Hey! Im starting a campaing in Eberron 3.5
All basic, Eberron, Races of, Complete books are allowed, as well as those not allied to any particular campaing setting.
Anyway... I want a Badass Dwarf Cleric that can be a beast in battle, as well as giving a little support for his comrades here and there (but melee is the primary goal).
So, im all set with the race and classes: Cleric 4 / Ordained Champion 2, but i want some advice about:
- Feats
- Alternate Class/Racial Featured
- Equipment
- Domains (Im thinking War, Travel and 1 more: OC gives you the War domain so i get to chose 1 more)
As always... Thx in advance 
For the next level, I would suggest the "Pool of Healing" alternate class ability because as an ordained champion, you lack healing versatileness.
Otherwise you could take the "Sponteanous Healer" (or something like that) feat from Complete Divine.
By the way, do you worship Hextor or Heironeous?
Not sure yet, But i think the DM will give me freedom to choose from any Deity :P But i dont know wich one i should choose.
Wich Domains are the best ones? (Remember the OC changes the ability of the cleric to change spells for healing ones, insted i can change them for Domain spells).
I dont want to be goodie too shoes, i want to be Chaotic Neutral or at least Neutral at all. Since im getting the War domain I should look for a Deity with a NICE weapon (cause i'll gain proficiency with it and weapon focus).
Also... Im still not sure if i should be Human (for the feat, more damage with weapons, etc) or Dwarf (I kinda dont like them hehehe). What you guys think?
For weapons, there are gods for Falchion, Glaive, Longsword, Greatsword, Warhammer, Greataxe, Trident, Spear.... well there are some more but these ar the ones from Complete Divine I can remember
I wonder if it's ok for your DM if you don't worship a god at all? Otherwise you could just choose two domains you like and decide your chosen weapon.
EDIT: Oh yeah, and by the way, the ability of the War domain is pretty crappy for the Ordained Champion because he needs the Feats as prequisites.
Well you read my mind... My character woships no deity at all, but he has an "ideal". I already talked it through with my DM and he's ok with it so I get to choose any domain I want and any Weapon (i think im going with the Greatsword).
This are my feats so far (i can choose 4):
Spontaneous(Level 1)
Extra Turning (Huaman)
Combat Casting (Level 3)
Extended Spell (Level 6)
I chose War (and Travel) as my starting Domains so i can get Weapon Focus (greatsword) for free. AND I can choose any other domain thanks to the bonus domain feature from the Ordained Champion PrC. Im thinking to choose a domain with nice spells and a crappy power and change the power with the Fighter's Feat (thanks to the ability "Combat Feats") Intuitive Attack (replace Str with Wis for attack rolls). So i JUST need to choose that domain... With domains are good for my character? Protection? Strengh?
If you already have extend spell, you may think about going the divine metamagic persist route. That way, you can persist your buff spells like divine favor and divine power
i think destruction and/or earth would fit your theme nicely.
if you do deside to go the divine metamagic route as suggested by someone else, you definantly want to go human instead of dwarf for the bonus feat.
one more thing.... a spiked chain wielding cleric (prof and focus for free). think about it.
Intuitive Attack: With a simple weapon of your size or a natural weapon, you may use your Wisdom modifier instead of your Strength modifier on attack rolls. (BoED)
Simple weapons: www.d20srd.org/srd/equipment/weapons.htm... Not greatsword...
Intuitive Attack: With a simple weapon of your size or a natural weapon, you may use your Wisdom modifier instead of your Strength modifier on attack rolls. (BoED)
Simple weapons: www.d20srd.org/srd/equipment/weapons.htm... Not greatsword...
Use a longspear. It's a better weapon overall anyway, IMO. Steadfast Boots go very well with this. You'll kill most mooks that try to charge you before they even get to swing.
I don't think Intuitive Attack is worth a feat, though. You should be buffing your strength anyway, and it doesn't apply your Wis to damage.
Ohhh damn it... I didnt thought about that.
