Microlite 20: Pathfinder-Equivalent Classes

There's a new edition of the Microlite 20 Collection available, over on RetroRoleplaying, which includes everything from the 2012 version plus updates. My games — Ultimate Fantasy, Ultimate Modern-Day, Ultimate Costumes, Ultimate Mecha, and Ultimate Ultramicrolite — are all on there. So those are the versions I'll be referring to when I write new content for the game, and using the page numbers listed there, even though each game has its own page numbers (in case you're not looking at the whole thing).

All these characters can be yours, even without your Pathfinder books. (image: Paizo.com)

My new Microlite 20 content will look something like this:

While there are Pathfinder RPG versions in the Ultimate Collection (specifically, page 1169), Ultimate Fantasy offers a unique set of classes, which uses the Class Points rules described on page 212. The classes themselves are on page 233.

Here's a list of Pathfinder classes and their Microlite 20 Ultimate Fantasy class equivalents, because one of my goals for Ultimate Fantasy was to cover as many "Fantasy RPG" bases as I could with the game expansion. This includes all the Pathfinder classes to date, as found on PFSRD.com.

Pathfinder Class	Microlite 20 Ultimate Fantasy Class
Barbarian	Barbarian
Bard	Bard
Cleric	Cleric
Druid	Animal Master, Druid, Wanderer
Fighter	Fighter
Monk	Monk
Paladin	Paladin
Ranger	Animal Master, Ranger, Twin Blade
Rogue	Rogue
Sorcerer	Sorcerer
Wizard	Wizard
Alchemist	Alchemist
Cavalier	Knight
Gunslinger	Gunslinger
Inquisitor	Wrathbringer
Magus	Mystic
Oracle	Invoker
Summoner	Summoner
Vigilante	see below
Witch	Warlock
Anti-Paladin	Anti-Paladin
Ninja	Ninja
Samurai	Samurai
Arcanist	Sorcerer, Wizard
Bloodrager	Barbarian
Brawler	see below
Hunter	Ranger
Investigator	Assassin, Rogue
Shaman	Shaman
Skald	see below
Slayer	see below
Swashbuckler	Swashbuckler
Warpriest	Cleric
Kineticist	Warlock
Medium	Cleric
Mesmerist	see below
Occultist	Wizard
Psychic	Psion
Spiritualist	Summoner

There are a few classes that don't have a match in Microlite 20 Ultimate Fantasy.

Vigilante

Class Type: Rogue

+1 Subterfuge, +1 Knowledge, +1 Communication

Improved Initiative, Monster Knowledge, Reputation (Easy To Ignore), Wealth

Brawler

Class Type: Fighter

+2 Physical, +1 Subterfuge

Attack Bonus: Melee/Hand-To-Hand, Strikeback, Unarmed Damage, Wuxia Defenses

Skald

Class Type: Rogue

+1 Physical, +2 Communication

Brute Force, Good Fortune, Medium Armor, Performance

Slayer

Class Type: Fighter

+1 Physical, +2 Subterfuge

Attack Bonus: Melee/Hand-To-Hand, Heavy Armor And Shields, Medium Armor, Monster Knowledge

Mesmerist

Class Type: Wizard

+2 Knowledge, +1 Communication

Lesser Spell List: Illusionist, Quick Thinker, Sneak Attack

USR Wednesdays: Star Wars Part I — Classes

Now that we’ve looked at a lot of the basics to help expand your USR games, from Specialisms to vehicles and monsters, let’s turn to settings. And if the sales charts from ICv2 are anything to consider, the most popular genre after medieval fantasy is “Star Wars.”

For Domino Writing-style USR, “Star Wars” consists of the classic trilogy (“A New Hope,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” and “Return Of The Jedi”). The prequels and sequels have new ideas to offer the “Star Wars” universe but nothing as indelible as the original films. I won’t be writing much about them, though I’m looking forward to someone providing stats for Qui-Gon Jinn and Kylo Ren.

Everyone in this picture, too. In a few weeks there will be stats for one of them. (image: sonsofcorax.wordpress.com)

In most fantasy RPGs, a character has a race and a class. Despite appearances, that’s not the case for Star Wars, where a character’s species really isn’t that significant. A Wookiee might have Strong +2 as a Specialism, but a Rodian or Ithorian doesn’t have particularly strong “racial” characteristics. Droids, on the other hand, are nothing but special abilities. Consider Multi-lingual +2 or Computer hacking +2 (Specialisms droids from the films might have).

A character’s profession is best described using an archetype, like the ones we’ve seen for modern-day characters and in USR games like Somnium Void.

Scoundrel

Primary Stat: Action

Suggested Specialisms: Pilot, Bargain, Hide, Charm

Suggested Equipment: Pistol, Huge debt

Note: “Rogue With A Heart Of Gold” isn’t really a good Specialism, since there probably aren’t many ways to apply the bonus this would provide if it was a Specialism. It’s a great description of the character’s personality, though.

