So... Recently started the career of a full support build Life Oracle (Spirit Guide Archetype). The build is as followed:
- Feat (Level 1): Fey Foundling
- Feat (Human 1): Selective Channel
- Feature: Revelation - Channel Energy (1d6) 6/Day
- Feature: Cursed - Pranked
Oracle (Spirit Guide) Level 2
- (Filler Level?)
Oracle (Spirit Guide) Level 3
- Feat (Level 3): Extra Revelation
- Feature: Revelation - Channel Energy (2d6) 6/Day
- Feature: Revelation - Lifelink (3 Links)
- Feature: Spirit Hex - Lifelink (3 Links)
Currently still at level 1, and the first big purchase for this character is going to be the Channel Positive headband. At level 7, my Channels per day are going to increase by double (Will have a +2 Charisma Ioun stone by then, so it'll be 14/day both full powered channels).
I'm thinking of taking a single level into Bard and taking Divine Expression (With Shelyn as the deity of choice), allowing me to have a scaling pool of Bardic Performace. While this doesn't increase the boost it gives, it does increase the number per day I have and helps decrease action economy when I level too (Move action at level 7). Was probably going to go Mute Musician because I'm not to big a fan of being "Mr. Mc-Talk-to-everyone". And it gives me Eschew Materials and allows me to cast spells using an Instrument for both verbal and somatic components for spells.
Beyond that, with 14 Channel / Day at level 7/8 (depending on Multiclass), what else is there to do with Channel Energy? I'm going to be taking Quick Channel for when it is needed. I was looking at Purifying Channel (Up to 1 target deselected by Channel takes Fire damage equal to the healing result and is dazzled. Will save halves damage and prevents Dazzled) - is that feat worth taking for a Support focusing on Channel Energy?
Are there any other spells/advice that I should be concerned with while supporting with the Oracle? I already have all the Heal skills memorized and what I can/can't do with it, unfortunately my Wisdom is low - meaning I can't make the most of Heal until higher level.
Any advice is welcome (Except for "Do something else!").
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Take in Alignment Channel, which lets you select which type of Outsider you want to affect, Law/Chaos/Good/Evil. Being able to channel vs Evil Outsiders is something you might want to do.
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You can’t take Channel Energy twice. Assuming those both refer to the same life Oracle revelation?
You should check out the archetype he is using. He is able to get channel energy from two very different sources, provided he choose the Life Spirit to channel each day.
100% agree with Alignment Channel. Also, consider the spell "Healing Token" as a way to save your standard actions in a pinch. Also, check into the spell "Imbue with Spell Ability". You could grant your allies the ability to cast shield other and create an effective HP 'pool' that maximizes the effects of your channel energy and life link, should you choose to take it.
@Deathless One - Huh... I've never seen Imbue with Spell Ability before, it seems like an interesting 4th level spell. I might look into that one and ask the fighter if they might be into helping mitigating damage. I know that I'll probably be keeping Sanctuary on myself earlier in the career because combat is scary.
Alignment Channel seems interesting... To clarify, it effects only outsiders of that alignment? Would Purifying Flames not work against them when I deselect them with Channel Heal?
Quick Channel and Channeled Revival are probably worth looking at taking further down the road. But as a life oracle I'm not sure how much mileage you'll get out of them since, hopefully you won't need that much burst healing.
Purifying channel would let you channel offensively in a limited capacity.
Ki Channel, 2 level dip in Ninja for a Ki Pool, Tea of Transference = channels per day only limited by the amount of tea you can drink, and by extension your lower level spell casting is also practically unlimited. My character that went this route was a Witch Doctor Shaman(Life/Lore). At 11 (current level) its "infinite" 3rd level and lower spells (wandering spirit arcane enlightenment to snag good ones from Wizard, Human FCB to snag whatever isn't on the Shaman list from Cleric). At 20 its "infinite" level 7 spells and lower. I also took Mauler familiar and undersized mount and ride a crab because I was planning on abusing Fortune/Chant but it didn't pan out as good as I thought.
Am I missing something? Tea of Transference appears to be a 40gp consumable item. It doesn't strike me as an "infinite" combination if it's costing you 40gp per ki point you spend. Seems like it would get costly rather quickly.
When it recharges your 7th level spells cheaper then a 2nd level wand, its not that costly.
Lets look at a normal Cleric Level 5 in a normal adventuring day. Would you pay 40 gp to use Channel Energy an additional time? How about at level 9 to put Resist Energy on everyone at 40 gp a pop? 11 and Haste every combat no matter how many combats per day?
Its only costly until mid-levels, then its basically a wand that you use all the time. And by then, you can just Minor Creation to make the tea and then recharge Minor Creation...
ah I see, that's why I was asking. Of course, clerics don't normally get minor creation. So you would need the artifice domain or you have to take levels in a prestige class like pathfinder savant. Alternatively, you could team up with an appropriate arcane caster, but you wouldn't be able to replenish their spells unless they also have a ki pool.
