The two classes, animist and exemplar, are entirely new concepts, never-before-seen in Pathfinder or Starfinder, and tie in with a significant canon event coming in 2024.

With a multi-product line event coming in 2024, Paizo is preparing for the new rulebook release with a playtest of two new classes: the animist and the exemplar. A war is brewing and all of existence will be drawn into the conflict! As gods die, new gods arise, and Golarion itself bucks and twists under the pressure of immortal powers vying for dominance, Pathfinder introduces two new classes with their own particular roles to play in these colossal battles. 

A war is brewing and all of existence will be drawn into the conflict! As gods die, new gods arise, and Golarion itself bucks and twists under the pressure of immortal powers vying for dominance, Pathfinder introduces two new classes with their own particular roles to play in these colossal battles.

The animist is a Wisdom-based divine spellcasting class that bonds with apparitions, ephemeral spirits who share their power and knowledge with the animist in exchange for the animist acting as their agent with the physical world.

Bond with a Steward of Stone and Fire to add primal power to your spellcasting, make a pact with an Impostor in Hidden Places to gain access to sneaky and deceptive magics, or allow a Witness to Ancient Battles to possess you and lend its martial talents to your repertoire! Players interested in playing a wise spellcaster who can change their abilities each day, or even moment to moment, based on the spiritual entities they align themselves with, be sure to playtest the animist!

The exemplar is Pathfinder Second Edition’s first rare class, a Charisma-based divine warrior possessing their own spark of divinity. Using the power of receptacles called ikons, the exemplar can move their divine spark between each of their ikons to unlock potent effects and abilities.

As your power grows, you create your own epithet that defines your immortal legacy; whether you become a Cunning exemplar, Restless as the Tides and known to be a Thief of Moonlight, or a Brave exemplar, Peerless Under Heaven and destined to be The Last Ruler of an ancient kingdom is up to you! Players interested in playing a demigod destined for greatness and inspired by mythological figures like Maui, Cú Chulainn, and Hercules, be sure to playtest the exemplar!

The playtest will run for one month, from September 1^st 2023 through October 2^nd 2023. Players can participate in the playtest in home games as well as in Paizo’s Organized Play Program. Players interested in playtesting in Pathfinder Society should follow the rules in the Guide to Organized Play. 

Demiplane, producers of licensed character builder Pathfinder NEXUS, are hosting a free character builder for the animist and exemplar classes. Foundry VTT has added a module that includes fully automated support for the classes.

Pathfinder Second Edition Foundry users will receive access to this module on Friday, September 1^st. Feedback for the classes should be submitted via one of two online forms: the Class Survey and the Open Response Survey.

Paizo will also maintain dedicated playtest forums on paizo.com to discuss the new classes. Paizo will follow up with further announcements after the playtest has completed.

if you're interested in more Paizo content, check out our review of the Starfinder ‘Drift Crisis' Adventure Path.