“I’m done hidin’, now I’m shinin’ like I’m born to be
‘Cause we are hunters, voice strong, and I know I believe…”1
I was packing up my suitcase for a trip when I decided I’d throw something on TV. I’d definitely seen a tease for KPop Demon Hunters and when I loaded up Netflix, well there it was now available. So why not? Who doesn’t love badass women saving the day. I have to agree with the majority: it’s a fun movie with great music. The music was stuck in my head immediately, but I also really appreciated the story. I’m quite thankful the women were portrayed not as stereotypical pop divas but as real women, real friends who want to eat junk food, need relaxation time, and struggle with the perceptions of others. I won’t get deep into spoilers, but truly was surprised by the ending and glad it was these three saving the day together and not how I thought it might go.
And then I got to thinking, but how will we see them represented in Pathfinder2E? Well have I got some ideas for you. Borrowing in part from the Soulforger archetype, I’ve crafted a class archetype for the Bard. Now mind you, I’ve done my best but this hasn’t been playtested.
Yet.
Demon Hunter Idol
You’ve turned your performance art into more than music and dance, but as a deadly force against the darkness. Channeling rhythm, lyrics, and choreography into soulful weapons, you strike down fiends with dazzling precision and magical flair.
Prerequisites: You must be a bard
Demon Hunter Idol Adjustments:
- You must choose the Warrior muse, however your starting additional spell is based upon your signature idol role (see below) instead of fear.
- You are trained in Occultism, Performance, and 2 plus your intelligence modifier additional skills.
- You become trained in any melee or ranged weapon you choose (thus it can be exotic). It is a soulforged armament and you gain the Manifest Soulforged Armament ability as per Soulforger. It does not gain an essence power or the ability to manifest its essence form at this point.
- You are Sanctified (holy).
Choose a Signature Idol Role from below. This grants a special thematic bonus, a bonus spell known, and unlocks unique feats.
- Lead Vocals – Inspire and protect your party.
- Bonus: You can use Courageous Anthem as a free action when you roll initiative, provided you are not doing so from stealth/unable to be seen and heard. You gain Charm as a bonus spell.
- Main Choreography – Dodge and dash with your dance moves through demonic strikes.
- Bonus: Gain a +1 circumstance bonus to Reflex saves and Acrobatics checks. You gain Liberating Command as a bonus spell.
- Main Lyricist – Your voice is weaponized.
- Bonus: Your Bard spells with the Auditory trait gain +1 circumstance bonus to attack rolls against Unholy creatures. You gain Befuddle as a bonus spell.
- Main Stylist – Distract with style and visual arts.
- Bonus: Gain +1 circumstance bonus to Feint, Demoralize, and Fascinating Performance against Unholy creatures. You gain Dizzying Colors as a bonus spell.
- Note almost had either Restyle or Mystic Armor as a bonus spell.
Additional Feats
A Demon Hunter Idol may select Soulforger feats as well.
Demon Hunter Idol Archetype Feats
Demon Hunter Idol Dedication – Feat 2
Rare, Archetype, Class, Dedication
Archetype: Demon Hunter Idol
Class: Bard
Prerequisite: Demon Hunter Idol
You gain the rest of the Soulforger dedication abilities, choosing one essence power for your armament. You can change it with one week of retraining as noted. You gain the ability to manifest its essence form once per day as noted.
You gain the Performance of Soulful Light composition cantrip, a Bard composition that surrounds you with radiant, rhythmic energy.
Performance of Soulful Light – 1 Action – Cantrip
Bard, Demon Hunter Idol, Cantrip, Composition, Sanctified, Spirit
Area: 10-foot emanation
You perform a combination of a short radiant dance or battle movements while singing. Enemies in the area take 1d4 spirit (holy as you are sanctified) damage from your armament attacks, and allies gain a +1 status bonus to saves against the abilities and spells of Unholy creatures until the start of your next turn.
Heightened (+2): Damage increases by 1d4
Heightened (3rd): Allies in area gain temporary HP equal to your charisma modifier that lasts for 1 minute.
Heightened (5th): Area expands to 20 feet emanation.
Heightened (7th): Allies in area gain temporary HP equal to 3 + your charisma modifier that lasts for 1 minute.
Heightened (9th): Area expands to 30 feet emanation.
Prepared Wardrobe – Feat 4
Archetype
Prerequisites: Signature Idol Role (Main Stylist)
You gain a magical performance outfit that allows instantaneous outfit changes and is considered part of your identity. While wearing it, you gain a +1 circumstance bonus to Performance checks and resistance equal to half your level to void damage.
Anti-Fiend Spark – Feat 4
Archetype
When you Cast a spell from your spell slots or use a Bard cantrip, if the spell deals damage and doesn’t have a duration, you gain a status bonus to that spell’s damage equal to the spell’s level against Fiends. Additionally, your Bards spells ignore half a Fiend’s resistance.
Mic Whip – Feat 4
Archetype
You gain a magic mic that functions as if under a constant Bullhorn effect. You can use the mic as a weapon (counts as a whip). It deals 1d6 sonic damage however.
