I'm working on a scarred witch doctor design and could use some clarification and pointers.
Abilities:
Maxing Con, dumping char and possibly str and/or wis
Racial heritage: Orc
I have seen people take this and start a Scarred Witch Doctor at first lvl, but I think you choose your class before your feats, so I'll lvl dip first. If I understand correct, this enables me to pick a human +2 Con and still become a Scarred Witch doctor.
Barbarian lvl dip:
I am taking the barbarian for the con boost while raging and add Raging Vitality as a second feat to give a total +6 con while raging. I am thinking of the sea reaver or drunken brute archetypes. That last one would enable me to resort to drinking near the end of combat to preserve my limited raging rounds.
Raging Hexes:
I personally interpret the rules so that a Witch can use hexes while raging, as long as they are (Su). This would allow me to slumber (I call it faint for flavor) with a +3 DC bonus, since I think the temp boost adds to the hex DC. At lvl 3 that means DC 16 (19 while raging). At lvl 8 DC 21(24 while raging)
Prehensile hair:
Since it uses Con, it gives a raging +8 str at character lvl 3 (con stat +5, rage +3).
At lvl 8 this would be 11 (con +5, ability raise +1, belt +2, rage +3)
Since it is her only natural attack, it is treated as a primary with 1&1/2 str.
Coup de Coiffure
Using Prehensile Hair to coup de grace. Looks like you can coup de grace with natural attacks with crit x2:
At lvl 3 with 2d3+ 2x(8+2/8)= min 26 dmg meaning For dc 36 or die
At lvl 8 that would be 2d3+ 2x(11+2/11)= min 34 dmg meaning For dc 44 or die
Massive HP
Can you pick a different favorite class then the one you have at lvl 1?
Scarred Witch doctor fav class:
1d12 + (1d6+1)x(char lvl-1) + con bonus x char lvl +(3xchar lvl while raging)
Lvl 3: 37 hp or rage 46 hp: 1d12 + 3d6+3 +15 (+9 while raging)
Lvl 8: 106 hp or rage 130 hp: 1d12 + 7d6 +7 +64 (+24 while raging)
Can't cast spells while raging, so can't add the +6 to Con. I have seen some people suggest taking urban barbarian for the controlled rage. But I don't see how this could allow for casting while raging.
Patron: water
This gives me elemental body III at char lvl 13 for another +6 size boost to con.
Background: I was thinking of using this character for skulls & shackles. Background would be that she was used as a slave on a ship leaving her mutilated and traumatized. This made her extremely resilient, but also borderline insane. Drinking through the self inflicted pain during battle. Her grotesque and furious self mutilation causing even hardened seamen to faint at the very sight. Strangling passed out sailors with her hair as she moves like a nightmare around the ship.
First: talk with you DM about the ''Hex while raging'' thing. By the rule, maybe you can but the ''patience and concentration'' thing may exclude hex in the eyes of your DM. Well, I would probably not accept it, but for your build... I kind of like the image of some rasta-guy attacking people with his hair. It have a really nice ''Carabean'' feel about it.
Second: why human and not half-orc? With Half-orc, you can go SWD without racial heritage, while keeping the +2 to CON. And you will get: Darkvision, +1 to all save (with sacred tatoo) and Endurance. Quite better than a ''pseudo half-orc'' IMO.
Third: think about wearing an armor. You will probably never cast in combat (Raging...) and be in front line most of the time. Even with good HP, you don't want any minion to hit you.
I know that if you follow the rule by the book, you get that. But I didn't see any FAQ that specify this (in the case of HEX), and the part:
«or any ability that requires patience or concentration.» let it to the DM IMO.
Especially since we are talking here of ''Power gaming'' with an already powerhouse. As a DM, I would no accept it: many HEX seems to use some degree of Concentration or Patience to happen (Slumber...) so it don't fit with the Rage logic IMO. And, unless there is a really good reason for being a Barbarian/ Witch (other then breaking the game) I don't see why it should be acceptable.
