This was designed to be PFS legal, though I haven't selected Traits yet. Just looking for some thoughts on the general concept. I wanted to try out an Oracle, specifically a Flame oracle, without looking like a cleric. I settled on the idea of a failed Hellknight, who can't quite make the physical requirements, but has other gifts that may serve the empire.
STR 10
DEX 18
CON 14
INT 10
WIS 10
CHA 14
Feats: Weapon Finesse, Extra Revelation
Revelations: Touch of Flame, Heat Aura
Curse: Tongues
Equipment: Chain Shirt, Spiked Gauntlet, Buckler, 40gp for sundries
Combat:
AC 19/Touch 14/Flat 15, HP 10
Touch of Flame +4 (1d6 fire)
Spiked Gauntlet +4 (1d4 piercing)
Skills
Acrobatics +8, Intimidate +6, Diplomacy +6, Heal +4, Knowledge: Planes +4
Spells
0: Spark, Stabilize, Light, Guidance
1: Cure Light Wounds, Bless
This was designed to be PFS legal, though I haven't selected Traits yet. Just looking for some thoughts on the general concept. I wanted to try out an Oracle, specifically a Flame oracle, without looking like a cleric. I settled on the idea of a failed Hellknight, who can't quite make the physical requirements, but has other gifts that may serve the empire.
** spoiler omitted **
I love the idea of the Oracle, but I played the flame oracle and got very stymied on not being able to cast many "Fire" type spells.
I, too, chose Heat Aura, but I went with a light crossbow or a shortbow, I don't recall. The same curse, too. It was a fun character to play, though. It's interesting that you chose highest dexterity. The only thing you'll notice with this is the saves to resist your spells and revelations are going to be pretty lousy for a while, with only +2 charisma (Reflex DC 12 on your Heat Aura is pretty low). The gauntlet is not optimal, as a light mace or sickle would do more damage on average for the same bonus, but maybe your failed hellknight just doesn't want to wield weapons?
I chose the gauntlet initially so that I could easily make touch attacks to use Flame Touch, which would presently do the same damage as a sickle or light mace, and will eventually do more as I gain Oracle levels. And again, if you want to avoid looking like a cleric, you've got to avoid that mace ;)
I'm aware that the saves will be terrible; this is less of an issue for Divine casters if you choose primarily buff spells (which I have), and Heat Aura's best feature (20% miss chance for a round) happens either way. The save at level 1 is going to be lousy regardless (even with an 18 Charisma, you're looking at DC 14), but I was considering splitting the difference with a 16 in DEX and CHA, which would have the side benefit of giving me another Flame Touch per day, and only lowering my AC to 18 with the buckler.
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If you are going for a dex-based melee build, consider taking Form of Flame as your 3rd level revelation. It will help you hit more, raise your AC, give some free damage/fire effects, and if nothing else, darkvision (or more specifically, the lack of darkvision) is one of the big weaknesses of humans and Elemental Body I or higher solves that. Its also suitably non-clericish, as your typical cleric will not be shapeshifting into living campfires. Other good and non-clerical revelations include Wings of Flame and Cinder Dance.
For level 1, I'd go with the 16 in Cha and Dex. For weapon choice, for a slightly stronger and equally thematic attack, you could use a Cestus. Better crit range, more damage types, same glove feel. If you do play this in PFS, I'd spend some of that 40gp on an Oracle's Kit and Grappling Hook, and optionally a Crowbar (a surprisingly useful object to not appear in any of the standard kits).
I would seriously consider going Dual Talent Human.
If you want a more late-blooming but still awesome build, mix Oracle with Sensei Monk to use Wis for AC and attack.
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If you are going for a dex-based melee build, consider taking Form of Flame as your 3rd level revelation. It will help you hit more, raise your AC, give some free damage/fire effects, and if nothing else, darkvision (or more specifically, the lack of darkvision) is one of the big weaknesses of humans and Elemental Body I or higher solves that. Its also suitably non-clericish, as your typical cleric will not be shapeshifting into living campfires. Other good and non-clerical revelations include Wings of Flame and Cinder Dance.
For level 1, I'd go with the 16 in Cha and Dex. For weapon choice, for a slightly stronger and equally thematic attack, you could use a Cestus. Better crit range, more damage types, same glove feel. If you do play this in PFS, I'd spend some of that 40gp on an Oracle's Kit and Grappling Hook, and optionally a Crowbar (a surprisingly useful object to not appear in any of the standard kits).
Thanks for the advice. I'm actually a big fan of the cestus, can't believe I forgot about it here. If I had more feats to play with (Fighter dip?) I was thinking of picking up TWF/TWD and ditching the buckler, but at that point I might as well just go with a Brawler and dip into Oracle later.
I think this build, with the suggested tweaks, could be fun and playable.
I think you should pick up gaze of Flames and obscuring mists and go to town on the poor blinded saps.
Gaze of Flames and Obscuring mists is a great combo.
Is the Blackened Curse PFS legal? Because it is a darn good way to grab those extra fire spells.
Also if you want to be something other than human, you can go for an Ifrit if you want. They are a fantastic race especially with Wildfire Heart and the bonuses to dex and cha...also the fact that you can stack Improved Initiative ontop of that so once you get level 3 spells you have something like a +12 to Initiative to get off that first fireball.
I'm not sure if this is what you meant by 'using flame touch', but the Revelation Strike feat would let you use Touch of Flame as a swift action after hitting with a Cestus attack. It requires Improved Unarmed Strike, though with that you could move into Style territory like Boar Style - which could work well for intimidating with charisma. Agile Cestus + Divine Favor + Swift Touch of Flame + Tear Flesh + Intimidate... Scary Bleeding Fire Boxing?
After reading the title I thought you would be going the way one of my players did:
High strength
Feats: IUS, revelation strike
Revelation: Touch of flame
After first level he went slayer to get TWF without the dex prereq. Add dragon style and the damage starts to look decent. He's still only doing 1d3 base damage thou.