So... this is going to sound awkward... but what is the best way to build a character that inflicts self-damage to do things? Like, dealing damage to yourself to increase the damage dealt by your attacks or provide buffs to you/allies? Or getting a buff while you're near death or having taken heavy damage?
Just an awkward moment, and I'd really like to make a self-pain inflicting character to throw around and see how it works.
Have you seen Pain Taster?
The vicious magic weapon property or the scar seeker prestige class might fit.
There's quite a few classes or archetypes which use staggered or fatigued to represent extra effort starting with the barbarian. Those could equally represent self-harm for which the negative effects kick in afterwards.
BTW, watch out for people you game with who take this stuff too seriously. It's possible you'll start something you regret if you're not careful.
@RumpinRufus - Hm... Pain Taster seems interesting, but not my cup of tea if I'm going to be honest. Thanks for pointing it out though!
@GM Rednal - I'm not much a fan of the "Burn" mechanic or the Kineticist. I was looking for more of a Martial self-inflicter.
@Avr - I understand the warning. While I don't take this character theme too seriously, I understand some might and I'll keep an eye out for anything warning flags that might occur.
I was thinking of a Spiked-Chain user that uses Kytan style.
Actually....
Scaled Fist and Scarred Monk Archetypes cross with each other, and I could go to level 7 and get two Scarred abilities before going into the Scar Seeker Archetype. Kyton Style would allow me to Flurry with a Spiked Chain (because it counts as a Monk Weapon), and allow me to deal an additional 1d6 damage for hurting myself 1d6 points too (going with the theme). That, along with the Blood Scar from Seeker, would allow me to deal an additional 2d8+1d6 Damage for hitting myself with 1d8+1d6 damage. Lay on hands as a swift action would allow me not to kill myself with the insane damage I'm doing to myself too...
Any idea the best way to build a Scarred Monk into Scar Seeker?
Fiend flayer magus allows you an option to take con damage to give you more arcana points. A blood sacrifice during emergencies kind of thing.
It is an interesting archetype because... it doesn't trade anything. The ability itself is enough of a trade, so they allow you to have it for free (it stacks with EVERYTHING). It also has access to a couple of arcana (a weapon summoning one, and one that can allow you to ignore evil outsider DR).
It is a nice, simple 'damn, I have to do this' style mechanic. Nice for a nova class like magus.
sidenote- it is tiefling only.
The Holy Vindicator prestige class has the Stigmata class feature which inflicts a bleed on itself to give a flexible bonus (and you can decide to end the bleed whenever you want). It also has a d10 hit die, full BAB, and good Fortitude and Will saves.
EDIT: Shield Other in combination with this PrC would really fit what you want, especially since at 3rd class level it gives all cure spells you cast on yourself a free empower.
Also, the Kineticist in general, when you accept Burn (i.e. nonlethal damage) to power some of your better effects. One strategy is to accept a lot each morning to charge up certain powers.
That's actually the intended strategy; accepting burn from your usual abilities is mostly a last-resort/nova option. That also means it's not really a good fit for what the OP wants.
Witch lv7+. Need to take diehard or equivalent. Start off with deathless(extended if possible) as your first action. Next cast bloodbath. Now spam Shared suffering. Heal yourself once they are all dead. I recommend keeping scrolls of deathless and heal on hand