Truth be told, it's a feeling. If you're using the same names for the abilities and the subclass, or the subclass has identical mechanics, someone is going to call you on it. However, before even publishing, if you're thinking "Oh, this could be too similar" it's probably too similar.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
It should say what it's too similar to, that should be a helpful starting point. Something like "Flagged because this is too similar to (Arcane Trickster)" or whatever it is.
I'd start with checking the names of your features and any tooltips that are included in it, like alter self for example. I think these are the things that are most likely what they check for, as well as descriptive texts. What I tend to do is create a copy of a subclass that has a similar feel, if possible, or just any subclass otherwise, but only to use it as a reference of the class feature spread for that class. The actual homebrew subclass I create from scratch, with some copy'n'paste if necessary :)
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Just how different does an archetype need to be to stop being "too similar" to an existing one? Do I need to go back and recreate it from scratch?
Truth be told, it's a feeling. If you're using the same names for the abilities and the subclass, or the subclass has identical mechanics, someone is going to call you on it. However, before even publishing, if you're thinking "Oh, this could be too similar" it's probably too similar.
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Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
It's being autoflagged that way. I'm not even seeing an option for submission.
Guess I'll have to just manually re-enter everything and see if that works
It should say what it's too similar to, that should be a helpful starting point. Something like "Flagged because this is too similar to (Arcane Trickster)" or whatever it is.
I'd start with checking the names of your features and any tooltips that are included in it, like alter self for example. I think these are the things that are most likely what they check for, as well as descriptive texts. What I tend to do is create a copy of a subclass that has a similar feel, if possible, or just any subclass otherwise, but only to use it as a reference of the class feature spread for that class. The actual homebrew subclass I create from scratch, with some copy'n'paste if necessary :)