Help building a cleric [Archive] - Wizards Community

Help building a cleric [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ToddMorgan
01-19-07, 12:07 PM Hey,
I wanted to start off building a cleric of Pelor. Probably human for the extra feat. My region is Dyvers and here is my ability score template (any help would be appreciated, 28 pt buy)

Str 12
Dex 10
Con 10
Int 12
Wis 15
Cha 15

I'm thinking of the domains of Sun/Healing or Sun/Strength, probably the latter.

Weapons, probably Heavy shield and a Heavy Mace and then whatever armor i can afford.

Thanks for the help
trollbill
01-19-07, 12:18 PM Hey,
I wanted to start off building a cleric of Pelor. Probably human for the extra feat. My region is Dyvers and here is my ability score template (any help would be appreciated, 28 pt buy)

Str 12
Dex 10
Con 10
Int 12
Wis 15
Cha 15

I'm thinking of the domains of Sun/Healing or Sun/Strength, probably the latter.

Weapons, probably Heavy shield and a Heavy Mace and then whatever armor i can afford.

Thanks for the help

First of all, there is no benefit to having the 2 15s. While you can bump them and have them both 16s by level 8, you can do the exact same thing with one of them being a 16 and the other a 14 and you get the benefits of the 16 from the get go.

Having only a 10 Con is also questionable, especially if you plan on doing much meleeing.

Finally, you may have a problem with Heavy Mace and Large Shield as both require you to use a hand. This means you can't cast spells with semantic components while armed. Though not all judges bother with this. Having a small shield or buckler, instead, solves this problem.

Note that if you decided to start with your CH being 16, if you take Quicken Spell and Extra Turning for your first level feats, when you get to 3rd level you can take Divine Metamagic Quicken and use your Turn Undead checks to cast 2 Quicken spells a day for free. If you are going for Radiant Servant, you need Extra Turning anyway, so this is a good way to go with such builds.
Sieylianna
01-19-07, 12:42 PM Hey,
I wanted to start off building a cleric of Pelor. Probably human for the extra feat. My region is Dyvers and here is my ability score template (any help would be appreciated, 28 pt buy)

Str 12
Dex 10
Con 10
Int 12
Wis 15
Cha 15

You definitely need a higher CON.

Are you planning on going for Radiant Servant?

Ed
ToddMorgan
01-19-07, 12:54 PM I'm just planning on having a cleric....no thoughts of PrC at this time. I just need help with ability scores as it's my first cleric build.
CrystalBlue
01-19-07, 01:07 PM Here's a good stat block for a solid cleric

Str: 10
Dex: 12
Con: 14
Int: 8
Wis: 16
Cha: 14

This allows you the good casting right from the get-go, gives you a few good turns, and allows you to use your Dex bonus in almost any type of armor. Most clerics that like AC go full-plate.

If you don't want to pick a PrC just yet, how about a role? Combat, healing, casting, support, AC?
Camden
01-19-07, 01:29 PM Here's a good stat block for a solid cleric

Str: 10
Dex: 12
Con: 14
Int: 8
Wis: 16
Cha: 14

This allows you the good casting right from the get-go, gives you a few good turns, and allows you to use your Dex bonus in almost any type of armor. Most clerics that like AC go full-plate.

If you don't want to pick a PrC just yet, how about a role? Combat, healing, casting, support, AC?

Personally I would drop the DEX to 10, and put the points into INT. This would mean you get 3 skill points a Level (KnowReligon, Concentration, Healing being the main skills Clerics use).

Why have a Dex of 10 ? When you get your Mithral Full Plate, you use Gloves of Dex +6 :)
Japangirl
01-19-07, 01:32 PM Heal isn't all that necessary for a cleric, though it is very nice. And Gloves of Dex +4 are so much cheaper ;).
Alpha_Nerd
01-19-07, 01:34 PM I like

STR 10
DEX 10
CON 14
INT 12
WIS 15
CHA 14

Having a good set of skills for clerics has always been important for me.
Japangirl
01-19-07, 02:08 PM 15 Wis is really low for a casting cleric. I would suggest starting with a 16 at a minimum, though with only three stat bumps it's not as important as it otherwise would be.
kenobi65
01-19-07, 02:15 PM I would suggest starting with a 16 at a minimum, though with only three stat bumps it's not as important as it otherwise would be.

