I could use some help with a character build for PFS. The concept has been in my mind for quite a while, but I didn't find a good way to represent it: I want a spellcaster with divine (or maybe primal) spells, with a sizeable melee presence. Ideally I'd find a way to squeeze in the Animal Form spell, for when I really want to go full melee for a fight. Background is a Matanji orc character, who's fought demons and is now joining the Pathfinder Society to gather more knowledge. I usually prefer characters with a bit of Charisma, to be useful in 'roleplay' situations.
I first tried a warpriest of Kazutal, but didn't like the tradeoff in choices I had to make. The machete is not a very good weapon, I lacked the stats for fighting+casting(+healing), etc. I've also looked at using a Wild druid as a basis, but that strayed quite a bit from my concept.
Here's what I've got so far, using a Battle Oracle. I've got a reach weapon to get at least one attack per turn. This can be combined with a spell, or with things like Intimidate and an assurance trip attempt. I don't expect to do full martial dps, but I want to get in at least one decent hit per turn. And when needed I could cast animal form for a boost in combat stats. Unsure what my 2nd level class feat could be. The Oracle options don't seem all that impactful. Reach spell? Looking as archetypes, Mauler dedication could give me weapon specialization, but only after level 11. Blessed One adds some out-of-combat healing, Fighter opens up Attack of Opportunity somewhere down the line.
Looking for some suggestions and thoughts on this build. Will this 'work' in practice, or am I spreading my stats and actions too thin and disappoint myself?
Ancestry: Orc, tiefling heritage. Orc Ferocity feat
Background: Warrior -> Intimidate, Intimidating Glare
Class: Battle Oracle. Polearm weapon group. Fauchard as prefered weapon for reach and trip.
Stats: Str 16, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 16
Skills: Athletics, Diplomacy, Intimidation, Warfare lore, Medicine, Religion, Survival
Mystery Domain spell: Might
Level 2: Dedication feat (???), Assurance Athletics
Level 3: Athletics expert, Toughness
Level 4: Divine Access (Cernunnos: True strike, animal form, lightning bolt), Powerful leap
level 5: Str 18, Con 16, Wis 14, Cha 18. Intimidation expert, Fiendish resistance
Cantrips: Guidance, Stabilize, Divine Lance, Prestidigitation, Rousing Splash
1: Bless, Heal (Signature), Magic Weapon (swapped out for True strike at level 4)
2: Animal form, Spiritual weapon, Calm emotions
3: (haven't looked this far yet)
I could use some help with a character build for PFS. The concept has been in my mind for quite a while, but I didn't find a good way to represent it: I want a spellcaster with divine (or maybe primal) spells, with a sizeable melee presence. Ideally I'd find a way to squeeze in the Animal Form spell, for when I really want to go full melee for a fight. Background is a Matanji orc character, who's fought demons and is now joining the Pathfinder Society to gather more knowledge. I usually prefer characters with a bit of Charisma, to be useful in 'roleplay' situations.
I haven't tried a Battle Oracle. I hear decent things from it (from Captain Morgan, I think - though I could be wrong on that). One thing to note is that the curse penalties and bonuses would still be in effect while polymorphed into a battle form. Which could be good or bad depending on what you are going for.
If going with the Oracle base, I would suggest Wild Shape Druid as an archetype. That gives you Wild Shape at level 4 (instead of Divine Access) Which gives Animal Form via a focus spell - so you won't run out of spell slots to cast it with. That does mean that you will have to rearrange your ability scores to get a 14 in WIS to start with. You could probably steal a boost from CON since you are getting Orc ancestry and toughness.
I am indeed the battle oracle guy. Your build seems solid, but a few considerations.
-I'd prefer 18 CHA, 12 Con. You're primarily a caster and you shouldn't neglect it. You should be able to afford less HP because you don't need to rush to the front lines all the time, you have fast healing, and Orc Ferocity.
-Tiefling is a bad choice. Hold-Scarred provides you extra HP, and die hard is an excellent safety net with Orc Ferocity plus your fast healing making you yo-yo back up when knocked out. If it's an essential part of your character concept, that's fine, but... You give up a lot for no gain. Even at later levels, things like Orc Superstition and Pervasive Superstition mean you won't be lacking good ancestry feats.
-Haste is super helpful if you can prebuff yourself. Consider taking it with Divine Access, if not now then later.
-Staffs are really strong options, and Staff of Divination is especially good on you. Consider if you want to stick to the polearms or switch to the bastard sword so you Gandalf dual wield once you run out of first level slots to keep spamming true strike.
-Medicine ain't great on 12 wis. I think you'd get more out of deception.
-You may want to consider a different background so you can retrain Intimidating Glare when Intimidating Prowess becomes available.
Thank you both for the suggestions. Very helpful and much appreciated.
- I don't think Druid will work for me all that well. The anathema means I can't wear heavy armor, and getting Wis 14 will put Cha 18 out of reach. In that case, the Cha probably wins out to strengthen the primary caster function of the oracle.
- I looked for Tiefling in particular because the orc ancestry feat at level 5 didn't seem that interesting. But taking Orc superstition (which itself conflicts with Battlefield persistance) does open up the excellent pervasive superstition.
- Very good point on the background. I think I'll swap to Martial Disciple, and take Intimidating Prowess at level 4.
- Reading some more about the action economy of the Battle Oracle, haste indeed looks very good!
- Still really torn on the weapon choice. I can see the value of greatsword and staff, but it does mean Athletics and tripping will not be an option. Reach and trip will be immediately useful, while the bastard sword gives a bit more damage upfront and the possibility to wield a staff at later levels. I'll think it over a bit more and go with gut feeling.
- Any thoughts on the level 2 feat and possible archetype? I'm currently drawn to Sorcerer Dedication with a primal bloodline. That will give me two primal cantrips keying off Charisma. Very useful for attack spells in the early game, where the divine list is lacking. They will be good at least until level 7, when casters go up to expert in their own tradition. It also gives two extra skills, which is never bad, and the opportunity to cast primal spells (such as battle form spells) from scroll if needed.
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The anathema against metal is going away shortly. I think November.
Basically, metal is an element now. It works just fine with Druids. PFS will probably have to wait until the actual release for that change to happen. But you aren't likely to be high enough level to worry about it before then.
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Just a note that currently a stone o-yoroi is a Druid-compatible heavy armor.
Animal Form (and similar spells) is there to replace your physical stats. If you already go high STR, they will not provide that much value.
If you are open to Martial MC Caster, Fighter or Barbarian MC Druid for Shillelagh is pretty good at lower levels.
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I've used both of the domain focus spells on my battle oracle, FWIW. If you're playing this character in November when the Remaster drops, getting a third focus point quickly will be helpful. (Assuming PFS gives you enough time for 30 minute rest cycles?) You might also consider the psychic dedication for a strong focus spell that doesn't progress your curse. I like Amped Guidance myself, as your reaction is often free. Another option is Divine Aegis. Saving throw bonuses are always nice when you have a penalty built in, though you may want to replace it with Orc Superstition at level 5.
I'd find room for Needle Darts on your cantrips, and maybe a save based damage cantrip too. Jolt Coil to get Electric Arc would be good, but even Chill Touch could do in a pinch. I've appreciated having the option to avoid MAP and spending resources when enemies are clinging to one health.