I was just thinking about how much fun it'd be to run a Heavens Oracle, partly because I think it'd be fun to play an armorless Oracle, and they get an armor revelation, but that's a whole 'nother story. To compliment the build, I was thinking of going relatively high dex, reach weapon, and Combat Reflexes. So that brings me to the question: which reach weapon to go with.
Longspear is the obvious choice, and requires no feat investment. Hard to argue with simplicity, but it's Piercing damage only, and one's odds of surviving low-level play without encountering Zombies and/or Skeletons are terribly low.
Bec de Corbin / Lucerne Hammer would require a feat, or a dip into a martial class (fighter?) and could deal Piercing and Bludgeoning. The sunder bonus is likely wasted on this character though, as I doubt I could afford the strength investment to make it worthwhile.
Meteor Hammer is Bludgeoning only, but as an Exotic weapon I'd feel much better spending a feat on it, it's fairly unique, and in Fortress mode it provides not only reach, but +1 AC.
Are there any other good options that I'm disregarding here?
Good question. Human is tempting, as it would allow for the requisite proficiency feat and Combat Reflexes at level 1, but I was thinking of Half-Elf as well. One idea that I had, since Heavens Oracles can permanently float around 6 inches above the ground by level 5, was to dip into Trap Ranger for Trapfinding and be the ideal trap scout (then fade behind the front line in combat to get those sweet AOOs.
I am actually fan of the Fauchard (from Classic Horrors Revisited). 1d10 (18-20/x2) with Reach annd Trip is kinda nice.
Downside is that it is an exotic weapon. The crit range makes it worth it though.
How about going half-elf with the ancestral arms trait to use an Elven Branched Spear? You get a +2 bonus on your attacks of opportunity provoked by movement, and you can get Dex to attack and damage if you get Weapon Finesse and an agile weapon. It lets you dump strength and really helps compensate for that 3/4 BAB.
Ah, that's a great idea.
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Longspear is a classic. Easy proficiency, close enough damage to match a glaive, and a x3 crit mod.
The tasty part is that double damage when readied against a charge. I can't think of many other weapons that get such a feature with reach. Enemy charges you, x2 damage, but then they'll also provoke an AoO moving next to you, turning it to a potential x3 damage (not counting DR) if they all hit.
Simple, powerful, CORE friendly. It tends to be the backbone of reach builds on 3/4 BaB classes, most notably the Cleric.
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Hooked lance is super classy, like a scythe-spear combo polearm. Plus statistically a x4 is more potent than most other options. Casual x4 hook-slaying off an AoO is just a good time for all. Does anyone remember the classic Vampire Bloodlines PC game? Four words: gardening hook stealth kill.
If you're looking at an 'armorless' Oracle with a potential dip using a reach Weapon, I really like the concept of 'whirling spear' style melee - you take a level of (probably unchained) Monk, and combine all the benefits of spear charges and AoOs with Flurry of Blows full attack, 'punching' with the hands holding the haft. Equipment is easy since you can cast buffs on your Monk Unarmed Strike.
I've always been partial to the Dwarven Dorn-Dergar. You can attack foes nearby and at a distance!
EWP needs BAB 1, so Human is out.
Inner Sea Races has a new alt racial trait that swaps out your bonus feat for proficiency with 2 exotic or martial weapons, So you can get reach weapon of choice and longbow proficiency. EDIT: Should clarify that's for humans I guess.
Not sure I can add anything to the solid options already listed.
Lucerne Hammer also gets to brace against chargers. Check with your GM as to whether he or she will let you call that a bludgeon of you need to (but don't count on it). Although its main advantages over the longspear are d12 vs d8 (2 points of damage) and adding in bludgeoning. A bardiche gets both, slashing only at d10, but a wider crit range; bec de corbin is similar to the Lucerne hammer but d10 damage and heavier crits.
Or, as mentioned, there's nothing wrong with just trusting your longspear and investing the feat or racial ability elsewhere.
Double Chain Kama. Dual Wield and reach all in one weapon. I'm not sure, but it might be finessible since it says "Use as a Kama", but check with your GM.
My Oracle of Battle has been enjoying her Glaive-Guisarme for a while now. Trip on the AoO and they provoke from you and everyone close enough to hit them! Then they go prone and they have to either provoke again to stand up or getting attacked while sucking a -4 to armor class.