I agree; I tend to not like to have below a 16 in my primary attribute if I can help it.

I probably wouldn't go above a 10 in Int; as a human, that's giving you 3 skill points per level, enough for the most important skills (Kn Religion, Concentration, Healing). I agree that Healing isn't as imporant as the others, ultimately.

It's hard to pass up the Healing domain, due to the extra Cure spells you can put in the domain slot.
Some_call_me_Tim
01-19-07, 03:23 PM I wanted to start off building a cleric of Pelor.
Are you planning on going for Radiant Servant?
Now there's an original idea. :rolleyes:

:rant: Maybe, I'm biased because you can't swing a dead cat around here and not hit a radiant servant of Pelor. Yes, RSoP offers the best cheesy goodness out there for a cleric PrC, but for the love of all that is holy please consider being something else. I'm not saying don't be a Radiant Servant but at least consider some of the alternative Gods.

Str 12
Dex 10
Con 10
Int 12
Wis 15
Cha 15

I'm thinking of the domains of Sun/Healing or Sun/Strength, probably the latter.If you are thinking Strength domain are you planning on tanking as well? If so ditch the INT 12 in favor of increasing CON (or DEX), it will help in the role of secondary fighter. Consider being a Radiant Servant of Azor'alq and taking the War domain.

Healing domain only really gives you +1 point of healing for each spell, not that useful, nice but not needed once you hit the RSoP cheesiness. Since you can spontaneous cast cures, having the extra memorize cure isn't that useful.

You've got some good advice already, I just wanted to say consider the road less traveled.
CrystalBlue
01-19-07, 05:24 PM A good tanking cleric is Heironeous. Take some good fighting feats, like Power Attack. War/Glory domains for you as well, as Glory just kicks so much ass with Bolt of Glory. And War gives you access to Battleaxe or Longsword yumminess. Then pick up a heavy shield and plate and go in swinging. Put everything into consentration and know religion and combat-cast all the time. That way, you can stay in the fight and be a tank AND heal those that go down. Fun times. ^.^
bhale187
01-19-07, 08:06 PM I like to take 12/10/16/8/16/10 if human.
I find you need at least 12 str for the encumbrance of hvy armor and 16 con keeps you on the front-line longer to heal the tank or to tank yourself.

PrC
You could always be a radiant servant of Atroa, Azor'alg, Ehlonna, Lydia, Nola, Pholtus, or Phyton :D
I personally like Atroa for the travel and sun, then if RSoA use plant as the bonus domain. Travel gets great spells, and plant can use turn undead on plant life.

If you want to tank and want to avoid the very common deities you could go with Azor'alq-less common than Heironeos and gives war domain using scimitar plus you can still go radiant servant.
Camden
01-19-07, 08:46 PM Heal isn't all that necessary for a cleric, though it is very nice. And Gloves of Dex +4 are so much cheaper ;).

Does it really matter if you swing in CWI into the build ? The extra cash isn't that vast if your crafting, and if your going to be wearing gloves of dex, why not make the most of it ?

Personally I like to have skill points on a Cleric, Know:Religion, and Concentration being the main ones, with Heal in there as well (mainly due to my personal boased to Healing Lorecall and what it does for healing spells, and it's 10min/Lvl. I'll remove that status trait off you with a cure minor ;) as well as subbing heal ranks for caster level) Also a splash of Diplomacy, and maybe Spellcraft.

But as stated it really does depend on the concept, Lean Meam Healing Machine, Militant etc, as well as what sort of PrC you may think would be good later down the line...
Sieylianna
01-20-07, 11:16 AM I'd go with

STR 10
DEX 12
CON 14
INT 10
WIS 15
CHA 14

Ed
cycloptic_squirrel
01-20-07, 01:01 PM The cleric I'm playing has

10 Str
10 Dex
14 Con
14 Int
14 Wis
14 Cha

Then again, I wanted a face character that was also a melee healer, which means I need as many skill points as I can get my hands on. I know I'm playing tight with the 14 Wis, but between bumps and items, a straight caster only loses bonus spells at levels 7 and 13-15 (assuming stat item upgrades at 5, 9, and 11).

