Cleric magic is so boring!! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Cleric magic is so boring!! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Baboon_King_Zabimaru
12-19-05, 04:35 PM So, I've started a cleric in a friends Age of Worms adventure path. I find myself bored to tears with the clerics magic. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that cleric magic is weak, far from it, but its so boring. I find it uninspired. Its too functional, in my opinion. Magic should invoke a sense of wonder, but I can't help but feel that it lacks this. Compared to arcane magic, cleric magic is dull.
DaveReaves
12-19-05, 04:40 PM Each character is only as fun as you make it.
Zherog
12-19-05, 05:06 PM What level is your cleric, what books are you permitted to use, and what sort of "feel" would you like for your character? I bet plenty of folks here can offer you suggestions on spells...
SilverFoxKnows
12-19-05, 08:52 PM Fireball evoke a sense of wonder while Flame Strike leaves you cold? Could it be that your DM doesn't describe Divine abilities as well as he does Arcane effects. Or just that you weren't inspired to play this particular Cleric? Talk with your DM about better descriptions. For example...

"The cleric holds his ground, unfazed by the threats of Lomokk or Hendru. He puts his mailed fist over his heart and starts to shout "Mighty Bane, give me the power to flay the skin from the bones of these pathetic unbelievers!" When he pulls his hand away from the vile symbol at his neck his palm seems to swallow the light, black at its center with a faint nimbus the color of blood."

I think that's a little better than "He casts Inflict Critical Wounds". Anyone else?
WizO_Cat
12-19-05, 11:38 PM Moved to Spells and Magic.
CryoSilver
12-19-05, 11:44 PM Cleric magic is extremely fun.

I love the satisfaction of melting the face of an infidel with a Searing Light coup de grace.
smrtgmp
12-20-05, 01:42 AM The spell compendium gives a cleric tons of flavorful options (many of which, IMO, infringe on the realm of arcane magic, but thats nothing new).
Vanigo
12-20-05, 02:25 AM (many of which, IMO, infringe on the realm of arcane magic, but thats nothing new).
What realm of arcane magic? Arcane magic hasn't had a realm since 3.0 first came out.
Roren
12-20-05, 02:58 AM Spirtual weapon can a great deal of fun while either doing the melee thing, healing or what have you. You're attacking and you don't have to move a muscle (in-game that is)! Fun times to be had.

Like that Lich...pity our barbarian was too much a fool to grab the treasure the lich was guarding before examining it... We all payed the price on that, but I digress!

Just be creative with the cleric! I play a cleric who follows Olladra, a god of rogues, bards and debachery, but I'm still chaotic good!
The White Sorcerer
12-20-05, 03:06 AM If cleric magic is so boring, why play a cleric?
Baboon_King_Zabimaru
12-20-05, 08:18 AM I'm not talking about the power of divine spells, or even the descriptive flavor that may or may not be involved in them. I'm talking about the spells themselves. Perhaps it's the nature of clerics themselves, but their spells, to me, are dull in that you can't really do much in the ways of utility or just plan fun. A mage can create a disk to carry stuff, or unseen servants, or a billion and one other little things, while a cleric is limited to healing, killing, and defending. Heck, there was a spell in 2E that allowed a wizard to capture an image of something and put it in a crystal ball, kinda like a photograph. Clerics can't do anything really entertaining like that.

The main reason I'm playing one is because we needed a healer. No body wants to make two dozen characters because we have no healing ability.
Seeker95
12-20-05, 09:14 AM If what folks have shared here don't convince ou, then nothing will.

Don't play a cleric.
Play a druid, or even a bard, if you have to be the healer.
Or just accept that your party has to invest.
Potions and wondrous items.
UMD plus a wand of cure light wounds is super-affordable.
Wand of cure moderate wounds is too expensive per hit point, but compared to raise dead it can't be beat!
MarkB
12-20-05, 09:32 AM I'm not talking about the power of divine spells, or even the descriptive flavor that may or may not be involved in them. I'm talking about the spells themselves. Perhaps it's the nature of clerics themselves, but their spells, to me, are dull in that you can't really do much in the ways of utility or just plan fun. A mage can create a disk to carry stuff, or unseen servants, or a billion and one other little things, while a cleric is limited to healing, killing, and defending. Heck, there was a spell in 2E that allowed a wizard to capture an image of something and put it in a crystal ball, kinda like a photograph. Clerics can't do anything really entertaining like that.

