Oracle advice needed

[proftobe]

Long time player(25+ years) first time playing Pathfinder. I have a 4th level battle oracle that just leveled up. My question what direction do I go?

I rolled VERY well on stats and have both a 20 cha and a an 18str(after the 4th level point)

I know that as a full caster I should just pick up more levels of oracle, but the problem is that due to an extremely small party (we only have three members) I rarely have time to buff before a fight and if I sit out to buff when a fight starts then people almost die.

My martial options(either barbarian or fighter). I know about the oracle no fatigue thing(I"m lame btw...get your laughs in at that now), but the modern barbarian rage mechanic seems weak compared to 3.5 and I almost always play fighters. I can't play a paladin its the wrong party for it.
We already have a Ranger and a Gunfighter. I guess I could go cavalier, but what order and why.

I'm thinking of picking up 1 level in cross blooded sor and going dragon disciple with abyssal bloodline for the str buff followed by either mystic theurge or eldritch knight. But I'm thinking of saving this option for a campaign where I can start pally and go DD later.

So what should I do? Please no personal opinions on prestige classes being bad. I know I would be giving up free hp, skill points or spells. Just what do you think would be the most interesting and fun build. thanks

[Chaos_Scion]

Could you give us your build and a description of how your char operates its really hard to give advice just on 4th lvl oracle...also party builds would help if you know them because its so small...

[Tirq]

Well, you don't quite get the Lame ability that says No Fatigue. That's 5th level. If you Multiclass, go for it after that 5th level. And if you didn't know, you are slowed down by your armor, if it is Medium or Heavy.

I, personally, prefer Fighter over Barbarian, but that +10 to speed is appealing when you are Lame. The nice thing about going Barbarian if you go 5th level of Oracle is that after you are done raging, you aren't Fatigued. Another cool thing about Oracle Barbarian is the Prestige class Rage Profit. You can find an online version here.

Good luck on what ever you decide to do.

[proftobe]

The rest of the part is a gunslinger that focuses on pistols(pretty standard archery type build) and a switch hitting ranger(being played kinda poorly, but its the kids first time. Has only played the ranger once after his last character died(a rogue) I managed to get him to look at Treatmonk)

5th level battle oracle(went ahead and took another level for the non fatigue ability)
feats
power attack
extra revelation x2
iron will for scion or skill focus planes for eldritch feats?

revelations
skill at arms
weapon master great sword
war sight
battle field clarity

I usually have time for 1 shield of faith or divine favor and then its off to the races. I spend most of my time tanking except when healing afterwards or when I UMD(dangerously curious). I am the only caster and am seriously thinking about going 1 level in divine scion for weapon spec and greater weapon spec other than that I'm wide open.

[StreamOfTheSky]

Curses advance at 1/2 rate for non-oracle levels, they don't cease advancement.

Barbarian would obviously have synergy, but you can't cast while raging.

As the only caster, I'd say the best thing you can do for your party is to stay single classed, though. Will the DM allow Leadership at 7th level to get another character? 3 person party is short-staffed a bit. If not, you might want to consider the Eldritch Heritage line, though it's costly with a wait on the payoff. Antagonize is a decent feat, you may want to look at that if you use Intimidate.

For the Ranger...IMO switch hitter is a poor strategy in the long run, once APG came out. He can get Point Blank Master 10 (or 6, but he should get IPS at 6) and disregard melee entirely. Just two-handing a melee weapon is enough, no need to spend feats on it. Assuming he already has PBS, Precise, and Rapid Shot at least, I suggest he get IPS at 6th (bonus), Manyshot at 7th, Clustered Shots at 9th, and Point Blank Master at 10th. If he lacks weapon focus, delay clustered shots till 11th.

Sounds like long run this has great potential as a ranged party, if only Oracle had more battlefield control spells. Ideal cohort might actually be a wizard, summoner, or druid to provide said spells, instead of a melee fighter. Latter 2 at least come with melee pets.

[n00bxqb]

There are plenty of good self-buffs for the Oracle.

Divine Favor - +1 Luck Bonus on attack and damage rolls for every three caster levels (max +3)

Bull's Strength - +4 Enhancement bonus to Strength (+2 to attack and damage)

Bless - +1 Morale Bonus on attack rolls and saving throws against fear (for you and your party)

Those are all spells off the top of my head that are available to you at 4th level and, given sufficient time to cast them, give you +4 on attack, +3 on damage, and +1 on saving throws against fear. You can buy yourself time using Sanctuary in the first round if you can't cast these spells before battle. Later on, take the Quicken Spell and Reach Spell metamagic feats. Quicken Spell would be much later (you'd need to be at least level 11), but Reach Spell is really handy for healing your buddies from a distance.

Combined with the 18 strength and the 3/4 BAB, that's a +11 to hit and +7 on damage.

I don't understand why people would be dying within 3 rounds. If they can't survive 3 rounds, something is seriously wrong with their characters and their battle strategies.

[Beerwolf]

Part of that would be battle tactics too. Are the other two players waiting for buffs before running into battle? If you are needing that extra round think about increasing your init modifiers.

Hope that helps some.

[Wasum]

go for trip.

Kill the game:]

[proftobe]

thanks guys you've given me a good bit to think about.