The stat distribution means I don't expect to contribute melee damage and I avoid spells with saving throws. I know my role, what I can and cannot do well, which is one of the keys to a successful cleric.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ToddMorgan 01-19-07, 12:07 PM	Hey, I wanted to start off building a cleric of Pelor. Probably human for the extra feat. My region is Dyvers and here is my ability score template (any help would be appreciated, 28 pt buy) Str 12 Dex 10 Con 10 Int 12 Wis 15 Cha 15 I'm thinking of the domains of Sun/Healing or Sun/Strength, probably the latter. Weapons, probably Heavy shield and a Heavy Mace and then whatever armor i can afford. Thanks for the help
trollbill 01-19-07, 12:18 PM	Hey, I wanted to start off building a cleric of Pelor. Probably human for the extra feat. My region is Dyvers and here is my ability score template (any help would be appreciated, 28 pt buy) Str 12 Dex 10 Con 10 Int 12 Wis 15 Cha 15 I'm thinking of the domains of Sun/Healing or Sun/Strength, probably the latter. Weapons, probably Heavy shield and a Heavy Mace and then whatever armor i can afford. Thanks for the help First of all, there is no benefit to having the 2 15s. While you can bump them and have them both 16s by level 8, you can do the exact same thing with one of them being a 16 and the other a 14 and you get the benefits of the 16 from the get go. Having only a 10 Con is also questionable, especially if you plan on doing much meleeing. Finally, you may have a problem with Heavy Mace and Large Shield as both require you to use a hand. This means you can't cast spells with semantic components while armed. Though not all judges bother with this. Having a small shield or buckler, instead, solves this problem. Note that if you decided to start with your CH being 16, if you take Quicken Spell and Extra Turning for your first level feats, when you get to 3rd level you can take Divine Metamagic Quicken and use your Turn Undead checks to cast 2 Quicken spells a day for free. If you are going for Radiant Servant, you need Extra Turning anyway, so this is a good way to go with such builds.
Sieylianna 01-19-07, 12:42 PM	Hey, I wanted to start off building a cleric of Pelor. Probably human for the extra feat. My region is Dyvers and here is my ability score template (any help would be appreciated, 28 pt buy) Str 12 Dex 10 Con 10 Int 12 Wis 15 Cha 15 You definitely need a higher CON. Are you planning on going for Radiant Servant? Ed
ToddMorgan 01-19-07, 12:54 PM	I'm just planning on having a cleric....no thoughts of PrC at this time. I just need help with ability scores as it's my first cleric build.
CrystalBlue 01-19-07, 01:07 PM	Here's a good stat block for a solid cleric Str: 10 Dex: 12 Con: 14 Int: 8 Wis: 16 Cha: 14 This allows you the good casting right from the get-go, gives you a few good turns, and allows you to use your Dex bonus in almost any type of armor. Most clerics that like AC go full-plate. If you don't want to pick a PrC just yet, how about a role? Combat, healing, casting, support, AC?
Camden 01-19-07, 01:29 PM	Here's a good stat block for a solid cleric Str: 10 Dex: 12 Con: 14 Int: 8 Wis: 16 Cha: 14 This allows you the good casting right from the get-go, gives you a few good turns, and allows you to use your Dex bonus in almost any type of armor. Most clerics that like AC go full-plate. If you don't want to pick a PrC just yet, how about a role? Combat, healing, casting, support, AC? Personally I would drop the DEX to 10, and put the points into INT. This would mean you get 3 skill points a Level (KnowReligon, Concentration, Healing being the main skills Clerics use). Why have a Dex of 10 ? When you get your Mithral Full Plate, you use Gloves of Dex +6 :)
Japangirl 01-19-07, 01:32 PM	Heal isn't all that necessary for a cleric, though it is very nice. And Gloves of Dex +4 are so much cheaper ;).
Alpha_Nerd 01-19-07, 01:34 PM	I like STR 10 DEX 10 CON 14 INT 12 WIS 15 CHA 14 Having a good set of skills for clerics has always been important for me.
Japangirl 01-19-07, 02:08 PM	15 Wis is really low for a casting cleric. I would suggest starting with a 16 at a minimum, though with only three stat bumps it's not as important as it otherwise would be.
