Party Buffer ideas

[Barstro]

In anticipation of a new campaign, I'm trying to come up with a new character.

Most of what I would otherwise like to do have particular drawbacks that cause me to not pursue them at this time;
1) Anther player recently played a class I like and caused it to be considered broken (although I would play it weaker)
2) Another player played a class I like poorly and I don't want to look like I'm showing off by playing it "correctly"
3) I will not be physically present at the games, so battlefield positioning or being the party's face would be cumbersome for me and slow the game down for everyone.

I enjoy being someone who helps the rest of the party be all they can be (I miss my Controller from City of Heroes). I would now like to play a Bard, but would prefer to not have a character that would default to the face of the party.

Any suggestions, or should I just take Bard and do all I can to not be forced into a "face" role"?

[Geddy2112]

What are these banned classes?

If you wanna be a buffer, any decent arcane caster can work. Hell, clerics can be buffer/healer, and most lack the skill ranks to really be a face. If you want to go bard, don't put a single rank in anything that can be diplomacy or bluff, maybe intimidate if you have to for versatile performance at higher levels. You could also go with an archetype that replaces versatile performance and just buffs.

Be a mime. Don't speak, just dance and act.

[Toilet Cobra]

Be a mime. Don't speak, just dance and act.

Ha, I was just gonna say that. Instead, I'll supersize it: have your tongue removed!

[Geddy2112]

Ha, I was just gonna say that. Instead, I'll supersize it: have your tongue removed!

Ooh that is good. Or, maybe be an oracle, ask if your curse can be mute.

[Barstro]

Classes that I will not consider are;
Witch
Summoner
Magus
Inquisitor
Shaman

Classes I sort of prefer to not play;
Cleric
Oracle (But I might look at Oradin)

I would prefer to do Buffing since I've recently done Debuffing.

I'm also interested in thoughts on Prestige Classes, but the game will probably go from 1 to 15, so I might not get good mileage out of a prestige class.

[Geddy2112]

Buff wizard. Problem solved. Hand out protection from X, dispel magic nasty things, haste(all day every day), enlarge/reduce person, fly, feather step, and any other mass buff spell. Heck, spam guidance on people.

A brown fur transmuter arcanist can transmute other people-give the BSF giant shape and watch the magic happen.

[Barstro]

Ha, I was just gonna say that. Instead, I'll supersize it: have your tongue removed!

All the spells have a vocal component. I am intrigued by the idea, though.

By RAW, can telepathy be used for an oral side of performance?

[Geddy2112]

All the spells have a vocal component. I am intrigued by the idea, though.

By RAW, can telepathy be used for an oral side of performance?

Removing your tongue does not prevent sound, just proper speech, but I suppose if you can't clearly say the spell word.... Also, a mute oracle could probably swing that you get silent spell applied to all spells without increase in level.

And yes, if it can be "heard" in their minds if the creature has a language, seetelepathy (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/rules-for-monsters/universal-monster-rules#TOC-Telepathy-Su-) under universal monster rules.

[Barstro]

Removing your tongue does not prevent sound, just proper speech...

I originally HAD intended to be a fine speaker, but this is an interesting idea. I'll look into that, the Oracle a bit, and the Transmuter.

I'm not thrilled about playing a Wizard, so I'll toss that on the back burner for now.

[Toilet Cobra]

I originally HAD intended to be a fine speaker, but this is an interesting idea. I'll look into that, the Oracle a bit, and the Transmuter.

I'm not thrilled about playing a Wizard, so I'll toss that on the back burner for now.

If Oracle doesn't completely bug you, you can dip a level, take the Deaf setup, and get all your spells cast as if modified by Silent Spell.

[Faily]

Removing your tongue does not prevent sound, just proper speech, but I suppose if you can't clearly say the spell word.... Also, a mute oracle could probably swing that you get silent spell applied to all spells without increase in level.

And yes, if it can be "heard" in their minds if the creature has a language, seetelepathy (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/rules-for-monsters/universal-monster-rules#TOC-Telepathy-Su-) under universal monster rules.


Instead of telepathy, throat singing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY1pcEtHI_w)! :smallbiggrin:

[Xerlith]

Sure. Sensei Monk (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo---monk-archetypes/sensei)

Combine with Ki Mystic (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo---monk-archetypes/ki-mystic)

Combine with Qinggong for additional customization.

You Inspire Courage + give people rerolls + are completely keyed off-Wisdom. Sense Motive is the social skill for you.

Even better if you do it as a Halfling with optimized Aid Another (and the Fleet of Foot alternate trait).

[Barstro]

Sure. Sensei Monk (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo---monk-archetypes/sensei)

Combine with Ki Mystic (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/monk/archetypes/paizo---monk-archetypes/ki-mystic)

Combine with Qinggong for additional customization.

You Inspire Courage + give people rerolls + are completely keyed off-Wisdom. Sense Motive is the social skill for you.

Even better if you do it as a Halfling with optimized Aid Another (and the Fleet of Foot alternate trait).

I'm liking this one. Losing Evasion hurts, though.

[Florian]

@Barstro:

Arcanists have two very shiny archetypes for playing a buffer:
- Brown Fur Transmuter
- Magaambyan Initiate (going into Magaambyan Arcanist PrC)

The first really handles transmutation spells well, the second expands into the druid spell list.