@Firebug - Interesting combo... Though I am not really interested in Irori or Ki Channeling themes for this build. I am also pretty set on the Double Life Oracle Spirit Guide (might change the Spirit later on if I begin healing too much and have too little extra to do).
@Temperans - I've looked at a lot of those, and was thinking heavily into taking the Bless Equipment feat. Touch a weapon at the beginning of an encounter - and will also be getting an extra 2 rounds of benefits when I purchase the headgear. Unfortunately, considering the level dip into bard and Divine Expression, I'll be 1/2 level lower for my Channel Energy, so I'm unsure if that'll effect anything.
Unfortunately, Channel Variance requires Domain, which Oracles don't have meaning they can't qualify for it.
Contingent Channeling looks like it might be a good feat too. Would you guys consider Reactive Channel being necessary for this build?
He'll mostly be taking damage from the Lifelink skill and Shield spells, as he will mostly be protected by Sanctuary and not standing directly in the front lines of the assault. Quick Channel is an obvious yes, but I am unsure about Reactive Channel.
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In order to get the most effect out of your Channel Energy you want to
* Take Alignment Channel. While it does little damage to outsiders, who typically have big hit point pools, it's still very useful in two ways. First, it's great against packs of three or more, because of multiplication. Second, depending on your GM, it's useful for DETECTING outsiders. E.g. Are you concerned that one of the villagers might be a demon in disguise? Call a town meeting where you Channel Positive Energy to harm Evil Outsiders, possibly 5 or more times, and see if any seemingly harmless villagers react.
* Spread out damage evenly. This can be hard to do, especially in less experienced groups. STRONGLY consider using Imbue with Spell Ability to get someone else (who typically takes little damage, like a Rogue or Archer) to cast Shield Other on you. This serves two purposes. One, and most important, it prevents YOU from dying when Life Link transfers damage to you after a sudden big AOE attack. Two, it better spreads out damage inflicted to make more efficient use of your channels. It will take multiple channels to heal one ally of 50 hp damage, but maybe only one if that damage is spread out between three or four allies. Fey Foundling is terrific for this purpose, as you already figured out.
* Try to get a Phylactery of Positive Channeling around 9th level, or as soon as you can.
* Consider getting the cheap 1000 gp item Shawl of Life Keeping. You are a HP battery, so you want that extra 10 hp 'surge protection'. Fill it each night before you rest, with a remainder channel, so you never have to spend same-day channels on it.
@Magda Luckbender - Thank you for your post, I hadn't even seen an item like Shawl of Life Keeping before. Fortunately, I will not be using any magical weapons on my character, and will focus primarily on using Sanctuary and body-blockers to protect my character over magic armor. So because of this, I'll probably getting the Phylactery of Positive Channeling closer to level 7 or 8 depending on gold intake after purchasing 'essentials'.
So... here is my build thus far:
Primary Class: Oracle (Spirit Guide Archetype) - All Levels
Patron Deity: Pharasma (in character, also pays homage to Mogdh)
Feats: Fey Foundling (Human), Selective Channel (Level 1), Purifying Channel (Level 3), Fateful Channel (Level 5), Quick Channel (Level 7), Alignment Channel - Good (Level 9), Reactive Channel (Level 11)
Primary Purchases: Shawl of Life Keeping (1,000gp), Malleable Symbol (10,000gp), Phylactery of Positive Channeling (11,000gp), Ioun Stone +2 CHA (8,000gp), Cloak of Resistance (variable), Belt of Constitution (variable).
If I'm able to get enough money for it, I'll probably be selling the Ioun stone for the staff that gives +4 Charisma.
Whatch'all think?
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I'm a fan of purifying channel as it lets you contribute to defeating enemies with the same action as healing your party. The bless equipment feats are also pretty fantastic. I played through emerald spire with a cleric that would constantly bane my sword, having a +2 to hit and 2d6+2 to damage against everything was pretty huge.
For the best channeler, I'd go with a cleric of the Blossoming Light (archetype from the adventurer's guide. Gives you 5+cha+1/2level uses of channel and expands the list of enemies you can channel to harm). Then you can take the sun and glory domains for more channel boosting. For traits: sacred conduit (+1 channel DC) and cleansing light (re-roll 1s on channel damage).
The problem with the Shawl of Life is that it is a shoulder slot item: that is where your Cloak of Protection goes...
The problem with the Shawl of Life is that it is a shoulder slot item: that is where your Cloak of Protection goes...
Cloak of Resistance? Because there are rings of resistance.
The problem with the Shawl of Life is that it is a shoulder slot item: that is where your Cloak of Protection goes...Cloak of Resistance? Because there are rings of resistance.
The closest thing I can find is the rings of energy resistance, which don't do the same thing a cloak of resistance does.
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@TheMonkeyFish It is possible to over-specialize. Consider how it might be possible to manage the same trick with far lower resource investment. Which leaves room for other stuff.
The combat channeling combination TheMonkeyFish has in mind is terrific. Seems to work like this:
* At a certain point in a fight, possibly the first round, the PC will Channel Positive Energy to Heal and will exclude one foe. The foe will take fire damage. Each ally gets a d20 reroll that persists for five rounds! It's a terrific buff!
