Evil Healer -> Debuffer Challenge

[sonofzeal]

So, in a campaign I'm in now, I've been playing a Healer. Yes, I knew full well going into it how much the class stinks, but it's been fun so far. Here's my current build for reference:

Human Healer 5
Flaws: Shaky, Pathetic Str
Feats: Augment Healing, Sacred Vow, Vow of Nonviolence, Vow of Peace, Combat Focus [homebrew'd to be triggered by healing rather than wounding]

Anywho, so one of the other party members is Evil with a capital "VIL", but we've been talking out of character and there's a chance that my character will sacrifice the gold (and level) in order to get a scroll of "Sanctify the Wicked" and cast it on them, thus turning them Lawful Good. That's all well and good, but it's been suggested that it might be appropriate for our characters to switch, and mine to become evil.

I don't mind this idea of my Healer becoming Teh Ebil, but I'm not quite sure how to make it work. I think given the personality and build, the most appropriate approach would be to work with the DM and turn them into a sort of Debuff specialist, but nothing comes to mind.




So, here's the challenge - turn my Exalted Healer into a Debuffer, subject to the following limitations:

- must be lawful evil
- must still be able to fulfill roll of "healbot" (possibly at reduced capacity)
- must still be able to fulfill roll of "diplomancer" (possibly at reduced capacity)
- should be able to pretend like she's her old self.
- must have access to several effective debuffs.
- must avoid any lethal damage.
- CAN (hopefully) make use of PHB2 rebuilding options.
- CAN (hopefully) get some requirements dropped for thematically appropriate PrCs.
- CAN use material from any official supplement printed except Complete Champion.
- CAN use material from BoEF (the game itself is PG though, so anything squicky must be able to be kept off-camera).

(ideas so far: UMD-specialist, Beguiler, Cancer Mage, Mindbender, Thrallherd)

[RandomLunatic]

Except for the LE requirement, a Harbinger (DR 337) would firt the bill pretty well. It is basically a bard that debuffs enemies with bardic music instead of buffing friends.

You have the bard spell and skill lists, so you can do healing and party face work.

[sonofzeal]

I'm getting DR337, but in the mean time I'm gravitating strongly towards Beguiler.


(EDIT- various options)

Option 1) Rebuild as Healer3/Beguiler3 and take Mystic Theurge
Option 2) Fudge Mystic Theurge entry requirements and start it from where I am (treating current Beguiler level as 0)
Option 3) ...as #2, but adding Beguiler class features as we go
Option 4) ...as #3, but ALSO add Healer class feature advancement
Option 5) Rebuild as Gestalt Healer//Beguiler

So yeah, comments on balance, effectiveness, thematicness appreciated!

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Switch a feat out for Dreadful Wrath (PGtF) and get Frightful Presence (DCN) at 6, and possibly take Ability Focus for each. Gaining access to certain domains would give you more spell options, the Hatred and Suffering domains have some nice debuffs which shouldn't violate your vows. You could even go into Dread Witch (HoH) with access to the right spells. You could take the feat Mother Cyst from Libris Mortis to gain access to quite a few additional spells, though you'd want to look them over and see how many you'd actually use.


Edit:
You could rebuild as an Archivist, possibly replace the Archivist's nonspellcasting class features with those of the Healer class. Then check out what spells you'd get access to, which could definitely qualify you for Dread Witch or Hexer (MotW) or just about any other prestige class with specific spells as a prerequisite. Hexer is actually a superb class for debuffing opponents.

[sonofzeal]

Switch a feat out for Dreadful Wrath (PGtF) and get Frightful Presence (DCN) at 6, and possibly take Ability Focus for each. Gaining access to certain domains would give you more spell options, the Hatred and Suffering domains have some nice debuffs which shouldn't violate your vows. You could even go into Dread Witch (HoH) with access to the right spells. You could take the feat Mother Cyst from Libris Mortis to gain access to quite a few additional spells, though you'd want to look them over and see how many you'd actually use.


Edit:
You could rebuild as an Archivist, possibly replace the Archivist's nonspellcasting class features with those of the Healer class. Then check out what spells you'd get access to, which could definitely qualify you for Dread Witch or Hexer (MotW) or just about any other prestige class with specific spells as a prerequisite. Hexer is actually a superb class for debuffing opponents.

Man, Hexer is PERFECT. The entry requirements are entirely impossible (must be monstrous humanoid, giant, etc), but if I can get those waived then it gets full spellcasting advancement and a brilliantly badass hex progression. I'll pitch it to the DM, see what they say!

[Sstoopidtallkid]

Or you could just go Cleric. Snag BoVD and stuff to boost your DCs and just drop massive amounts of [Evil] spells on the enemy. Not too complicated and it keeps the flavor. You don't want to Theurge a debuffer, MAD bites you, as does the reduced spell level. Saves will be your life and death. Don't reduce them.

[sonofzeal]

Or you could just go Cleric. Snag BoVD and stuff to boost your DCs and just drop massive amounts of [Evil] spells on the enemy. Not too complicated and it keeps the flavor. You don't want to Theurge a debuffer, MAD bites you, as does the reduced spell level. Saves will be your life and death. Don't reduce them.

I'm going to try to preserve Vow of Nonviolence even while being evil. If I don't actually break the vow I should still get the benefit, and a +4 to DCs is huge.

That said, I think I'm set on Hexer now. Does everything I want, preserves continuity, doesn't break the vow, and bypasses the awkward situation of being evil and having a friggin unicorn following me around, at least until lvl18 or so.