Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 NullSheen Apr 01, 2015 19:44:29	I am playing a Forest Gnome Cleric (Trickery Domain, Urchin background) S10, D:16, C: 14, I:13, W:16, C: 13   We have a Bard who has also taken Healing Word and a Pladin in the party. Barbarian and Wizard round the party out.   Originaly I took a shield but I am now thiniking that with getting advantage from my double from next level I would be better fighting with two daggers. Which is the  better option?
#2 Macv12 Apr 01, 2015 23:30:14	Two-weapon fighting is not really worth much unless you invest in it. You're looking at adding an extra 1d4 damage at the cost of your bonus action, assuming you hit, and only when you use the Attack action. The +2 AC from the shield will help you keep up your concentration to maintain the illusion, you can use a stronger weapon in your main hand (so you're basically trading 2d4 from two dagger attacks for 1d8, depending on the weapon), and it's always on without spending your bonus action.   I'd stick with the shield for this character. Unless dual wielding is important to their image; it's perfectly viable, just not as optimal.
#3 Macv12 Apr 01, 2015 23:36:46	Oh, whoa, I forgot. As a cleric, you can basically use a shield as a spellcasting focus (your holy symbol), so you can cast most spells while holding a weapon and shield. Not so for two weapons. You'd have to get the War Caster feat to cast any spell with Somatic components, and even then couldn't cast spells with Material components.   You can sheathe or draw a weapon once per turn, so you're not totally unable to cast. You'll just have to pay more attention to components and what you're doing with your hands.
#4 NullSheen Apr 02, 2015 4:12:58	Taking a 1d8 weapon will not help with my terrible strengh, im bettter off with the dagger at least I get +5 to hit and 1d4+3 damage.    You make good points about the shield though
(Reply to #4) jaappleton	NullSheen wrote:
#6 NullSheen Apr 02, 2015 5:10:46	ok because two people have hinted at it how does my cleric of the trickery domain get access to a rapier or Short Sword?  Just drop the proficency bonus?
(Reply to #6) jaappleton	NullSheen wrote:
#8 transcendantviewer Apr 02, 2015 8:12:29	I cast my vote for just keeping the dagger & Shield. A d4 can be pretty scary with the right modifiers. Not to mention, as a Cleric, you're built to take a few hits, but being a front-line fighter isn't your main goal in life, so don't worry about what weapon you're using so much as keeping your spells going. And don't multiclass unless you have to for the sake of your character concept. It just deprives you of cool late game abilities and slows your Ability Score Increases.