A quick question:
I am putting together an Oracle 1/Paladin x (as far as we end up going). According to the Oracle entry on the SRD, "Oracles do not need to provide a divine focus to cast spells that list divine focus (DF) as part of the components."
My question is, would the "acting as your own divine focus" apply to the Paladin spellcasting as well? Or would it apply only to Oracle spells, necessitating carrying a separate holy symbol for Paladin spells/channeling? Or is it something I'll have to have the GM make the final decision on?
She'll most likely be carrying a holy symbol anyway, just for flavor, but I'm curious as to whether it's strictly required. Thanks!
I believe it would apply to both lists; it's like it says: An Oracle never needs to provide a DF when casting spells.
Note though, the Paladin's later gained Channel Energy DOES require a Symbol and Birthmark (faith trait) only applies to Spells.
It would apply to only the Oracle spells being cast.
Paladin spells, and class features, normally requiring a DF would still require one.
Your GM could waive this, but otherwise they are still counted as two separate classes with independent features.
Rules like that aren't all inclusive unless they say they are. A class write up speaks about the class abilities of that class.
If you are casting paladin spells off of the paladin spell list, you cast them as a paladin, not an oracle. There may be traits or feats or some other game mechanic that bypasses that, but such exceptions are stated in the ability/item write up. The part you quoted is under "Oracle - Class Features - Spells" to indicate it is a function of the class, not the character as a whole.
A simple solution is to get a tattoo as a divine focus.