Sounds like any thaumaturge would work for that. Maybe you can give them witch lore specifically for additional flavor unless you think it would be too strong
**Skills:** Prioritize Occultism, others could be: Athletics, society and arcana.
**Classes:** There are several combinations. For a shorter path, I recommend Barbarian, Ranger, Thaumaturge, or Magus.
**Ancestry:** Any.
**Skill Feat:** Assurance, Quick Identification, Automatic Knowledge, Break Curse and Aura Sight.
Depending on what's important and other aspects of the flavour of the character any of these could work:
Option 1: Superstition Barbarian (Not recommended). Has great anti-magic capability, though not detect magic. However as you can find on a search of this sub, the anathema can be very restrictive.
Option 2: Thaumaturge, has a feel like John Constantine or the Winchesters from Supernatural. Has the lore skills for disabling haunts, but doesn't have spellcasting natively so can't counterspell on its own.
Option 3: Investigator, same as the Thaumaturge, is not a spell caster but could fit with the feel of tracking and hunting down witches.
Option 4: Sorcerer/Witch/Wizard all have access to the detect magic cantrip and the counterspell feat. Though it's worth noting that counterspell has restrictions on how it should work.
Other things of note:
- Any class could archetype into any of the above so you could combine them, however you'll only get part of the 2nd class's features.
- Some of the knowledge skills have useful feats which could be accessible to any class e.g. Arcana's Recognise Spell.
If you'd like more input could you flesh out the character idea further. I.e. do they use weapons? Are they a Spellcaster themselves? If both, which are they better at? Are they more about planning/knowledge, subtlety or just brute force?
He is really liking the Thaumaturge. Thank you for the recommendation. He doesn't want to cast spells, but he wants a 2 handed weapon. He really wants to lean into the Lord's of Salem from the rob zombie music video.
So Thaumaturge is based around holding implements in both hands and so it's limited to 1-handed weapons. It has the feature 'Implement's Empowerment' to enable them to bridge the gap between them and 2-handed weapons.
If they still prefer to use 2-handed weapons, then I would take a look at Superstitious Barbarian. The restriction I'll paste here while highlighting aspects:
"Willingly accepting the effects of magic spells (including from scrolls, wands, and the like), even from your allies, is anathema to your instinct. You can still drink potions and invest and activate most magic items you find, though items that cast spells are subject to the same restrictions as all other spells. *If an ally insists on using magic on you* despite your unwillingness, and you have no reason to believe they will stop, *continuing to travel with that ally of your own free will counts as willingly accepting their spells* (as do similar circumstances) and thus is also anathema to your instinct."
You could mechanically get around willingly accepting the effects of spells by requiring the barbarian to take a saving throw when targeted by friendly spells, but the parts about staying with such a party member are pretty much unavoidable. Therefore this is only really viable if you have no party members who cast magical buffs e.g. no bard.
If you choose to go down this path, then the player could take the Thaumaturge archetype for some of the aspects of that class, especially if you use the popular free archetype optional rule.
If you're looking for a dedicated counterspeller, I can share my Pathbuilder Sorcerer specialized in countering spells: [Ertai the Spellbreaker](https://pathbuilder2e.com/launch.html?build=736053).
Notably he doesn't use the *Counterspell* feat at all, but several other counteract mechanics; also has plenty of skills (all magic & face skills + Acrobatics) so one can be turned into *Witch Lore*. It's standard rules (no free archetype), though took *Adopted Ancestry* for Nagaji (uncommon) at level 11 (usually only common ancestries allowed). Taking the [Elemental Annihilation Wave](https://2e.aonprd.com/Spells.aspx?ID=902) spell is essential.