Rhythmic Reposition – Feat 4
Archetype
You may use your Step action as a free action after casting a composition cantrip. This can only be used once per round.
Spotlight – Feat 4
Archetype
You gain the Spotlight Ward focus spell. Your focus pool increased by 1 and you can Refocus by spending 10 minutes warming up, working on your lyrics or choreography, or reflecting on the spiritual challenges for your people and Fiends. Demon Hunter Idol focus spells are occult spells.
Spotlight Ward – 1 Action – Focus 2
Rare, Composition, Focus, Light
Range: 60 feet; Targets 1 creature
Duration: 1 minute
Choose 1 ally within 60 ft. They glow with spotlight energy and gain +1 status bonus to AC and saves vs. Fiends abilities and spells for 1 minute.
Holy Remix – Feat 6
Archetype
Prerequisites: Signature Idol Role (Lead Vocals or Main Lyricist)
When you cast a Bard composition, you may choose to remix it, adding a burst of divine energy: creatures adjacent to you take 2d6 fire or 2d6 spirit (holy as you are sanctified) damage (your choice). The composition gains the fire or sanctified and spirit traits as appropriate.
Sonic Interference – Feat 6
Archetype
You’re talented at finding just the right, just the right pitch to discordantly throw off your enemies. You gain the Sonic Interference reaction.
Sonic Interference – reaction – Level 3
Rare, Auditory
Trigger: An enemy within 30 feet casts a spell
When an enemy within 30 feet casts a spell, you can interfere with your sound (typically singing). Make a Performance check vs. their spell DC.
Critical Success: They take a –1 status penalty to attack rolls and spell DCs until the end of their next turn.
Success: As Critical Success but just for the spell they are casting.
Purifying Chorus – Feat 8
Archetype
You reach out through your soulful connection to free your allies. Even if it does not immediately work, they hear you. Your focus pool increases by 1 Focus Point. See Spotlight for how you can regain focus.
Purifying Chorus – 3 Actions – Focus 4
Rare, Auditory, Composition, Focus, Manipulate
Range: 30 feet; Targets: allies within range
You perform a radiant chorus that counters possession, fear, and domination. Make a performance check as part of a counteract check against the DC of the abilities affecting your allies within 30 feet. If it does not succeed, those allies still gain a +2 circumstance bonus to their next attempt to save/end such effects.
Dazzling Strikes – Feat 8
Archetype
When you strike a Fiend with a melee or thrown weapon, you can use a 1-action Bard Composition spell as a reaction or count the strike’s action as the first action of a two-action Bard Composition spell.
Example: you strike and do Uplifting Overture as a reaction.
Example: you strike and then spend another action to cast Symphony of the Unfettered Heart.
Idol Ascendant – Feat 10
Archetype
The soulful energy of you, your allies, and your fans raises you up, enveloping you as you ascend. You gain the Idol Ascendant focus spell. Your focus pool increases by 1 Focus Point. See Spotlight for how you can regain focus.
Idol Ascendant – 2 Actions – Focus 5
Rare, Auditory, Focus, Manipulate
Duration: 1 minute
The energy empowers and transforms you. You gain the following benefits:
- Gain fly speed equal to land speed or 30 feet, whichever is better.
- Gain resistance 10 to fire and unholy damage.
- Courageous Anthem and Rallying Anthem no longer count against composition limits of only one composition spell each turn or that you can only have one active at a time.
Takedown – Feat 10
Archetype
Prerequisites: Signature Idol Role (Main Choreography)
They might take you down, but you aren’t out! You gain the It’s A Takedown reaction.
It’s A Takedown – reaction – Level 5
Rare, Auditory, Sanctified, Spirit
Trigger: you would drop to 0 HP
You unleash a final burst of power in a stylistic flourish before falling unconscious. All enemies within 30 feet take 4d6 spirit (holy as you are sanctified) damage (basic Fortitude save), and all allies heal 2d6 hit points and gain +2 status bonus to AC until the end of their next turn.
This Is What It Sounds Like – Feat 12
Archetype
Prerequisites: Courageous Anthem
When the beat drops, your team is already moving with you and you’re in perfect harmony. You gain the I’ll Find Your Harmony reaction.
I’ll Find Your Harmony – reaction – Level 6
Rare, Auditory
Trigger: You use a Bard composition cantrip or spell (possibly as part of another action) and then make a move action.
You automatically synchronize your inner rhythm with one ally within 30 feet. That ally can choose one:
- Step as a free action
- Stride toward you
- Stride in the direction you are moving
Special: If you are in your Idol Ascendant form, you may target two allies instead.
Free – Feat 14
Archetype
Prerequisites: Signature Idol Role(Main Stylist) or trained in Deception
You know what it’s like to hide. But you’ve learned that you could be free, free. You gain the Visual Shift focus power. Your focus pool increases by 1 Focus Point. See Spotlight for how you can regain focus.
Visual Shift – 2 Actions – Focus 7
Rare, Focus, Manipulate, Visual
Range: 60 feet; Targets: One Enemy
Defense: Will; Duration: see below
You change your appearance and pose in a flash of magical light, dazzling enemies and shifting momentum. Choose one enemy within 60 feet who can see you. You Stride or Step as part of this spell and the enemy must succeed at a Will save.
