This is odd to me. Normally I see something cool (like the Samsaran Oracle racial archtype), or get a silly idea after seeing something (like seeing Vigilante and making a bad Drow Spiderman character). I find myself though wanting to make a character based on a playstyle.
I want to build a character with the concept of playing like an anime-esque powerup or transformation. Some of the Vigilante Archtypes are close but not quite it. I want more Super Saiyan type. Stuff gets serious, back's against the wall and BOOM! power boost.
I played this way in Scion: Hero. I had two powers that were power ups, one that lowered enemy defense around me, and another that made my skin burn. Then I had a knack that said the more damage I took, instead of a penalty it became a bonus, so getting beat up resulted in a smirk and a counter with more force.
Is there a first party class/race that has that kind of a playstyle? With powerful transformations and a focus on getting stronger the more punishment you take?
There are feats which can eventually work up to bonuses when you're below 1 HP, but I wouldn't recommend them. They'll get your character killed.
I read somewhere that penalties being always penalties was an explicit Paizo policy somewhere. I don't think you're going to find exactly what you want in material published by Paizo.
There are feats which can eventually work up to bonuses when you're below 1 HP, but I wouldn't recommend them. They'll get your character killed.
The Endurance, Die Hard, Deathless Initiate, Deathless Master feat tree for reference.
You could try playing a Kineticist. It can take burn (which deals non-lethal equal to your character level) to power up its attacks. That seems pretty close to what you're asking for.
Not quite the same as what you're saying but there is a relatively famous build called the Oradin. It's a Paladin/Life Oracle multiclass that uses the Life Oracle's Life Link ability to heal others while healing yourself with Lay on Hands. It specifically doesn't make you the hero but the rest of your party will get lots of moments where a villain hits them but their wounds immediately heal and they can make some snappy comment about it barely hurting at all.
Hmhm. Unfortunately sounds like what I'm looking for isn't really a thing sadly. At least first party.
The Barbarian/Bloodrager may be close with the transformation concept, just fluff it the right way. Part of that Samsaran Oracle using Ancestry mystery has closer as well, but it's like a 15th level ability (for good reason).
Alchemist has a few archetypes that might fit this concept. They can make a buffing cocktail, and then mutagen for extra strength, and armor.
Beastmorph grants natural attack and physical transformation.
Ragechecmist is all about Strength.
Couple with unchained barbarian for even more Strength and Con (Or STR and DEX or DEX and CON) boosts a few rounds a day.
Feral hunter does this to a lesser degree, with mild stat boosts and physical changes.
Finally the kinetesist, a messy, confusing, contrary class that damages itself for more power. The closer to death (Self inflicted CON Damage) you get, the more powerful you become.
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It's not exactly what you want, but the Deadly Juggernaut spell makes you stronger as you kill more opponents. If you want a spell-in-a-can magic item to do this it would cost you 27000 gp for a command word activated version. The Fate's Favored trait helps with the luck bonus.
I have two builds that essentially let you "hulk out" which could easily be fluffed however you want.
Raging Giant Warrior (Figher/Bloodrager)
Concept: A warrior who uses an oversized weapon and then gets bigger
Race: Human
Trait: Giant-blooded
Class: Fighter(1), Bloodrager
Archetypes: Titan Fighter – Fighter / Primalist - Bloodrager
Bloodline: Shapechanger
Eldritch Heritage Bloodline: Orc
Feats: Skill Focus (1st), Exotic Weapon Proficiency [Butchering Axe](1st), Eldritch Heritage(3rd), Power Attack(7th), Furious Focus(7th),Weapon Focus(9th), Improved Eldritch Heritage (11th)
Suggested Gear Glove of Storing, Oversized Butchering Axe, Cracked Opalescent White Pyramid (Butchering Axe)
Key Features:
•Base Damage for the Oversized Butchering Axe is 4d6
•At 6th level you can cast enlarge person as a free action,
•With Enlarge person damage then becomes 6d6
•Weapon is 2-handed so you get 1-1/2 Str +3 per -1 via power attack
Half-orc Goliath (Fighter/Druid)
Key concept: A half-orc that can shapechange into a troll in order to wade into combat
Trait: Giant-blooded
Race: Half-orc
Racial Trait: Orc Atavism or Shaman’s Apprentice, Toothy,
Class: Fighter(1), Druid(X)
Archetypes: Titan Fighter – Fighter / Druid – Goliath Druid
Domain: Rage
Eldritch Heritage Bloodline: Abyssal
Feats: Exotic Weapon Proficiency [Butchering Axe](1st), Power Attack(3rd), Skill Focus (5th), Eldritch Heritage(7th), Furious Focus(9th), Improved Eldritch Heritage (11th)
Suggested Feats: Die Hard, Deathless Initiate, Cleave
Suggested Gear Glove of Storing, Oversized Butchering Axe (Furious, Vicious, Furyborn), Cracked Opalescent White Pyramid (Butchering Axe)
Key Features:
•Base Damage for the Oversized Butchering Axe is 4d6
•Weapon is 2-handed so you get 1-1/2 Str +3 per -1 via power attack
•With Enlarge person damage then becomes 6d6
•At 3rd Level (assuming nat 20 str & E person) Dmg = 4d6+12 (24 avg dmg)
•At 13th Level you can assume the form of a troll gaining regeneration
•At 15th level you can assume the form of a huge giant (8d6 butchering axe)
•At 19th level( (assuming nat 30 str & wildshape & rage) Base Dmg = 8d6+40 (64 avg dmg)
I would also think the shifter class's main ability is along the lines of what you're looking for. But I haven't made any builds that make use of it so I can't offer much direction.
If you're allowed 3rd party material, take a look at the Wilder class from Psionics. Definitely "Super Saiyan" style of play.