Hello,
I'm playing in a campaign as a hobgoblin oracle with a metal mystery. I'm interested in some advice on this build. I already have picked my stats, and we've played a bit, so those are locked in.
Str: 10
Con: 16
Dex: 16
Int: 14
Wis: 10
Cha: 17 (started at 16, +1 at level 4)
I'm about to level up to level 5, and I'm trying to decide whether or not to take a barbarian level. The logic behind it is this:
1.) If I take the barb level, my movement goes up to 40, and with dance of the blades, which I'll take at level 8, it goes up to 50. This sounds awesome, but I have never played a character with a high base movement, so I'm not really sure what to expect.
2.) I'm taking Two Weapon Fighting this level, and the barb level gives me access to martial weapon proficiencies, so I can use better weapons (I didn't take the Skill at Arms revelation, though in retrospect, maybe I should have.) I already have Weapon Finesse, and so I intend to be wielding a rapier and a dogslicer (shortsword in the goblin world). Not sure that finesse is the best build, but I already have the feat, and it looks fun. Plus, with the keen edge bonus spell, I can make my rapier have a 15-20 x 2 critical threat range, and the dogslicer already has 19-20 x 2, so with extra attacks, I should be scoring criticals more often than most. With lead blades AND keen edge, I will deal 1d8 with rapier 15-20 x 2 threat range, 1d8 with dogslicer, 19-20x2 (17-20 x 2 if made keen), 1d8 + 2 steel scarf as a swift action, with each one having a chance for a critical hit. Sounds pretty good for one round at 5th level with lots of heal spells.
3.) Barbarian Rage up to 7 rounds.
By level 9, I have Improved Two Weapon Fighting and spells like Channel Vigor and Divine Power that give me an extra attacks. Since at 9 I'd get a second attack from my oracle BAB progression (oracle 8, barb 1), in one round I'd get 3 attacks with a 15-20 threat range rapier, 2 attacks with my off-hand weapon (hopefully better than a dogslicer at that point) and 1 attack with steel scarf. That's 6 attacks a round with a pretty good chance for critical threats, and a base movement speed of 50. Throw in the Barb rage, and I'd pump out some pretty serious damage.
I don't think there's any point to taking any more levels of barbarian. I don't see any rage powers that are better than gaining a high oracle level.
If I don't take the barb level, I will probably have to take skill at arms as a feat (extra revelation), but with my high dex, breastplate is as good a platemail, so I don't really need anything but the martial weapon proficiency. I'll fight with a shield until level 7 when I can take two weapon fighting. It'll still be level 9 when I can get improved two weapon fighting, but with the barb level I can take extend spell at 7th as my feat. The advantage of the straight oracle build is that I'll be one level ahead on my spell progression. That's not to be under-estimated.
I've considered a fighter level for the bonus feat, and I've considered two barb levels giving me the ability to take the Rage Prophet prestige class. Rage prophet sounds awesome, but I need my heal spells as I'm the only competent healer in the party.
Any thoughts?