I really want the Intuitive Attack feat... cause I have +5 in Wis and only +2 in Str. Or maybe I dont need it?
On Domains:
Protection is always a great choice! Protective Ward will save your ass plenty of times, and don't forget some gems at the spell list it gives you! Antimagic Field as a 6th level Divine spell(Normally a 8th level) AND at 8th level you get a spell which is normally arcane only! Mind Blank! Spell Resistance is also a great combat buff, if your other domain spell of 5th level isn't something special.
Earth is another amazing choice! Especialy so for a Dwarf! I play a Cleric of Moradin and I've got Earth and Protection. Lets just say you can't get more iconic that that. But Earth is a real powerhouse! The domain power is meh, but the spells are great! Stone Shape, Spike Stones, Wall of Stone(Permanent!), Stoneskin!, Iron Body and the grand Elemental Swarm(Earth Elementals only)! Very usefull spells!
The Destruction domain is also a great choice for any melee cleric. The granted power is awesome and works on basically anything, gives unnamed bonuses on Attack and Damage, and it can be further boosed via Feats. Spells however are bad. But the Smite more then makes up for that. Also it has flavor for a melee monster cleric.
Strength is also a good domain, sometimes overlooked a bit due to being mutualy exlusive with Earth( Because of Stoneskin being on both spell lists as one of the best features of the Domain). The Granted power is quite good, especially if focused on a usefull task.. Break appart bars in a prison, gain a massive bonus on Damage AND fuel power attack with it! Unfortunately it doesn't stack with any Enhancment bonuses, but hey, can't have it all.
The spells are also quite nice. Enlarge Person being the prime GEM amongs them, followed by Stoneskin.
Hope that helps! Also to everyone who aproaches Optimizing a cleric from the DMM point of view. GET REAL, there honestly isn't a DM in his right mind who will let you Persist Righteous Might and Divine Power, and you shouldn't focus that as your point of optimization in real groups or actual played D&D.
The real point in optimizing your cleric should be versatility. Sure, you can become a melee monster, no problem. But always bear in mind your party will look to you for healing, dispelling, buffing and disabling at times. Not to mention clensing nasty stuff like Ability damage/drain, curses etc..
You MUST be able to predict what your DM will throw at you and prepare accordingly. You've got a massive spell list with all spells available, USE THEM!
And for pete's sake don't give your DM headaches with Persist. Quicken can be handled, it is sort of a lesser of two evils, but seriously be nice to your co-players and you will find them being nice to you. Ask for contributions for buying Wands of Lesser Vigor and the entire party will be at full HP between any encounter, without you sacrificing valuable 1st level spells( They ARE valuable to a Melee cleric).
Hope that helped! Have fun with your Dwarf! I know I do with mine! :D
PS: Feats are also an important part of a Battle Cleric! Power attack is viedly overlooked and it SHOULDN'T BE! You can fuel PA very easy with buffs, use it!
brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.p...
Human Cleric 4 / OC 2
Alignment: LN
Weapon: Large Bastard Sword (two handed. -2 on attack rolls cause the size but damage si 2d8. I know its EXOTIC but my DM is allowing it).
Stats:
STR 18
DEX 11
CON 16
INT 10
WIS 18
CHA 14
Domains: War, Strengh and Travel
Feats: Spontaneous Healer, Improved Initiative (Combat Feats: Replace Strengh's Power), Extra Turning, Strengh Devotion (Natural Weapon: Not sure about this one) and Touch of Healing (not sure about this either). As you see... IM NOT GOING FOR DMM (too chesee for me xD)
Equipment (16k to Spend): So far: +2 Wis item, Full Plate +2, Large Bastard Sword (Masterwork)
Couple of questions so far:
- Wich PrC should I look forward to? (im not sure about taking more levels in Ordained Champion).
* Bone Knight is OUT of the Question
- What feats could I use insted of the ones I posted back there?
- Equipment suggestions?
I too am working on an OC cleric, but as a dwarf and topping it all off with Techsmith for a golem buddy.