CHOOSE YOUR
ROLE
What are Pathfinder 2e party roles?
The nine main party roles for Pathfinder characters are: assassin, blaster, bruiser, controller, enchanter, healer, shooter, skirmisher and tank.
Pathfinder 2e is a very open-ended and fluid system where many classes can be built to support missing party roles. Unlike some TTRPGs, there doesn’t need to be an intense focus on party balance and players can more or less play what they want. That said, some players find it more fun to play within a playstyle, or fit into a missing party need.
Character builds on Pop Culture Pathfinder will have at least one primary role, and many builds have a secondary role that they also fit into. The most important thing to note is that these roles and the way characters fit into them are completely arbitrary, decided by the editor-in-chief of Pathfinder Builds. Therefore, many people will disagree with the classification. Perhaps violently. The goal is to people who aren’t familiar with the pop culture references these builds are based on find some interesting characters they’d like to try. So if that works, it’s a win.
What does each role do in a party?
Assassin
In a Pathfinder 2e party, assassins play a unique and specialized role that can bring a thrilling dynamic to the group's adventures. With their lethal skills and stealthy approach, assassins excel at eliminating high-value targets, gathering critical information covertly, and creating opportunities for the party's success.
Blaster
In a Pathfinder 2e party, blaster characters take on the explosive role of unleashing devastating area-of-effect (AOE) spells or delivering massive burst damage to decimate groups of enemies. With their mastery of destructive magic or powerful ranged attacks, blasters excel at dealing high amounts of damage to multiple foes.
Bruiser
In a Pathfinder 2e party, bruiser characters take on the formidable role of dealing heavy damage up close and engaging in melee combat alongside the tank. With their immense strength and higher than average resilience, bruisers excel at dishing out devastating attacks to enemies in close-quarters combat.
Controller
In a Pathfinder 2e party, controller characters play a crucial role in manipulating the battlefield and restricting the movement of enemies, granting their allies a significant advantage in combat. Controllers specialize in various abilities that disrupt and hinder opponents, altering the flow of battle.
Enchanter
In a Pathfinder 2e party, enchanter characters take on the crucial role of enhancing their allies' capabilities and weakening their enemies. With their mastery over enchantments and spells, enchanters excel at buffing and debuffing, providing invaluable enhancements (or reductions) to offense, defense, and overall effectiveness.
Healer
In a Pathfinder 2e party, healer characters fulfill a crucial role by providing vital support and ensuring the well-being of their allies throughout their adventures. With their mastery of restorative magic, potent potions, or advanced medical skills, healers excel at keeping the party healthy, mending wounds, and alleviating ailments.
Shooter
In a Pathfinder 2e party, shooter characters specialize in unleashing deadly ranged attacks and employing suppression strategies to control the battlefield. Armed with precision weaponry or powerful projectiles, shooters excel at dealing damage from a distance, keeping enemies at bay, and providing cover fire for their allies.
Skirmisher
In a Pathfinder 2e party, skirmisher characters take on the agile and elusive role of utilizing their mobility to engage in hit-and-run tactics, relentlessly chipping away at enemies while maneuvering in and out of range. Their primary objective is to exploit vulnerabilities and wear down opponents by delivering rapid, targeted strikes.
Tank
In a Pathfinder 2e party, skirmisher characters take on the agile and elusive role of utilizing their mobility to engage in hit-and-run tactics, relentlessly chipping away at enemies while maneuvering in and out of range. Their primary objective is to exploit vulnerabilities and wear down opponents by delivering rapid, targeted strikes.
Roles FAQ
Not necessarily. There are lots of ways for parties to achieve the "damage soak" and "peeling" concepts that are most associated with the Tank role. A Bruiser working together with an Enchanter or Controller, for instance, can provide enough durability and lockdown to make up for a missing tank.
No, it probably does not need a dedicated healer role. Pathfinder 2e offers many ways for characters to heal themselves or allies. If all the party contributed to First Aid skills, for instance, there may be enough healing to keep the party (mostly) alive.
Of course, parties with dedicated healers will have a much easier time of that.
Thanks to Pathfinder's fluid system, the roles are better thought of as a way to classify playstyles, rather than necessary boxes to check off in Session 0.
However, if you want to follow the classic four player party structure of Protection, Support, Damage, Damage, there are lots of ways to fill fill those slots.
Here are a few examples:
Tank, Healer, Shooter, Assassin
Tank, Enchanter, Blaster, Skirmisher
Bruiser, Healer, Controller, Shooter
And the list goes on!
Oh, thanks for asking.
I like all the roles in different circumstances. My favorite right now is probably Skirmisher or Controller.
This is easier than it looks.
They are both on the front lines and have a lot of overlap, but Tank = more health and protection and Bruiser = more damage and movement.
