Clerid or Druid? Need help picking [Archive] - Wizards Community

Clerid or Druid? Need help picking [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Paradisio
11-13-06, 12:32 AM Well, the cleric in the group is switching over to DM for a bit, and the group decided that we didn't want anyone running 2 characters... I've grown a bit tired with my Knight and decided I'd fill in the "role." But at one point or another he was going to hand DMing off and we would both be in the party...

And temporarily we will have a visitor playing his character...

So I'm a bit up in the air about what to do. His cleric isn't very focused (having only imp. intiative and extra turning) so I think 2 clerics might be fine, but I think druid would be good too.

So I'm looking for any advice. I'm coming in at level 2 (28 point buy) and the group has a monk, cleric (the one I've been talking about), a wizard, and a rogue.
Comus
11-13-06, 12:59 AM Go for Druid. If you think you could make a better cleric, make a druid instead so you won't be showing him up so much on his own terms. The Animal Companion will help fill the role of party fighter, too.
Salla
11-13-06, 01:06 AM Well, I'd be torn on this. I hate the Druid (Wild Shape is a pain in the butt, and I hate animal companions, familiars, and mounts), and love the Cleric ... but not stepping on someone else's toes is good, too.

One option is just to make your cleric not like his. Pick different domains, be a different race and alignment, different weapon, etc.

If you have Complete Divine, you could look at the Favored Soul (a spontaneous divine caster), the Shugenja (an element-themed divine caster), or the Spirit Shaman (which uses the Druid spell list). I'd recommend the Shaman, personally, if that's an option. :)
Elemental_Elf
11-13-06, 01:34 AM I'd go with Cleric simply because I agree with the above posters dislike of Wild Shape.

Since your party already has a cleric, make sure you take a different God and different alignments, nothing can be more annoying than a new player coming in that treads on an established character's turf (well not really but it's best not to). An easy way to do this is to make yours completely opposite his/hers. If the other Cleric is a heavily armored band-aide wall then make yours a lightly armored Archer/Crossbowman/Slinger. If he's a Buffer/Healer than you should be a Melee Summoner. If he's an anti-evil Tank then you should be a healer (or to make things weird, be an inflictor). If he's a turn undead specialist than you should have a low CHA and never turn undead. And etc.

The point is to make your character completely different than his/hers. Clerics are highly customizable and that makes your job that much easier.
Paradisio
11-13-06, 01:51 AM Well, I have a copy of his sheet if that would help.

I know this isn't the char optimization board, but maybe it'll help if people offer more precise advice.

Halfling Cleric 3
Str- 10
Dex- 16
Con- 10
Int- 10
Wis- 16
Cha- 12

Feats: Improved Intiative, Extra Turning

Equipment: In light armor (chain shirt), and has a light crossbow and a variety of bane bolts, has a couple of backup silver weapons. Also has a bunch of other, regular, non-magical equipment.

Skills: Knowledge Religion and Concentration mostly

Domains: Trickery And Luck

As far as his spells, he seems to mostly stick to healing.
Salla
11-13-06, 01:25 PM Well, I have a copy of his sheet if that would help.

Heh ... go with something like a low-Dex Dwarven Cleric with domains like War and Strength. Wade into battle with a few buffs on you, and only heal people once the fight is over.

Ooh ... do you have the PHBII? It has a cleric class option that lets you spotaneously cast spells from a domain you have, rather than Healing spells ... this would REALLY keep you from stepping on his toes.
On_the_wings_of_TPK
11-13-06, 01:42 PM party prolly doesn't need a second cleric. Druid on the other hand is da bomb anyways. I like them for all the reasons salla hate them. Kinda funny how that worked out.

Wild shape is versatile enough to almost always help. can turn you into another fighter, need mobility, turn into a flying animal, swimmng time, no problem.

summons are the best from of melee combat around. For the simple fact they are the ones getting hit, not your or the party.

