Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 furious5k Apr 19, 2008 15:01:58	I have been playing this character for a while now in a really fun game that will be finishing around level 20 (19-21) and I've been enjoying my cleric (read: big friggin' tank) a great deal. I started the character by getting some input on these boards and since it is about mid-way through the levels, I thought I'd come by and see if any more advice is available. [You might be wondering about the title, I will come to that] The game is with 3 players, one Paladin of Sovereign Host, one Cleric of Sovereign Host (Me) and one Ranger/rogue/dark lantern/something (a bit of everything). The game is set in Eberron and mostly any book from standard 3.5 D&D or Eberron goes. I'm looking if there's anything obvious I have missed so far. Human Cleric of Dol Dorn (Neutral Good) Domains: War, Courage, Glory Cleric 4/Ordained Champion 5/Knight of the Raven 2 (to be 10) Str: 18, Dex: 10, Con 16 (+2 item), Int: 12, Wis: 18 (+4 item), Cha: 10 HP: 113 (11D8+33), AC: 27 (Armor 12 [Magic Vestment], Shield 5), Fort: 14, Reflex: 2, Will: 15 Attacks: Sunsword: +15/+10 (1D10+5+Highest Level War Spell; 19-20/x2) M/W Spiked Shield: +14/+9 (1D6+4+War; 20/x2) Slam: +14 (1D8+4+War; 20/x2) +1 Morningstar: +14/+9 (1D8+5+War; 20/x2) Important Equipment: Adamantine Mechanus Gear (AC +10, DR 3/-) +2 Adamantine Heavy Shield (AC +5) +1 Blinding Heavy Steel Shield [On the selling list] +1 Spellstoring Morningstar Tooth of Savnok [Move 30ft in Mechanus Gear!] Pearl of Power (1st level) Amulet of Health +2 Circlet of Wisdom +4 Iron Ward Diamond (Lesser) Restful Crystal Crystal of Return (Least) Aquatic Action Crystal Wand of Lesser Vigor GP Available: ~9.5k [Please note that the only items I actually bought, not found, are Mechanus Gear, Sunsword, Tooth of Savnok, Wand of Lesser Vigor and the Crystals] Feats: Weapon Proficiency (Bastard Sword) [War Domain - I know it's not martial] Weapon Focus (Bastard Sword) [War Domain] Improved Shield Bash [Human] Shield Specialisation [1st Level] Agile Shield Fighting [3rd Level] Strength Devotion [Courage domain power replacement] Diehard [Ordained Champion] Knowledge Devotion [6th Level] Holy Warrior [9th Level] Skills: Concentration: 9 (6+3) Knowledge Arcana: 13 (12+1) Knowledge Dungeoneering: 2 (1+1) Knowledge History 2 (1+1) Knowledge Local 2 (1+1) Knowledge Nature 2 (1+1 Knowledge Nobility/Royalty 2 (1+1) Knowledge Planes 13 (12+1) Knowledge Religion 15 (14+1) Skill Trick: Collector of Stories Currently I (and to some extent the Paladin) am the tank. I generally buff the party before the fight where possible and run in taking damage with my DR 6/- and huge amount of Hitpoints. I use various Swift actions such as Smite Anything (as I like to call the OC's smite ability) and the lesser duration War Spells as well as Spiritual Weapons for battlefield control. When things are going badly or I just want to smack down the big-bad-guy really fast, I take out my Spellstoring Morningstar and smack with 2 Searing Lights (In the case of the previous Gladiatorial Arena Champion, this literally ended in taking the head -off- as I placed him in the -20s) I am contemplating upgrading my Iron Ward Crystal for DR 5/- (total 8/-) and getting a Crystal of Life Drinking (Lesser). Then Buying Natural Armor item +1 or +2 for cheap to get a decent AC 32. For my next feat I'm considering Practiced Spellcaster. Any input/suggestions/advice at all is appreciated!
#2 tshern Apr 19, 2008 15:20:57	You must finish Knight of the Raven. At that point you have nothing to lose and much to gain, but do not lose more caster levels. As far as I can tell, you are doing fine and somewhat makes up you not using your sword two-handed, which would increase the damage. Later on, consider dropping the (or even better, making it Animated!). To fuel your Knowledge devotion, consider getting masterwork tools (50gp per skill, +2 circumstance bonus) and have a look at Lore of the Gods in Complete Champion. That's +5 insight bonus to knowledge checks (or +10, not sure if your deity has Knowledge domain). Grabbing a Nightstick (Libris Mortis, gives four extra turn attempts and costs 7.5k) or two would give you more smites. Really, you ought to do fine with that build. Wrap up Knight of the Raven and take a level of Contemplative for hilarity.
