A question about my Oracle build, I need better minds than mine on this!

[Negotiat0r]

So I needed a second PFS character because I was sick of impoverishing my first by playing down to fill out tables.

We're often short on healers and tanks so I'm trying to be able to cover both of those roles, if not as optimally as a specialist might.

I've settled on a Metal Oracle and have a basic build laid out but I'm hung up on whether to go with medium or heavy armor and again on 2-handers or sword and board.

Right now he looks like this:
Aasimar (angelblooded)
Str: 15+2 Or this Str:15+2
Dex 14 Dex: 12
Con: 14 Con: 16
Int: 10 Int: 10
Wis: 8 Wis: 8
Cha: 14+2 Cha: 13+2

The idea is to have just enough cha to cast up to level 5 spells (where PFS caps out) and only go with buffs, heals, utility and status removal so the low dc's won't be an issue.

Currently I'm split between two builds:

Taking the lame curse, then Dance of Blades and Armor Mastery to move 30 feet while wearing medium armor with sword and shield. My ac is 20 at level 1 before buffs. This one uses the first point buy

Or taking the legalistic curse (and watching what I saw like a freakin hawk), full plate and wielding a 2-hander. This comes out to 20 ac as well. This one uses the second point buy.

So the question is, do I sacrifice speed (at least until I can afford Mitrhil Full Plate) in favor of those big 3d6 swings with lead blades on a 2-hander?

I'm leaning towards the 2-hander simply because I'll only need 2 mysteries for the build to hit its stride at lvl 3 whereas with the medium armor build I need to use a feat for a third (or suffer with a heavy mace as my weapon). For reference my feats will mostly be going into additional tanking ability, picking up hp and saves. Items will be primarily ac and weapon enchants.

[GM Arkwright]

Is the 'Black-Blooded' archetype Pathfinder legal? It replaces your curse and the only bad thing about it is Negative Energy Affinity, which may not necessarily be that bad a thing. Just a suggestion.

[Wasum]

If you want focus on melee take thf and consider dipping into pala - 2 levels to get armor, weapons, smite and divine grace. Further I actually prefer battle as mystery.

[Erikkerik]

Go with a two handed weapon, the ac from shield isnt worth it alone, and you dont have the feats or bab to go two weapon fighting. Consider a reach weapon and combat reflexes.

You don't need a starting charisma of 15 or 16. 12 or 13 is enough, ant what else you need eventually you can get from a headband.

Dex over 12 is only worth it if you go for combat reflexes and reach IMO. I never like dumping wisdom...

If you go lame, consider a barbarian dip and the rage prophet presitige class for some uber rage cycling.

Have you considered spell-choices? They'll be some of the most important choices you make.

[WerePox47]

Paladin 2/Oracle of Battle X is a nice mix.. Paladin 4/Oracle of Battle X is if u wanna go Oath of Vengeance.. For straight Oracle, Battle Mystery would be my pick..

[james maissen]

Negotiat0r wrote:

We're often short on healers and tanks so I'm trying to be able to cover both of those roles, if not as optimally as a specialist might.

So what do people do in combat?

I'm assuming that they can deal the damage, but would rather not take it?

If that's not the case, then in combat your group (without you) cannot deal damage, take damage, or remove damage.. I would suggest you find another group.

Assuming that they can do damage, then you could do just fine healing and standing up front taking the brunt of it.

I would go Oracle of Life (for channeling), use the racial favored to advance it, dip into Holy Vinicator at level 8, and simply armor up. Start with medium armor and switch to heavy at 8 (or be non-proficient until 8th).

I would go dual cursed, and plan to take divine interference at 11th. Feats before then would be channeling focused.

-James

[Negotiat0r]

Thanks to everyone who gave their input. Taking the feedback into account I think I've settled on the following setup. I'll be sticking with metal primarily because the +10 feet to movement means I won't get left behind even when wearing full plate.

Aasimar (Angelblooded)
Str: 15+2
Dex: 12
Con: 16
Int: 10
Wis: 10
Cha: 11+2

Bonus stat points will go into str and cha in that order.

Curse: Torn between legalistic and black blooded (which I'm indebted to arkwright for suggesting). I don't have a great cha score so I'll be an adequate party face at best, but I'm really wary of the -4 to dex checks on black blooded.
Feat: Extra Revelation- Dance of Blades, subsequent feats will probably be toughness and bonus saves
Revelation- Skilled at Arms
Traits- not sure what to put here still, thinking reactionary and fortified drinker (in large part for flavor since I'm already a follower of Cayden)
Gear setup: Going 2h sword and full plate soon as I can afford it. Hopefully by level 7 I can grab a mithril suit and get Armor Mastery. 40 feet per move action while wearing full plate is no joke.

For those wonder about the groups I'm in, they're generally new or at least newer players so most characters aren't even remotely optimized. I'm seeing a lot of monks, debuffers and blasters. The one fighter I've seen wears light armor and has 20 strength.

[Secane]

Is Black-Blooded and Dual-Cursed completable? @_@?

[GM Arkwright]

They are not.