Success: Dazzled for 1 round
Failure: Blinded for 1 round, Dazzled for 3 rounds
Critical Failure: As Failure, but blinded for 3 rounds.
Stagebreaker Finale – Feat 16
Archetype
Prerequisites: at least two other allies have this feat and you each spend an action toward it, at least one member has Rallying Anthem
You perform your ultimate group number, an explosive performance of divine radiance and harmonized fury.
Stragebreaker Finale – 3 actions – Level 8
Note: that’s 3 actions total, one from each member participating like the Coven rules for spellcasting
The DC of the final enacting member is used.
- All allies within 60 feet gain the effects of Courageous Anthem and Rallying Anthem for 3 rounds.
- All Fiends and Unholy creatures in a 30-foot burst centered on you take 8d6 spirit (holy) damage (basic Reflex save).
Together We’re Glowin’ – Feat 18
Archetype, Divine
You raise your weapon high and send forth a divine, glowing explosion through the hanmoon. You gain the Now I’m Shining’ focus power. Your focus pool increases by 1 Focus Point. See Spotlight for how you can regain focus.
Now I’m Shining – up to 3 Actions – Focus 9
Rare, Focus, Manipulate, Light, Visual
The power you summon from the hanmoon varies by the number of actions you spend.
1 action – All allies within 30 feet gain 9 + your Charisma modifier temporary HP and +1 status bonus to saves vs. fear for 1 minute.
2 actions – As above, and all enemies within 30 feet are submitted to a Fear spell..
3 actions – As above, plus all Fiends and Unholy creatures in a 30-foot burst centered on you take 6d6 spirit (holy) damage (basic Reflex save).
Special: If you use this during Golden Hanmoon Ascension, double the range to 60 feet, the temporary HP to 18 + your Charisma modifier, and the damage to 12d6.
Golden Hanmoon Ascension – Feat 20
Archetype, Divine
Prerequisites: Idol Ascendant
You can now unleash your Golden Hanmoon Form — a transcendent, radiant, ultimate transformation of your idol persona infused with the divine power of the Golden Hanmoon. Your Idol Ascendant ability grows, gaining the following traits: Divine, Light, Sanctified, Spirit. This updated form grants the following additional benefits:
Stage of the Divine: A glowing 30-foot aura surrounds you. Allies in the aura gain a +2 status bonus to attack rolls, saving throws vs. emotion and possession effects, and are immune to being frightened. Evil creatures treat the area as difficult terrain and take 1d6 spirit (holy) damage if they start their turn within it.
Limit Break Composition: You may sustain two Bard compositions simultaneously, and you may cast one Composition spell or cantrip per round as a free action.
Hanmoon Finale (reaction, Level 10): If you reduce a Fiend or Unholy creature to 0 HP, you may immediately cast a composition cantrip without expending any actions, even if you have already used one this round.
Judgment Strike: Your divine armament deals an additional 2d8 spirit (holy) damage vs. unholy creatures and counts as silver and cold iron for the purpose of overcoming resistances.
Dazzling Finisher (one action, Level 10): Once during your Idol Ascendant form, you may use a Dazzling Finisher. Make a Strike with your armament. If you hit all Fiends and Unholy creatures within 60 feet must make a Fortitude save against your Spell DC.
Success: Frightened 1
Failure: Frightened 2, Blinded for 1 round, and Slowed 1 for 2 rounds.
Critical Failure: as per Failure but also Frightened 3 and fleeing for 1 round.
I hope you enjoy what I’ve put together here, though I’m likely to update/tweak it as I review my own items for balance and hopefully see it in action. Take some time to invest in KPop Demon Hunters; it’s a fun, good time. And if you use any part of this or have made your own, be sure to reach out as I want to hear from you! Until then, stay golden! As a final note, I’m yet again traveling for work the night before this goes live and of course my laptop died so hopefully no egregious errors though clearly I couldn’t get my typical title on the main image. Ah well. Much love to all!
Investing In:
I wasn’t quite sure what to name my article series when I first started but the idea of showcasing or discussing things that make me excited, that I find new and interesting, or maybe I’m otherwise passionate about seemed to fit with the idea of Investing In something like the Pathfinder 2E mechanic. To use some magic items you have to give that little bit of yourself, which helps make these things even better. I like the metaphor of the community growing and being strengthened in the same way!
I also want to hear what you’re Investing In! Leave me a comment below about what games, modules, systems, products, people, live streams, etc you enjoy! You can also hit me up on social media as silentinfinity. I want to hear what excites you and what you’re passionate about. There’s so much wonderful content, people, groups (I could go on) in this community of ours that the more we invest in and share, the better it becomes!
Sources
Banner – KPop Demon Hunters Netflix promo image, Netflix, Sony Animation
- Golden lyrics excerpt; performed by HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, Rei Ami & KPop Demon Hunters Cast; lyrics by EJAE and Mark Sonnenblick, Netflix, Sony Animation
- Main cast banner, KPop Demon Hunters, Netflix, Sony Animation
- Main cast friends scene from Act 1, KPop Demon Hunters, Netflix, Sony Animation
