Barbarian or Full Cleric? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Barbarian or Full Cleric? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
TheDarknessWithin
02-16-05, 12:17 PM I'm currently playing in a campaign with four of my friends and I in a dilemma. When we began I started as a dwarven cleric of kord with the intention of multiclassing into a fighter at later levels. I eventually died and became a half-orc due to the nature of the place we were in. The party consists of 2 rangers (1 melee 1 ranged) myself, and a sorceror my friends want me to become a barbarian later to cover the gap of front line combatants. But i think it would be more beneficial in the long run if I continue to get cleric levels what do you think I should do? Any advice would be appreciated thanks.
Beamup
02-16-05, 12:27 PM Considering that a cleric with appropriate buffs is a better front-liner than a barbarian anyway, you'd definitely be MUCH better off sticking with Cleric.

Don't dilute your abilities by multiclassing unless you get something very specific out of it. In this case, you don't get anything that even comes close to making up for the lost caster levels. Don't do it.

For that matter, going into Fighter is, mechanically, an even worse choice than Barbarian in most respects (Dwarf favored class is its main advantage). If you want to do it for RP reasons, fine. But if you're doing it for mechanical advantage... don't.
Kanne
02-16-05, 12:45 PM Tough one.

Take cleric to heal, or barbarian to dish damage. hmm...:thinks:

Personally, i'd go Cleric, your friends will thank ya later.
I would take the healing domain, and the Strength Domain.That way you can beef up your companions with bulls strength and stone skin while you sit back and use bigbys hand to the full effect

Also, if your dm allows look into taking a prestigue class.

Hope that helps :)
Nitneuq Onitnarat
02-16-05, 04:27 PM I've got a half barb half cleric half dragon, and to be honest i regret not sticking with one or the other. As Beamup said, don't multiclass unless theres something specific you want to nab out of another class.
beaver1024
02-16-05, 09:04 PM Considering that a cleric with appropriate buffs is a better front-liner than a barbarian anyway, you'd definitely be MUCH better off sticking with Cleric.

Don't dilute your abilities by multiclassing unless you get something very specific out of it. In this case, you don't get anything that even comes close to making up for the lost caster levels. Don't do it.

For that matter, going into Fighter is, mechanically, an even worse choice than Barbarian in most respects (Dwarf favored class is its main advantage). If you want to do it for RP reasons, fine. But if you're doing it for mechanical advantage... don't.

Agreed. Cleric all the way.
Kuraito
02-16-05, 09:17 PM While I do agree alot with what many other posters said, I once played a Cleric of Kord/Barb to great affect. I did minimilize my barb levels, but I often found rage useful, and the +1 bab and d12 HD for a level didn't hurt either. While it does slow down your spellcasting, if your a combat cleric, I think its worth the hit. Your main focus should be cleric, with any fighter or barb levels secondary, used to enhance your combat presence.

My Half-Orc Barb/Cleric was also very satisfying to play, as I got to smash and I had spells, letting me avoid the monotone of Barb or Cleric alone. I only took 1 level of barb overall, but rage came in handy MANY a times, especially with a little boost from the rage feats in Complete Warrior. That combined with some Divine feats can make you INSANE without your spells. Add in your spells, and your just sick.
warningfireexit
02-16-05, 09:20 PM Dwarvern Cleric of Kord is classic. Wonder what 3/4 BA PrCs are available for them.
Scrubilicous
02-16-05, 09:47 PM First thought: I think you should play the character you want to play. If the party is deficient in a certain area, that just makes things more interesting tactically.

Also, it actually sounds like you've got pretty good front line fighting capability. Two Rangers and a Cleric is three characters who can sorta fight out front. That's probably better than one Fighter and one Cleric, which is the default party.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
TheDarknessWithin 02-16-05, 12:17 PM	I'm currently playing in a campaign with four of my friends and I in a dilemma. When we began I started as a dwarven cleric of kord with the intention of multiclassing into a fighter at later levels. I eventually died and became a half-orc due to the nature of the place we were in. The party consists of 2 rangers (1 melee 1 ranged) myself, and a sorceror my friends want me to become a barbarian later to cover the gap of front line combatants. But i think it would be more beneficial in the long run if I continue to get cleric levels what do you think I should do? Any advice would be appreciated thanks.
Beamup 02-16-05, 12:27 PM	Considering that a cleric with appropriate buffs is a better front-liner than a barbarian anyway, you'd definitely be MUCH better off sticking with Cleric. Don't dilute your abilities by multiclassing unless you get something very specific out of it. In this case, you don't get anything that even comes close to making up for the lost caster levels. Don't do it. For that matter, going into Fighter is, mechanically, an even worse choice than Barbarian in most respects (Dwarf favored class is its main advantage). If you want to do it for RP reasons, fine. But if you're doing it for mechanical advantage... don't.
Kanne 02-16-05, 12:45 PM	Tough one. Take cleric to heal, or barbarian to dish damage. hmm...:thinks: Personally, i'd go Cleric, your friends will thank ya later. I would take the healing domain, and the Strength Domain.That way you can beef up your companions with bulls strength and stone skin while you sit back and use bigbys hand to the full effect Also, if your dm allows look into taking a prestigue class. Hope that helps :)
Nitneuq Onitnarat 02-16-05, 04:27 PM	I've got a half barb half cleric half dragon, and to be honest i regret not sticking with one or the other. As Beamup said, don't multiclass unless theres something specific you want to nab out of another class.
beaver1024 02-16-05, 09:04 PM	Considering that a cleric with appropriate buffs is a better front-liner than a barbarian anyway, you'd definitely be MUCH better off sticking with Cleric. Don't dilute your abilities by multiclassing unless you get something very specific out of it. In this case, you don't get anything that even comes close to making up for the lost caster levels. Don't do it. For that matter, going into Fighter is, mechanically, an even worse choice than Barbarian in most respects (Dwarf favored class is its main advantage). If you want to do it for RP reasons, fine. But if you're doing it for mechanical advantage... don't. Agreed. Cleric all the way.
Kuraito 02-16-05, 09:17 PM	While I do agree alot with what many other posters said, I once played a Cleric of Kord/Barb to great affect. I did minimilize my barb levels, but I often found rage useful, and the +1 bab and d12 HD for a level didn't hurt either. While it does slow down your spellcasting, if your a combat cleric, I think its worth the hit. Your main focus should be cleric, with any fighter or barb levels secondary, used to enhance your combat presence. My Half-Orc Barb/Cleric was also very satisfying to play, as I got to smash and I had spells, letting me avoid the monotone of Barb or Cleric alone. I only took 1 level of barb overall, but rage came in handy MANY a times, especially with a little boost from the rage feats in Complete Warrior. That combined with some Divine feats can make you INSANE without your spells. Add in your spells, and your just sick.
warningfireexit 02-16-05, 09:20 PM	Dwarvern Cleric of Kord is classic. Wonder what 3/4 BA PrCs are available for them.
Scrubilicous 02-16-05, 09:47 PM	First thought: I think you should play the character you want to play. If the party is deficient in a certain area, that just makes things more interesting tactically. Also, it actually sounds like you've got pretty good front line fighting capability. Two Rangers and a Cleric is three characters who can sorta fight out front. That's probably better than one Fighter and one Cleric, which is the default party.