I'm looking into possibly playing an Oracle with the Words of Power casting. Any thoughts on how effective this system is? It's my understand that it's weaker overall but has more versatility.
Yeah, I had intended to do that. As well as a flow chart for when I do need to make spells up on the spot. But I'm a very proactive player - I plan what I intend to do way ahead, even including the most likely actions from other components of the fight (enemies, allies, etc.) Plenty of the time, I miss something or something I couldn't expect happens, and I have to redo it, but that's just how I play.
I was really referring to whether or not the versatility you get is worth the loss of power, though.
Yeah, I had intended to do that. As well as a flow chart for when I do need to make spells up on the spot. But I'm a very proactive player - I plan what I intend to do way ahead, even including the most likely actions from other components of the fight (enemies, allies, etc.) Plenty of the time, I miss something or something I couldn't expect happens, and I have to redo it, but that's just how I play.
I was really referring to whether or not the versatility you get is worth the loss of power, though.
The general notion I've had is that it's good for Sorcerors, Clerics, and Druids...but mostly Sorcerors. The biggest issue is that there's a painful lack of expansion to WoP that exists in standard casting.
If you replace the bonus Cure spells from Oracle with Healing Words (which is logical), then it's not so bad. The other question that always comes up is whether Bloodline/Mystery spells come over as written (this is a REALLY big deal).
One thing to keep in mind is that, if you're looking at healing with WoP, you do have to make an attack roll for every heal...but they can crit and can be done at Close range (25 ft + 5 ft/2 levels) with the possibility of Distant Metaword usage for Medium range (who really needs to cure at Medium range?). This does somewhat necessitate PBS/Precise Shot, which you'd normally leave out of such a build.
Personally, I would not do it with an Oracle.
I think Bloodline/Mystery spells are as a regular spell, not a wordspell.
I didn't realize that you'd have to make attack rolls with the healing. I had not intended to become a straight healer, but I figure I might have it in my back pocket, just in case. Though, my concept was to be a Wind Oracle archer, so some of the feats I'd need would actually fall right in line, but it definitely does alter battle healing mechanics (out of battle, I'm sure you could use the melee touch version of the Selected word without having to roll over and over).
But I definitely see what you're saying. I might just stick to the regular system.
If you're playing an Archer build, the healing spells work out pretty well, actually. Also, ranged heals are a lot more tactical in play, IMO. Yes, you can melee touch. Selected lets you pick.
As I recall, the bonus cure and mystery or bloodline spells are actual spells, as are the human favored class bonus spells. Using those to fill the gaps leaves you free to pick the words that make use of the tactical versatility they bring to a spontaneous caster.
So, I am a fan of human wordcasting oracles and sorcerors, they get the best of both worlds. Other races not so much, with possible exception for the one trick pyro or pattern gnome.