Cleric build for newer player [Archive] - Wizards Community

Cleric build for newer player [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Surma
07-24-07, 10:44 AM I have recently returned to Living Greyhawk after an absence of over two years. I am returning to play my Cleric 6 (my first D&D character). Because it has been so long, I still have to do my 595 CY conversion, which in a lot of ways adds up to redesigning my character. I'd like some help from board members on ways to improve this character because as a beginner, I feel like I haven't really made it at all optimal. Also, because I have been out for so long, I do not own any of the "Complete" series of books so please give me a brief explanation of any references you may make.

Thanks in advance.

I envision this character as supporting with spells, but able to do some second line work in battle.

Region: Keoland

Human (Oeridian) Cleric of Zilchus; Domains: Trickery, Mind
Str 12, Dex 10, Con 13, Int 13, Wis 15, Cha 12
1 Cleric 1: Scribe Scroll, Skill focus: Concentration
2 Cleric 2
3 Cleric 3: Craft Wondrous Item
4 Cleric 4: Wis 16
5 Cleric 5
6 Cleric 6: Extend Spell
7 Cleric 7
8 Cleric 8: Wis 17
9 Cleric 9: Quicken spell
(etc...)

Skills: Concentration, Diplomacy, Knowledge (Religion), Spellcraft

What kinds of items should I be crafting? Right now I have a Ring and Cloak of Protection +1, Full Plate +1, etc. I am planning on getting that Periapt of Wisdom +2 soon.
bitznarf
07-24-07, 11:27 AM I would recomend finding *something* else other than SF (Concentration) at first level. Use retraining if you need to (I don't recall the 595 conversion rules). I would push Quicken back to 12th level or so. At 9th level you would be using top tier slots for first level spell effects, even quickened ones.
GeorgeFHarris
07-24-07, 02:16 PM I would recomend finding *something* else other than SF (Concentration) at first level. Use retraining if you need to (I don't recall the 595 conversion rules). I would push Quicken back to 12th level or so. At 9th level you would be using top tier slots for first level spell effects, even quickened ones.

Augment Healing is always good for a cleric.

Extra Turning/Divine Ward is useful, too.

My cleric has a Lesser Rod of Extend, so she hasn't had to take Extend Spell feat. And she hasn't really needed Scribe Scroll. Only spells she wishes she had it for is for the Restoration spells.

GH
zoinks69
07-24-07, 02:44 PM You've got at least 2 conversions to go through. The first makes you current with the *old* rules. IIRC, you had to keep stats and race, but could change anything else. The last conversion (and there may have been one in between?) was much more restrictive unless you had druid levels. However, let's work with what we have and what you want to keep -- so stats, race, and presumably class all stay the same.

So you've got an OK wisdom and the other stats tend toward being a second-liner at best. You've spent points on Cha and have Bluff as a class skill (as well as the bonus from Mind domain to the associated skills). I'd say you could make a pretty decent Diplomacy guy -- it's a class skill, +2 synergy for cheap, etc. If you aren't familiar with it, it's one of those skills that is handy to have, you might even avoid combat with a good roll and bonus. That's how I'd approach it -- play to the strengths given your restrictions.

For feats, Quicken is fine at 9 as you might have something lined up for 12 that you don't qualify for until then (there are metamagics that have metas as prereqs, Chain Spell for example). You might consider Steady Concentration at 6 instead of Skill Focus at 1 if you're worried about Concentration checks. Craft Wondrous at 3 is great. For first level, I'd probably go for either save bumps (Fort, Will, Reflex in order of importance) particularly if you're staying straight Cleric, or maybe Skill Focus Diplomacy. For that matter, why not just take Quicken Spell at 1 (and perhaps Chain at 1 too). This would free up 3 and 9 for other things that have the kinda of pre-reqs I was talking about.
Nutation
07-24-07, 03:29 PM Human (Oeridian) Cleric of Zilchus; Domains: Trickery, Mind
Str 12, Dex 10, Con 12, Int 13, Wis 15, Cha 12

I'm getting 27 build points, or less if this includes the L4 stat bump.
Surma
07-24-07, 04:46 PM I'm getting 27 build points, or less if this includes the L4 stat bump.

Good eye. I fixed the stats. As you notice a lot of odd numbers, you'll realize that is indeed my very first character :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Surma 07-24-07, 10:44 AM	I have recently returned to Living Greyhawk after an absence of over two years. I am returning to play my Cleric 6 (my first D&D character). Because it has been so long, I still have to do my 595 CY conversion, which in a lot of ways adds up to redesigning my character. I'd like some help from board members on ways to improve this character because as a beginner, I feel like I haven't really made it at all optimal. Also, because I have been out for so long, I do not own any of the "Complete" series of books so please give me a brief explanation of any references you may make. Thanks in advance. I envision this character as supporting with spells, but able to do some second line work in battle. Region: Keoland Human (Oeridian) Cleric of Zilchus; Domains: Trickery, Mind Str 12, Dex 10, Con 13, Int 13, Wis 15, Cha 12 1 Cleric 1: Scribe Scroll, Skill focus: Concentration 2 Cleric 2 3 Cleric 3: Craft Wondrous Item 4 Cleric 4: Wis 16 5 Cleric 5 6 Cleric 6: Extend Spell 7 Cleric 7 8 Cleric 8: Wis 17 9 Cleric 9: Quicken spell (etc...) Skills: Concentration, Diplomacy, Knowledge (Religion), Spellcraft What kinds of items should I be crafting? Right now I have a Ring and Cloak of Protection +1, Full Plate +1, etc. I am planning on getting that Periapt of Wisdom +2 soon.
bitznarf 07-24-07, 11:27 AM	I would recomend finding something else other than SF (Concentration) at first level. Use retraining if you need to (I don't recall the 595 conversion rules). I would push Quicken back to 12th level or so. At 9th level you would be using top tier slots for first level spell effects, even quickened ones.
GeorgeFHarris 07-24-07, 02:16 PM	I would recomend finding something else other than SF (Concentration) at first level. Use retraining if you need to (I don't recall the 595 conversion rules). I would push Quicken back to 12th level or so. At 9th level you would be using top tier slots for first level spell effects, even quickened ones. Augment Healing is always good for a cleric. Extra Turning/Divine Ward is useful, too. My cleric has a Lesser Rod of Extend, so she hasn't had to take Extend Spell feat. And she hasn't really needed Scribe Scroll. Only spells she wishes she had it for is for the Restoration spells. GH
zoinks69 07-24-07, 02:44 PM	You've got at least 2 conversions to go through. The first makes you current with the old rules. IIRC, you had to keep stats and race, but could change anything else. The last conversion (and there may have been one in between?) was much more restrictive unless you had druid levels. However, let's work with what we have and what you want to keep -- so stats, race, and presumably class all stay the same. So you've got an OK wisdom and the other stats tend toward being a second-liner at best. You've spent points on Cha and have Bluff as a class skill (as well as the bonus from Mind domain to the associated skills). I'd say you could make a pretty decent Diplomacy guy -- it's a class skill, +2 synergy for cheap, etc. If you aren't familiar with it, it's one of those skills that is handy to have, you might even avoid combat with a good roll and bonus. That's how I'd approach it -- play to the strengths given your restrictions. For feats, Quicken is fine at 9 as you might have something lined up for 12 that you don't qualify for until then (there are metamagics that have metas as prereqs, Chain Spell for example). You might consider Steady Concentration at 6 instead of Skill Focus at 1 if you're worried about Concentration checks. Craft Wondrous at 3 is great. For first level, I'd probably go for either save bumps (Fort, Will, Reflex in order of importance) particularly if you're staying straight Cleric, or maybe Skill Focus Diplomacy. For that matter, why not just take Quicken Spell at 1 (and perhaps Chain at 1 too). This would free up 3 and 9 for other things that have the kinda of pre-reqs I was talking about.
Nutation 07-24-07, 03:29 PM	Human (Oeridian) Cleric of Zilchus; Domains: Trickery, Mind Str 12, Dex 10, Con 12, Int 13, Wis 15, Cha 12 I'm getting 27 build points, or less if this includes the L4 stat bump.
Surma 07-24-07, 04:46 PM	I'm getting 27 build points, or less if this includes the L4 stat bump. Good eye. I fixed the stats. As you notice a lot of odd numbers, you'll realize that is indeed my very first character :)