Cleric help? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Cleric help? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Derlwyn
02-10-04, 12:31 AM I am currently playing a cleric of Odin. He is a 4th lvl and follows the domains of healing and war. He is also half-elven and uses studded leather, a spear (deity's choice weapon), and a composite longbow.

He has proven to be a fairly decent in melee, respectable strength of 17, and I have been playing him as a heavy spell caster and good archer from afar, while being a vicious close range spell caster and a decent melee opponent.

AM I BEING TOO GENERAL WITH HIM??????

Should I focus on either distance or melee, or go all out spells, or what? I'm kinda confused with how to develop him further. I have taken point blank shot as a feat (and I'm away from my home comp so I can't remember my other feat).

I am very new to D&D (if you couldn't tell already) and am stuck with developing my character. Any advice with how i should proceed with my young cleric would be greatly appreciated?
green_yawgmoth
02-10-04, 01:06 AM As long as you're happy with your character, that's all that matters.
Wuntvore
02-10-04, 01:11 AM A versitile character will always be usefull. As a cleric you have a lot of options. Fighters need to focus on one aspect or another and arcane spellcasters don't do very well in melee, but a cleric can be both magic support and a support fighter. You have the advantage of being able to wear heavier armors so you can get in close for melee combat. Have fun thats the most important thing.
Derlwyn
02-10-04, 01:18 AM well I am happy, I am just looking for some advice from some more experienced D&Ders on ways to improve my character

BTW....here are more in depth stats of my character now that I have the sheet with me:
STR 14 Fort 6
Dex 16 Ref 4
Con 15 will 7
Int 14 BAB 3
Wis 18 HP 34
Cha 14 AC 16

Feats:
Point Blank Shot
Spell Penetration
Focus Weapon (spear)
martial weapon prof.

again, any thoughts on character development would be awesome........even maybe opinions on multiclassing
Christian Landry
02-10-04, 01:32 AM It sounds like you are looking for the Character Optimization board. They even have a 3.0 FAQ on how to "optimize" an archer cleric.
Save_vs_DM
02-10-04, 02:09 AM Well, here's a few things. And welcome to DnD, btw.

First of all, I wouldn't have taken Spell Penetration that early. It's useful later in the game, but tihs early in your life not a lot of things have spell resistance. If your DM is nice, he might let you switch it.

Also a few other things. Your stats are good enough to take almost any feat in the game! Congradulations.

The Martial Weapon Proficiency and Weapon Focus (spear) are from your domain, so no worries there. Here is a feat progression I would suggest for a follower of Odin, but if you don't like it, play what you like.

I'm assuming your DM will let you swap Spell penatration for another feat.

Another point! You're point blank shot works with yoru spear! A spear can be thrown at a range of twenty feet, so carry and extra one and lead off combat with it! Later in life, you can get a returing spear (returning is a magical weapon ability)

Anyway, here are a few suggestions.

Odin values cunning strategy and self reliance. So a general focus works quite well here.

Precise Shot would work well too, as it also works with your spear.

I would highly recommend Combat Casting, as it is a valuable cleric feat. You'll be casting spells in combat quite often.

Those two feats are multi purpose. See if your DM will let you switch Spell Penetration for Combat Casting.

With Point Blank and Precise Shot under your belt, I'd go for the ofllowing.

I'm a big fan of the item creation feats. Scribe Scroll will be a great boon to you. You can scribe scrolls very cheaply, and they will help your spellcasting power quite a bit. You can scribe scrolls of spells you rarely use, or for spells that have limited uses.

Brew Potion is great for making healing potions for the rest of your party.

Craft Magic Arms and Armor will let you make magic weapons and armor (including that nifty returning spear)

If you have access to Defenders of the Faith, I would suggest taking Power Attack and then Divine Might. Divine might will let you use those turning attempts to power up your weapon for a few rounds.

Spell Focus (enchantment) will help a lot of your good debuffing spells (like doom).