Great plan, TheMonkeyFish! Consider this, though:
* With only CHA 10 and without Selective Channel your PC could still do the awesome Fateful Channel trick. A PC can generally (but not always) avoid the need for Selective Channel with careful positioning.
* With CHA 12 and Selective Channel your PC could exclude one foe and inflict damage with Purifying Channel. I hope you work out some roleplay schtick for calling down purifying fire on a foe while blessing your allies with good fortune.
* Perhaps specialize a bit less. Consider dropping your CHA a bit and raise your other stats a bit. Consider picking up some other specialty on top of your main channeling trick.
* Terrific job covering utility with Spirit Guide Archetype! That really fills in a lot of gaps.
* Consider switching Purifying Channel to Alignment Channel at 3rd level, as you may meet Outsiders early in your career.
The closest thing I can find is the rings of energy resistance, which don't do the same thing a cloak of resistance does.The problem with the Shawl of Life is that it is a shoulder slot item: that is where your Cloak of Protection goes...Cloak of Resistance? Because there are rings of resistance.
Here you go. Getting your Shoulders Slot back is good but the downside is that each Ring version's Price is 50% more expensive than the Cloak equivalent, (although with some tightening elsewhere or simply waiting one Level to buy other Items that you want, you can probably afford this).
Fateful Channel is too good to pass up if you're going to be doing a lot of channeling. Rerolls for errybody.
Check out this page for all the channeling feats: Channeling Feats
@gnoams - Don't get me wrong, the Blossoming Light archetype for the Cleric looks extremely powerful... but I was hoping to be an Oracle because thematic reasons for the character. Also, going Cleric would prevent me from taking Embrace Destiny.
@Sir Belmont the Valiant, @DeathlessOne, @SuperJedi224, @BENSLAYER - Unfortunately, the Ring of Resistance is not PFS legal. So I'll probably have to skip the Shawl of Life in order to keep my resistance high enough to save against stuff. It would be nice if this item became PFS legal, it would open up a lot of builds.
@Magda Luckbender - I suppose that is a valid reason against the idea of over specialization... It is true that the main gimmick for this build was Channel Energy and full spell progression for Divine Spells, which is why I was going for the high Charisma. Would you think a Divine Expression build would work with this style of build? I'd really like to play an Oracle of Shelyn, but Fateful Channel just seems too good... I wish Mogdh gave Fateful Channel, then it would make this choice much easier, lol.
@Temperans - PFS Character. lol
@Ryze Kuja - I wish Archives of Nethys had this. A list of all the PFs legal Channel Energy feats and their required deity would be awesome. I'm still sad Mogdh can't give Fateful Channel.
@Gray Warden - Oh, I forgot about those items! Thanks for reminding me. I'll take a look to see if any of them would fit with the build this character is going for, thank you.
@Rath the Brown - Already watched it a couple weeks ago.
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@Magda Luckbender, @Gray Warden - I am currently torn between joining the Silver Crusade or the Liberty's Edge faction for this character... Which do you think would be the better faction for him? If I do end up making him a Blossoming Light, then I'll be making him a Silver Crusade hands down, but want your opinions on what faction you think he would be better suited for.
He was an orphaned boy that lost his home to war, and was adopted by a kindly Gathlain from the first world. He was raised into a young adult (approx. 19-20 years old) before the Gathlain returned him to the mortal world to 'be happy with his own kind' after noticing he was aging much faster than the other children of the first world. Despite this, he still feels an extremely powerful draw towards the first world and fey-like creatures.
He is a gentle and innocent spirit, often to gullible and naive for his own good. He is drawn towards music and dance, and enjoys the festivities of the world. He hates to see the suffering of the world, and does everything he can to prevent pain from occurring to other people, often putting himself in harms way to prevent someone else from feeling the pain.
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Primary Class: Oracle (Spirit Guide Archetype)
Secondary Class: Bard (Mute Musician) - 1 level dip
Patron Deity: Shelyn
Feats: Fey Foundling (Human), Selective Channel (Level 1), Extra Revelation (Level 3), Divine Expression (Level 5), Fey Performance (Level 7), Quick Channel (Level 9), Reactive Channel (Level 11)
Primary Purchases: Malleable Symbol (10,000gp), Phylactery of Positive Channeling (11,000gp), Ioun Stone +2 CHA (8,000gp), Cloak of Resistance (variable), Belt of Constitution (variable).
Primary Class: Oracle (Spirit Guide Archetype) - All Levels
Patron Deity: Pharasma (in character, also pays homage to Mogdh)
Feats: Fey Foundling (Human), Selective Channel (Level 1), Extra Revelation (Level 3), Fateful Channel (Level 5), Alignment Channel - Good (Level 7), Purifying Channel (Level 9), Quick Channel (Level 11)
Primary Purchases: Malleable Symbol (10,000gp), Phylactery of Positive Channeling (11,000gp), Ioun Stone +2 CHA (8,000gp), Cloak of Resistance (variable), Belt of Constitution (variable).