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I'm trying to understand the warpriest's sacred weapon ability. It looks like this ability can be more a disadvantage than an advantage, except on very high levels or with especially wimpy weapons.
Basically, if I understand correctly, the warpriest has to take the damage progression from his class table instead of the normal weapon damage for any weapon for which he has Weapon Focus.
That would mean, if I were, for example, a warpriest of Gorum, and I'd like to fight with a greatsword (like the iconic warpriest seems to do), I can only deal my 2d6 with the greatsword if I DO NOT take Weapon Focus (greatsword)? If I take Weapon Focus (greatsword), my damage is reduced to 1d6 at level 1, and I have to wait until 15th level so I can actually deal 2d6? And only at 20th level I'm getting an actual benefit from this ability?
That can't be right, can it?
I'm not sure.. This here seems to indicate otherwise:
The warpriest can decide to use the weapon’s base damage instead of the sacred weapon damage—this must be declared before the attack roll is made. (If the weapon’s base damage exceeds the sacred weapon damage, its damage is unchanged.)
As Raglum said you can choose between sacred weapon damage or your weapon's base damage. As far as i see it, basically sacred weapon exists to mitigate the disadvantage if your deity's favored weapon is something really scrawny, compared to like a gorum warpriest's greatsword.
Of course it also means if your favored weapon is actually pretty good despite small damage dice you win a lot from this class feature, while it is meaningless to anyone whos favored weapon is already pretty big.
OK, seems I misread that passage.
Still, I don't really see the point of this class, as long it doesn't actually perform better in combat than the cleric.
Going from 9-level casting to only 6-level casting in exchange for heavy armor and enhancing your weapon for a small number of rounds per day seems to be a step down for me (besides the fact that it's another thing promoting the 5-minute adventuring day).
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Fervor and feats. That the point of the warpriest. I which the belles sings were a little better, and that the class got four skill points per level, but it's solid despite all the hat it gets.
The bonus feats are very interesting in that they bypass BAB requirements.
Vital strike at 6 on 3/4 BAB class is great. Critical feats, fighter only feats, you have a lot of options.
Too everyone above who commented, Thank You!!! I am sitting here working on a 1st Level Warpriest and this thread answered all my questions in regards to Sacred Weapon.
-DE
This is quite the necro post. If you are worried about not benefitting from the sacred weapon damage, you may want to check out the Molthuni Arsenal Chaplain archetype for the warpriest.