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Hello all,
After a few near-TPKs in at my last PFS session due to no dedicated party healers, I decided to rebuild my current character into a healer. I was wondering what would be the best PFS healer. My thought would be an Assimar Dual-Cursed Oracle of Life with Misfortune to be able to both have a high charisma for good skills, (UMD, Diplomacy), Aasimar for FCB to get channel energy up to 9d6, and Dual-Cursed with Misfortune so I can also help un-dominate or un-colorspray allies, and prevent allies from being critically hit. Also figured the Haunted (progressing,) and Blackened (non-progressin) curses since I won't be in melee anyway, and figure I may as well get a bunch of spells. However, when I looked at this, other than taking channel and misfortune (at first level with extra revelation feat*), and energy body, I'm not sure which revelations to choose. The same with feats (other than the obvious Selective Channel and Extra Revelation). Any advice on how to make this the best heal/buff/debuff character? Any particularly amazing buff/debuff spells for Oracles (other than the bonus dual-cursed spells)?
*Figured taking Extra Revelation at first level would be better than taking Selective Channel at first level, as you can use positioning to block Line of Effect and selectively channel, but being able to re-roll crits or failed saves can't be done with good positioning.
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OK, I did some research and got
Stats:
Str10
Dex10
Con14
Int10
Wis10
Cha20
Curses:
Blackened (No Progression)
Haunted (Progresses)
Feats:
Extra Revelation (Misfortune)
Selective Channel
Toughness
Extra Revelation
Channeled Revival
Spell Penetration
Revelations:
Channel Energy (FCB here)
Misfortune
Energy Body
Life Link
Safe Curing
Combat Healer
Lifesense
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Life Link, IMO, is a must. Not at 1st level, but definitely by 5th, when you have the hit points to survive everyone else giving you 5 damage a round.
Also, if you want some offense, take the feat Alignment Channel. Season 5 is supposed to have quite a few Demons, and with your increased Channel DC and extra dice your party won't mind not being healed for a couple rounds.
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Also, as of right now, Half-elves can also choose the same FCB that Elf Oracles can, so you don't even need to be an Aasimar to get that 9d6 Channel. That also opens up Paragon Surge, which is amazing for an Oracle.
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I like the concept of the Oradin. Life Link your party and Lay on Hands on yourself as a swift action to heal the damage you take.I like the concept as well, but I don't like losing 2 levels of spells known/per day on a healer.
Life Link, IMO, is a must. Not at 1st level, but definitely by 5th, when you have the hit points to survive everyone else giving you 5 damage a round.
Also, if you want some offense, take the feat Alignment Channel. Season 5 is supposed to have quite a few Demons, and with your increased Channel DC and extra dice your party won't mind not being healed for a couple rounds.
I agree that my 5th level should be Life Link, looking at it again, it seems awesome in PFS. As to offense, I think I'll pass on alignment channel, and stick with buffing melee and using spells for offense. Its not that its necessarily a bad idea, but even with all the season 5 demons, I will probably be playing in previous seasons as well. I think it has some nice synergy with Energy Body (Idea being I can use the Life Link first round of combat, then energy body second to heal some of the damage I take, along with being a life elemental and immune to a bunch of cool stuff).
EDIT:
Also, as of right now, Half-elves can also choose the same FCB that Elf Oracles can, so you don't even need to be an Aasimar to get that 9d6 Channel. That also opens up Paragon Surge, which is amazing for an Oracle.
Wow, I never noticed that. Thanks for pointing it out. Of course, now I need another dump stat (don't want a will save/perception penalty, and really want the 14 CON), Strength sound like a good one? I mean, even though I will be mediumly encumbered, it won't stack with ACP, so I should be good right?
Might I suggest Fey Foundling to help with Life Link? Take the damage, heal extra when you cast healing spells on yourself.
If you can, get a Reach Metamagic Rod. If not, consider taking the feat.