The main reason I'm playing one is because we needed a healer. No body wants to make two dozen characters because we have no healing ability.
Sounds like this really isn't the class for you. Clerics aren't meddlesome dilettentes like wizards, they're the warrior/healers of their faith. Their spells are the tools of their trade, and no more or less boring than a fighter's selection of weapons. Unless you can put yourself in that mindset, you probably won't have fun playing a cleric.

They're also widely considered about the second-most powerful class in the game, just behind Druids.
No-man
12-20-05, 10:01 AM Not quite as flashy as the Arcane spells, but if you think creatively there are many things that can be done as a Cleric that can't be done by Wizards. (and vice versa)
Dan Hemmens
12-20-05, 10:06 AM I don't think that "sense of wonder" has every really applied to any form of D&D spellcasting...
Phrennzy
12-20-05, 11:24 AM Yah, don't play a cleric. Play another class, either Bard or Rogue with UMD and a wand of Cure spells.

If you aren't having fun with the class, say so. See if the DM can be convinced to add more healing magic in the game. It's supposed to be fun for everyone, and if no one wants to play the cleric, no one should have to.

Personally, I really like the cleric class. I like the divine connection and the power of faith and the "In the name of Pelor, I damn your foul unlife!" stuff. I like the built in nemesis of every evil faith and the demons and undead.
Wizards don't get that stuff.
Seeker95
12-20-05, 11:28 AM I like the built in nemesis of every evil faith and the demons and undead.
Wizards don't get that stuff.Well, if far too many "other threads" on the Boards are evidence, it would appear the eternal nemesis of the wizard is the WotC Game Designer of Clerics. :fight:
No-man
12-20-05, 11:36 AM Yah, don't play a cleric. Play another class, either Bard or Rogue with UMD and a wand of Cure spells.

If you aren't having fun with the class, say so.

See if the DM can be convinced to add more healing magic in the game. It's supposed to be fun for everyone, and if no one wants to play the cleric, no one should have to.
.
.
.

And of course there's always the multiclassing option. Just because you started as a Cleric doesn't mean you have to finish as one. I've always liked the Cleric/Wizard. Lots of spells and super variety.
Baboon_King_Zabimaru
12-20-05, 11:39 AM I was considering multiclassing; however, the power lag would be horrible. Even with classes like the mystic theurge, I'm not sure it would be worth it.
Ocom
12-20-05, 11:54 AM Clerics are boring. But try a fighter, that's even more.
Clerics and fighters are the classes which can't be fun without decent RP.
Clerics have little fun spells unlike the druid :P
Fighters are so predictable. Equip, get in combat, kill, and eventually get killed.
I imagine evil clerics being fun. Get some zombies and go have some fun.
Deeply religious characters and people -.- are really boring. You can predict them just by reading their holy book or something. The cleric is not for fun play, that's why i banned all fighters, paladins, wizards and clerics from my game. Why? No fun.
just gave the druid a bit more powerful spells and three times more fun than a cleric.
Puca
12-20-05, 12:09 PM I was considering multiclassing; however, the power lag would be horrible. Even with classes like the mystic theurge, I'm not sure it would be worth it.Which is worse: playing sonething that is less powerful or hating the fact that youre playing at all because the character is so boring?
Raven Dark
12-20-05, 12:26 PM I have the same problems with clerics.

Arcane spellcaster are downright entertaining to play because of their spells, but many divine casters are just..."meh." :(
Thurbane
12-20-05, 04:40 PM Well, you have to remember that Arcane spells should really be better than Divine spells, since Divine spellcasters get to wear armor, have better BAB, and get other granted powers such a Turn undead and their two domain powers (for clerics) or all of a Druid's special abilities. Compared to this, all that Wizards and Sorcerors have is their spells - so in a way, it makes sense that their spells be more varied and interesting than Divine spells, IMHO...
Alamanther's comeback
12-20-05, 05:53 PM Deeply religious characters and people -.- are really boring.

