Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Reius Sep 11, 2014 16:20:10	Hey all, I wanted to ask people's opinions of my idea for a 5e game that's starting soon.   My plan is to go with a Wood Elf Cleric using the Tempest Domain. Criminal/pirate Background to get a rogue-ish feel. I'm going to avoid healing abilities and want to be more of a strikerish character. Our DM wants to start with a pretty low ability array, and none of the races give a +2 to Wisdom, so I'm going to end up with my two highest abilities being Dex and Wis both at 15. I want to use finesse weapons and emphasize the Dex for combat.   Other than the low starting scores, what's wrong with my plan? I won't be as good as a rogue or fighter, but is there anything inherently wrong with trying to use finesse weapons on a cleric with an acceptable Dex? He seems more like a ranger, but the tempest domain fits his backstory much better.   I know he won't be super OP, but he'll still be a Tempest cleric-pirate wielding a rapier and a whip. Thanks
#2 Illithidbix Sep 11, 2014 16:40:19	Providing you're happy to accept that you might not be quite as effective as a STR based, Chainmail+Shield type; then absolutely nothing! Sounds like a cool concept!   If anything DEX is currently viewed as a bit too good in direct comparison to STR due to the number of things it adds to (+Initiative, more skills, DEX saves more common than STR saves etc)   A few points to note: As you're Tempest you're trained in martial weapons, so you can use a rapier (D8, finesse) The only issue is that this isn't in the cleric's starting equipment choices, and at 25gp it's a little bit expensive if you're going with a random starting wealth roll.   What armour you planning on using? If your DEX has a +2 Modifier, you might want to invest in Medium armour and a shield. With DEX 14, you have AC 16 in scale mail, which is the same as a clanky in chainmail. Thinking about it... Rapier, Scalemail and Shield might be superior to STR based build, at least until better armour comes along.   It's also easy to forget the design of the game isn't really on the most optimised builds anyway.
#3 Direach Sep 11, 2014 16:41:32	It's a good plan. You'll have decent AC with a shield/buckler, good initiative (something frequently lacking for clerics), and the flexibility to go ranged or melee equally easily. Plus, your increased speed improves your mobility in case you need to get to an injured party member (or make a fast retreat).
#4 Reius Sep 11, 2014 20:36:03	Cool. Sounds like I'm thinking along the right lines. DM's pretty stingy with starting cash and making us buy everything, so I the best I could do was hide, shield, rapier with daggers for range and a whip for reach. It's ended up really close to exactly what I was trying to make. Thanks for the comments and advice!
#5 Veleria Sep 11, 2014 21:56:27	what is your starting array? with 2 dex and 1 wis you should be able t get 16 dex and wis as a wood elf.