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Fey Foundling looks like a great feat, but the "must take at first level" prerequisite makes is very difficult to work into this build, unless I dump dual-cursed (and Misfortune is just too hard for me to give up). Reach Spell is a great suggestion, probably should get a rod of that for range cure light wounds.Might I suggest Fey Foundling to help with Life Link? Take the damage, heal extra when you cast healing spells on yourself.
If you can, get a Reach Metamagic Rod. If not, consider taking the feat.
You don't need to wait until combat to set up your Life Link. It has no expiration. Set it up during your Venture Captain briefing.
Huh, I didn't see that before. You make a good point, thanks.
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Here's what I'm doing for my Half-elf Dual Cursed Oracle. He/She is 6th level right now, and everything has worked out well so far:
1st: Fey Foundling, Skill Focus - Knowledge, Channel Energy
3rd: Selective Channel, Life Link
5th: Extra Channel, Misfortune
7th: Eldritch Heritage - Arcane, (probably energy body)
9th: Improved Familiar
11th: Improved Eldritch Heritage, (not sure yet)
I bought a Metamagic Rod of Reach already, but in hind sight it takes a full round to cast a spell through it, and I'll have a Familiar by 7th level than can deliver my Healing spells for me, and at greater range. YMMV.
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Paragon Surge will fill in whatever gaps you have for feats. Imagine if you didn't have Energy Body. Spend a 3rd level spell slot to grab Extra Revelation and suddenly get 1d6+6 (x6) in healing out of it, instead of that measly 3d8+6 that you'd be doing once otherwise.
You can also hand out Heightened Continual Flames to your party members w/o needing the feat.
Or grab Alignment Channel if you do suddenly face a Demon.
It's pretty amazing.
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Could I apply +1/2 level to channel before I got channel? Because then I would just get fey foundling and wait until level 3 to get channel. If not then, I really don't want to wait until later for misfortune, as that is a very very powerful ability, and crits/failed saves are the main reason people have been dying in low level PFS recently.
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I don't understand why you couldn't just grab Fey Foundling at 1st level, and Misfortune at either 3rd or 5th. Reread the Dual Cursed Archetype. You don't have to take Misfortune at 1st level. You can choose it whenever you would choose a new Revelation.
To answer your question, though, there is an ongoing debate as to whether or not you can gain a bonus to a class feature you don't have yet. I personally think you can, but it can be argued either way.
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I don't understand why you couldn't just grab Fey Foundling at 1st level, and Misfortune at either 3rd or 5th. Reread the Dual Cursed Archetype. You don't have to take Misfortune at 1st level. You can choose it whenever you would choose a new Revelation.
To answer your question, though, there is an ongoing debate as to whether or not you can gain a bonus to a class feature you don't have yet. I personally think you can, but it can be argued either way.
Personal experience has indicated it might extend my (and my allies) life spans if I get it at first level (where almost every x3, and a good deal of x2 crits, are more effective than death effects), more than channel. Still, think I'm gonna go with extra revelation at first level unless there is an official (or at least, official PFS) ruling before I hit level 2.
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One last appeal for Fey Foundling and I'll give it a rest:
Generally, everyone in PFS carries a wand of Cure Light Wounds, which heals a minimum of 2 damage, and a maximum of 9. With Fey Foundling and Life Link, everyone zaps you instead for a minimum of 4 pts of healing, and a maximum of 11. With an Improved Familiar, it can zap you during combat as well.
Not to mention the extra +18 hp you'll heal when you Channel for 9d6.
Alright, I'm done =)
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One last appeal for Fey Foundling and I'll give it a rest:
Generally, everyone in PFS carries a wand of Cure Light Wounds, which heals a minimum of 2 damage, and a maximum of 9. With Fey Foundling and Life Link, everyone zaps you instead for a minimum of 4 pts of healing, and a maximum of 11. With an Improved Familiar, it can zap you during combat as well.
Not to mention the extra +18 hp you'll heal when you Channel for 9d6.
Alright, I'm done =)
Indeed, and I think that at a certain point I might retrain level 1 feat into Fey Foundling, and take Misfortune (perhaps around 7).
