[3.P]-Divination Bot

[Karoht]

I have a pair of campaigns in mind in which I plan on playing a special type of specialized caster.

What I want to be able to do is see what is coming, and focus on shutting it down/dispelling it.

So the plan is a Divination-Bot. If I am nothing more than the Bat-Computer to a Batman Wizard, I am 100% okay with that. The theory is, I want to see the cause of something, and the action I take is aimed towards preventing it.

My ideas for this so far are:
-Divination focused Oracle. I like this option mostly due to fluff, and I may or may not name the character Barbara or Gordon.
-Divination focused Sorcerer with some Abjuration and/or Conjuration to back things up. Abjuration to shut it down, Conjuration for it's reliable "No" buttons and Summons.
-Divination focused Wizard. Because it's Wizard. "And knowing is half the battle"
-Divination focused Cleric. Because it's Cleric. If I can't prevent it, odds are I can fix it.

If possible I would like to stick with Pathfinder/3.5 Classes as much as possible, but I'm open to just about any suggestions. Pathfinder only might be the ruleset, Pathfinder with some or all of 3.5 might be the ruleset, unknown at this time.

With any class suggestion please feel free to include a few critical feat suggestions, an item or two, and if it is a limited spell caster perhaps a few critical spells known. Also include any obligatory pop-culture references, IE-Barbara Gordon as Oracle, "Knowing is half the battle" or anything of the like.

[gorfnab]

Prestige Class Ideas:
Divine Oracle - Oracle Domain, Trap Sense, Evasion, Uncanny Dodge
Unseen Seer - Sneak Attack, CL boost to Divinations, Advanced Learning: Divinations
Urban Savant - Urban Savvy = peek at DM's notes

Base Class:
Nightstalker (Dragonlance: Races of Ansalon) - Advanced Learning: Divination, Rebuke Undead, 3 Ghost Cohorts.

[grarrrg]

So the plan is a Divination-Bot. If I am nothing more than the Bat-Computer to a Batman Wizard, I am 100% okay with that. The theory is, I want to see the cause of something, and the action I take is aimed towards preventing it.

My ideas for this so far are:
-Divination focused Oracle. I like this option mostly due to fluff, and I may or may not name the character Barbara or Gordon.
-Divination focused Sorcerer with some Abjuration and/or Conjuration to back things up. Abjuration to shut it down, Conjuration for it's reliable "No" buttons and Summons.
-Divination focused Wizard. Because it's Wizard. "And knowing is half the battle"
-Divination focused Cleric. Because it's Cleric. If I can't prevent it, odds are I can fix it.

Of the Full Casters you left out Witch, but that's OK as it's a weak Divination choice anyway.

Skip Sorcerer, it doesn't get near enough Divination abilities.

A Divination School Wizard seems tempting, but still lacking in my opinion.

I'd go with either Cleric or Oracle.
Cloistered Cleric (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/archetypes/paizo---cleric-archetypes/cloistered-cleric) with Knowledge Domain (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/domains/paizo---domains/knowledge-domain) is solid.
You WILL need to bump up your INT (and/or Human) for the skill points, as Knowledge Domain gives you ALL Knowledges as in class skills. Drop 1 point in each, +3 for being an in-class skill with Ranks, and you can have ALL Knowledges at +4.
But wait, THERE'S MORE!
If you act now, Cloistered Cleric will throw in Bardic KnowledgeBreadth of Knowledge at NO. EXTRA. CHARGE!
That's right folks! Each and every Knowledge skill with 4+1/2class+INT!!

The Domain spells are solid for Divination as well.


Oracle with Lore Mystery (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/oracle/mysteries/paizo---oracle-mysteries/lore) is likewise good.
Again, you get ALL Knowledges as class skills, BUT you don't need to worry about INT as much. One of the Revelations lets you use your CHA instead of INT for Knowledge checks. And another Revelation gives you permanent, steady gains to your INT. Yet another Revelations gives you a 1/day second chance on a failed Knowledge check WITH an extra +10 modifier.
For archetypes, you can just go plain Oracle, or the Enlightened Philosopher (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/oracle/archetypes/paizo---oracle-archetypes/enlightened-philosopher) or Seer (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/oracle/archetypes/paizo---oracle-archetypes/seer) archetypes provide different sets of bonus spells. They also both lock you into taking certain Revelations, but all are appropriate for Divination.

There are also 3 PrC's that stand out as "knowledge" based.
Loremaster (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/core-rulebook/loremaster), Harrower (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/e-h/harrower), and Pathfinder Savant (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/n-r/pathfinder-savant)
Loremaster is the hardest to qualify for, but has Full 10/10 casting, Bardic Knowledge Lore, and 4 skills/level.

Harrower is more "gypsy" divination, but is Full 10/10 casting and the easiest to enter.

Pathfinder Savant is only 6/7 casting, but gets free uses of Identify and Analyze Dweomer, the big draw is adding ANY spell EVER to your list (at +1 effective level).

[Endarire]

A Pathfinder Wizard (Diviner) can always act in the surprise round (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/wizard/arcane-schools/paizo---arcane-schools/classic-arcane-schools/divination). That's huge at later levels! (The Foretell (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/wizard/arcane-schools/paizo---arcane-schools/classic-arcane-schools/divination/foresight) ability @8 is handy, too, and feels like a worthy trade!)

Otherwise, contact other plane works. Like, really well if your GM lets you see his notes.

[Feralventas]

I've been doing pretty well along these lines with a pure Oracle with the Time mystery and the Seer Archetype (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/oracle/archetypes/paizo---oracle-archetypes/seer) out of Ultimate Magic.


Using this.....
Knowledge of the Ages (Su): You can search through time to recall some bit of forgotten lore or information. You can retry any Knowledge skill check you have made within the past minute, gaining an insight bonus on the check equal to your Charisma modifier. You can use this ability a number times per day equal to your Charisma modifier.....
.....to just know things in the first place rather than look for them.

Natural Divination (Ex): As the nature mystery revelation. You must take this revelation at 1st level. Free bonuses to whatever I need.

Divine Insight for bonuses to skill checks (on an Oracle to add it to whatever I need at the time, including Knowledge checks).

Gift of Prophecy (Su): Once per day, you can enter a trance to gain a glimpse of the future. This trance lasts for 1 minute, which must be uninterrupted and during which you can take no other actions. At 3rd level, you gain the benefits of an augury spell with 90% effectiveness. At 5th level, you gain the benefits of a divination spell with 90% effectiveness. At 9th level, the knowledge you gain is equivalent to a commune spell. None of these spell effects require material components. You must take this revelation at 3rd level.

This one hasn't worked as well since my DM isn't inclined to deal with me telling the future as much as being aware of things and places. Playing a Diviner kinda needs a bit of help.