#3 furious5k Apr 19, 2008 15:50:14	Yes, I do intend to finish Knight of the Raven (notice, it says "to be 10" next to it). There is plenty of undead in this campaign (about 30% - 40%) and we've been getting quite a bit of stat/level drain, so KotR should be great. Considering how fast we are leveling, just paying for it to get 1.5xStr is definately not worth the money.Whether or not getting an animated shield and buying a power-attack feat is worth it is hard to say. I'll think on it. I'm not sure how reasonable it is to be able to get the circumstance bonus from tools without actually taking said tools (books/scrolls) out and therefor wasting move actions to take them out/put them away. I doubt I can just get the bonus from M/W tools by owning them. I'll have to look at the Nightstick, it sounds good. Although I believe there is a holy symbol for only 1,000 that gives 3 extra turning attempts, which is on my buylist (the money I have there was gained at the end of last session). Contemplative would make a funny addition, though it would hurt my character in not getting 19/20 BAB. I intend not to have to cast Divine Power in each encounter.
#4 tshern Apr 19, 2008 15:58:04	Well, 18/20 is not that bad a BAB, especially since I cannot come up with another full BAB, full casting class and snagging caster level 17 (and 9th level spells) is far better than getting that one point of BAB. You are a Cleric, that +1 won't make a difference. Reliquary holy symbol is a bargain as well, definitely buy that. Naturally you know better than I do whether you need Power attack or not, but if you get it, animating that shield is a smart move.
#5 furious5k Apr 19, 2008 16:08:53	Well, Prestige Paladin was previously mentioned. Considering that the DM has allowed the Paladin not to be Lawful Good, I can't see him not allowing for this. Generally a feat for +1 BAB is a good deal, but in this case, I'm not sure.
#6 tshern Apr 19, 2008 16:16:46	Well, Prestige Paladin was previously mentioned. Considering that the DM has allowed the Paladin not to be Lawful Good, I can't see him not allowing for this. Generally a feat for +1 BAB is a good deal, but in this case, I'm not sure. Well, Clerics do have an astoundingly good selection of feats from which to choose, so I would not waste a feat on Mounted combat.
#7 aftercrescent Apr 19, 2008 16:17:23	I agree with what Tshern said. On that note, while prestige paladin is an okay 1 level dip, Contemplative is better, imo, seeing as how it grants another domain. BAB above 16 is good enough, unless you are planning on power attacking a lot. You say you are a cleric of the sovereign host, and if that's true, take a look at Sovereign Speaker too. Basically, unless you actually plan on using mounted combat, it's a wasted feat that you could better place elsewhere... Extra domains and their granted powers, however, are always nice.
#8 davethemagicweasel Apr 19, 2008 16:57:48	Prestige Paladin also gets you access to Paladin spells. Righteous Fury alone (+4 Sacred bonus to Strength) is possibly worth a feat (depends if you've got a sacred bonus to Strength already), and there's a lot of other good ones. Anyway, for feats, +1 on making the Shield Animated, then I'd pick up Power Attack and Awesome Smite. Note that Awesome Smite's abilities work whether you're using "Smite Anything" or the KotR's Smite Undead, so it's doubly useful :D. If you're DM will let you I'd buy the Animated Shield just before leveling to 12 (if you can afford it that is), swap out the Glory domain ability for Power Attack and then take Awesome Smite as the 12th level feat. That way it will all come together at the same time quite nicely.
#9 furious5k Apr 19, 2008 17:41:22	I can't find where it says (on d20srd) that Prestige Paladins get access to Paladin spells Feat wise, Animal Devotion gives +2 Sacred bonus to Str per 6 levels, up to +8 at 18th, 1 min/day. Which book is Awesome Smite from?
#10 aftercrescent Apr 19, 2008 17:51:40	http://systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/unearthedPrestige.html Try here and look at the top where it says Unique spells
#11 davethemagicweasel Apr 19, 2008 17:53:59	I can't find where it says (on d20srd) that Prestige Paladins get access to Paladin spells Feat wise, Animal Devotion gives +2 Sacred bonus to Str per 6 levels, up to +8 at 18th, 1 min/day. Which book is Awesome Smite from? It's under "Unique Spells" at the beginning. Animal Devotion is good, costs you 3 turns for additional uses tho, and lasts a lot less time. Awesome Smite is in Complete Champion.
#12 furious5k Apr 19, 2008 18:34:29	That's tempting, where can I find Righteous Fury? On that topic, Divine Sacrifice says that sacrificed HP counts as normal damage. Does this mean DR applies, technically? If that's the case, +5D6 for 2HP is awesomeness. EDIT: +5D6 for 0HP via Righteous Might. P.S. I just noticed that if I take Prestige Paladin then I would have Smite Evil, Smite Undead and Smite Anything. Collect them all!
#13 furious5k Apr 20, 2008 12:14:40	I just thought of something. Can a character use Shield Bash with an animated shield? Technically, he isn't holding the weapon. Even though I can certainly imagine the shield flying around and smacking people on the head, would it work mechanics wise?
#14 aftercrescent Apr 20, 2008 13:07:57	Mechanics-wise it would be the same as attacking with a dancing weapon, I believe, so yes. It would work.
#15 furious5k Apr 20, 2008 13:13:05	Does a dancing weapon keep all your bonuses to damage (like Strength, spells, enhancement bonuses, spell reserve feat [Holy Warrior] etc.)?