Channeling Variance feat and Variant Channeling how it understand???

[Koraxs]

Hi all.
Help me please to understand how to use variant channeling...
I read it so:

1) Variant channeling describe in Cleric class, so I understood that any cleric can change use one alter variant of channeling based on one aspect of her deity’s portfolio but with only half if its might.
In other words each cleric have variant channeling ability, yes???

2) But it is a feat Channeling Variance, that say...
"If you already have a variant channeling ability, this feat instead allows you to channel energy without the modifications of your chosen variant channeling ability (including reductions to the damage dealt or healing performed by your channeled energy) three times per day."
So cleric with this feat can channeling energy 3 times per day without "penalty" (in all might available to him D6 by his level) and without special effects by alter variance based on one aspect of her deity’s portfolio?
Other uses channel energy will be used with that special effects and "penalty" (halved)???

3) Feat Channeling Variance can be taken 2 times.
How it will work when it takes second time?
Cleric will have possibility to decide how he will channel energy /with or without special effects and "penalty" (halved)/, each time when he channeling?

4) Feat Extra Variance have prerequisites Channeling Variance or variant channeling ability.
So any cleric can take this feat without Channeling Variance, cause any cleric have variant channeling ability (my question #1)?

[Cavall]

4 is wrong. You have the option of taking variance on any cleric. You need to have taken that option in order to qualify for it. Either by permanently having it from the start or by the channeling variance feat.

For example. You follow Cayden. He is a God of drink. You can (because he is a good god) channel and remove nausea at a reduced heal. Once chosen it will always affect you.

1. If you take this option you'll do half the normal amount of heal and have this effect.

2. If you take channel variance you can either a) have the effect or b) ignore using that effect and heal to the full amount or c) switch to a different variant like Freedom and gain bonuses to escaping. So you may either temporarily gain it or ignore it depending on what you chose earlier. Once you choose which of those options to take it's now permanent on how it can change your channel 3x a day.

3. You can take the feat mulitple times because you can also choose one of the OTHER options over and over. For example, if you chose at the start to never alter your channel, but took this feat twice you could choose to alter it with the drink option up to 3x a day and the freedom option up to 3 times a day. You would still need to have channels left to use this option.

4. If you had channel variance feat OR chose variant channel at the start you qualify. If you did not, even though you had the choice to, you do not qualify. You must either have taken that feat OR chosen to alter your channel permanently at the start.

[Belafon]

1. If your deity has an "area of concern" listed in its portfolio, such as nature, fire, or secrets, then you choose whether or not to use a variant channeling when you take your first cleric level. Once you make this choice you cannot change it. If you choose to do variant channeling, you always use the variant channel when you channel. If you do not choose to do variant, you can never do variant channeling. Unless you take the Channeling Variance feat.

2. Yes, you are correct. If you chose to do variant channeling at first level, then the Channeling Variance feat lets you channel as a "normal" cleric three times per day.

3. If you take Channeling Variance two times, you can choose which way to channel (normal or variant) every time you channel. No limits per day.

4. Any cleric who chose to do variant channeling at first level can take the Extra Variance feat. You cannot if you chose to be a "normal" cleric unless you take the Channeling Variance feat first.

Three examples, using a 5th level cleric of Cayden Cailean.

Start with Variant Channeling 1:

At first level I chose to use variant channeling and chose the ale/wine variant. When I channel to heal I always heal (3d6 / 2) points of damage but everyone affected by my channel ignores the nauseated, sickened, and poison damage conditions for one round.

If I take the Channeling Variance feat once, 3 times per day I can choose to have my channel heal the full 3d6 but not let people ignore the nauseated, sickened, and poison damage conditions.

If I take Channeling Variance a second time, every time I channel I choose whether to
1) heal 3d6 or
2) heal (3d6 / 2) and everyone ignores the nauseated, sickened, and poison damage conditions.

If I take Extra Variance, I can choose the variant channel "freedom," another one of Cayden Cailean's areas of concern. Since I took Channeling Variance twice every time I channel I can choose to
1) heal 3d6
2) heal (3d6 / 2) and everyone ignores the nauseated, sickened, and poison damage conditions.
3) heal (3d6 / 2) and everyone gains a +2 bonus on Escape Artist checks, CMB checks to escape a grapple, and saving throws against becoming entangled, paralyzed, or slowed.

Start with Variant Channeling 2:

At first level I chose to use variant channeling and chose the ale/wine variant. When I channel to heal I always heal (3d6 / 2) points of damage but everyone affected by my channel ignores the nauseated, sickened, and poison damage conditions for one round.

If I take Extra Variance, I can choose the variant channel "freedom," another one of Cayden Cailean's areas of concern. Three times per day I can choose to have my channel heal (3d6 / 2) and everyone gains a +2 bonus on Escape Artist checks, CMB checks to escape a grapple, and saving throws against becoming entangled, paralyzed, or slowed. Every other time I channel it heals (3d6 / 2) and everyone ignores the nauseated, sickened, and poison damage conditions.

If I take Channeling Variance, I now also have the option three times a day to heal 3d6 with no other effects. So my options are now:
1) heal 3d6 (up to three times a day)
2) heal (3d6 / 2) and everyone gains a +2 bonus on Escape Artist checks, CMB checks to escape a grapple, and saving throws against becoming entangled, paralyzed, or slowed (up to three times a day)
3) heal (3d6 / 2) and everyone ignores the nauseated, sickened, and poison damage conditions.

Base Cleric:

At first level I choose to do normal channeling. When I channel I heal 3d6 points of damage. I cannot do a variant channel.

I take the Channeling Variance feat, and choose the ale/wine variant. 3 times per day I can choose to have my channel heal only (3d6 / 2) and let people ignore the nauseated, sickened, and poison damage conditions for one round.

If I take Channeling Variance a second time, every time I channel I choose whether to
1) heal 3d6 or
2) heal (3d6 / 2) and everyone ignores the nauseated, sickened, and poison damage conditions.

If I take Extra Variance, I can choose the variant channel "freedom," another one of Cayden Cailean's areas of concern. Since I took Channeling Variance twice every time I channel I can choose to
1) heal 3d6
2) heal (3d6 / 2) and everyone ignores the nauseated, sickened, and poison damage conditions.
3) heal (3d6 / 2) and everyone gains a +2 bonus on Escape Artist checks, CMB checks to escape a grapple, and saving throws against becoming entangled, paralyzed, or slowed.

[Koraxs]

Thanks for full answer!)
Cayden Cailean's blessing in your tankard))