Hierophant worth it?

[pbd]

Is the Hierophant PrC worth the loss of spell progression? I am playing a cleric in a current campaign (lvl 8; Aasimar/cleric 7), I know he would not qualify for several levels (Uh, 7 right?).

This PrC grants some nifty powers; ranged touch, better turning, spell power, and making a spell a spell-like-ability, but you lose spell progression (at least you don't lose caster level).

I know it can add good flavor, but does it cripple the cleric by reducing soells/day and slowing the cleric's gaining higher level spells?

 

[Infiniti2000]

I am playing a cleric in a current campaign (lvl 8; Aasimar/cleric 7), I know he would not qualify for several levels (Uh, 7 right?).

You need 7 more levels of cleric and then you can start taking Heirophant.

Is the Hierophant PrC worth the loss of spell progression? ... I know it can add good flavor, but does it cripple the cleric by reducing soells/day and slowing the cleric's gaining higher level spells?

It's not worth it prior to gaining 9th level spells, no. It would be worth it to take as your 19th and 20th levels. The Heirophant PrC is actually quite lame IMO when compared to the Archmage.

 

[Voadam]

Works well as an epic class when you no longer gain spell casting anyway.

 

[Jdvn1]

Works well as an epic class when you no longer gain spell casting anyway.

In which case you sacrifice caster level.

 

[Infiniti2000]

In which case you sacrifice caster level.

Not for Heirophant. It specifically increases caster level.

 

[Bill Muench]

One of the best reasons to take Hierophant after 17th level is for Divine Reach. It, combined with Chain Spell, allow you to affect multiple targets with touch range spells (Magic Vestment, stat buffs, Death Ward, Freedom of Movement, etc.). That's pretty nice and makes for an excellent support cleric. Combine it with Divine Metamagic (Chain Spell) and it gets even better.

But like other people have said, I don't recommend taking it before 18th level.