Maybe I'm a fan of house ruling. But anyway, he should talk with his DM before coming to the game with this build.
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There is many ''3 seconds action'' that are forbiden in rage (like, using a wand) and I am kind of picky with that (In my group, we don't accept to see some barbarian on rage using the 'flat of the blade'' to do non lethal, so you see in what kind of party I play)
And let's face it, it's something that will break the game. A DC19 at level 3 means that monster with good will save will stay awake on 13. With bad save on 17. And he will spam it all day long, on each monster... The DM will run out of ''Immune to sleep'' monster quite fast IMO.
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As a note on character background:
You are not that far away from Mwangi and Sargava, areas where tribal scarification would be common. You could easily play someone with a history or family history in the tribes where scars are used to denote which tribe you belong to, to place wards, as decoration, to show coming of age, signs of accomplishment, or any other reason someone might get a tattoo.
If you want some more interesting options check out a prestige class I wrote in Into The Breach: Witch done by Flying Pincushion. It melds barbarian and scarred witch doctor.
Personally, I would say that hexes can be used with raging. You may want to get the Moment of Clarity rage power to allow you to cast spells, and hexes if your GM doesn't allow hexes during rage.
No, even if it's stronger, I would accept it since it let you use Int/Cha/Sag skill. With this one, my logic see no real problem.
going to your DM to tell him what your are planning to do with what option is, kind of, normal. If there is no blaster in the group, he will not put as much Swarm of mosquito, if you know what I mean. If he see no problem with the Raging Hex, then all good! But it's better that than to argue in the middle of the game about it.
And to Nerf is PC.... It will still be a full fledge caster with 20 Con...
I think so too. +4 to CON instead with no minus to AC, while being able to use wand and staff seems better.
And go Superstitious to get better save and some personality disorder!
Thanks for the feedback. I thought about Urban barbarian too, but I couldn't see it fit that well flavor wise, and it wouldn't allow casting. I hadn't considered using wands though, thats a good point.
Rage powers are out because I don't want more than a dip.
Half-orc makes perfect sense, but is not allowed ruleswise. So it would require the DM to houserule an Orc archetype for a half-orc class, or the human feat Racial heritage for the half-orc race.
Now Alchemist... That is a class I didn't take into account. Ten minutes +4 con & +2 ac at a -2 char cost is sweet. Also it would boost de coup de grace DC by 1d6 sneak.
So to really break the game, I could add both dips. That would give +4 alchemiczl and +6 morale bonus while raging, and the mutagen fits nicely with the drunken brute. But I'm already close, or beyond, powergaming as is.
Not allowed, Half-Orc? Why?
Half-Elf or Half-Orc: Can a character of either of these races select human racial favored class options?
Yes. Half-elves and half-orcs may select racial favored class options, archetypes, traits, and so on, as if they were a full member of both races (a half-elf can select elf and human rules elements, a half-orc can select human and orc rules elements).Edit 9/26/13: This is a reversal of an earlier ruling. This resolves a discrepancy between this FAQ, another APG FAQ, and a Core Rulebook FAQ.
—Pathfinder Design Team, Thursday
In PFS, the Half-Orc can't get Scarred Withc Doctor because it's not an option in PFS, but outside of it I don't see a problem..
(In fact, I found it more ''Herp derp'' to take racial heritage Orc with a Half-Orc. I mean: you could name the feat ''You don't say''...
And Going Alchemist and Barbarian is not that geat of Idea. You don't want to be behind in your Witch class: even if your spell will not be your main firepower, it's still really usefull.... Especially for all those ''Immune to sleep'' or ''Immune to mental effect'' monster.
You can also take the first level in crossblodded sorcerer orc/undead that will give you orc blooded for free and allow your mindaffecting spells to work on several undead to close a big hole in the witch power. Depending on your mystery you can also get good fun out of the extra damage of the Orc bloodline. If you arent afraid of zombies pick serpentine blodline as the second one that will give you lots of options with monsters and a poisonos bite as well.
