Mystery selection for a Ball Lightning-spamming Oracle

[Candu C'thór]

As a preventive measure in case my current character bites the dust, I'm making a backup - and I'm really wanting to build a character around the Halfling Oracle FCB and the Elemental Imbalance (Air) curse, in order to get Ball Lightning as a 3rd level spell and cause plenty of havoc. (Magical Lineage + Dazing Spell is a given)

I am, however, right and properly stuck on what mystery might be a good fit, both thematically and spell-wise, especially considering how with no human FCB, the mystery spells matter more than ever. Do you have any suggestions for what mystery might work? I'm sort of alternating between Metal, Solar, and Dark Tapestry, respectively for their good revelations, generic slipperiness from spells, and the hard battlefield control offered.

[avr]

Lunar isn't bad for spells once it gets going, and if you're using ball lightning you must be 10th+. Also you get prophetic armor and primal companion as revelation options (touch of the moon with mass inflict wounds is pretty good if you go that way too), and thematically the moon goes with natural curses pretty well IMO.

Of those three though I'd go with Dark Tapestry. The curse is the earth rebelling against your alien magic, the spells are OK and there are some decent revelations there.

[Candu C'thór]

Since the Halfling FCB is adding +1/2 level to determine the effects of your oracle curse, wouldn't that mean that you'd get to add Ball Lightning as a spell at level 7, and Chain Lightning at level 10? Or am I misunderstanding something?

[plaidwandering]

that's something you really need to discuss with your GM. It's not something that's totally clear in the case of advanced oracle curses ahead of schedule.

What I've seen a lot is the spell is granted as a 5th level spell, and even though you count as 10th for the purpose of your curse, you can't cast that slot yet

I originally thought same as you do, but didn't get much traction. Was told not every FCB has to benefit each curse equally.

[Candu C'thór]

I mean, the logic that Ball Lightning is granted as a 5th level spell due to it saying that you add it at level 10, doesn't match when everyone else gets it (since it is level 4 on the spell lists it is found on already) - and you also have the Geyser sorcerer early access FAQ that indicates that getting spells early works. If it's added as a 5th level spell when you get it at level 10, should it not be added as a 3rd level spell when you get it at level 7?

It'd be something else if it already says which level the spell is granted as (such as with the Aboleth curse, that states that you get Charm Person as a 1st level spell, for instance) - I'd completely agree that advancing that curse ahead of schedule is fruitless, since it is set in stone what benefits you receive..

[avr]

Ask your GM, it's not set in stone. The argument for 5th level continues that you get it when your level for the oracle's curse reaches 10, even if your character level is different.

[cavernshark]

Or it's just a fourth level spell you could use at 8. There's ambiguity in this, even with the Sorcerer FAQ. Sorcerer bonus spells can't be accelerated, these aren't bonus spells like mystery spells. And the FCB says nothing about changing the level of the spell.

So I agree that it probably doesn't work the way you want. That said, while I probably wouldn't let you get it as a 3rd level spell, but I'd probably let you snag it as a spell known at 7, with the ability to cast it with 4th level slots at 8.

[Candu C'thór]

But if you get to cast it with 4th level spell slots, then surely it won't matter what level you add it to your spells known? (besides, getting access to it at level 7 means you're getting it at the same level as a wizard has access to it, so it's not as if it's "early" access.) I guess there's not really anything conclusive here, though.

Either way, that's not really what I was asking about, haha. :) Any other suggestions as to what mystery might work well with the curse? I'm not sure if I see what's so amazing with the Lunar mystery's spell list, other than Dust of Twilight, to be honest, even if the Cha-Dex swap is nice.

[avr]

Rage and Aspect of the Wolf are decent buffs, Litany of Madness is a swift action to cast save-or-suck, Blood Mist destroys armies, Polar Midnight is just scary especially if the enemy doesn't know exactly how it works (no move = encased by wall of ice & helpless, no save). Moonstruck is usually poor value though I did use it once as an effective assassination. Lunar Veil is a long-range, large area deeper darkness, which is weak for a 7th level spell but you might use it occasionally anyway.

Also don't underestimate mass inflict light wounds + touch of the moon. It's effectively a selective confusion spell, with a little damage to start them off, and it can be effectively heightened by going to moderate/serious/critical at later levels.

[Candu C'thór]

I suppose - I'm just a bit put off by that the lower level mystery spells aren't the greatest, even if Blood Mist seems like a really powerful option.

What is your opinion on the Winter mystery, and picking up Elemental Spell (Cold) and the Freezing Spells revelation? That way I'd have the option of doing a cold ball lightning that will slow anyone affected by it, which seems like a rather effective use - and the mystery spells are pretty good for control, to top it off.

[Candu C'thór]

I think I'm going to go with the Winter mystery. As mentioned Freezing Spells seems like it would be really fun combined with Ball Lightning, and in hindsight feels a lot more "fair" than Dazing Spell, meaning that I always have the option of opting out of choosing a constant daze-lock.

Thank you all for helping out! Now, time to see what my GM will think of the Halfling FCB conundrum :) - and, if there's ever anything conclusive posted on the subject of supercharging your curse with the FCB, I'd love it if somebody were to mention it.

Cheers!