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I made an Aasimar life oracle for PFS, now level 3 or 4, I can't remember. I decided against dual-cursed, went just blackened and decided my utility would come from having lots of burning hands to cast and being one of the more heavily armored characters at level 1 or 2.
Might I ask what your other curse was? I thought haunted would be a great choice, then realized that the benefits (cool spells), would be less effective with heal/buff/debuff until 10th level telekinesis kicked in. Any really good ones?
Fey Foundling is a must for the Life Oracle. Take Misfortune at 3rd level, its useful at low levels but Fey Foundling is such a game changer for any Paladin or Life Oracle. The extra +2 per die really starts to add up fast and makes a huge difference especially for the Life Oracle with Life Link.
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Fey Foundling is a must for the Life Oracle. Take Misfortune at 3rd level, its useful at low levels but Fey Foundling is such a game changer for any Paladin or Life Oracle. The extra +2 per die really starts to add up fast and makes a huge difference especially for the Life Oracle with Life Link.
I agree on how awesome it is, but still am hesitant not to get misfortune and channel at level 1. I re-read the feat and realized it didn't fit the character idea I had been forming already anyway, so I'm not sure. Perhaps I'll change it before level 2. Still, 1st level feat aside, are there any really amazing curses or spells (other than Paragon Surge)? And, out of curiosity, does a Life Oracle qualify for the feat Versatile Channeller? Because that would both fit flavor and is a personal favorite feats for clerics.
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Unfortunately, no.
Note: This feat only applies to necromancers, neutral clerics who worship neutral deities, or neutral clerics who do not worship a deity -- characters who have the channel energy class ability and have to make a choice to channel positive or negative energy at 1st level. Clerics whose alignment or deity makes this choice for them cannot select this feat.
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Unfortunately, no.
"Note: This feat only applies to necromancers, neutral clerics who worship neutral deities, or neutral clerics who do not worship a deity -- characters who have the channel energy class ability and have to make a choice to channel positive or negative energy at 1st level. Clerics whose alignment or deity makes this choice for them cannot select this feat."
Oh well. I suppose that it would give a healer a bad rap if he keeps AOE striking the enemy and the party simultaneously anyway.
Hopefully this will help: http://paizo.com/people/KaerilAdon
This is my 9th (almost 10th level)PFS Aasimar Life Oracle.
Pros: People cheer when I bring this character to the table. When playing scenarios I have never come close to running out of resources. In addition to being an awesome healer she also is a major offensive force against undead and evil outsiders (channels like a 14th level cleric). As a side effect of her build, she crushes Diplomacy checks (+24 Diplomacy).
Cons: I play her as a pacifist and thus has a low strength (8). With her shield her AC is only 20 (23 with Shield of Faith). Offensively, all she has is Hold Person, and if necessary, Searing Light. Lastly, I'm a guy playing a dainty girl so this character is known by another name, everyone just calls her "The Dungeon Wife" (because of Shield Other).
My future plans are to get Breath of Life at 10 and a Medium Reach Rod. Then I can I want to upgrade her Constitution belt to +4. At 11, I plan to pick up the Toughness feat.
Damn, I just found out about Channeled Revival, that's pretty sweet.
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Hopefully this will help: http://paizo.com/people/KaerilAdon
This is my 9th (almost 10th level)PFS Aasimar Life Oracle.
Pros: People cheer when I bring this character to the table. When playing scenarios I have never come close to running out of resources. In addition to being an awesome healer she also is a major offensive force against undead and evil outsiders (channels like a 14th level cleric). As a side effect of her build, she crushes Diplomacy checks (+24 Diplomacy).
Cons: I play her as a pacifist and thus has a low strength (8). With her shield her AC is only 20 (23 with Shield of Faith). Offensively, all she has is Hold Person, and if necessary, Searing Light. Lastly, I'm a guy playing a dainty girl so this character is known by another name, everyone just calls her "The Dungeon Wife" (because of Shield Other).