Hope these help!
Cheers,
Save-vs-DM
Derlwyn
02-10-04, 02:53 AM thnx for the advice!
Wuntvore
02-10-04, 03:35 AM The only thing i would disagree with you one is the combat casting feat. a +4 to concentration checks is nice but by the time you reach lvl 10 the feat will be pretty well useless. by lvl 15 it will be useless as you can pass any casting defensively check withought rolling. Now the exception to this is if your DM plans on taking the game into the Epic lvl handbook. If he does then by all means get it as there are a couple of feats in there that require it. If you deal with undead a lot look in the Defenders of Faith book you will find a few feats to help you there.

This is just my opinion and should not be taken as fact or what you should do just what i would do.
Derlwyn
02-10-04, 03:38 AM combat casting never really appealed to me when I looked over the feats.....I guess I don't really understand what "defensive casting" means
Wuntvore
02-10-04, 03:54 AM Normaly when you try to cast a spell in a threatened square you enemy gets an attack of oppurtunity. However you have the option to Cast defensivly as a full round action. you make a concentration check DC= 15+spell lvl if you pass the concentration check you cast the spell without the attack of oppurtunity.
krichaiushii
02-10-04, 05:38 AM Perhaps Skill Focus: Concentration instead of Combat Casting. Yes, it is only +3 instead of +4, but it applies to all uses of the Concentration skill, instead of just during Combat Casting.

Depending on your DM and the situation he puts your cleric in, Concentration checks may come along quite often.
Wuntvore
02-10-04, 05:46 AM I was thinking the same thing. If you ask me they should have made combat casting a requirement to cast defensively.
silencehowling
02-10-04, 05:46 AM Well I've been playing for bout 8 years now so heres my 2 cents. Since you are playing a Cleric play as your God would want you to. I'm playing a Cleric of Kord so I play him as Kord would like him to, I fight first heal later if your to weak to fight stay outa my way.:smirk:
Lael
02-12-04, 12:40 AM Double post :confused:
Lael
02-12-04, 12:43 AM I'm playing a fighter (6th) / cleric (3rd) and his god is basically like St Cuthbert. His domains are strength and law.

