So it looks like I will be playing a GMPC healer in my upcoming Wrath of the Righteous campaign. I'm just looking at my options here. Let me know if I've missed any classes or archetypes. I'm sticking to the core Pathfinder rules here unless something passes the Rule of Cool.
Healers in Pathfinder
Alchemist
_ Chirurgeon
Bard
_ Songhealer
Cleric
_ Merciful Healer
_ Separatist
_ Theologian
Druid
Inquisitor
_ Sin Eater
Oracle
Paladin
_ Divine Defender
_ Hospitaler
_ Oathbound Paladin
_ Sacred Servant
_ Sacred Shield
_ Warrior of the Holy Light
Witch
_ Hedge Witch
So, did I miss any? My healer is going to be a Kelish Mendevian Crusader who follows Sarenrae. Recommendations welcome.
Potential Rule of Cool Submissions from Super Genius Games Products:
1. Magister - Allows the mixing of 2 spell lists of the character's choice, one can obviously be the cleric list. It can also gain access to a slightly weaker form of channel energy.
2. Eldritch and Adept Godling - Can choose a spell list, and also has access via divine traits to Oracle revalations, and access to domains (such as the healing domain) via it's lineage domain.
3. White or Red Mosaic Mage - access to all conjuration healing spells in addition to other categories with interesting flavor around the 'spectrums' of magic.
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If it's a DMPC I recommend making it an Adept and loading it up with cure spells etc. so it has no chance of stealing the players' thunder.
If 3rd-party is on the table, DSP's Vitalist makes for an awesome GMPC healer. At high levels they don't even have to adventure with the party, they can keep everybody healed while staying home.
I agree with Psyren, make it a pure healer regardless of what you do. Adept is best as it will inherently make it so that it cannot outshine the PCs, but even a straight cleric would work. With cleric you could prepare buff spells (to apply to the PCs, not the cleric) then swap them out for healing as needed. Keep it simple and "boring" and you should be good. Nothing is worse than having the DM's character outshine the rest of the party, even in a single combat or two.
Did you want to GMPC? If so then play what sounds cool, otherwise I would recruit a healer.
If it's a straight DMPC healer I'd recommend Oracle of life.
It doesn't strike me as a great PC class (just dull IMO), but we have one as a Cohort in our ROTRL game and she's awesome.
its hard to give specific advice without any context (like how many players and what classes they'll be), but bard could be a good option... if you have more than one melee guy the performance buffs will be handy and they can learn a handful other party buffs to go with their heals, plus they can provide info to help in encounters via knowledges. if you make him a halfling you'll get a little bump to saves and AC and take a little hit to attack and damage (to be even more sure you won't outshine anyone); if you really wanna be a nice guy you could even take that trait that gives +4 for aid another!
I've a witch with the healing patron who does a good enough job. Her improved familiar can also help a little because it can lay on hands once a day for 1d6 as well.
Witch sounds best, actually. We have a Heavens Oracle in the party - this way I do not end up competing for the same items. Either that or Bard. Psionics and Godlings are a bit too cool (don't want to outshine the party), plus Godlings would sort of muddy the waters for our first Mythic game. I'd go Adept but I don't want to end up failing to heal due to a lack of supporting class features.
The rest of the party is as follows: Android Alchemist (Vivisectionist), Goliath Monk (Monk of the Sacred Mountain), Aasimar Oracle.
This will definitely be a support character - just flashy enough to make sense traveling with such an exotic party.
Okay, almost done with this character - I just need to decide on a familiar.
Using the background generator, I came up with an interesting story - my witch's patron is Jiraviddain, infernal duke of dependance. What would make a good familiar associated with him? There's very little information.
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GMPC's are exempt from the rule of cool, because they are never cool.
So it looks like I will be playing a GMPC healer in my upcoming Wrath of the Righteous campaign. I'm just looking at my options here. Let me know if I've missed any classes or archetypes. I'm sticking to the core Pathfinder rules here unless something passes the Rule of Cool.
Healers in Pathfinder
For what its worth, a well-made, well-played Master Summoner will prevent more damage than any healer could heal...
The big question is, are you looking for a combat healer (someone who does their healing in the middle of combat, using their actions to heal rather than to buff, fight or neutralize enemies) or if you're looking for someone capable of patching the group up between battles.
Generally combat healing is not the way to go - each player should be capable of getting through a single encounter on their own (either through their own abilities or as part of an effective team). In all but the most dire or unique of situations, a character's actions in combat are better used doing almost anything else other than healing.
Just some food for thought. If you ARE going to go combat healing then you want to try to find someone who can do it as a move or swift action and someone who can do it at range - there are some interesting options out there (like the Dervish of Dawn's Spinning Spellcaster ability).
Our party will consist of:
Tiefling Paladin (can self heal as a swift action or heal others as a standard)
Twin Aasimar Dervish of Dawns (can eventually cast cure spells as a move+swift action, keeping their standard actions free)
Halfling Archeologist (ranged attacks and standard Bardic buff spells, saving heals for after combat)
Human Sorcerer (only real healing ability to speak is Fractions of Heal and Harm for emergencies)
So of the five members in our party, four of them can heal themselves during combat without sacrificing their standard actions and four of them are capable of healing others between combats.
