Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Elfcrusher Nov 01, 2014 7:35:38	I'm trying to figure out how to build a cleric who uses a staff and (preferably) doesn't wear armor.  My preferred domain is Light.  Here are some of the problems/trade-offs I'm encountering:   1) I thought about dipping one level into Monk to get a wisdom bonus to AC and staff as a finesse weapon (and a bonus unarmed strike doesn't suck).  Then I can skip strength and just go Dex/Wis.  The only thing I don't like about this plan is that I'm forever one level behind in Cleric.  I'm not a huge fan of multiclassing in general.   2) Shillelagh: this is the obvious solution, from either Nature domain (which otherwise I don't like, for both fluff and crunch...why not roll a druid at that point?), or taking a Feat.  Getting the Wisdom bonus to staff would be aweseome, BUT...if I don't dip Monk then my AC sucks, and if I do dip Monk then all I'm getting from it is the AC since I no longer need the staff to be finesse.  (In fact, it might be argued that it contradicts RAW to do so, since Shillelagh specifically replaces Strength not Dex.)   2.5) Sure, I could use Shillelagh on a club rather than a staff and use a shield for AC.  But a shield doesn't really fit the character concept.   3) Do I really even care about how much melee damage I do?  If I go Light then I get to add my wisdom bonus to my Sacred Flame damage, which for medium levels becomes 2d8+4/5.  Won't I almost always try to hang back and lob Sacred Flames rather than hit things with a weapon?  Besides that, I'll never get extra attacks (without multiclassing) and even if I am hitting things I'll probably use some of my actions for spells.  All of which means that I'm not sure I understand why all the guides rate Martial Weapon Proficiency so highly: using a 1d8 weapon instead of a 1d6 weapon just isn't gonna provide that much damage.  Ok, I can see how Polearm Master combined with bonus domain damage starts to become significant, but that uses up a precious feat.   4) I guess I could go variant Human, take Shillelagh, wear a chain shirt that I fluff as being under a robe, take 14 dex to max out dexterity bonus to AC (thus ending up at AC 15, not terrible), and since I only really need one stat I get can Wisdom to 20 with feats to spare, allowing me to also take polearm master.  That actually works well with "hang in the back and cast spells" strategy because if anybody rushes my position I at least get a free opportunity attack with the full Wisdom bonus.  The only downside is that I probably wouldn't get around to taking Polearm Master until after Wisdom was 20, and the 1d8+5 becomes kind of meaningless at high level (unless fighting lots of low-levels).   Thoughts? Advice? Ideas?   Or should I give up on this idea and just go all Thor and play Tempest in Plate with a Warhammer and Shield?
#2 Yunru Nov 01, 2014 8:08:39	My first thought is if you're wanting to play a priest, robes and all, why are you planning to be on the frontlines?
#3 Elfcrusher Nov 01, 2014 8:17:03	Yunru wrote:
#4 mellored Nov 01, 2014 8:17:20	You don't need melee damage unless you really want to threaten with an OA.   And even then you can get warcaster.   Magic inititate -> mage armor is another option.
#5 Elfcrusher Nov 01, 2014 8:29:02	Oh Warcaster is a great idea.  Free empowered Sacred Flame would be nice. But....when I really want OA is when I get rushed, which makes Polearm Master really nice.  Hrmmm....
#6 Yunru Nov 01, 2014 8:34:00	Do druids get Mage Armor? Human Varient w/Magic Initiate for Mage Armor and Shillelagh could work.
#7 Elfcrusher Nov 01, 2014 8:42:36	Yunru wrote:
#8 Yunru Nov 01, 2014 8:51:08	You could always wear some badass leather robes :P Actually one reflection I don't see a way to use a staff defensively, other than maybe combo'd with Mobile to get away from adjacent foes.
#9 mellored Nov 01, 2014 10:08:46	Defensive dualist can work with a dagger.   But really, i would just skip any melee or weapon stuff.
#10 abs1nth Nov 01, 2014 10:09:34	Multiclassing the first level into Monk is a great idea. I'd say: ignore melee damage, I don't think it'll be important and to me it's not very priestly. The only problem I can see would be with shields. I agree with them not fitting the theme particularly well. Your DM might allow you to reflavor something else into a shield. Perhaps, something like a parrying staff that adds +2 AC if you wield it with both hands but only does 1d4 damage.
#11 mellored Nov 01, 2014 10:16:26	Alternativly, just homebrew feat.     Staff of Defense. *Your AC is equal to your 10+Wis + Dex when you have no armor or shields, and wielding a staff in 2 hands. *You can use a staff as a finess weapon, and an impliment.
#12 Elfcrusher Nov 01, 2014 10:43:52	mellored wrote:
#13 abs1nth Nov 01, 2014 10:58:37	It may be worth it to take 2 lvls in monk to get 2 Ki points and +10ft unarmored movement. Patent Defense and Step of the Wind could be particularly useful for a priest.
#14 Elfcrusher Nov 01, 2014 11:25:10	abs1nth wrote:
#15 Yunru Nov 01, 2014 11:30:10	But then 5th level gets you stunning strike, which is the ultimate retreat enabler.
#16 FrogReaver Nov 01, 2014 12:11:59	The easiest way to play your character and get the AC you want is to wear armor and reflavor that armor as a robe and the extra ac as divine protection from your god.     If you still feel your ac is too low then wear a shield and reflavor the shield as well.  Maybe a large holy symblol you carry that gives you extra divine protection.   It's quite amazing what reflavoring can do for you if you don't mind doing it.
#17 mellored Nov 01, 2014 14:31:02	melee isn't better then sacred flame once you get potent cantrip. you end up doing less, because of Wis. again your only loss is OAs. not much can make up the AC though, since clerics start near the top already.