Basically because of the figher background I use him as a primary fighter, but in the counter assault role. This is mainly to get spells off first because I charge into combat. With a greatsword of spead and improved crit, I managed to take down a earth elemental in 2 attacks. :angel:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Derlwyn 02-10-04, 12:31 AM	I am currently playing a cleric of Odin. He is a 4th lvl and follows the domains of healing and war. He is also half-elven and uses studded leather, a spear (deity's choice weapon), and a composite longbow. He has proven to be a fairly decent in melee, respectable strength of 17, and I have been playing him as a heavy spell caster and good archer from afar, while being a vicious close range spell caster and a decent melee opponent. AM I BEING TOO GENERAL WITH HIM?????? Should I focus on either distance or melee, or go all out spells, or what? I'm kinda confused with how to develop him further. I have taken point blank shot as a feat (and I'm away from my home comp so I can't remember my other feat). I am very new to D&D (if you couldn't tell already) and am stuck with developing my character. Any advice with how i should proceed with my young cleric would be greatly appreciated?
green_yawgmoth 02-10-04, 01:06 AM	As long as you're happy with your character, that's all that matters.
Wuntvore 02-10-04, 01:11 AM	A versitile character will always be usefull. As a cleric you have a lot of options. Fighters need to focus on one aspect or another and arcane spellcasters don't do very well in melee, but a cleric can be both magic support and a support fighter. You have the advantage of being able to wear heavier armors so you can get in close for melee combat. Have fun thats the most important thing.
Derlwyn 02-10-04, 01:18 AM	well I am happy, I am just looking for some advice from some more experienced D&Ders on ways to improve my character BTW....here are more in depth stats of my character now that I have the sheet with me: STR 14 Fort 6 Dex 16 Ref 4 Con 15 will 7 Int 14 BAB 3 Wis 18 HP 34 Cha 14 AC 16 Feats: Point Blank Shot Spell Penetration Focus Weapon (spear) martial weapon prof. again, any thoughts on character development would be awesome........even maybe opinions on multiclassing
Christian Landry 02-10-04, 01:32 AM	It sounds like you are looking for the Character Optimization board. They even have a 3.0 FAQ on how to "optimize" an archer cleric.
Save_vs_DM 02-10-04, 02:09 AM	Well, here's a few things. And welcome to DnD, btw. First of all, I wouldn't have taken Spell Penetration that early. It's useful later in the game, but tihs early in your life not a lot of things have spell resistance. If your DM is nice, he might let you switch it. Also a few other things. Your stats are good enough to take almost any feat in the game! Congradulations. The Martial Weapon Proficiency and Weapon Focus (spear) are from your domain, so no worries there. Here is a feat progression I would suggest for a follower of Odin, but if you don't like it, play what you like. I'm assuming your DM will let you swap Spell penatration for another feat. Another point! You're point blank shot works with yoru spear! A spear can be thrown at a range of twenty feet, so carry and extra one and lead off combat with it! Later in life, you can get a returing spear (returning is a magical weapon ability) Anyway, here are a few suggestions. Odin values cunning strategy and self reliance. So a general focus works quite well here. Precise Shot would work well too, as it also works with your spear. I would highly recommend Combat Casting, as it is a valuable cleric feat. You'll be casting spells in combat quite often. Those two feats are multi purpose. See if your DM will let you switch Spell Penetration for Combat Casting. With Point Blank and Precise Shot under your belt, I'd go for the ofllowing. I'm a big fan of the item creation feats. Scribe Scroll will be a great boon to you. You can scribe scrolls very cheaply, and they will help your spellcasting power quite a bit. You can scribe scrolls of spells you rarely use, or for spells that have limited uses. Brew Potion is great for making healing potions for the rest of your party. Craft Magic Arms and Armor will let you make magic weapons and armor (including that nifty returning spear) If you have access to Defenders of the Faith, I would suggest taking Power Attack and then Divine Might. Divine might will let you use those turning attempts to power up your weapon for a few rounds. Spell Focus (enchantment) will help a lot of your good debuffing spells (like doom). Hope these help! Cheers, Save-vs-DM
Derlwyn 02-10-04, 02:53 AM	thnx for the advice!
Wuntvore 02-10-04, 03:35 AM	The only thing i would disagree with you one is the combat casting feat. a +4 to concentration checks is nice but by the time you reach lvl 10 the feat will be pretty well useless. by lvl 15 it will be useless as you can pass any casting defensively check withought rolling. Now the exception to this is if your DM plans on taking the game into the Epic lvl handbook. If he does then by all means get it as there are a couple of feats in there that require it. If you deal with undead a lot look in the Defenders of Faith book you will find a few feats to help you there. This is just my opinion and should not be taken as fact or what you should do just what i would do.
Derlwyn 02-10-04, 03:38 AM	combat casting never really appealed to me when I looked over the feats.....I guess I don't really understand what "defensive casting" means
Wuntvore 02-10-04, 03:54 AM	Normaly when you try to cast a spell in a threatened square you enemy gets an attack of oppurtunity. However you have the option to Cast defensivly as a full round action. you make a concentration check DC= 15+spell lvl if you pass the concentration check you cast the spell without the attack of oppurtunity.
krichaiushii 02-10-04, 05:38 AM	Perhaps Skill Focus: Concentration instead of Combat Casting. Yes, it is only +3 instead of +4, but it applies to all uses of the Concentration skill, instead of just during Combat Casting. Depending on your DM and the situation he puts your cleric in, Concentration checks may come along quite often.
Wuntvore 02-10-04, 05:46 AM	I was thinking the same thing. If you ask me they should have made combat casting a requirement to cast defensively.
silencehowling 02-10-04, 05:46 AM	Well I've been playing for bout 8 years now so heres my 2 cents. Since you are playing a Cleric play as your God would want you to. I'm playing a Cleric of Kord so I play him as Kord would like him to, I fight first heal later if your to weak to fight stay outa my way.:smirk:
Lael 02-12-04, 12:40 AM	Double post :confused:
Lael 02-12-04, 12:43 AM	I'm playing a fighter (6th) / cleric (3rd) and his god is basically like St Cuthbert. His domains are strength and law. Basically because of the figher background I use him as a primary fighter, but in the counter assault role. This is mainly to get spells off first because I charge into combat. With a greatsword of spead and improved crit, I managed to take down a earth elemental in 2 attacks. :angel: