I have no problem with the base Dex of 15 to pick up the first dual-wielding feat. Where I'm running into problems are the Dex 17/19 Requirements for the next 'tier'.
Is there any other ways to qualify for advanced dual-wielding... or any builds someone can recommend that allow me to keep a very high wisdom, but allow Dex to be up to 19?
The level the character will be 16.
It still isn't optimized though, you might want a template for your race that give bonuses to dex and wisdom-which is normally against what a cleric is trying to achieve; even cleric archers don't use dex.
A good suggestion is to take the war domain, and at higher levels take the Holy Warrior reserve feat from Complete champion. Extra damage equal to your highest uncast war domain spell is pretty valuable to a 2wf. For now, you'll probably need to just do your best with what strength you have, and divine favor.
grr, too slow on the glove comment lol
Shiba Protector nets wisdom bonus to damage ontop of strength, so add on intuitive attack and your unarmed strikes are being delivered with wisdom X2 bonus on the attack rolls. (who needs divine power? lol, though the other buff traits of it may still be appealing, I haven't played a melee cleric so I'm not certain there.)
Also, I remember reading somewhere that power attack works on monk's unarmed strikes (because their treated as natural weapons maybe? I dunno for sure, but if it doesn't I'd be irritated with all the monk PrC's that require it lol) With all that extra AB you could pack some extra punch into your hits.
One thing you'll probably want though, that I'm not certain how to get (maybe there's a cleric spell that grants it that I'm not familiar with?) is pounce, travel devotion is great, but it's limited uses per day so another way to pull it off can be crucial.
The idea I'm currently kicking around is just a base Cloistered Cleric level 16. Going to shoot for a +2 Wis race, then boost Wisdom up to 24 base, then pick up +6 Enhancement Wisdom Item for a total of 30.
My idea for dual-wielding will be a quarterstaff, so I can take Intuitive Strike (+Wis to hit on Simple Weapons, as well as Unarmed Strike). For added damage, throw in Holy Warrior and Knowledge Devotion... and mix in a little Persistent Divine Power (via Divine Metamagic). Add in the Gloves of Balanced Hand, and I think we're good to go.
It looks like I'll have about a +27/+27/+22/+22/+17 to attack, even before factoring in anything other than Divine Power BAB, Wisdom and Divine Favor. He'll also be dealing approximately +10-13 or so extra damage every hit, without even factoring in anything but Holy Warrior/Knowledge Devotion. While he won't likely be outdamaging the party's rogues or Two-Handed Blackguard Charge Monster (seen him hit for 95 in one attack), it's pretty darn good for a full-caster with zero prep time.
I'm thinking I'll also forgo the light armor and pick up a Monk's Belt, for a +10 wisdom bonus to AC (and +1 Monk level bonus), and either pick up Bracers of Armor... or use that Armor spell in Exalted Deeds, Greater Luminous Armor for a +8 Armor bonus. With the 15 Dex I'll have, that's a raw 31 AC before factoring in anything else like Animated Shields or Natural/Deflection. Figure I can easily boost that to 40.
In the end, with a full compliment of level 16 cleric spells... I think the character will be rather bestial, both dealing/receiving damage, as well as filling a much needed support role in the group. Also, he'll have a very Anime/Soul Caliber feel to him, as he can pretty much interchange weapon strikes with unarmed attacks, thanks to the belt.
Maybe I can even add in Snapkick from Tome of Battle, for that 1 final extra attack.
Any additional spell selections/critiques would be welcome too.
I played a cleric like this once, and also just wore a monk's belt instead of armor. Walking around in robes with a non-magical staff and then beating the crap out of people was a lot of fun. :D
Good idea with Holy Warrior. Make it a Cloistered Cleric and add Knowledge Devotion for more bonus damage, and Travel Devotion to be able to get in those full attacks. (along with DMM: Persistent to get full BAB)
War, Travel, and Knowledge-- the god of logistics? ;)
For the build/equipment noted above, you won't be able to use an animated shield-- that will disable your monk's belt.
War, Travel, and Knowledge-- the god of logistics? ;)
For the build/equipment noted above, you won't be able to use an animated shield-- that will disable your monk's belt.
Ah yes - good point. Oh well. Always Natural Armor and Deflection.
Will be hard to find a God of War and Travel, but I'm sure I can swing something.
Don't forget Greater Mighty Whallop and Spikes. You'll be doing so much damage, your DM is likely to throw the DMG at you. :D
I played a cleric like this once, and also just wore a monk's belt instead of armor. Walking around in robes with a non-magical staff and then beating the crap out of people was a lot of fun. :D
Where are Greater Mighty Whallop and Spikes from?
Read THIS. It's really very good.
Wow - I never really looked at Ordained Champion that closely. I may just have to pick it up. The beautiful part of the Holy Warrior ability at the end of it is that I won't have to get Intuitive Strike, and I'll be able to use the diety's favored weapon rather than a quarterstaff.