Pain is Power

[Xuldarinar]

I wanted to make a list, perhaps to keep in mind for a future character.

What are all the means under pathfinder one can gain power by inflicting harm to themselves?

This can be by class features (Base, PrC, or Archetype), feats, magic items, ect. Just something someone could in theory use on a regular basis.

[Red Fel]

The Blood Money (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/b/blood-money) spell is an easy one: take HP (or Str) damage to substitute your blood for the material components of a spell. As far as PrCs go, Pain Taster (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/n-r/pain-taster) is also obvious - gain power by torturing yourself.

There are third party options too, like the Blood Magic (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/3rd-party-feats/super-genius-games/general-feats/blood-magic) feat (when you take damage, earn Blood Points you can spend on spells) and the Blood Caster (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/3rd-party-prestige-classes/4-winds-fantasy-gaming/blood-caster) PrC (sacrifice HP to gain spells per day).

[Snowbluff]

*looks at header*

*cries and puts away scrolls of Masochism from 3e*

[Psyren]

Scarred Witch Doctor arguably does this.

From psionics, Overchannel and Wild Surge are easy candidates.

[Xuldarinar]

*looks at header*

*cries and puts away scrolls of Masochism from 3e*

Sorry, but that is good to know.





Well, I know of the Fiend Flayer archetype.

[The Random NPC]

The Martyr Bloodline for Sorcerer gains a +1 to various things for dealing 1 point of damage to themselves.

[Xuldarinar]

Given what has been discussed here, and some knowledge of other things, a build came to mind.


Shackleborn Tiefling Sorcerer 1/Wilder x

Bloodline: Martyred
Surge Type: Pain

Feat: Wildblood Mage




Shackleborn: +2 Con, +2 Cha, both valuable stats for this. -2 Wis, a dump stat, we can deal with. Also, thematically, it works that they would be ones to harm themselves for power. Actually, these guys harm themselves for kicks so they aren't likely going to think twice about it for power.

Sorcerer 1: To provide both the arcana and 1st level powers to the martyred bloodline.
Spells: Avoid ones that are overcome by saves or can be defeated by spell resistance. Utility is key.

Wilder x: To provide manifesting, which will be focused on, and wild surge. In this case, pain surge.

Wildblood Mage: Wildblood mage provides a +2 bonus to wilder manifester level, +2 bonus to sorcerer caster level, allows you to wild surge on spells, and allows you to apply your bloodline arcana to powers.


Wild surge can only be done if you took damage recently (Within a number of rounds equal to your wildsurge value).
You can inflict damage to yourself to grant a bonus to damage rolls, saving throws, and skill checks.
Your caster and manifester level increases by +1 the next turn after you take damage.

[Feint's End]

Given what has been discussed here, and some knowledge of other things, a build came to mind.


Shackleborn Tiefling Sorcerer 1/Wilder x

Bloodline: Martyred
Surge Type: Pain

Feat: Wildblood Mage




Shackleborn: +2 Con, +2 Cha, both valuable stats for this. -2 Wis, a dump stat, we can deal with. Also, thematically, it works that they would be ones to harm themselves for power. Actually, these guys harm themselves for kicks so they aren't likely going to think twice about it for power.

Sorcerer 1: To provide both the arcana and 1st level powers to the martyred bloodline.
Spells: Avoid ones that are overcome by saves or can be defeated by spell resistance. Utility is key.

Wilder x: To provide manifesting, which will be focused on, and wild surge. In this case, pain surge.

Wildblood Mage: Wildblood mage provides a +2 bonus to wilder manifester level, +2 bonus to sorcerer caster level, allows you to wild surge on spells, and allows you to apply your bloodline arcana to powers.


Wild surge can only be done if you took damage recently (Within a number of rounds equal to your wildsurge value).
You can inflict damage to yourself to grant a bonus to damage rolls, saving throws, and skill checks.
Your caster and manifester level increases by +1 the next turn after you take damage.

Ah wildblood mage .... what a great feat that opens up so many possibilities....

Seriously though ... good job on that. Now I really wanna play an emo wilder and start cutting myself.

Only point I disagree with is that wisdom is a dump stat. You will want to have psionic meditation at some point.

[grarrrg]

Burn Rider (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/barbarian/archetypes/paizo---barbarian-archetypes/burn-rider-barbarian-archetype) Barbarian archetype.
Find a way to heal yourself (there's a Rage Power with Fast Healing that can help)
Set yourself on Fire
Infinite Rage!


As far as PrCs go, Pain Taster (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/n-r/pain-taster) is also obvious - gain power by torturing yourself.

I'd also like to point out that one of the Entry Requirements is "Make a DC 15 Save OR DIE"
While you _can_ enter the class as early as level 6, do you really want to risk it?
It also has a Whip focus, and can give you the Whip Mastery feats as bonus feats...but you have to wait til level 7 before Improved Whip Mastery is an option. Between having to wait until minimal level 12, and the fact that you _really_ want Imp. Whip Mastery _NOW_...it's kinda stupid (and if you take Imp Whip before level 7, then you get NOTHING at level 7).

The Masochism ability really isn't super great.
It starts at "Do 2 damage to yourself, +1 To-Hit, +2 damage for _1_ round"
And ends at "Do 8 damage to yourself, +2 To-Hit, +5 damage for _1_ round"

Really, the first "5 level PrC" version of the class was much better (not saying it was great, just much better).

[avr]

There's a Ninja trick named Redirect Force which gives a bonus to combat maneuvers for deliberately provoking an AoO and taking damage.

The Panther style feats are all about retaliation for AoOs.

Spell Storing armor casts a spell on an enemy when you're hit.

Followers of Calistria can get a bunch of stuff related to revenge as you might expect. The feats Bloody Vengeance & Curse of Vengeance, a magic item named the Stinging Stiletto, a trait named Sacred Avenger and probably more, check Inner Sea Gods.