characters.
7.4 Balancing Damage and Defense
Balancing damage and defense is a critical challenge for Champions, as their effectiveness depends on maintaining both offensive and defensive capabilities. While Champions excel at absorbing damage and protecting allies, their offensive potential can sometimes lag behind pure martial classes. This is particularly evident when comparing weapon damage output between different weapon choices, such as longswords versus greatswords; The trade-off between dealing consistent damage and maintaining defensive reliability often requires careful planning. Additionally, the Champion’s Reaction, while defensively powerful, can sometimes be underutilized if enemies avoid targeting the Champion directly. Finding the right balance ensures the Champion remains both a formidable defender and a credible threat on the battlefield, enhancing overall party effectiveness without sacrificing individual impact.
The Champion is a versatile defender, striker, and supporter, excelling in adaptability. Key features like Champions Reaction and Divine Ally define their role. Mastering these abilities ensures optimal impact.
8.1 Final Thoughts on Playing a Champion
Playing a Champion in Pathfinder 2E is a rewarding experience, blending martial prowess with divine influence. Champions excel as versatile defenders, capable of protecting allies while dealing significant damage. Their flexibility in subclass options allows players to tailor their character to fit their preferred playstyle, whether as a noble paladin or a vengeful antipaladin. Key to success is mastering the Champion’s Reaction, a powerful defensive tool, and leveraging Divine Ally abilities. Positioning in combat is crucial, as their reaction mechanics rely on proximity to allies. Moral alignment can impact party dynamics, so communication is essential. With proper build optimization and resource management, a Champion can be a game-changer in any campaign. Embrace their divine calling and lead your party to victory!
8.2 Resources for Further Learning
For players seeking deeper insights into the Champion class, numerous resources are available. The Definitive Champion Build Guide offers a comprehensive 90-page analysis, covering ability scores, feats, and equipment optimization. Online platforms like RPGBOT provide detailed class handbooks, featuring color-coded rankings and expert advice. Additionally, the Advanced Players Guide expands on subclass options and divine magic mechanics. Community forums and guides, such as those found on Reddit or Pathfinder 2E Discord servers, share player experiences and innovative builds. These resources empower players to craft powerful and effective Champions, ensuring they excel in any campaign setting. Leveraging these tools will enhance your understanding and elevate your gameplay.
8.3 Community and Online Guides
The Pathfinder 2E community offers extensive support for Champion players through online forums, Reddit threads, and dedicated Discord servers. Websites like RPGBOT and the official Paizo forums host detailed discussions, where experienced players share optimized builds and strategies. Community-created resources, such as the Definitive Champion Build Guide, provide in-depth analyses of subclass mechanics and feat selections. Additionally, YouTube channels and blogs feature gameplay tutorials and class breakdowns. Engaging with these communities allows players to learn from others’ experiences, discover unique playstyles, and stay updated on the latest rules and errata. These platforms foster collaboration, helping players refine their Champions and explore the class’s full potential in various campaign settings.