Archetypes are powerful features that players of Pathfinder can add to their character. There are different kinds of Archetypes in Pathfinder that fit into several categories, such as Combat, Class, Profession, and others. They provide new options and abilities, along with some personal flair that can really flesh out a PC's personality. While no Archetype is 'the best' or 'the worst,' there are some to which players are drawn.
The utility of Archetypes could be due to the powerful combat options they give characters, the utility features they bring, or simply because they work incredibly well with so many different builds. Taking every possible combination of class and Archetype into account would be a gargantuan task, but it's quite plain to see why some of these Archetypes are highly prized.
Updated November 28, 2022 by Kristy Ambrose: There have been some big changes recently in the Pathfinder world, including major updates to the video game version and renewed interest in tabletop gaming generally. One of the ways Pathfinder keeps it fresh is with the myriad of options when it comes to character creation, customization, and building. The Archetypes are just one piece of a much larger puzzle, and every player has to find their own pieces in the vast universe of Pathfinder.
11 Viking
An Archetype that's only open to Fighters, the abilities of a Viking are similar to that of a Barbarian, but there are some important differences. Vikings are proficient in heavy armor, are adept with large, heavy weapons, and can use Rage Powers in battle.
This Archetype includes the same Berserker skills that Barbarians get, and a player using the Viking Archetype can get them at 4th level. Other perks include Fearsome, which allows the player to make an Intimidate check on an opponent, and Shield Defense, an improvement to your AC which also includes some offensive abilities.
10 Swashbuckler
While Swashbuckler is one of the classes that was added in the Advanced Player's Guide, any class can dedicate themselves to its stylish ways, as long as they have the requisite Dexterity and Charisma. This makes the Swashbuckler a multiclass Archetype.
This choice has a lot of flexible options, including a speed bonus and a swashbuckler style, which is sure to boost the 'cool' levels of any PC. Any class can benefit from the boons of the Swashbuckler, but physical fighters will get access to the most flashy skills in the form of finishers and ripostes.
9 Eldritch Archer
A combat Archetype, the Eldritch Archer seems to be the perfect fit for ranged-combat-focused PCs who want to exude coolness as they imbue their arrows with spells. Only classes that are experts in at least one type of bow can take this surprisingly flexible Archetype, which grants the player access to a lot of useful traits.
They get great skills for dealing damage, such as Arrow of Death and Impossible Volley, while also being able to improve their spellcasting abilities. One cool trait that can make for a very memorable moment is Seeker Arrow, which allows the player's shot to travel around objects to strike their opponent.
8 Beastmaster
It's no secret that having an animal companion is a very useful feature to have in Pathfinder. It's a big draw of the Druid and Ranger classes, and since this Mystical Archetype also requires Nature which is a Feat included with these classes. These two archetypes allow any class to gain an animal companion and will accentuate said companion's abilities greatly.
With Beastmaster, a PC can get up to four possible animal companions at once, which is perfect for the wannabe Pokemon trainers of Golarion. The Cavalier on the other hand gets a mountable companion and can gain a multitude of bonuses for mounted combat.
7 Dandy
While players in combat-focused campaigns may scoff at the powers of the Dandy, they can be wielded extremely well for those who enjoy a more RP-heavy game. Dandies are rumormongers, gossips, and experts in the social graces.
While situational, the trait that allows a Dandy to gain access to almost any social event without even rolling a skill check may be the most useful. There's bound to be no end to high society luncheons or balls that a Dandy could enjoy in the world of Golarion, whether for fun or profit.
6 Shadowdancer
Perfect for characters comfortable with the darkness, the Shadowdancer Archetype is recommended for "spies, assassins, infiltrators, and emissaries." It's from the Mystical category and requires the character to be an expert in Performance and trained in Stealth. As such, it gains a lot of traits that deal with stealth bonuses and sneak attacks, along with some very stylish and magical focus spells.
Notably, just taking the dedication feat for the Shadowdancer grants a PC greater darkvision, which can be a godsend in adventures taking place underground or in murky dungeons.
5 Loremaster
For the nerdiest of Golarion's adventurers, the Loremaster archetype is a perfect fit. This is one of the Profession Archetypes and its uses are mostly academic and administrative. While it offers very little in the way of combat prowess the traits it unlocks are very useful for players who want to learn all they can about the world.
Traits of note include Magical Edification, which grants the Loremaster three useful cantrips, and Orthographic Mastery, which lets them read almost anything in the world, given enough time and kindness by the GM. This is a great archetype for characters who prefer solid plans instead of simply making educated guesses.
4 Scroll Trickster
The Scroll Trickster may be one of the most useful utility choices a character can make when leveling up. Taking a few traits from this Core Archetype can turn any character into a valued utility caster, but it's limited to characters that have been trained in Arcana, Religion, Nature, or Occultism.
With the Scroll Cache traits, these characters get a few spells of their choice to cast per day, with so many possibilities. They could use some downtime to cast Mending instead of relying on a spell slot, or get a Restoration scroll ready if the party knows they're up against something deadly. With forethought, this archetype can be incredible.
3 Alchemist
While players who take the multi-class Alchemist Archetype won't be as versatile or as powerful as an actual Alchemist, it does provide them with a lot of handy options. First and foremost, they gain skill in Crafting and the Alchemical Crafting feat which is an efficient bonus just for taking dedication.
Being able to use reagents and craft alchemical items is a great boon for most parties without alchemists, as there are a ton of options to find and experiment with. The further traits in the Archetype only serve to improve these abilities, so it's a great backup for characters with traits to spare.
2 Marshal
Renowned for their powerful auras, Marshals are great to have in a party. This Profession Archetype gives characters the ability to gain a supportive aura that will help any of their adjacent allies to ward off fear, and the aura will only get better with more trait investment.
At its height, the Marshal archetype can grant bonuses to attack rolls, temporary HP, and even an extra action with the powerful Cadence Call trait. Marshals are great for strategically-minded players who find themselves thinking about positioning and battlefield management.
1 Investigator
Investigator is considered to be a multiclass Archetype because it's also its own class. Other characters that want to take on the Archetype are required to have an Intelligence score of at least 14, so studious casters like Wizards or Arcanists are a more natural fit.
Being an Investigator means enhanced skills in deduction, strategy, and research. Abilities like Investigator Dedication and Pursue A Lead are handy when following a map, seeing out a missing person, or looking for a quest item.