hey guys what do you think of this for a new oracle curse. is it balanced? suggestions?
One Armed- You only have one arm the other is either shriveled and useless or gone completely. Because of your narrow frame, you gain +1 shield bonus every three levels so long as you use a piercing weapon. At 5th level you can use Large one handed or Medium two-handed weapons without penalty in one hand. At 10th level you can apply either 1.5x strength to your damage or your 1x dex to damage. At 15th level you can apply either 2x strength or 1.5x dexterity to damage, also you are considered to be using two-hands for purposes of power attack.
I figure you lose the ability to take twf, wield a shield, use 2h weapons, Im sure flavor wise you would be at a disadvantage in a grapple as well as if you ever had to carry anything. Also casting spells with somatic components would be nearly impossible unless you were unarmed.
The curse side of things is pretty good. Missing an arm is a fairly strong detriment, both mechanically in-game, and also just in the roleplaying/day-to-day activity stuff.
Regarding the benefits, the "using larger weapons in one hand" and "apply greater strength damage" seem okay, although 15th level seems a bit late for using with Power Attack.
The +shield benefit when using a piercing weapon seems really specific too.. is it modeled on a certain character concept from something (like a fencer holding a hand back, etc)?
I like the narrow frame idea, but I like the idea of simply making it more of a +1 size bonus instead of shield when using piercing weapon bonus.
I'd probably go with:
1st level boon: +1 size bonus to AC, only half penalty for squeezing in smaller spaces.
5th level boon: Can wield a two-handed weapon in one hand without penalty (or a large sized one handed weapon).
10th level boon: +2 size bonus to AC, and treated as wielding two-handed weapons with two hands (for purposes of strength bonus to damage and power attack).
15th level boon: +3 size bonus, and treated as one size smaller for purposes of squeezing. 2x strength on two-handed weapons wielded.
I leave out the piercing weapon because I'm not sure where that benefit is supposed to come from.
The curse side of things is pretty good. Missing an arm is a fairly strong detriment, both mechanically in-game, and also just in the roleplaying/day-to-day activity stuff.
Regarding the benefits, the "using larger weapons in one hand" and "apply greater strength damage" seem okay, although 15th level seems a bit late for using with Power Attack.
The +shield benefit when using a piercing weapon seems really specific too.. is it modeled on a certain character concept from something (like a fencer holding a hand back, etc)?I like the narrow frame idea, but I like the idea of simply making it more of a +1 size bonus instead of shield when using piercing weapon bonus.
I'd probably go with:
1st level boon: +1 size bonus to AC, only half penalty for squeezing in smaller spaces.
5th level boon: Can wield a two-handed weapon in one hand without penalty (or a large sized one handed weapon).
10th level boon: +2 size bonus to AC, and treated as wielding two-handed weapons with two hands (for purposes of strength bonus to damage and power attack).
15th level boon: +3 size bonus, and treated as one size smaller for purposes of squeezing. 2x strength on two-handed weapons wielded.I leave out the piercing weapon because I'm not sure where that benefit is supposed to come from.
I like your revisions. Given the large impact of the curse, would it be way overpowered to grant an extra attack at full bab or -5 at lvl 15 that stacks with haste?
In terms of power, what would happen if a Titan's Grip Barb + One Armed Metal/Battle Oracle went the Rage Prophet route, would that be too OP?
Ok, after reading my question about extra attack, I think it would be way overpowered to grant and extra at Full BAB, but adding an extra at -5 doesn't seem ground breaking. That means at lvl 20, a full attack routine would be 15/10/10/5.
The extra attack would probably not be overpowered by 15th level that way. It's like the loss of one arm is made up for having this super arm on the other side, heh.
Regarding being overpowered..
Combat-wise, it takes half the career of the character before they really hit the point that they equal having two hands with a weapon. For a Pathfinder AP, it's about 3/4 of the way through (most end by the time you get around 14-17th level).
Then you have problems with holding things; your options are limited with regards to anything beyond twohanded weapon fighting; spellcasting with divine focus and somatic components will be a pain in the butt (there's arcane duelist or glove of storing, and craft reliquary arms and armor, but really, it's an investment to manage it).
Heck, half a dozen skills look like they might be kind of tough to manage without that second hand (climbing and swimming absolutely, and to a lesser extent disable device, acrobatics, and escape artist).
None of those really go away. Some, like the spellcasting issues, can be worked around with quite a bit of investment, but it's costly. Using a realy big weapon in one hand shouldn't break the game.
