I’ve noticed that many archetypes with a level 2 dedication feat simply don’t have any level 4 feats. How does this work with the free archetype variant rule? Do you just discard the bonus feat slot at level 4? Also, does playing with this variant rule essentially make it impossible to take a level 4 dedication feat at level 4?
Sentinel was the first one I noticed with this property, but I’m sure there are others. Bastion almost has the same problem but it has 2 uncommon level 4 feats. I am not considering archetype skill feats to count since they cannot be taken as class feats per the free archetype rule, and even if they could, they can require skill proficiencies that a character may not have.
Edit: Red mantis has a similar problem if you are untrained in Religion, since the only level 4 feat for that archetype has “trained in religion” as a prerequisite
Sentinel does have Steel Skin at level 4, no? I don’t see where it says that you can’t pick a skill feat if it also has the archetype trait on it
Steel Skin is a survival skill feat. you can’t take it if you are untrained in survival