what archetype has as one of its themes to be particularly overpowered or underpowered?
Wizard has as its theme to be OP, there are numperous builds online about building the "God Wizard". That is a real desire for many who play Wizards. I don't play those kinds of Wizards personally, but many others do.
Monk has as its theme being underpowered (although it is not in play at high level). This dates to the 1E original Monk that was pathetically weak. This is one thing I hate about the playtest Monk, I pe
I’d say get it right and make sure it is balanced with the others
But you have to prioritize one over the other and you can't have a God Wizard if you can't build a character that is a God compared to others.
why is this an either or?
Because historically every attempt to balance classes has made the game far less fun.
They want both (as much as possible), play the archetype and be of close to the same power level as everyone else
Some people want this, others don't. I have no desire at all to have classes balanced to the same power level. Personally I would say that is less fun even if they got all the thematics right (which they won't).
Players should have the option to choose strong or weak classes.
And if you are only happy if you are stronger than the rest, so they all have to pick weaker ones, well, then screw you…
So you are saying screw anyone who does not feel the same as you about this?
so archetype or power level? You kinda said both
It is both. On the Archtype peice it is not due to the power, it is due to the lack of polearm and Longsword proficiency.