I think the half races have different archetypes and can't take the ones from a full blooded race. Facial heritage does allow it, as mentioned in the faq. Based this on what blackbloodtrol said here: http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2p9iw?Barbarian-Scarred-Witch-Doctor-Build
Houseruling is always an option.
The lowered casting with two dips is a concern indeed. Same goes for wearing armor, adding to that the need for more str to carry the armor. In case of immune to mind affecting, I was planning to boost or summon instead. Also magic jar is my backup at higher lvls for slumber immune creatures.
The coup de coiffure is a backup. I prefer the melee PC to go for the kill while I stay back or above in the air.
Crossblooded is interesting, but doesn't give a con boost. Also orc bloodline comes from a book we haven't used yet, and because of my low char, it wouldn't add spells, only spell list for wand use.
Now drawbacks:
Limited rages: unless I counter it with a drunken brute, I'm quite limited with rounds.
Limited hair: even with combat encounters that take less than ten rounds, I still only get to use it for one encounter per witch level.
Limited mutagen: ten minutes after one hour intervals to brew a new one
Immune to mind affecting: everytime I cross one of these, I'll have a big problem. At lvl 10 I can start using magic jar with DC 24 (10, +5 spell level, +5 stat, +1 abil incr, +3 belt) or from lvl 11 with the alchemist dip for DC 26 (10, +5 spell level, +5 stat, +1 abil incr, +3 belt, +2 mutagen), and from lvl 13 DC 27 (10, +5 spell level, +5 stat, +1 abil incr, +3 belt, +3 elelental body III) or lvl 14 with alchemist dip for DC 29 (10, +5 spell level, +5 stat, +1 abil incr, +3 belt, +2 mutagen, +3 elelental body III)
Low AC: I pan on staying clear of the fray and taking the hits instead of blocking them.
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It has been confirmed in an FAQ that half-orcs can take any character options that either humans or orcs can:
FAQ Text:
Half-Elf or Half-Orc: Can a character of either of these races select human racial favored class options?
Yes. Half-elves and half-orcs may select racial favored class options, archetypes, traits, and so on, as if they were a full member of both races (a half-elf can select elf and human rules elements, a half-orc can select human and orc rules elements).Edit 9/26/13: This is a reversal of an earlier ruling. This resolves a discrepancy between this FAQ, another APG FAQ, and a Core Rulebook FAQ.
As said above: Half Orc are Orc and Human in term of race. Your link is kind of old: 2012, and the FAQ as been made clear in 2013. So yeah for Half-Orc Scarred Witch Doctor.
Great! Tanks for clearing that up. Helps a lot.
I have a half orc scarred witch doctor , pure caster that can buff to +34/+34/+29/+24 at 15th with 205 HP pre buff and AT LEAST 220 after. I suggest staying single classed.
I have a half orc scarred witch doctor , pure caster that can buff to +34/+34/+29/+24 at 15th with 205 HP pre buff and AT LEAST 220 after. I suggest staying single classed.
How? A witch is not a full bab class?
Pre- buff greater heroism, followed by divine power and topped off with transformation :). +15 Bab (transformation) + 5 Str +4morale +4weapon +5 Luck for cl 15 becomes +6 from fates favored(doubles luck but divine power maxes at +6)=+34. Transformation provides full bab,divine power grants extra at highest. So +34/+34/+29/+24 :).
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Rage is not a form of mental retardation.
I LOLed.
I also never thought of combining Raging Vitality with Scarred Witch Doctor. That is good thinking.
Someday...I will be able to play this class.
I have a half orc scarred witch doctor , pure caster that can buff to +34/+34/+29/+24 at 15th with 205 HP pre buff and AT LEAST 220 after. I suggest staying single classed.
Pics or it didn't happen. Sounds crazy.
BTW 205 HP un- buffed is just the max at level one(6+modifiers) and 3.5hp per level + modifiers. I.e. average hitpoints on a d6 player character.