Jedi

Primary Stat: Mind

Suggested Specialisms: Dedication, Leadership, Inspiration, Athletics, The Force*

Suggested Equipment: Lightsaber

Warrior

Primary Stat: Action

Suggested Specialisms: Endurance, Military Tactics, Terrain Knowledge

Suggested Equipment: Rifle

Outworlder

Primary Stat: Wits

Suggested Specialisms: Invent, Survivalist, Riding, Bargain

Suggested Equipment: Droid parts, All-weather clothing

Sage

Primary Stat: Wits

Suggested Specialisms: Knowledge, Reference Tools, Etiquette

Suggested Equipment: Computer

Diplomat

Primary Stat: Ego

Suggested Specialisms: Negotiate, Leadership, Languages

Suggested Equipment: none

Technician

Primary Stat: Wits

Suggested Specialisms: Hacking, Computers, Repair, Jury-Rig

Suggested Equipment: Repair tools

*A note on The Force: To simulate the Jedi or other Force-users at the most basic level, the player simply makes a Wits roll against a target number determined by the game master, depending on the complexity of the power. We’ll get into a more involved (but still Unbelievably Simple) version of The Force next time.

What classes need to be added to USR Star Wars?

USR: Archetypes - Meet the Big Four

In USR, concepts like class and race are found in the form of archetypes, suggestions for ways to simulate character types long-time roleplayers are familiar with. In Halberd, the predecessor to Tequindria, a lot of the classic fantasy archetypes made an appearance. 

Archetypes aren’t a requirement, just a tool to help you visualize your character better. Every USR setting will probably have its own archetypes (Tequindra does). They’re a good way to get a feel for the kind of characters that would appear in that setting, even if your character stands out as someone different. 

Archetypes for elves, wizards and fighters can be found below.
Source: Wizards of the Coast originally, I think.

Since I’m using my Domino Writing-style version of USR, I’m going to make a few changes to better fit my version of the game. Here’s how they break down:

Primary Stat: This is the stat (Action, Wits, Ego) that should be assigned the d10, or d12 if using superhero rules. It’s not a requirement, but emphasizing that stat is the quickest way to simulate most familiar character types. That said, a really buff wizard (with a d10 in Action) would be a unique take on the spellcaster! Some archetypes have a primary stat of “Any” — the archetype doesn’t call for any specific stat to be favored. Just take your pick, like in the normal rules.

Suggested Specialisms: Several common skills, abilities or powers characters of the archetype usually have. You don’t have to take all three, or even any, of your specialisms from this list, but it’s a good starting point. In Domino Writing-style USR, a character’s combat skills are represented with their gear, so combat specialisms won’t be common. For example, an archer will have a Bow weapon rather than a Ranged Attack or Archery specialism. Also, Domino Writing-style USR doesn’t assign Specialisms to stats; you’ll have to do that yourself. I just represented supernatural powers as a Specialism, since USR has several different magic systems, which are worth looking at in another blog post.

Suggested Equipment: This includes weapons and armor, though you’ll have to decide on their value (Light/Medium/Heavy), depending on how you picture your character, and how many Combat Gear points you have available. It also includes signature tools of the trade, such as a spellbook or thief’s tools. It doesn’t include money; assume your character has enough “pocket change” or credit for any ordinary purchase, unless the GM says something different, of course. It also doesn’t include everything a character would be carrying (ordinary clothes, a bedroll, etc.), just the stuff that makes the character a hero.

Here’s a few examples, the classic “Big 4” races and classes, with a lot borrowed from Halberd.

Dwarf

Primary Stat: Action

Suggested Specialisms: Mining, Brewing, Tough, Leadership, Appraise Valuables, Forge Weapons and Armor

Suggested Equipment: Battle Axe or War Hammer, Armor, Repair Tools, Mug of Ale

Elf

Primary Stat: Wits

Suggested Specialisms: Woods Lore, Magic Knowledge, Aloof, Move Silently, Alluring

Suggested Equipment: Long Bow, Cloak of Invisibility

Human

Primary Stat: Any

Suggested Specialisms: Blacksmithing, Inventing, Leadership, Persuasion, Trying New Things, Sailing, Riding, Driving

Suggested Equipment: none

Halfling

Primary Stat: Ego

Suggested Specialisms: Sneak, Hide, Charm, Bargain, Singing

Suggested Equipment: Short Sword, Food

Cleric

Primary Stat: Wits

Suggested Specialisms: Healing, Religion, Nature, Charisma, Inspiration

Suggested Equipment: Holy Symbol, Mace, Armor

Fighter

Primary Stat: Action

Suggested Specialisms: Athletics, Strong, Military Tactics, Leadership, Intimidation, Riding

Suggested Equipment: Sword, Shield, Armor, Dagger, Crossbow

Rogue

Primary Stat: Action

Suggested Specialisms: Sneak, Climb, Escape, Disarm Trap, Pick Lock, Disguise, Charming

Suggested Equipment: Dagger, Thief’s Tools, Poison Vial

Wizard

Primary Stat: Wits

Suggested Specialisms: Spell-casting, Identify Magic Item, Monster Lore, History, Create Magical Item, Research

Suggested Equipment: Staff, Spellbook, Dagger

This is a starting point; there will be more archetypes to come, as we build up the range of settings available for USR.

Which archetypes have you created?