Pathfinder 2E Gets Risky With New Daredevil and Slayer Classes

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Paizo has officially released their latest playtest for Pathfinder Second Edition. Entitled “Risk & Rewards,” the material introduces a two brand-new classes for PF2E: the Daredevil and the Slayer. The former is a thrill-seeking martial class fuelled by pure adrenaline, while the latter is powered by patience and trophies taken from fallen foes.

The playtest runs from now until April 10th, 2026, with Paizo actively soliciting table-tested feedback. You can download a PDF of the content now on the Paizo website or on Demiplane. Below, we take a closer look at what’s included in these two new PF2E classes.

What is the new Pathfinder 2E Daredevil class?

The Daredevil is a martial class built around a new core mechanic: Adrenaline. This meta currency is acquired by taking actions that could potentially result in damage from a failed saving throw or skill check (for example, jumping over a pit of spikes or running through a burning guild). These types of dangerous actions are tagged with the Risky trait, which is a new trait associated with a number of key Daredevil class features and feats found throughout the playtest.

You gain adrenaline right as you’re about to take a Risky action (before you move or roll), with adrenaline lasting until the beginning of your next turn. This means you’re constantly having to take more and more dangerous actions to keep your adrenaline flowing. To gain adrenaline, you can also use Daring Stunt, which is a new Daredevil-specific action that requires you to move at least 10 feet and end up adjacent to an enemy, allowing you to attempt to Grapple, Reposition, Shove or Trip one enemy within your reach.

Ultimately, the Daredevil isn’t about raw damage output. Instead, it’s about pressing the attack while reducing multiple attack penalties, using the environment as “props” for extra damage and moving quickly around the battlefield. In short: the new class is Pathfinder’s version of a cinematic stunt fighter and is a great option if you’re a fan of creative combat and pressing your luck.

What is the new Pathfinder 2E Slayer class?

The Slayer is a martial class built around careful planning and a new gear system called the Slayer’s Arsenal, which consists of weapons, alchemical vials and holy relics. Rather than relying on a moment-to-moment resource like Adrenaline, however, the Slayer focuses on carefully marking a specific enemy as their Quarry. By spending time researching rumors, studying tracks or gathering intelligence, you designate a creature of equal or higher level as your target, gaining bonuses to Track and Recall Knowledge checks against it.

Once a quarry falls, the Slayer’s power snowballs through the Trophy system. You can Claim a Trophy from a defeated quarry and store it in your trophy case, later using it to Reinforce your Arsenal during daily preparations. Trophies carry traits, damage types, and magical traditions from the slain creature, which then enhance your hunting tools. The goal is to create a satisfying loop: hunt, kill, harvest, adapt.

Unlike the Daredevil, the Slayer isn’t about reckless momentum. Instead it’s about understanding your enemies and gathering resources. In short: it’s Pathfinder’s definitive monster hunter and is a great option if you enjoy battlefield strategy, crafting and calculated risk.

What Pathfinder 2E book will these new classes appear in?

According to the Risk & Rewards playtest PDF, both the Daredevil and the Slayer classes will appear in an upcoming Pathfinder sourcebook scheduled for Summer 2027.

The title of that book, however, has not yet been officially announced and it’s not entirely clear what other classes or materials will appear in it (we’ll be keeping a close eye on this and will update with new information as it’s made available).

Final Thoughts

Risks & Rewards is one of the more mechanically ambitious Pathfinder playtests in recent memory. The Daredevil introduces a risk-based combat loop that’s all about taking chances and battlefield creativity, while the Slayer is a prep-heavy monster hunter that rewards strategic thinking and building out an arsenal.

Of course, a lot can still change and it’s likely these two classes will see further tweaks before their final form. After all, letting players get their hands on new classes is always a risky proposition, but it’s one that offers plenty of rewards as well.

You can download the new Risk & Rewards playtest now from the Paizo website or on Demiplane.