The curse is nice, but I don't think that the weapon based benefits work well with it. The oracle is a spellcasting class after all, and as Kaisoku said he's going to have a lot of problems when he's holding a longsword and wants to cast a spell.
After all, you have to have a hand free in order to cast spells with somatic components. A wizard using a staff is able to cast a spell because he's assumed to take one hand off the staff to cast. With only one hand, the oracle will have to drop the weapon in order to cast spells with somatic components (and material and focus components unless the GM just wants you to have them on your person and the character never actually touches them).
Having to drop your weapon or sheath it as a move action (and risk an AoO) and require another move to draw it in order to cast your spells isn't a good trade off. Not for a full casting class.
... simply making it more of a +1 size bonus instead ...
I like the hole option alot. But (just a detail) I would use a +1 size-enhancment (or something) bonus to make it stackable for gnomes and halflings amongst others.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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I thought the curse was having Richard Kimble chasing you and blaming you for the death of his wife.
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The curse is nice, but I don't think that the weapon based benefits work well with it. The oracle is a spellcasting class after all, and as Kaisoku said he's going to have a lot of problems when he's holding a longsword and wants to cast a spell.
I would agree with this. The offsets for the curse are too oriented to weapon combat. An army of one-armed oracles of battle is not desirable.
The curse is nice, but I don't think that the weapon based benefits work well with it. The oracle is a spellcasting class after all, and as Kaisoku said he's going to have a lot of problems when he's holding a longsword and wants to cast a spell.
After all, you have to have a hand free in order to cast spells with somatic components. A wizard using a staff is able to cast a spell because he's assumed to take one hand off the staff to cast. With only one hand, the oracle will have to drop the weapon in order to cast spells with somatic components (and material and focus components unless the GM just wants you to have them on your person and the character never actually touches them).
Having to drop your weapon or sheath it as a move action (and risk an AoO) and require another move to draw it in order to cast your spells isn't a good trade off. Not for a full casting class.
I for one like the weapon based benefits, the Oracle needs more combat based options. I was really looking forward to see what Paizo's spin on the favored soul would be and I was really disappointed that they turned it in to a divine sorcerer with a class ability that highly limits the types of characters you can play.
As for the casting, that isn't so hard to get around. 'Drop'(free action) the weapon by sticking it in the ground(or through it up in the air for the more theatrical types), cast your spell, and then pick up the weapon either as a free, move, or part of a move action. If your DM won't go for that, simply pick of the quick draw feat and drop(or sheath for a move) the weapon and pick it up/draw it as a free action.
I for one like the weapon based benefits, the Oracle needs more combat based options. I was really looking forward to see what Paizo's spin on the favored soul would be and I was really disappointed that they turned it in to a divine sorcerer with a class ability that highly limits the types of characters you can play.
As for the casting, that isn't so hard to get around. 'Drop'(free action) the weapon by sticking it in the ground(or through it up in the air for the more theatrical types), cast your spell, and then pick up the weapon either as a free, move, or part of a move action. If your DM won't go for that, simply pick of the quick draw feat and drop(or sheath for a move) the weapon and pick it up/draw it as a free action.
Sheathing your weapon is a move action that provokes an attack of opportunity. Picking up a dropped object is a move action that provokes an attack of opportunity and Quick Draw can't be used to speed it up.
So unless your character has several of the same weapon, either option will draw attacks. The drawback is far, far greater than the reward since it pretty much makes you decide if you are going to cast spells this combat or be in melee. And since you're a d8, medium BAB full casting class...
Besides, get a really nice weapon and drop it to cast spells. Eventually the GM is going to have someone with a readied action grab the weapon and run off with it.
I for one like the weapon based benefits, the Oracle needs more combat based options. I was really looking forward to see what Paizo's spin on the favored soul would be and I was really disappointed that they turned it in to a divine sorcerer with a class ability that highly limits the types of characters you can play.
As for the casting, that isn't so hard to get around. 'Drop'(free action) the weapon by sticking it in the ground(or through it up in the air for the more theatrical types), cast your spell, and then pick up the weapon either as a free, move, or part of a move action. If your DM won't go for that, simply pick of the quick draw feat and drop(or sheath for a move) the weapon and pick it up/draw it as a free action.
Sheathing your weapon is a move action that provokes an attack of opportunity. Picking up a dropped object is a move action that provokes an attack of opportunity and Quick Draw can't be used to speed it up.
So unless your character has several of the same weapon, either option will draw attacks. The drawback is far, far greater than the reward since it pretty much makes you decide if you are going to cast spells this combat or be in melee. And since you're a d8, medium BAB full casting class...
Besides, get a really nice weapon and drop it to cast spells. Eventually the GM is going to have someone with a readied action grab the weapon and run off with it.
Could you point out where it says that sheathing(or drawing) a weapon provokes an AoO? I don't see it in the draw/sheath section.
Also, if you are worried about the AoO than you probably shouldn't be casting a spell. As for an enemy readying an action, just don't do it if any enemy is within a 5' step of you. That way they can't ready an action to grab it and run off.
Another thing, a Cleric often will also have to decide whether to be in melee range or focus on casting in a battle so I don't really see it as all that big of a problem.
I for one like the weapon based benefits, the Oracle needs more combat based options. I was really looking forward to see what Paizo's spin on the favored soul would be and I was really disappointed that they turned it in to a divine sorcerer with a class ability that highly limits the types of characters you can play.
As for the casting, that isn't so hard to get around. 'Drop'(free action) the weapon by sticking it in the ground(or through it up in the air for the more theatrical types), cast your spell, and then pick up the weapon either as a free, move, or part of a move action. If your DM won't go for that, simply pick of the quick draw feat and drop(or sheath for a move) the weapon and pick it up/draw it as a free action.
Sheathing your weapon is a move action that provokes an attack of opportunity. Picking up a dropped object is a move action that provokes an attack of opportunity and Quick Draw can't be used to speed it up.
So unless your character has several of the same weapon, either option will draw attacks. The drawback is far, far greater than the reward since it pretty much makes you decide if you are going to cast spells this combat or be in melee. And since you're a d8, medium BAB full casting class...
Besides, get a really nice weapon and drop it to cast spells. Eventually the GM is going to have someone with a readied action grab the weapon and run off with it.
Weapon Cord is an option. Besides that what if the curse granted the ability to use it to cast spells with somatic comp like arcane duelist? Then you would have a feat tax of Eschew Materials if you want to cast in combat but its possible.
I like combat Oracle. That spell that makes a creature suffer from your curse w/o benifits would also be amazing with this curse. imo.
I thought the curse was having Richard Kimble chasing you and blaming you for the death of his wife.
thank you for this. i am watching this tonight thanks to you.
The extra attack would probably not be overpowered by 15th level that way. It's like the loss of one arm is made up for having this super arm on the other side, heh.
Regarding being overpowered..
Combat-wise, it takes half the career of the character before they really hit the point that they equal having two hands with a weapon. For a Pathfinder AP, it's about 3/4 of the way through (most end by the time you get around 14-17th level).Then you have problems with holding things; your options are limited with regards to anything beyond twohanded weapon fighting; spellcasting with divine focus and somatic components will be a pain in the butt (there's arcane duelist or glove of storing, and craft reliquary arms and armor, but really, it's an investment to manage it).
Heck, half a dozen skills look like they might be kind of tough to manage without that second hand (climbing and swimming absolutely, and to a lesser extent disable device, acrobatics, and escape artist).None of those really go away. Some, like the spellcasting issues, can be worked around with quite a bit of investment, but it's costly. Using a realy big weapon in one hand shouldn't break the game.
I would conciser the skill side of things great for RP, I have personally rock climbed with a one-armed worldclass climber that made me look like a silly school girl. I have also wrestled people with one arm in both wrestling and judo and I can tell you that they possibly have an advantage when attempting to escape a hold. Swimming would be tricky but using the right technique would yield good results. For all these things if i were making a one-armed character I would invest heavily in these feats regardless to how much they come into play just because of the nature of the character.
Question,
Can a one armed character use 2 rings, can it use magical gloves?
This curse may be a little too harsh, I like it but the drawbacks seem to quickly be overpowering the benefits. Just throwing this out there but to account for all the crazy drawbacks, how broken would it be to leave it as the second poster suggested but add that at 15th (or 10th)level you use your oracle level to determine your BAB (instead of adding the extra attack)? When you're fully buffed there would be nothing that could touch you in combat. But mundane tasks out of combat or trying to multitask in combat are going to be crushing. Im sure this would be the new go-to curse for melee oracles but the drawbacks are significantly greater than some of the other curses.
Could you point out where it says that sheathing(or drawing) a weapon provokes an AoO? I don't see it in the draw/sheath section.
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/combat#TOC-Actions-In-Combat
Move Action AoO?
