A request for help on my Healing/Turning Cleric [Archive] - Wizards Community

A request for help on my Healing/Turning Cleric [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Lord of Flesh and Darkness
04-13-06, 02:32 AM I haven't played D&D in awhile and am about to start a new 3.5 campaign in the Forgoten Realms setting. I'd like to play a Cleric who is good at healing and buffing and am hoping for some advice. We are starting at level 6 and my party will consist of mostly fighter types and Ninjas (Almost all of them are new to Tabletop RPG's)

The basics
Level: 6
Stats: 14,17,14,10,16,14 arange to taste
Race: Human
Avalible books: The 3 Core books, the Complete books, FRCS, PGtF, and MoF
Starting Gold: 15,000

I'm expecting a lot of combat and would like to be good at healing. I also want to be good at buffing my party members. RSoP would be great but Palor isn't a FR god and I'm not sure if I could convince my GM to give Lathander the Healing domain. I'll probably take a level or more of Morninglord of Lathader so would something to do with my turn attempts at both my current level and high levels(Divine Metamagic chain or persistant?)

I would appreciate any help you could offer.
ZeroEffect
04-13-06, 03:08 AM Consider taking the Augment Healing, Sacred Healing, and Sacred Boost feats from Complete Divine.

If you're allowed, definitely take Extend Spell, Persistent Spell, Divine Metamagic (Persistent), and Extra Turning (possibly multiple times).

If you are going to be doing a lot of fighting, and have a decent Charisma (which I recommend), consider taking Divine Might and possibly Divine Shield.

You won't have enough feats to take all of these, so you'll have to decide what you want to focus on. (Decisions... Decisions... ;))

For prestige classes... Go through the Complete Divine book and take the prestige classes that suit your needs. You can amass quite a few extra domains and abilities by doing this. The requirements for most of the classes are easily attained (skills rather than feats). I recommend Church Inquisitor, Contemplative, Divine Oracle, Radiant Servant of Pelor (Lathander), and Sacred Exorcist. Don't be afraid to take as few as one level of each, depending on what abilities you want. I'm not sure if you're going to be playing to epic level, but if you are, make sure to get a full 10 levels in one prestige class so that you qualify for epic feats ASAP. Radiant Servant of Pelor is likely your best bet, based on what you've told us.
Lord of Flesh and Darkness
04-13-06, 03:46 AM Thank you for the reply. While we are using 3.5 rules my copy of the FRCS is the 3.0 one. Did they add Healing as a Lythander domain? If not I miss out on one of the major benifits of the RSoP prestige class. Augment Healing looks great. Sacred Healing effects enemies as well and doesn't seem worth it as a post combat feat. Sacred Boost isn't optimal as I'll probably be the only healer. Divine Metamagic (Persistent) would be great for self buffing. I'm considering Divine Metamagic (Chain) to chain spells like Magic Weapon Greater, Magic Vestments, Blindness etc...
ZeroEffect
04-13-06, 04:04 AM Nope, they didn't give Lathander the Healing domain. I don't think it would be unreasonable for your DM to allow it though. If he doesn't budge, just take it as one of your bonus domains from one of the prestige classes I mentioned. Contemplative gets a bonus domain at level 1. Then take RSoP.

Your Chain Spell idea is a good one. Don't you wish you had more feat slots? :)
Lord of Flesh and Darkness
04-13-06, 05:08 AM So presuming I could convince my GM to add Healing a possible build would be
Str 14,Dex 10,Con 14,Int 14, Wis 18*,Chr16

1. Cleric - Feats: Improved/Extra Turning(Don't know which one MLoL requires), Extend Spell Skills: Concentration 4, Craft 4, Diplomacy 4, Knl Religion 4, Perform (Dance) 2 Domains: Sun, Healing
2. Cleric - Skills: Concentration, +1, Diplomacy +1, Knl Religion +1 Heal +2
3. Cleric - Skills: Same as 2nd Feat: Augment Healing
4. Cleric - Skills: Same as 2nd *+1 Wis
5. Cleric - Skills: Same as 2nd
6. MLoL - Skills: Concentration +1, Diplomacy +1, Knl Religion +1, Knl The Planes +1,Heal +1
Feat: Extra Turning unless it was a MLoL requrement in which case undecided
7. RSoP/L - Skills: Concentration +1, Diplomacy +1, Heal +1, Knl Religion +1 Knl Arcane +1
8. Same - Skills: Same as 7th +1 Wis
9. Same - Skills: Same as 7th Feat: Chain Spell
10. Same - Skills Same as 7th Glory Domain
11. Same - Skills Same as 7th
12. Contemplative - Skills Concentration +1, Diplomacy +1, Heal +1, Knl Religion +1, Spellcraft 1 Feat: Persistant Spell +1 Wis

Not sure what to do beyond 12th other then Divine Metamagic at 15th level. I'm using the Downloads from Crystal Keep and it sez Persistant is +6 levels. If it is I may just use Chain and Divine Chan and save 1 or 2 feats. Any thoughts?
ZeroEffect
04-13-06, 05:24 AM I'd take Church Inquisitor (instead of Cleric) for levels 4 and 5. Would give you Detect Evil, Inquisition Domain, and Immunity to Charms.