I'd say that they can just as easily be disturbing and even frightening - imagine when the cleric (or paladin, or blackguard) decides that a fellow party member can be sacrificed for the good of the faith (perhaps because the cleric's faith does not approve of that character's lifestyle).

Be that as it may, a wizard's or sorcerer's repertoire has a greater sense of achievement and, perhaps, individuality. Excepting their domains, cleric Lascivia of the Divine Bard and cleric Maomat of the Lord of Biggotry and Boils have access to the same spells. The arcanists are more mutable, which probably makes them a little more glamourous.
Inquisitor Tremayne
12-20-05, 07:04 PM I am playing my first Cleric and I have to say that I love it, her!

I am constantly trying to think of other character types to play if she dies but I keep coming back to the Cleric.

Yeah, you don't have the diversity of Arcane spells but that more than makes up for it in combat. I feel I get the best of both worlds, I'm like a fighter (actually out of our group I am THE fighter) and I can cast spells. I'm like the glue that holds the group together. Although our GM has a penchant for paralyzing me all the time.

It sounds to me like you are more into hack 'n slash games and therefore favor the Wizard and their spells. Ohh, a floating disk to carry things, to me thats boring and a waste of a spell. I find a lot of the wizards spells boring and vice versa. Theres two sides to every coin.
Elbethamore
12-20-05, 09:43 PM There are advantages to being a cleric, apart from the roleplaying angle. You've just got to milk it.

In one of my campaigns right now I'm playing a rather stereotypical cleric of Pelor (I'm actually having fun with the role, all the same), with Healing domain to boot!

But when it comes to combat, or treasure, or the like, I know my cleric will always be taken care of because nobody wants to let anything happen to the cleric! "Ooh, enchanted armor... the better to keep our cleric safe."