Pick up an item Yes
Sheathe a weapon Yes
Also, if you are worried about the AoO than you probably shouldn't be casting a spell. As for an enemy readying an action, just don't do it if any enemy is within a 5' step of you. That way they can't ready an action to grab it and run off.
I can avoid an AoO by casting defensively. I succeed at my check, they don't get an attack. I can't avoid drawing the attacks trying to keep from losing the weapon.
Another thing, a Cleric often will also have to decide whether to be in melee range or focus on casting in a battle so I don't really see it as all that big of a problem.
Clerics can still cast their spells without dropping their weapon or needing to waste actions trying to get it back again.
There's also the issue of not being able to use wands, potions, scrolls and other sundry items without dropping the weapon.
Again, it isn't practical and causes far too many downsides for a benefit that is not that useful for the class.
As for weapon cords, it only lets you recover the item as a swift action, rather than a move action, and keeps the weapon from falling away from you. It doesn't say that it protects you from provoking an AoO.
If it helps, Super Genius Games released a curse called Amputee for Oracle's with only one hand/arm. It's in their Advanced Options: Oracle's Curses. It focuses on a more "phantom limb" type version, which gives a number of spell-like abilities and is much more in keeping with the supernatural nature of Oracle curses.
A glove of storing (free action put away, free action retrieval) eliminates the somatic problem entirely. It's an item tax, but that's why I said it has drawbacks.
Other options are using a weapon that doesn't prevent you from casting (Cestus), or simply not using a weapon at all. My current Oracle has used a weapon in combat maybe 3 times over 10 levels.
The divine focus doesn't have to be held in the hand, although having a reliquary weapon (or armor) would completely void the issue.
Rings are not specified to be one on each hand, it's simply limited to two, so you can wear two rings on one hand. However, if there's a hand slot item that specifically calls out needing to wear both to get the effect, then you are limited there for sure. Custom made items would have no such limit of course.
The focus on making the other limb good in combat is not out of character at all for the class. Looking at the Lame curse, you lose speed, but then can't be slowed by encumbrance, and then aren't encumbered by armor and can't be fatigued or exhausted. These have nothing really to do with being a spellcaster (they aren't spell abilities, nor access to new spells, etc).
The blind oracle gains a bunch of sensory benefits. Once again, not really focused on magic or spellcasting.
It's good to keep in mind that this is a 3/4 BAB/HD class, that actually is capable of functioning in combat. There's mysteries built around it, and even one of the precious few prestige classes Pathfinder decided to release requires multiclassing with Barbarian.
I can see this working quite solidly alongside the other curses.
A glove of storing is 10,000 gp, meaning that the earliest the Oracle can get one is at level 5, and that leaves him only 500 gp for any other magic items. He's going to have a +1 weapon at best, and probably nothing else. That's really bad for a melee focused character.
And Kaisoku has a good point with lame. But it doesn't prevent the character from using any of his abilities without resorting to complicated tricks.
Look at it this way. Make a paladin with one hand. Now require him to drop his weapon every time he wants to cast a spell or smite or use any of his other abilities. You'd be better off making a straight fighter, and the paladin isn't even a full caster class.
The concept is interesting, but you're better off making a full BAB character and talk to your GM about feats. That way you still get to play the concept without having to give up the focus of the class for being in combat.
It's a curse, it's supposed to be inhibiting. The blind curse means you can't cast spells that require targeting beyond short range (you can only see out to 60' with darkvision, ever). Medium and Long range targeting spells are completely stunted.
If you prefer, you can have the first level "boon" being that you are treated as having a hand free for somatic components even if your hand is wielding a weapon. There's precedence with the Arcane Duelist Bard archetype (although that one is with his arcane bond weapon only).
If it helps, Super Genius Games released a curse called Amputee for Oracle's with only one hand/arm. It's in their Advanced Options: Oracle's Curses. It focuses on a more "phantom limb" type version, which gives a number of spell-like abilities and is much more in keeping with the supernatural nature of Oracle curses.
13 new curses plus a few curse feats...
Addict
Ailing
AMPUTEE <------
Convulsions
Drunkard
Frail
Insomniac
Misshapen
Peaceful Soul
Provocative
Squeamish
Star-Crossed
Unbelievable
These are all pretty balanced... unlike the OPs version (my opinion)
I actually wanted to play a Dual Curse Oracle with one of the special Feats that give you random and multiple extra curses.. but the DM said.. Noooo lol