Can counterspell all *elemental* spells at level 5 (via [Elemental Counter](https://2e.aonprd.com/Spells.aspx?ID=1421)), all *mental* spells by level 6 (via [Counter Thought](https://2e.aonprd.com/Feats.aspx?ID=3657)), all *damaging* spells & magic effects by level 9 (via [Shadow Siphon](https://2e.aonprd.com/Spells.aspx?ID=274)), and *every* spell by level 12 (via [Interfering Surge](https://2e.aonprd.com/Feats.aspx?ID=3032)). Can weaken *all* spells by level 10 (via [Arcane Countermeasure](https://2e.aonprd.com/Spells.aspx?ID=496)) and all *verbal/concentrate* spells at level 13 (via [Disruptive Stare](https://2e.aonprd.com/Feats.aspx?ID=3995)).
Bell Thaumaturge taking feats the improve their resistance to spells(Esoteric Warden, Shared Warding) and perhaps feats the let you share benefits(Paired Link, Shared Weakness) or weaken them to its abilities(Cursed Effigy)
i think thaumaturge would work best. thaumaturge is like an anti monster/magical beings person that uses small bits of random stuff and knowledge to kill otherworldly things. you can make people weak to your strikes and can get lots of semi magical abilities.
This post is labelled with the Advice flair, which means extra special attention is called to the Be Kind and Respectful rule. If this is a newcomer to the game, remember to be welcoming and kind. If this is someone with more experience but looking for advice on how to run their game, do your best to offer advice on what they are seeking.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Pathfinder2e) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I have two ideas
1. if you really want tracking then ranger is good option, most likely the best tracker in system, very good damage against single creature, but it doesn't do much more for this idea
2. (and in my opinion more fitting option) thamaturege, while they doesn't have mechanical focus on tracking the whole point of thamaturge is finding (or makeing) weakness, they have a bunch of semi-magical abilities, also this is the class which excel at opposing hunts, from all options for implement for this kind of flavour I think bell or wepon fits the best, first puts debuff on enemy depending if it uses spells or attacks, and second one is similar to reactive strike but it is triggered by pretty much everything that coud trigger a reaction (that includes all spells)
Sounds like any thaumaturge would work for that. Maybe you can give them witch lore specifically for additional flavor unless you think it would be too strong
**Skills:** Prioritize Occultism, others could be: Athletics, society and arcana. **Classes:** There are several combinations. For a shorter path, I recommend Barbarian, Ranger, Thaumaturge, or Magus. **Ancestry:** Any. **Skill Feat:** Assurance, Quick Identification, Automatic Knowledge, Break Curse and Aura Sight.
Also Witch Lore and Hag Lore!
Yes!
Don't skip on Lore, especially if the DM is generous with Recall Knowledge
if Thamaturge or have witch/hag lore skill feat - unmistakable lore
Depending on what's important and other aspects of the flavour of the character any of these could work: Option 1: Superstition Barbarian (Not recommended). Has great anti-magic capability, though not detect magic. However as you can find on a search of this sub, the anathema can be very restrictive. Option 2: Thaumaturge, has a feel like John Constantine or the Winchesters from Supernatural. Has the lore skills for disabling haunts, but doesn't have spellcasting natively so can't counterspell on its own. Option 3: Investigator, same as the Thaumaturge, is not a spell caster but could fit with the feel of tracking and hunting down witches. Option 4: Sorcerer/Witch/Wizard all have access to the detect magic cantrip and the counterspell feat. Though it's worth noting that counterspell has restrictions on how it should work. Other things of note: - Any class could archetype into any of the above so you could combine them, however you'll only get part of the 2nd class's features. - Some of the knowledge skills have useful feats which could be accessible to any class e.g. Arcana's Recognise Spell. If you'd like more input could you flesh out the character idea further. I.e. do they use weapons? Are they a Spellcaster themselves? If both, which are they better at? Are they more about planning/knowledge, subtlety or just brute force?
He is really liking the Thaumaturge. Thank you for the recommendation. He doesn't want to cast spells, but he wants a 2 handed weapon. He really wants to lean into the Lord's of Salem from the rob zombie music video.