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Pre- buff greater heroism, followed by divine power and topped off with transformation :). +15 Bab (transformation) + 5 Str +4morale +4weapon +5 Luck for cl 15 becomes +6 from fates favored(doubles luck but divine power maxes at +6)=+34. Transformation provides full bab,divine power grants extra at highest. So +34/+34/+29/+24 :).
Good combo. Strength Patron then?
I think you may have misread Fate's Favored though. It doesn't double a Luck bonus... just adds +1 whenever you have one active.
G.Heroism: +4 Morale, 15 minutes
Divine Power: +6 Luck (including Fate's Favored), 15 rounds
Transformation: +4 Enhancement, 15 rounds
I see +14, not +34... where is the extra 20 coming from?
Transformation treats your bab as cl.read the entire spell entry. 16 Str becomes 20 for a +5. That's +20 so far. +4 weapon= +24. +4 from G.H= +28. +6 from divine power =+34. Sorry to stupefy you.
You can also extend both as lvl 7 slots for 30 minutes and 30 rounds respectively.
Oh and extend divine power with a lvl5 slot.
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Transformation treats your bab as cl.read the entire spell entry. 16 Str becomes 20 for a +5. That's +20 so far. +4 weapon= +24. +4 from G.H= +28. +6 from divine power =+34. Sorry to stupefy you.
Oh I did not see that part about the BAB! That's awesome.
Never really looked at that spell before.Static damage of +15 then?
Goes to +29 static with Power Attack and two-handed weapon.
Don't know if I'd trust that damage base in melee at 15th level.
How does it play?
Haven't used it yet. The idea is he can melee if need be or even plink with a bow even without transformation, thanks to bestow weapon proficiency :). I have him riding around in a cauldron of flying too it's a wild concept for me I can't wait to try it!
Does transformation stack with shapechange???
+17 static or +32 with power attack, on 4 attacks for a character that melees just for s#~*s and giggles? Not bad imho.
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Haven't used it yet. The idea is he can melee if need be or even plink with a bow even without transformation, thanks to bestow weapon proficiency :). I have him riding around in a cauldron of flying too it's a wild concept for me I can't wait to try it!
AWESOME.
Does transformation stack with shapechange???
Transformation = Enhancement bonus to physical stats, untyped bonus to BAB.
Shapechange = size bonuses to physical stats.So, yeah.
EDIT: Transformation is not a polymorph effect, so this is a nasty, nasty combo.
Too bad it's a 9th level spell and is vastly overshadowed by other things you can do with 9th level spells like Gate or Wish.
Yeah, and strength patron grants Giant form so there's that to tide you over until 17th.
Buddy. Transformation is a 6th level spell.
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Yeah, and strength patron grants Giant form so there's that to tide you over until 17th.
Just because some spells over shadow others does nothing for themes! Themes is what really makes a character memorable at high levels!
Yeah, and strength patron grants Giant form so there's that to tide you over until 17th.Just because some spells over shadow others does nothing for themes! Themes is what really makes a character memorable at high levels!
also when you have shapechange active on a ring of continuation.....oh freaking boy!!!!!!
No I wasn't saying anything against your idea Rogar, just the post timing was slow at my end. I TOTALLY agree with your comment about memorable characters! Thanks for the kudos.
Do hexes work while polymorphed?
Do hexes work while polymorphed?
If your form is capable of speech? Why not?
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Do hexes work while polymorphed?
Uh, maybe?
While under the effects of a polymorph spell, you lose all extraordinary and supernatural abilities that depend on your original form (such as keen senses, scent, and darkvision), as well as any natural attacks and movement types possessed by your original form. You also lose any class features that depend upon form, but those that allow you to add features (such as sorcerers that can grow claws) still function. While most of these should be obvious, the GM is the final arbiter of what abilities depend on form and are lost when a new form is assumed. Your new form might restore a number of these abilities if they are possessed by the new form.
Hex is Su, but it doesn't seem to be 'dependent on your original form.'
No I wasn't saying anything against your idea Rogar, just the post timing was slow at my end. I TOTALLY agree with your comment about memorable characters! Thanks for the kudos.
Yeah i quoted wrong person...
《Insert face smack here》