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Baboon_King_Zabimaru 12-19-05, 04:35 PM	So, I've started a cleric in a friends Age of Worms adventure path. I find myself bored to tears with the clerics magic. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that cleric magic is weak, far from it, but its so boring. I find it uninspired. Its too functional, in my opinion. Magic should invoke a sense of wonder, but I can't help but feel that it lacks this. Compared to arcane magic, cleric magic is dull.
DaveReaves 12-19-05, 04:40 PM	Each character is only as fun as you make it.
Zherog 12-19-05, 05:06 PM	What level is your cleric, what books are you permitted to use, and what sort of "feel" would you like for your character? I bet plenty of folks here can offer you suggestions on spells...
SilverFoxKnows 12-19-05, 08:52 PM	Fireball evoke a sense of wonder while Flame Strike leaves you cold? Could it be that your DM doesn't describe Divine abilities as well as he does Arcane effects. Or just that you weren't inspired to play this particular Cleric? Talk with your DM about better descriptions. For example... "The cleric holds his ground, unfazed by the threats of Lomokk or Hendru. He puts his mailed fist over his heart and starts to shout "Mighty Bane, give me the power to flay the skin from the bones of these pathetic unbelievers!" When he pulls his hand away from the vile symbol at his neck his palm seems to swallow the light, black at its center with a faint nimbus the color of blood." I think that's a little better than "He casts Inflict Critical Wounds". Anyone else?
WizO_Cat 12-19-05, 11:38 PM	Moved to Spells and Magic.
CryoSilver 12-19-05, 11:44 PM	Cleric magic is extremely fun. I love the satisfaction of melting the face of an infidel with a Searing Light coup de grace.
smrtgmp 12-20-05, 01:42 AM	The spell compendium gives a cleric tons of flavorful options (many of which, IMO, infringe on the realm of arcane magic, but thats nothing new).
Vanigo 12-20-05, 02:25 AM	(many of which, IMO, infringe on the realm of arcane magic, but thats nothing new). What realm of arcane magic? Arcane magic hasn't had a realm since 3.0 first came out.
Roren 12-20-05, 02:58 AM	Spirtual weapon can a great deal of fun while either doing the melee thing, healing or what have you. You're attacking and you don't have to move a muscle (in-game that is)! Fun times to be had. Like that Lich...pity our barbarian was too much a fool to grab the treasure the lich was guarding before examining it... We all payed the price on that, but I digress! Just be creative with the cleric! I play a cleric who follows Olladra, a god of rogues, bards and debachery, but I'm still chaotic good!
The White Sorcerer 12-20-05, 03:06 AM	If cleric magic is so boring, why play a cleric?
Baboon_King_Zabimaru 12-20-05, 08:18 AM	I'm not talking about the power of divine spells, or even the descriptive flavor that may or may not be involved in them. I'm talking about the spells themselves. Perhaps it's the nature of clerics themselves, but their spells, to me, are dull in that you can't really do much in the ways of utility or just plan fun. A mage can create a disk to carry stuff, or unseen servants, or a billion and one other little things, while a cleric is limited to healing, killing, and defending. Heck, there was a spell in 2E that allowed a wizard to capture an image of something and put it in a crystal ball, kinda like a photograph. Clerics can't do anything really entertaining like that. The main reason I'm playing one is because we needed a healer. No body wants to make two dozen characters because we have no healing ability.
Seeker95 12-20-05, 09:14 AM	If what folks have shared here don't convince ou, then nothing will. Don't play a cleric. Play a druid, or even a bard, if you have to be the healer. Or just accept that your party has to invest. Potions and wondrous items. UMD plus a wand of cure light wounds is super-affordable. Wand of cure moderate wounds is too expensive per hit point, but compared to raise dead it can't be beat!
MarkB 12-20-05, 09:32 AM	I'm not talking about the power of divine spells, or even the descriptive flavor that may or may not be involved in them. I'm talking about the spells themselves. Perhaps it's the nature of clerics themselves, but their spells, to me, are dull in that you can't really do much in the ways of utility or just plan fun. A mage can create a disk to carry stuff, or unseen servants, or a billion and one other little things, while a cleric is limited to healing, killing, and defending. Heck, there was a spell in 2E that allowed a wizard to capture an image of something and put it in a crystal ball, kinda like a photograph. Clerics can't do anything really entertaining like that. The main reason I'm playing one is because we needed a healer. No body wants to make two dozen characters because we have no healing ability. Sounds like this really isn't the class for you. Clerics aren't meddlesome dilettentes like wizards, they're the warrior/healers of their faith. Their spells are the tools of their trade, and no more or less boring than a fighter's selection of weapons. Unless you can put yourself in that mindset, you probably won't have fun playing a cleric. They're also widely considered about the second-most powerful class in the game, just behind Druids.
No-man 12-20-05, 10:01 AM	Not quite as flashy as the Arcane spells, but if you think creatively there are many things that can be done as a Cleric that can't be done by Wizards. (and vice versa)
