New Playtest Classes for Pathfinder

Hey gang, I know I mentioned breifly that Pathfinder released a play-test beta for two new classes. It is intended to be part 1 of 3, meaning a total of 6 new classes, (not prestige classes) so I took the initiative to look over them. Both sound interesting, I'll post the description of them in the blog, if you want to view the PDF for yourself, feel free, it is a free download, just go to Paizo.com and look for pathfinder links, then play test links.



Cavalier
While many warriors strive to perfect their art, spending all of their time honing their skill at martial arms, others spend as much effort dedicating themselves to a cause. These warriors, known as cavaliers, swear themselves to a purpose, serving it above all else. Cavaliers are skilled at fighting from horseback, and are often found charging across a battlefield, with the symbol of their order trailing on a long, fluttering banner. The cavalier’s true power comes from the conviction of his ideals, the oaths that he swears, and the challenges he makes.

Role: Cavaliers tend to marshal forces on the battlefield, using their mounted talents and challenges to control the f low of the fight. Outside of battle, cavaliers can be found advancing their cause through diplomacy and, if needed, subterfuge. The cavalier is no stranger to courtly intrigue and can hold his own in even the most delicate of social situations.

Alignment: Any.

Hit Dice: d10.

DM/GM's Take = An interesting blend of, paladin, rogue, and bloodline traits from sorcerers. They get heavy armor so they can be tanks, they also get extra damage like rogues do for sneak attack, so they can be off-tank dps. They also toss some buffs around like bards, so they actually have high versatility. A lot depends on the "order" the cavalier follows, which just adds to the intrigue this class brings to the game.

Oracle
Although the gods work through many agents, perhaps none is more mysterious than the oracle. These divine vessels are granted power without their choice, selected
by providence to wield powers that even they do not fully understand. Unlike a cleric, who draws his magic through devotion to a deity, oracles garner strength and
power from many sources, namely those patron deities that support their ideals. Instead of worshiping a single source, oracles tend to venerate all of the gods that share their beliefs. While some see the powers of the oracle as a gift, others view them as a curse, changing the life of the chosen in unforeseen ways.

Role: Oracles do not usually associate with any one church or temple, instead preferring to strike out on their own, or with a small group of like-minded individuals. Oracles typically use their spells and revelations to further their understanding of their foci, be it through fighting mighty battles or tending to the poor and sick.

Alignment: Any.

Hit Dice: d8.

DM/GM's Take = Remember those SAT questions? How about this one, wizards are to sorcerers as clerics are to ______. The answer is oracle. They have way more spell slots than clerics, but know way fewer spells than clerics. Just like the difference between wizards and sorcerers, oracles get higher level spells slightly slower than clerics do. Just like pathfinder sorcerers' blood line, oracles have a focus, which dictate much of there specialty and extra abilities. Also oracles have to be lame or cursed in some way, which is like DM/GM fodder for fun too. They likely would take up the role of healer and buffer like clerics do, but they only have light armor proficiency, so their ability to off-tank is more diminished than clerics.