By nature I'm enough of a martial beatnik that even when I make full casters, I like them to be legitimate melee threats, especially when those casters are of the more support type like Witches of Clerics.
I'm looking at the scarred Witch Doctor for a possible Serpent's Skull campaign and it occurred to me that a two lvel dip in Urban Barbarian might go a long way. Controlled Rage would allow him to boost strength for melee combat, Dexterity for ranged combat and Constitution to increase save DC's for spells and hexes and he could still cast spells and use skills - I was curious to know what the thoughts on that would be?
Technically I only gain +1 DC (since I lose 1 DC from having two fewer Witch levels) and I lose some spell progression, but I do gain a number of other benefits, not the least of which is being viable in combat. I'm also eyeing the Improved Natural Armor feats to maximize the Witch Doctor's NA bonus, though the build is starting to look a little feat-starved...
What say you guys?
Controlled rage does not let you cast spells, it only lets you use skills you would otherwise not be able to use.
Controlled rage does not let you cast spells, it only lets you use skills you would otherwise not be able to use.
From Rage:
While in rage, a barbarian cannot use any Charisma, Dexterity, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.From Controlled Rage:
When using a controlled rage, an urban barbarian gains no bonus on Will saves, takes no penalties to AC, and can still use Intelligence-, Dexterity-, and Charisma-based skills.
What is it there that prevents you from casting spells or using Hexes?
What is it there that prevents you from casting spells or using Hexes?
Casting a spell requires "patience or concentration," which Rage prohibits.
I think a spell only requires particular concentration when you need to make a concentration check (i.e. wouldn't be able to cast after getting hit my an axe). It isn't specific, but that's how I'd rule it.
Just my two cp.
I would presume that it would prohibit spells who's duration is 'concentration', but I could see the argument that since, theoretically every non-swift action spell could be forced to make a concentration check, then they are all requiring concentration to begin with... I'd like some FAQ on that.
Regardless, it shouldn't interfere with Hexes inany way, correct? The character is really being built with an eye towards Hexes and combat, with spells serving utility or healing purposes.
The fact that moment of clarity exists pretty much settles the spells while in rage question.
This section makes it pretty clear: "To cast a spell, you must concentrate."
The character is really being built with an eye towards Hexes and combat, with spells serving utility or healing purposes.
Have you looked at The Hexcrafter Archtype for Magus?
Controlled rage does not let you cast spells, it only lets you use skills you would otherwise not be able to use.From Rage:
While in rage, a barbarian cannot use any Charisma, Dexterity, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.From Controlled Rage:
When using a controlled rage, an urban barbarian gains no bonus on Will saves, takes no penalties to AC, and can still use Intelligence-, Dexterity-, and Charisma-based skills.What is it there that prevents you from casting spells or using Hexes?
The fact that Rage says "any ability that requires patience or concentration", the fact that Controlled Rage does not overcome that limitation, and the fact that Controlled Rage specifically calls out the ability to used INT, DEX, and CHA based SKILLS.
Spells and Hexes are not skills, and require patience and concentration. No need for FAQ on that, the argument's been exhausted to death, and the clarification is right in the rules. Both spells and hexes require patience and concentration to cast.
To overcome that, however, you simply have to take a "rage power tax" in the form of Moment of Clarity. Easy enough to weave exactly what you want.
What everyone else said!
Controlled Rage only calls out the ability to use skills, but leaves all the other restrictions of rage. That includes not being able to cast spells.