I also might not bother on taking MLoL, since it focuses heavily on turning undead. It requires that you take Improved Turning as a prerequisite. Up to you though. I can see you taking it for roleplaying reasons.
DangerMaus
04-13-06, 11:46 AM If he wants to be good at turning, then wouldn't church inquisitor hurt that as the levels don't count for turning?
-dm
ZeroEffect
04-13-06, 02:41 PM If he wants to be good at turning, then wouldn't church inquisitor hurt that as the levels don't count for turning?
-dm

I think his goal is to make a healer/buffer. It looks like he's going to spend all of his turning attempts to fuel Divine feats. That's why I recommended taking Church Inquisitor and dropping Morninglord of Lathander.
Lord of Flesh and Darkness
04-13-06, 06:52 PM I talked with my GM and he's fine with Lathander having Healing. He even let me use the Extra Turning feat in place of the Improved Turning feat to qualify for MLoL, And he let me start with the Glory domain when I told him LG allowed it to starting clerics some time ago. I would like have all my levels count for turning, I just want something to do with the turn attempts when we are not facing undead. Divine Spell Power can add to my levels when casting Healing or Buffing spells and only uses 1 turn attempt instead of 4 or 7 depending on which metamagic feat I hook divine to. So I'm likely to go levels 1-4 Cleric, 5 MLoL, 6-11 RSoP/L, 12+ MLoL. I've played LG up to APL 12 a few times but never as a caster. Should I still try for Extend and Persist metamagic feats? Spell sugestions would be appreciated, I know combat control spells can keep the party alive just as much as healing can.

Church Inquisitor isn't an option as Lathander is NG as are most of his worshipers.
Pull My Finger of Death
04-13-06, 08:43 PM I'm playing a similar role in one campaign -- went with Quicken/DM Quicken and piling on the Extra Turning feats. Being able to cast two healing spells in a round, heal + buff, or spell + turn, even just a few times per day can really turn the tide in a fight. If your DM allows nightsicks (Libris Mortis), this would be even easier.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lord of Flesh and Darkness 04-13-06, 02:32 AM	I haven't played D&D in awhile and am about to start a new 3.5 campaign in the Forgoten Realms setting. I'd like to play a Cleric who is good at healing and buffing and am hoping for some advice. We are starting at level 6 and my party will consist of mostly fighter types and Ninjas (Almost all of them are new to Tabletop RPG's) The basics Level: 6 Stats: 14,17,14,10,16,14 arange to taste Race: Human Avalible books: The 3 Core books, the Complete books, FRCS, PGtF, and MoF Starting Gold: 15,000 I'm expecting a lot of combat and would like to be good at healing. I also want to be good at buffing my party members. RSoP would be great but Palor isn't a FR god and I'm not sure if I could convince my GM to give Lathander the Healing domain. I'll probably take a level or more of Morninglord of Lathader so would something to do with my turn attempts at both my current level and high levels(Divine Metamagic chain or persistant?) I would appreciate any help you could offer.
ZeroEffect 04-13-06, 03:08 AM	Consider taking the Augment Healing, Sacred Healing, and Sacred Boost feats from Complete Divine. If you're allowed, definitely take Extend Spell, Persistent Spell, Divine Metamagic (Persistent), and Extra Turning (possibly multiple times). If you are going to be doing a lot of fighting, and have a decent Charisma (which I recommend), consider taking Divine Might and possibly Divine Shield. You won't have enough feats to take all of these, so you'll have to decide what you want to focus on. (Decisions... Decisions... ;)) For prestige classes... Go through the Complete Divine book and take the prestige classes that suit your needs. You can amass quite a few extra domains and abilities by doing this. The requirements for most of the classes are easily attained (skills rather than feats). I recommend Church Inquisitor, Contemplative, Divine Oracle, Radiant Servant of Pelor (Lathander), and Sacred Exorcist. Don't be afraid to take as few as one level of each, depending on what abilities you want. I'm not sure if you're going to be playing to epic level, but if you are, make sure to get a full 10 levels in one prestige class so that you qualify for epic feats ASAP. Radiant Servant of Pelor is likely your best bet, based on what you've told us.
Lord of Flesh and Darkness 04-13-06, 03:46 AM	Thank you for the reply. While we are using 3.5 rules my copy of the FRCS is the 3.0 one. Did they add Healing as a Lythander domain? If not I miss out on one of the major benifits of the RSoP prestige class. Augment Healing looks great. Sacred Healing effects enemies as well and doesn't seem worth it as a post combat feat. Sacred Boost isn't optimal as I'll probably be the only healer. Divine Metamagic (Persistent) would be great for self buffing. I'm considering Divine Metamagic (Chain) to chain spells like Magic Weapon Greater, Magic Vestments, Blindness etc...
ZeroEffect 04-13-06, 04:04 AM	Nope, they didn't give Lathander the Healing domain. I don't think it would be unreasonable for your DM to allow it though. If he doesn't budge, just take it as one of your bonus domains from one of the prestige classes I mentioned. Contemplative gets a bonus domain at level 1. Then take RSoP. Your Chain Spell idea is a good one. Don't you wish you had more feat slots? :)
Lord of Flesh and Darkness 04-13-06, 05:08 AM	So presuming I could convince my GM to add Healing a possible build would be Str 14,Dex 10,Con 14,Int 14, Wis 18,Chr16 1. Cleric - Feats: Improved/Extra Turning(Don't know which one MLoL requires), Extend Spell Skills: Concentration 4, Craft 4, Diplomacy 4, Knl Religion 4, Perform (Dance) 2 Domains: Sun, Healing 2. Cleric - Skills: Concentration, +1, Diplomacy +1, Knl Religion +1 Heal +2 3. Cleric - Skills: Same as 2nd Feat: Augment Healing 4. Cleric - Skills: Same as 2nd +1 Wis 5. Cleric - Skills: Same as 2nd 6. MLoL - Skills: Concentration +1, Diplomacy +1, Knl Religion +1, Knl The Planes +1,Heal +1 Feat: Extra Turning unless it was a MLoL requrement in which case undecided 7. RSoP/L - Skills: Concentration +1, Diplomacy +1, Heal +1, Knl Religion +1 Knl Arcane +1 8. Same - Skills: Same as 7th +1 Wis 9. Same - Skills: Same as 7th Feat: Chain Spell 10. Same - Skills Same as 7th Glory Domain 11. Same - Skills Same as 7th 12. Contemplative - Skills Concentration +1, Diplomacy +1, Heal +1, Knl Religion +1, Spellcraft 1 Feat: Persistant Spell +1 Wis Not sure what to do beyond 12th other then Divine Metamagic at 15th level. I'm using the Downloads from Crystal Keep and it sez Persistant is +6 levels. If it is I may just use Chain and Divine Chan and save 1 or 2 feats. Any thoughts?
ZeroEffect 04-13-06, 05:24 AM	I'd take Church Inquisitor (instead of Cleric) for levels 4 and 5. Would give you Detect Evil, Inquisition Domain, and Immunity to Charms. I also might not bother on taking MLoL, since it focuses heavily on turning undead. It requires that you take Improved Turning as a prerequisite. Up to you though. I can see you taking it for roleplaying reasons.
DangerMaus 04-13-06, 11:46 AM	If he wants to be good at turning, then wouldn't church inquisitor hurt that as the levels don't count for turning? -dm
ZeroEffect 04-13-06, 02:41 PM	If he wants to be good at turning, then wouldn't church inquisitor hurt that as the levels don't count for turning? -dm I think his goal is to make a healer/buffer. It looks like he's going to spend all of his turning attempts to fuel Divine feats. That's why I recommended taking Church Inquisitor and dropping Morninglord of Lathander.
Lord of Flesh and Darkness 04-13-06, 06:52 PM	I talked with my GM and he's fine with Lathander having Healing. He even let me use the Extra Turning feat in place of the Improved Turning feat to qualify for MLoL, And he let me start with the Glory domain when I told him LG allowed it to starting clerics some time ago. I would like have all my levels count for turning, I just want something to do with the turn attempts when we are not facing undead. Divine Spell Power can add to my levels when casting Healing or Buffing spells and only uses 1 turn attempt instead of 4 or 7 depending on which metamagic feat I hook divine to. So I'm likely to go levels 1-4 Cleric, 5 MLoL, 6-11 RSoP/L, 12+ MLoL. I've played LG up to APL 12 a few times but never as a caster. Should I still try for Extend and Persist metamagic feats? Spell sugestions would be appreciated, I know combat control spells can keep the party alive just as much as healing can. Church Inquisitor isn't an option as Lathander is NG as are most of his worshipers.
Pull My Finger of Death 04-13-06, 08:43 PM	I'm playing a similar role in one campaign -- went with Quicken/DM Quicken and piling on the Extra Turning feats. Being able to cast two healing spells in a round, heal + buff, or spell + turn, even just a few times per day can really turn the tide in a fight. If your DM allows nightsicks (Libris Mortis), this would be even easier.