And not a Cleric, Witch or Oracle amongst them. :)
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A DMPC should NOT be a master summoner. Period.
If it's a DMPC I recommend making it an Adept and loading it up with cure spells etc. so it has no chance of stealing the players' thunder.
If 3rd-party is on the table, DSP's Vitalist makes for an awesome GMPC healer. At high levels they don't even have to adventure with the party, they can keep everybody healed while staying home.
i agree, just give it some CHA and adept channel at level 3
For what its worth, a well-made, well-played Master Summoner will prevent more damage than any healer could heal...This is a GMPC, its entire reason for existence is to sit in the background and unobtrusively fill in a resource that the PCs lack.
This has never been true. GMPC's are for GM's that didn't want to GM. That's the difference between a GMPC and a NPC healer.
Okay, almost done with this character - I just need to decide on a familiar.
Using the background generator, I came up with an interesting story - my witch's patron is Jiraviddain, infernal duke of dependance. What would make a good familiar associated with him? There's very little information.
If you make the Oracle deaf, and pick the thrush: the thrush will have an empathic link to the Oracle and can talk for the Oracle...leading to RP possibilities.
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So it looks like I will be playing a GMPC healer in my upcoming Wrath of the Righteous campaign. I'm just looking at my options here. Let me know if I've missed any classes or archetypes. I'm sticking to the core Pathfinder rules here unless something passes the Rule of Cool.
Well, I would respectfully submit the just-released Expanded White Necromancer from Kobold Press as being able to pass the Rule of Cool:
The Expanded White Necromancer's understanding of the mysterious connection between life and death makes him a potent healer as well as a powerful spellcaster, especially if you take the Necrotic Healer archetype :)
This has never been true. GMPC's are for GM's that didn't want to GM. That's the difference between a GMPC and a NPC healer.
For what its worth, a well-made, well-played Master Summoner will prevent more damage than any healer could heal...This is a GMPC, its entire reason for existence is to sit in the background and unobtrusively fill in a resource that the PCs lack.
I absolutely want to GM. We had a fourth player who was ready to go, but had to drop because of work conditions.
To me, what defines a GMPC is an NPC who follows the same character creation rules as the PCs and travels with them, leveling at the same rate.
I'm also using this character as way to guide the other party members. She can be there to offer suggestions and prompt responses from the others in a way other, more transitory NPCs cannot. Additionally, she has several Knowledge skills to fill in gaps.
@Wiggz: definitely out of combat healing if possible. I play a Cleric and an Inquisitor in PFS, so I've got plenty of experience there. In combat I plan on her making use of her ward hex whenever it drops, aiding attacks with a longspear, or slinging stones (and later, alchemical weapons once the Alchemist gets a chance to make some for her).
Any other suggestions for a diabolic themed familiar? I'm not really feeling the thrush.
For what its worth, a well-made, well-played Master Summoner will prevent more damage than any healer could heal...This is a GMPC, its entire reason for existence is to sit in the background and unobtrusively fill in a resource that the PCs lack.
A "well-made, well-played master summoner" is shouting "Hey! Look at me! Right here in the spotlight!" It's not unobtrusive, it's not directly filling in a lacking resource, it's an attempt to do what the PCs are already doing, just better. Therefore, it's not a good answer to the question posed.
My apologies, I missed the 'GMPC' part of the post and thought the OP was just looking for a good healer for his group. No, I would not suggest a Master Summoner as a GMPC (though as a PC it'd be hard to make a better reccomendation).
I'm also using this character as way to guide the other party members. She can be there to offer suggestions and prompt responses from the others in a way other, more transitory NPCs cannot. Additionally, she has several Knowledge skills to fill in gaps.
@Wiggz: definitely out of combat healing if possible. I play a Cleric and an Inquisitor in PFS, so I've got plenty of experience there. In combat I plan on her making use of her ward hex whenever it drops, aiding attacks with a longspear, or slinging stones (and later, alchemical weapons once the Alchemist gets a chance to make some for her).
Any other suggestions for a diabolic themed familiar? I'm not really feeling the thrush.
If I had read your original post better, I would not have reccomended a Master Summoner, but rather my favorite 'GMPC', a Halfling Archeologist. I've got a really well built one available if you're interested, and he's really designed to fill in the chinks of a party. He's not a strong melee or magical threat, but can heal, buff, is dynamite in the traps department and has extensive knowledge skills.
As far as a diabolic themed familiar, definitely explore the Improved Familiar route.
I may have her take Improved Familiar later, but I'm still looking at the level 1 build. Of note, the character is going to be good aligned (as fits the AP) - she earned her witch powers via a hasty deal with a devil to save her younger brother. She's been raised a devout follower of Sarenrae, and fully intends to use her powers for good only.