As for the animal companion. That by itself is about as strong as a fighter of equal level.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Paradisio 11-13-06, 12:32 AM	Well, the cleric in the group is switching over to DM for a bit, and the group decided that we didn't want anyone running 2 characters... I've grown a bit tired with my Knight and decided I'd fill in the "role." But at one point or another he was going to hand DMing off and we would both be in the party... And temporarily we will have a visitor playing his character... So I'm a bit up in the air about what to do. His cleric isn't very focused (having only imp. intiative and extra turning) so I think 2 clerics might be fine, but I think druid would be good too. So I'm looking for any advice. I'm coming in at level 2 (28 point buy) and the group has a monk, cleric (the one I've been talking about), a wizard, and a rogue.
Comus 11-13-06, 12:59 AM	Go for Druid. If you think you could make a better cleric, make a druid instead so you won't be showing him up so much on his own terms. The Animal Companion will help fill the role of party fighter, too.
Salla 11-13-06, 01:06 AM	Well, I'd be torn on this. I hate the Druid (Wild Shape is a pain in the butt, and I hate animal companions, familiars, and mounts), and love the Cleric ... but not stepping on someone else's toes is good, too. One option is just to make your cleric not like his. Pick different domains, be a different race and alignment, different weapon, etc. If you have Complete Divine, you could look at the Favored Soul (a spontaneous divine caster), the Shugenja (an element-themed divine caster), or the Spirit Shaman (which uses the Druid spell list). I'd recommend the Shaman, personally, if that's an option. :)
Elemental_Elf 11-13-06, 01:34 AM	I'd go with Cleric simply because I agree with the above posters dislike of Wild Shape. Since your party already has a cleric, make sure you take a different God and different alignments, nothing can be more annoying than a new player coming in that treads on an established character's turf (well not really but it's best not to). An easy way to do this is to make yours completely opposite his/hers. If the other Cleric is a heavily armored band-aide wall then make yours a lightly armored Archer/Crossbowman/Slinger. If he's a Buffer/Healer than you should be a Melee Summoner. If he's an anti-evil Tank then you should be a healer (or to make things weird, be an inflictor). If he's a turn undead specialist than you should have a low CHA and never turn undead. And etc. The point is to make your character completely different than his/hers. Clerics are highly customizable and that makes your job that much easier.
Paradisio 11-13-06, 01:51 AM	Well, I have a copy of his sheet if that would help. I know this isn't the char optimization board, but maybe it'll help if people offer more precise advice. Halfling Cleric 3 Str- 10 Dex- 16 Con- 10 Int- 10 Wis- 16 Cha- 12 Feats: Improved Intiative, Extra Turning Equipment: In light armor (chain shirt), and has a light crossbow and a variety of bane bolts, has a couple of backup silver weapons. Also has a bunch of other, regular, non-magical equipment. Skills: Knowledge Religion and Concentration mostly Domains: Trickery And Luck As far as his spells, he seems to mostly stick to healing.
Salla 11-13-06, 01:25 PM	Well, I have a copy of his sheet if that would help. Heh ... go with something like a low-Dex Dwarven Cleric with domains like War and Strength. Wade into battle with a few buffs on you, and only heal people once the fight is over. Ooh ... do you have the PHBII? It has a cleric class option that lets you spotaneously cast spells from a domain you have, rather than Healing spells ... this would REALLY keep you from stepping on his toes.
On_the_wings_of_TPK 11-13-06, 01:42 PM	party prolly doesn't need a second cleric. Druid on the other hand is da bomb anyways. I like them for all the reasons salla hate them. Kinda funny how that worked out. Wild shape is versatile enough to almost always help. can turn you into another fighter, need mobility, turn into a flying animal, swimmng time, no problem. summons are the best from of melee combat around. For the simple fact they are the ones getting hit, not your or the party. As for the animal companion. That by itself is about as strong as a fighter of equal level.