kenobi65 01-19-07, 02:15 PM	I would suggest starting with a 16 at a minimum, though with only three stat bumps it's not as important as it otherwise would be. I agree; I tend to not like to have below a 16 in my primary attribute if I can help it. I probably wouldn't go above a 10 in Int; as a human, that's giving you 3 skill points per level, enough for the most important skills (Kn Religion, Concentration, Healing). I agree that Healing isn't as imporant as the others, ultimately. It's hard to pass up the Healing domain, due to the extra Cure spells you can put in the domain slot.
Some_call_me_Tim 01-19-07, 03:23 PM	I wanted to start off building a cleric of Pelor. Are you planning on going for Radiant Servant? Now there's an original idea. :rolleyes: :rant: Maybe, I'm biased because you can't swing a dead cat around here and not hit a radiant servant of Pelor. Yes, RSoP offers the best cheesy goodness out there for a cleric PrC, but for the love of all that is holy please consider being something else. I'm not saying don't be a Radiant Servant but at least consider some of the alternative Gods. Str 12 Dex 10 Con 10 Int 12 Wis 15 Cha 15 I'm thinking of the domains of Sun/Healing or Sun/Strength, probably the latter.If you are thinking Strength domain are you planning on tanking as well? If so ditch the INT 12 in favor of increasing CON (or DEX), it will help in the role of secondary fighter. Consider being a Radiant Servant of Azor'alq and taking the War domain. Healing domain only really gives you +1 point of healing for each spell, not that useful, nice but not needed once you hit the RSoP cheesiness. Since you can spontaneous cast cures, having the extra memorize cure isn't that useful. You've got some good advice already, I just wanted to say consider the road less traveled.
CrystalBlue 01-19-07, 05:24 PM	A good tanking cleric is Heironeous. Take some good fighting feats, like Power Attack. War/Glory domains for you as well, as Glory just kicks so much ass with Bolt of Glory. And War gives you access to Battleaxe or Longsword yumminess. Then pick up a heavy shield and plate and go in swinging. Put everything into consentration and know religion and combat-cast all the time. That way, you can stay in the fight and be a tank AND heal those that go down. Fun times. ^.^
bhale187 01-19-07, 08:06 PM	I like to take 12/10/16/8/16/10 if human. I find you need at least 12 str for the encumbrance of hvy armor and 16 con keeps you on the front-line longer to heal the tank or to tank yourself. PrC You could always be a radiant servant of Atroa, Azor'alg, Ehlonna, Lydia, Nola, Pholtus, or Phyton :D I personally like Atroa for the travel and sun, then if RSoA use plant as the bonus domain. Travel gets great spells, and plant can use turn undead on plant life. If you want to tank and want to avoid the very common deities you could go with Azor'alq-less common than Heironeos and gives war domain using scimitar plus you can still go radiant servant.
Camden 01-19-07, 08:46 PM	Heal isn't all that necessary for a cleric, though it is very nice. And Gloves of Dex +4 are so much cheaper ;). Does it really matter if you swing in CWI into the build ? The extra cash isn't that vast if your crafting, and if your going to be wearing gloves of dex, why not make the most of it ? Personally I like to have skill points on a Cleric, Know:Religion, and Concentration being the main ones, with Heal in there as well (mainly due to my personal boased to Healing Lorecall and what it does for healing spells, and it's 10min/Lvl. I'll remove that status trait off you with a cure minor ;) as well as subbing heal ranks for caster level) Also a splash of Diplomacy, and maybe Spellcraft. But as stated it really does depend on the concept, Lean Meam Healing Machine, Militant etc, as well as what sort of PrC you may think would be good later down the line...
Sieylianna 01-20-07, 11:16 AM	I'd go with STR 10 DEX 12 CON 14 INT 10 WIS 15 CHA 14 Ed
cycloptic_squirrel 01-20-07, 01:01 PM	The cleric I'm playing has 10 Str 10 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 14 Wis 14 Cha Then again, I wanted a face character that was also a melee healer, which means I need as many skill points as I can get my hands on. I know I'm playing tight with the 14 Wis, but between bumps and items, a straight caster only loses bonus spells at levels 7 and 13-15 (assuming stat item upgrades at 5, 9, and 11). The stat distribution means I don't expect to contribute melee damage and I avoid spells with saving throws. I know my role, what I can and cannot do well, which is one of the keys to a successful cleric.