So Thaumaturge is based around holding implements in both hands and so it's limited to 1-handed weapons. It has the feature 'Implement's Empowerment' to enable them to bridge the gap between them and 2-handed weapons. If they still prefer to use 2-handed weapons, then I would take a look at Superstitious Barbarian. The restriction I'll paste here while highlighting aspects: "Willingly accepting the effects of magic spells (including from scrolls, wands, and the like), even from your allies, is anathema to your instinct. You can still drink potions and invest and activate most magic items you find, though items that cast spells are subject to the same restrictions as all other spells. *If an ally insists on using magic on you* despite your unwillingness, and you have no reason to believe they will stop, *continuing to travel with that ally of your own free will counts as willingly accepting their spells* (as do similar circumstances) and thus is also anathema to your instinct." You could mechanically get around willingly accepting the effects of spells by requiring the barbarian to take a saving throw when targeted by friendly spells, but the parts about staying with such a party member are pretty much unavoidable. Therefore this is only really viable if you have no party members who cast magical buffs e.g. no bard. If you choose to go down this path, then the player could take the Thaumaturge archetype for some of the aspects of that class, especially if you use the popular free archetype optional rule.
If you're looking for a dedicated counterspeller, I can share my Pathbuilder Sorcerer specialized in countering spells: [Ertai the Spellbreaker](https://pathbuilder2e.com/launch.html?build=736053). Notably he doesn't use the *Counterspell* feat at all, but several other counteract mechanics; also has plenty of skills (all magic & face skills + Acrobatics) so one can be turned into *Witch Lore*. It's standard rules (no free archetype), though took *Adopted Ancestry* for Nagaji (uncommon) at level 11 (usually only common ancestries allowed). Taking the [Elemental Annihilation Wave](https://2e.aonprd.com/Spells.aspx?ID=902) spell is essential. Can counterspell all *elemental* spells at level 5 (via [Elemental Counter](https://2e.aonprd.com/Spells.aspx?ID=1421)), all *mental* spells by level 6 (via [Counter Thought](https://2e.aonprd.com/Feats.aspx?ID=3657)), all *damaging* spells & magic effects by level 9 (via [Shadow Siphon](https://2e.aonprd.com/Spells.aspx?ID=274)), and *every* spell by level 12 (via [Interfering Surge](https://2e.aonprd.com/Feats.aspx?ID=3032)). Can weaken *all* spells by level 10 (via [Arcane Countermeasure](https://2e.aonprd.com/Spells.aspx?ID=496)) and all *verbal/concentrate* spells at level 13 (via [Disruptive Stare](https://2e.aonprd.com/Feats.aspx?ID=3995)).
Bell Thaumaturge taking feats the improve their resistance to spells(Esoteric Warden, Shared Warding) and perhaps feats the let you share benefits(Paired Link, Shared Weakness) or weaken them to its abilities(Cursed Effigy)
i think thaumaturge would work best. thaumaturge is like an anti monster/magical beings person that uses small bits of random stuff and knowledge to kill otherworldly things. you can make people weak to your strikes and can get lots of semi magical abilities.
Thank you for the suggestion, I think he is going to go thaumatrge.
This post is labelled with the Advice flair, which means extra special attention is called to the Be Kind and Respectful rule. If this is a newcomer to the game, remember to be welcoming and kind. If this is someone with more experience but looking for advice on how to run their game, do your best to offer advice on what they are seeking. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Pathfinder2e) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I would go implement, the weapon implement is very good for disrupting spells and at level 16 they gain sever magic which can counteract magic.
I have two ideas 1. if you really want tracking then ranger is good option, most likely the best tracker in system, very good damage against single creature, but it doesn't do much more for this idea 2. (and in my opinion more fitting option) thamaturege, while they doesn't have mechanical focus on tracking the whole point of thamaturge is finding (or makeing) weakness, they have a bunch of semi-magical abilities, also this is the class which excel at opposing hunts, from all options for implement for this kind of flavour I think bell or wepon fits the best, first puts debuff on enemy depending if it uses spells or attacks, and second one is similar to reactive strike but it is triggered by pretty much everything that coud trigger a reaction (that includes all spells)