Help with Battle Oracle build for Society Play

[thulsa_doom]

A number of kind individuals here helped me with a Lore Warden build, so I figured I'd return for some advice on whether or not I can build the Oracle of Battle that fits my character concept for PFS play. So I'll throw out some questions and if anyone has played an Oracle with the Battle Mystery, I'd appreciate any advice I can get.

First of all, in researching this build, I've noticed that most people use the Enlarge Person + Maneuver Mastery (Trip) + a reach weapon (usually a Guisarme) to get the most out of this archetype. My character, on the contrary, is no tactician -- she's touched in the head and thinks she's some kind of holy avenger of Iomedae or Ragathiel. So I'd like to build her as a Greatsword-wielder. What is my best bet for feat and revelation progression?

I'm actually shooting for a balance between damage and survivability. I was thinking of the following progression...

1-Warsight (Revelation), Toughness, Extra Revelation: Weapon Mastery (Greatsword)
3-Skill at Arms (Revelation; when I can actually afford heavy armor), Power Attack
5-Furious Focus
7-Vital Strike, Undetermined Revelation (thinking Combat Healer or Battlefield Clarity maybe?)
9-Possibly an Extra Revelation or Improved Initiative
11-Iron Skin (Revelation), Improved Vital Strike

I'm not set in stone on anything here except my choice of weapon...and even then, I might trade that for a Falchion for the better crit range.

As for abilities, I'm not sure how to spread that out with a 20 point buy for PFS play. Could I get away with a 16 in STR and CHA, or is that going to make my character too weak across the board? I really don't want to dump any stat below 8, and would prefer to start with my CON at 14. As I level, I will be taking +1 HP for my favored class bonus. So hopefully, with toughness, I can survive forays into front line combat with the right armor.

Any trait suggestions? I'm pretty set on taking Reactionary, but unsure of what would make for an optimal second choice.

Last...spell list. This is what I've come up with, and this takes into account a build that gets me up to caster level 4 (with a headband, probably). Are these solid choices? I'm pretty much interested in self and party buffing/healing only. Mystery spells not included. Maybe someone could suggest some spells to plug the gaps, or tell me if any of what I've picked is superfluous.

___________

1st:
1: Shield of Faith: Aura grants +2 or higher deflection bonus.
2: Divine Favor: You gain +1 per three levels on attack and damage rolls.
3: Sun Metal: Weapon touched bursts into flames.
4: Protection from Evil: +2 to AC and saves, plus additional protection against evil.
5:

2nd:
1: Bear's Endurance: Subject gains +4 to Con for 1 min./level.
2: Bull's Strength: Subject gains +4 to Str for 1 min./level.
3: Grace: Movement doesn't provoke attacks of opportunity.
4: Resist Energy: Ignores first 10 (or more) points of damage per attack from specified energy type.
5:

3rd:
1: Daylight: 60-ft. radius of bright light.
2: Magic Circle Against Evil: As protection spells, but 10-ft. radius and 10 min./level.
3:
4:

4th:
1: Greater Magic Weapon: Weapon gains +1 bonus/four levels (max +5).
2: Blessing of Fervor: Gives allies a choice of benefits.
3:

___________

Any help I can get for this build would be appreciated. And if I'm going in the wrong direction here, I'd rather know now than create this character and get slaughtered when I get to the gaming table.

[calagnar]

A few other good weapon options.
Halberd, Great Axe, Scythe, Earth Breaker.

You need Skill at Arms in order to use the great sword. So you can't take Weapon Mastery Great Sword at level 1. You must be proficient in Great Sword.
My suggestion.
1: Skill at Arms, Toughness, Improved Initiative
3: Weapon Mastery, Extra Revelation War Sight
5: Power Attack
7: Maneuver Mastery Sunder, Furious Focus
9: Extra Revelation Surprising Charge
11: Iron Skin, Vital Strike

Trait: Ultimate Campaign.
Fate’s Favored: The fates watch over you. Whenever you
are under the effect of a luck bonus of any kind, that
bonus increases by 1.

Spells you might want to look at.
1st:
1: Bless
2: Comprehend Languages
2nd:
1: Align Weapon
2: Restoration, Lesser
3rd:
1: Resist Energy, Communal
2: Remove Curse
4th:
1: Divine Power
2: Forceful Strike
3: Freedom of Movement
4: Restoration

Stats
Str 17 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 8 Cha 14
Str 18 Dex 12 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 8 Cha 14

[thulsa_doom]

calagnar wrote:

You need Skill at Arms in order to use the great sword. So you can't take Weapon Mastery Great Sword at level 1. You must be proficient in Great Sword.

That's exactly what I thought at first, as the RAW for Weapon Mastery says "weapon you are proficient in" -- however, I played around with the build in Herolab and the program allowed me to take Weapon Mastery without Skill at Arms as a prerequisite. My initial level 1 choices were Skill at Arms, Toughness, and Weapon Mastery...

Not the first bug I've run across with that program.

calagnar wrote:

My suggestion.

1: Skill at Arms, Toughness, Improved Initiative
3: Weapon Mastery, Extra Revelation War Sight
5: Power Attack
7: Maneuver Mastery Sunder, Furious Focus
9: Extra Revelation Surprising Charge
11: Iron Skin, Vital Strike

Trait: Ultimate Campaign.
Fate’s Favored: The fates watch over you. Whenever you
are under the effect of a luck bonus of any kind, that
bonus increases by 1.

Interesting progression you posted! I never would have thought of MM: Sunder, but it makes perfect sense. I like the fact that by level 3, the killer initiative perks you get from playing this build are already in effect. Also, thanks for pulling out a trait I never would have thought of. I need to get that book!

calagnar wrote:

Spells you might want to look at.

1st:
1: Bless
2: Comprehend Languages
2nd:
1: Align Weapon
2: Restoration, Lesser
3rd:
1: Resist Energy, Communal
2: Remove Curse
4th:
1: Divine Power
2: Forceful Strike
3: Freedom of Movement
4: Restoration

I will look into these. Would you recommend Bless over Divine Favor?

calagnar wrote:

Stats

Str 17 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 8 Cha 14
Str 18 Dex 12 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 8 Cha 14

Out of the two you posted, I would probably go with the first, as I don't like dropping my Dex below a 14. Even if my oracle ends up in full plate, there's going to be a few scenarios where she'll be in lighter armor (but with a better Max Dex).

Calagnar, you have been most helpful, and I appreciate your rapid response. I've seen a few of your contributions to other threads on the subject, and you seem to know your way around the crunch for this build.

[calagnar]

I have done more then a few builds like this.
As for bless over divine favor. Bless affects the group and last 1min per level. Divine Favor is more of a in combat buff. You cast bless when you think your going in to combat. You cast Divine Favor for in combat boost.