While preparing to resume a Way of the Wicked game after a bit of an extended lay-off, I'm reminded of the only Cleric I ever enjoyed playing (being opposed to prepared casters as I am), a Lawful Evil Cleric of Asmodeus who took the Glory-Heroism and Madness Domains... the primary reason I enjoyed the character so much was the Domain power Visions of Madness and the fact that, as a Dwarf with FCB, he had pretty much unlimited uses of it which allowed me to explore the ability to its fullest.
Here is the description:
Vision of Madness (Sp): You can give a creature a vision of madness as a melee touch attack. Choose one of the following: attack rolls, saving throws, or skill checks. The target receives a bonus to the chosen rolls equal to 1/2 your cleric level (minimum +1) and a penalty to the other two types of rolls equal to 1/2 your cleric level (minimum –1). This effect fades after 3 rounds. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
So many uses for this untyped buff/debuff...
As a precursor to the 'save or suck' spell of your choice, whether its something you cast or something cast by an ally, 3 rounds of floored saving throws is deadly.
Got an archer trying to lay the smackdown at range? How about a massive boost to attack bonus so that every one of those iteratives hit?
Infected with a deadly poison or disease requiring multiple saves? Madness to the rescue.
Gotta convince someone of something preposterous? How about sneak across a crowded room? Maybe recall some obscure bit of lore needed to discern the weakness of a dangerous enemy? Bump those skills all around.
In that last example I could give a double whammy, using Touch of Glory and then Visions of Madness for some truly obscene Charisma bonuses. At any rate, I was wondering what other creative uses you guys could come up with for this most versatile of abilities? Who knows - the life you save could be your own...
becoming a witch's best friend...
It's the best combat touch debuff in the game. Massive penalty to attack rolls and saves for a BBEG for three rounds with no save? yes please.
It's also great if you are trying to bluff your way past someone if you can make the touch without starting a combat. Hello penalty to sense motive.
Yeah, its killer to social situations - buff an ally's skills and floor the NPC's in response.
My particular character uses it as a set-up for a Spell Perfected and Quickened Planeshift. Banishing foes to hell is a very nice way to go. Tried like the dickens to find a practical way to extend my reach beyond 'touch' but I guess that would make it too good, eh?
As a buff to a Crit-fisher its pretty crazy as well, and those friendly casters who don't care about attack bonuses? Auto-saves for three rounds can be pretty nice as well.
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My particular character uses it as a set-up for a Spell Perfected and Quickened Planeshift. Banishing foes to hell is a very nice way to go. Tried like the dickens to find a practical way to extend my reach beyond 'touch' but I guess that would make it too good, eh?
Conductive weapon on a whip would do it. Too bad Calistria doesn't grant the Madness domain.
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/a-b/longa rm-bracers These increase touch by 5ft which could really help deliver those debuffs.
and if you have good UMD http://paizo.com/prd/spells/spectralHand.html scrolls or wands might also be handy, touch +2 attack at 100+ft for 1min/level. I am not sure by RAW how spell likes would work with the spell.
I also though there was an item that let you put your hands through a hole and deliver touch to any target in sight (at the cost of having no hands in your square for the round) But I cannot seem to find it.
Yeah, if you use this on an ally to buff their Diplomacy check, we're going to have a little chat about roleplaying mind-affecting effects. (Disregard that if the player acts out a sufficiently awesome justification.)