Witch Archetype - Doll Master

[Petty Alchemy]

After reading the Promise of Blood, I was inspired by the magic of harming enemies by proxy.

As far as I'm aware, it's not well represented in Pathfinder. There's a Major Hex (Waxen Image), and the Gravewalker archetype which gives you a poppet you can cast touch spells into, but that doesn't fulfill my fantasy for the magic.

Instead, this archetype's doll magic leans on the hex philosophy (something you can do all day, as an alternative to casting). By trading out access to Slumber, Misfortune,and such (but not Flight, Cauldron), you get the ability to deal damage and inflict lesser (but hopefully still relevant) control on the enemies.

It's still WIP, but it would be good to start getting feedback now before I go too deep into creating new Torments.

The Doll Master Witch

[I'm Hiding In Your Closet]

While the Familiar Torment idea is cute, the first thing I'd suggest is for the Doll to replace the Familiar, as the Gravewalker's Poppet does, rather than the Witch's 1st-level Hex. Familiars can be as much liability as asset, so it's good for Witches to have options for trading them out (whereas a shortage of Hexes is a daunting prospect for Witches).

[Petty Alchemy]

I appreciate the suggestion, but a witch needs a conduit to her patron.

What you say is true, but I rather like familiars.

I don't think Witches have a shortage of hexes thanks to the Extra Hex feat trumping pretty much all other options.

If you think it's unbalanced to keep the familiar, or it dilutes the fluff, I'd think deeper on it.

[Amanuensis]

I like it!

There should probably be some kind of limitation to the stab ability, similar to some of the other abilities where a successful save renders the target immune for 24 hours. Another solution would be to give the doll a number of HP (depending on the witch's CL) that is reduced with each stab, until the doll is destroyed/loses its powers.

I would increase the penalty for using body parts in the doll's creation to -4 (it won't come up too often, but when it does, it should have a noticeable impact).

Maybe the spontaneous doll sculpting could start as a move action and become a swift action at higher levels?

I could also see immolation (catching on fire) as a torment and suffocation as a major torment. I like the image of the cat familiar playing with the doll, but the wording could be improved. Maybe you could use the called shot rules from Ultimate Combat as effects for attacks against specific body areas?

[JonathonWilder]

I would say having the doll replace the familiar would be both flavorful and appropriate, since I do believe that in many stories that involve a similar idea had it that the doll was the conduct/source of power for the witch. One destroys the doll, one weakens the witch, lessens its power.

[Sam Parsons 736]

JonathonWilder wrote:

I would say having the doll replace the familiar would be both flavorful and appropriate, since I do believe that in many stories that involve a similar idea had it that the doll was the conduct/source of power for the witch. One destroys the doll, one weakens the witch, lessens its power.

I agree

[Cyrad]

Aw, I was hoping for a witch that beats people up with dolls, like Lulu.