My future plans are to get Breath of Life at 10 and a Medium Reach Rod. Then I can I want to upgrade her Constitution belt to +4. At 11, I plan to pick up the Toughness feat.
Damn, I just found out about Channeled Revival, that's pretty sweet.
That looks like an awesome build, Soluzar. Does not being able to use language-dependent spells in-combat matter much? Because I've always loved the flavor with the Tongues curse, but have only used it in melee builds that only cast to buff themselves.
I was wondering about Skill Focus, would UMD be worth it? I realize this eliminates Eldritch Heritage, but none of the bloodlines, save arcane, give much at the first level, and burning 3 feats for something I don't get until one level before retirement is something I try to avoid on PFS characters.
Also, is Channeled Revival worth it? I realize I get breath of life at the same level the heal cleric gets it, but it takes a full-round action to use, provokes, and expends 3 uses of channel energy. The only real advantages it has are the fact that I get it 1 level earlier and it has a bit of a better range.
The language thing is a bit of a pain, I have to force myself to remember that I have it and thus control what I say and hear at the table. I'm lucky as the main people I play with have 3 people that speak Abyssal or Celestial. Also, none of my spells are language dependent (no Charm Person, Command or Enthrall) I pretty much do my own thing.
I'm just beginning to look into using UMD. The cool thing is that Oracles get UMD as a class skill. With a high Charisma it doesn't really become an issue. Also, I picked up a Circlet or Persuasion that adds a +3 to all Charisma based skills, my untrained Charisma skills (perform, bluff, intimidate) are all at a +10. This also adds to Concentration checks if I'm not mistaken. I'm seriously getting a Ring of Spell Knowledge. I'm wondering how that would work, could I only put a spell in it that is both on the Oracle AND Wizard spell list?
The Channeled Revival feat is interesting. I'm 1 XP away from 10th level and 5th level spells. It's a nice feat but I'm gonna pass. One thing to consider though is with the Aasimar favored class bonus you could have a character that can use Breath of Life at level 7 (when you'll have a 6d6 channel energy). You could always get the feat at 7th then retrain it when you hit 10th.
Speaking of channeling, I have another fun trick that I've been anxious to try. I just picked up some Ghostsight Gloves and I'm anxious to put them to use. Basically, you activate them and for a few minutes you are blind but can only see undead. With that you can use one channel to make a ranged touch attack against an undead creature. If it hits the target takes d12s for damage instead of d6s. Did I mention that I also have Cleansing Light?
One last piece of advice. Fey Foundling really is worth it. It works best when channeling. With the extra dice you're getting that +2 per die looks even better. The save bonuses you get are nice too. I coupled it with Deathless Spirit (dropping racial resists) and now I get a Negative Energy Resistance of 5 and a total of +4 to save vs death effects, energy drain, necromancy.
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I made a cleric as my second PFS character with a healer build using a 10 str/10 dex.
Be extremely careful doing this, because my cleric became useless in combat when in-combat healing wasn't really required, which turned out to be fairly often. When you do need the in-combat healing, it's fantastic that you're around, but when you can take a lot of hits and still be fine, you need something else to contribute. 10 str/dex stings with those +0 modifiers.
Some more suggestions:
-Quick Channel: sacrifice 2 channels to channel as a move action, great option for burst healing
-Extra Revelation: I'm sorry to say but I don't really think it's worth it. You don't get many feats. The only revelations you need are Channel, Lifelink and maybe Energy Body which you can get all three by 7th level. If you're gonna pick it up to retrain it later then I can see it.
-Strength dumping. I know I'm guilty of it but be careful. I have an 8 strength on mine. This is while running a Mithril Chain Shirt, Small Darkwood Shield, and a Handy Haversack (must have for any low strength characters)and I'm only a couple pounds over medium, mobility is a must for this character, especially when someone is bleeding out and you don't have a channel or a Reach rod.
-Stat priority- I would see Charisma as your main priority and Constitution as a second just because of Lifelink.