Dan Hemmens 12-20-05, 10:06 AM	I don't think that "sense of wonder" has every really applied to any form of D&D spellcasting...
Phrennzy 12-20-05, 11:24 AM	Yah, don't play a cleric. Play another class, either Bard or Rogue with UMD and a wand of Cure spells. If you aren't having fun with the class, say so. See if the DM can be convinced to add more healing magic in the game. It's supposed to be fun for everyone, and if no one wants to play the cleric, no one should have to. Personally, I really like the cleric class. I like the divine connection and the power of faith and the "In the name of Pelor, I damn your foul unlife!" stuff. I like the built in nemesis of every evil faith and the demons and undead. Wizards don't get that stuff.
Seeker95 12-20-05, 11:28 AM	I like the built in nemesis of every evil faith and the demons and undead. Wizards don't get that stuff.Well, if far too many "other threads" on the Boards are evidence, it would appear the eternal nemesis of the wizard is the WotC Game Designer of Clerics. :fight:
No-man 12-20-05, 11:36 AM	Yah, don't play a cleric. Play another class, either Bard or Rogue with UMD and a wand of Cure spells. If you aren't having fun with the class, say so. See if the DM can be convinced to add more healing magic in the game. It's supposed to be fun for everyone, and if no one wants to play the cleric, no one should have to. . . . And of course there's always the multiclassing option. Just because you started as a Cleric doesn't mean you have to finish as one. I've always liked the Cleric/Wizard. Lots of spells and super variety.
Baboon_King_Zabimaru 12-20-05, 11:39 AM	I was considering multiclassing; however, the power lag would be horrible. Even with classes like the mystic theurge, I'm not sure it would be worth it.
Ocom 12-20-05, 11:54 AM	Clerics are boring. But try a fighter, that's even more. Clerics and fighters are the classes which can't be fun without decent RP. Clerics have little fun spells unlike the druid :P Fighters are so predictable. Equip, get in combat, kill, and eventually get killed. I imagine evil clerics being fun. Get some zombies and go have some fun. Deeply religious characters and people -.- are really boring. You can predict them just by reading their holy book or something. The cleric is not for fun play, that's why i banned all fighters, paladins, wizards and clerics from my game. Why? No fun. just gave the druid a bit more powerful spells and three times more fun than a cleric.
Puca 12-20-05, 12:09 PM	I was considering multiclassing; however, the power lag would be horrible. Even with classes like the mystic theurge, I'm not sure it would be worth it.Which is worse: playing sonething that is less powerful or hating the fact that youre playing at all because the character is so boring?
Raven Dark 12-20-05, 12:26 PM	I have the same problems with clerics. Arcane spellcaster are downright entertaining to play because of their spells, but many divine casters are just..."meh." :(
Thurbane 12-20-05, 04:40 PM	Well, you have to remember that Arcane spells should really be better than Divine spells, since Divine spellcasters get to wear armor, have better BAB, and get other granted powers such a Turn undead and their two domain powers (for clerics) or all of a Druid's special abilities. Compared to this, all that Wizards and Sorcerors have is their spells - so in a way, it makes sense that their spells be more varied and interesting than Divine spells, IMHO...
Alamanther's comeback 12-20-05, 05:53 PM	Deeply religious characters and people -.- are really boring. I'd say that they can just as easily be disturbing and even frightening - imagine when the cleric (or paladin, or blackguard) decides that a fellow party member can be sacrificed for the good of the faith (perhaps because the cleric's faith does not approve of that character's lifestyle). Be that as it may, a wizard's or sorcerer's repertoire has a greater sense of achievement and, perhaps, individuality. Excepting their domains, cleric Lascivia of the Divine Bard and cleric Maomat of the Lord of Biggotry and Boils have access to the same spells. The arcanists are more mutable, which probably makes them a little more glamourous.
Inquisitor Tremayne 12-20-05, 07:04 PM	I am playing my first Cleric and I have to say that I love it, her! I am constantly trying to think of other character types to play if she dies but I keep coming back to the Cleric. Yeah, you don't have the diversity of Arcane spells but that more than makes up for it in combat. I feel I get the best of both worlds, I'm like a fighter (actually out of our group I am THE fighter) and I can cast spells. I'm like the glue that holds the group together. Although our GM has a penchant for paralyzing me all the time. It sounds to me like you are more into hack 'n slash games and therefore favor the Wizard and their spells. Ohh, a floating disk to carry things, to me thats boring and a waste of a spell. I find a lot of the wizards spells boring and vice versa. Theres two sides to every coin.
Elbethamore 12-20-05, 09:43 PM	There are advantages to being a cleric, apart from the roleplaying angle. You've just got to milk it. In one of my campaigns right now I'm playing a rather stereotypical cleric of Pelor (I'm actually having fun with the role, all the same), with Healing domain to boot! But when it comes to combat, or treasure, or the like, I know my cleric will always be taken care of because nobody wants to let anything happen to the cleric! "Ooh, enchanted armor... the better to keep our cleric safe."