Single-classed White Haired Witch...viable?

[Abrasis Mindlef]

The White-haired witch (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/witch/archetypes/paizo---witch-archetypes/white-haired-witch) archetype has been decried as *trap* - it lures a 1/2 BAB class with poor HP into melee, it loses the very powerful Hex class feature...


But can a single-classed White-haired witch nonetheless become a decent grappler, given time?


Let's give it a try.

Human White-Haired Witch

15 PB:

18 STR 12 DEX 12 CON 14 INT 10 WIS 7 CHA(+2 racial to STR)

Traits: Magical Lineage(Frostbite), Fate's favored


1st: Cantrips, Patron(Strength), Familiar(King Crab), White Hair(Swift Grapple); Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple
2nd: White Hair(Swift Constrict), Patron spell(Divine Favor)
3rd: Celestial Obedience (http://www.archivesofnethys.com/FeatDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Celestial%20Obedience) (Falayna (http://www.archivesofnethys.com/DeityDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Falayna))
4th: White Hair(10' reach, Swift trip), Patron spell(Bull's strength), +1 INT
5th: Rime Spell
6th: White Hair(Swift pull), Patron Spell(Greater Magic Weapon)
7th: Final Embrace (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/final-embrace-combat)
8th: White Hair(Reach 15', Strangle), Patron Spell(Divine Power), +1 INT
9th: Combat Reflexes
10th: Rogue Talent(Weapon Training(White Hair)), Patron Spell(Righteous Might)
11th: Quicken Spell
12th: White Hair(Reach 20'), Rogue Talent(Combat Training: Greater Grapple), +1 INT
13th: Sickening Spell
14th: Rogue Talent(Minor Magic-Prestidigitation), Patron Spell(Mass Bull's Strength)
15th: Spell Perfection(True Strike)
16th: White Hair(Reach 25'), Rogue Talent(Major Magic-Silent Image) Patron Spell(Giant Form I), +1 INT
17th: Improved Initiative
18th: Advanced Rogue Talent(Improved Evasion), Patron Spell(Giant Form II)
19th: Toughness
20th: White Hair(Reach 30'), Advanced Rogue Talent(Opportunist), Patron Spell(Shapechange) +1 INT



---------------------------------

1st-level: Attack with the hair:
+4, 1d4+8 damage(+ swift action grapple attempt at +6...)
Grapple CMB: +4 STR +2 Crab +2 feat = +8

4th-level: Hair has reach.
Attack(unbuffed) at +6, 1d4+8 dmg
Unbuffed Grapple CMB: +4 STR +2 Crab +2 feat +2 BAB +4 sacred = +14

8th-level: Hair has more reach and strangles anyone who is grappled; this means casters are pretty much doomed.
We have grab and constrict now, both trigger as free actions, from Final Embrace.
Unbuffed Grapple CMB: +4 STR +2 crab +2 feat +4 BAB +4 sacred +4 grab = +20

We can also use Rime Frost Bites to debuff.

12th-level: Hair has even more reach; we have Greater Grapple and can Quicken True Strike if necessary.
Unbuffed Grapple CMB: +4 STR +2 crab +5 feats +6 BAB +4 sacred +4 grab = +25

16th-level: Hair has ridiculous reach; We have Spell perfection and can spam quickened True strikes. We can use Sickening Rime Frostbites to debuff.
Unbuffed Grapple CMB: +4 STR +2 crab +5 feats +8 BAB +4 sacred +4 Grab = +27

20th-level: Hair has 30' reach; we have 9th-level casting.
Unbuffed Grapple CMB: +4 STR +2 crab +5 feats +10 BAB +4 sacred +4 Grab = +29



.....


Ideas/Comments/Advice welcome.

[avr]

I can't see minor/major magic being useful at that level. Ninja trick for style master: grabbing style might be useful occasionally, or ninja trick: deflect arrows, or ki pool & ninja trick: vanishing trick maybe. No, those won't be useful often but more often than spells which you're getting 13-15 character levels late.

In the event that anything gets past your AoO and attacks you - or, you know, archers - do you have a plan B for not dying?

[Abrasis Mindlef]

Rogue Talents

At 10th level, a white-haired witch learns a rogue talent, using her white-haired witch level in place of her rogue level.

At 12th level and for every two levels thereafter, she gains an additional rogue talent. A white-haired witch cannot select an individual rogue talent more than once, and can select from among the following: assault leader, combat trick, finesse rogue, major magic, minor magic, positioning attack, resiliency, surprise attack, and weapon training.

At 18th level and 20th level, a white-haired witch can choose from among the following advanced rogue talents: another day, defensive roll, improved evasion, opportunist, redirect attack, slippery mind, and thoughtful reexamining.

This ability replaces major hex and grand hex.

Unfortunately, these Rogue talents are not available.

I'll need to think about defensive options...

[Psyren]

I would go with Samsaran instead - not only do they also get an Int bonus, you can use Mystic Past Life to add True Strike to your list, then metamagic reducers to eventually quicken it for free.

You can also add goodies like Haste, Greater Magic Fang (via the Summoner list) and Resinous Skin.