Why favored classes?

[Tilenas]

If by "forever" you mean "Since 3.0" maybe?

And if by "clearly" you means "Not clearly at all, but in my humble opinion."

You are aware I was not talking about the concept of favoured classes, but more generally about racial archetypes. These go at least back to AD&D 2nd (maybe even further, but I don't know for sure) and that's 1989 we're talking here.

And yeah, I was expressing an opinion with my verdict on way the final PF handles it, and I don't think it necessary to state that every time someone might disagree. Unless I quote or provide sources, everything I say is my opinion.

 

[Voadam]

Basic sets and BECMI did this through providing only one racial class option for nonhumans.

AD&D 1 and 2 did this through providing restricted class options, multiclass options, class level limits, and stat modifiers all depending on race.

3e did this through ability modifiers and favored class mechanics.

Pathfinder final seems to do this solely through racial stat modifiers.

 

[Voadam]

double post

 

[an_idol_mind]

In terms of racial archetypes, I don't see a big deal. It seems that dwarves are still excellent warrior types, elves are possibly the best option for wizardry, and so on. The only race that seems to have lost its niche in the transition is the half-orc, which can now be something other than a big dumb barbarian.

My personal preference would have been to toss the favored class mechanic entirely, but it seems like having an extra skill point or an extra hit point would come in handy, especially to low-level characters.

 

[ProfessorCirno]

You are aware I was not talking about the concept of favoured classes, but more generally about racial archetypes. These go at least back to AD&D 2nd (maybe even further, but I don't know for sure) and that's 1989 we're talking here.

And yeah, I was expressing an opinion with my verdict on way the final PF handles it, and I don't think it necessary to state that every time someone might disagree. Unless I quote or provide sources, everything I say is my opinion.

"Clearly" just seems a bit inflammatory, is all ;p

The racial archtypes are still there. If anything, they're stronger. Elf is now better as a wizard then he was in 3.5! Purposefully restricting the favored class didn't make the racial archtypes fit well. Elf had favored class: wizard, but simple wasn't that great of a wizard, which lead to somewhat jarring differences between mechanics and flavor. Now, elves can be anything, but excel in being dexterity and intelligence based classes - like, say, wizard ;p