Modifying Cleric to be more like Wizard

[Einlanzer0]

This has always been a slight pet peeve of mind about D&D - that the standard cleric is an armor clad warpriest rather than the more common and anachronistically appropriate scholarly theologian. It annoys me that they always just push the former rather than at least finding a way to bake the choice into the class.

Has anyone done any variants to mirror the robed priest archetype so common in other media? I have a few ideas but I'd like to get others' input before I present them.

 

[Yunru]

There are several, both homebrew and not.
Life clerics aren't weapon-swinging brutes, neither are Light clerics, or Arcane, etc.

Although I'm pretty sure that historically priest that were present on a battlefield at the very least wanted to wear armor. If we're being realistic a robed priest would be a npc that never leaves their church

 

[Einlanzer0]

There are several, both homebrew and not.
Life clerics aren't weapon-swinging brutes, neither are Light clerics, or Arcane, etc.

Although I'm pretty sure that historically priest that were present on a battlefield at the very least wanted to wear armor. If we're being realistic a robed priest would be a npc that never leaves their church

Well, it's not just historic - it's what is prevalent in other fantasy media. Priests even in the context of fantasy are usually robed spellcasters and not armored mace-wielders. It's kind of lame that there's nothing in the core rules to mirror that archetype.

 

[ccs]

Well, it's not just historic - it's what is prevalent in other fantasy media. Priests even in the context of fantasy are usually robed spellcasters and not armored mace-wielders. It's kind of lame that there's nothing in the core rules to mirror that archetype.

But there is. You can choose to NOT wear armor. You can choose NOT to use a weapon. You don't need any special rules to play the un-armed, robed-priest archetype.

 

[Einlanzer0]

But there is. You can choose to NOT wear armor. You can choose NOT to use a weapon. You don't need any special rules to play the un-armed, robed-priest archetype.

Clerics are balanced around their armor and proficiencies. Gimping yourself to play a concept that could be easily incorporated into rules should not be necessary and is clearly not the response I'm looking for.

 

[Einlanzer0]

Here's what I'm thinking right now. I will likely also add 1-2 spells per level to the list of cleric spells for this variant, but I haven't worked out what those should be yet.

d6 HD
no weapon or armor proficiencies
Armor of Faith - Gain Charisma modifier to AC
Epiphany - Recover one spell slot of any level except your highest (minimum 1st) and change a prepared spell during a short rest.
Always gain bonus cantrip at 2nd level instead of bonus proficiency
Always can Potent spellcasting at 8th level instead of Divine Strike

 

[Guest 6801328]

I'm with Einlanzer on this one. I want to play a cleric more like a WoW priest. Yeah, I could leave the armor off and seriously gimp myself. I could refluff chainmail and shield, but that feels...bleh.

The best option is probably to dip 1 level into Monk, but now you've gone and spent a whole level to basically re-fluff yourself.

I'd like to see a new domain where you give up armor and shield proficiency and get Unarmored Defense instead.

I also really like the concept of a divine class based on the warlock. You still have a deity, but it's more of a "benefactor", and you don't choose him he/she chose you (for which you might not even be very grateful). I could see the class based around the idea of madness...think the lone hermit, the mystical seer, or the oracle who talks in riddles.

 

[Fragsie]

I also really like the concept of a divine class based on the warlock. You still have a deity, but it's more of a "benefactor", and you don't choose him he/she chose you (for which you might not even be very grateful). I could see the class based around the idea of madness...think the lone hermit, the mystical seer, or the oracle who talks in riddles.

1Mac has homebrewed just such a thing... Link

 

[Yunru]

Take a level in Wizard, Sorcerer or Warlock, use Mage Armor, done.

Or you could just no wear armor. Not sure why your robes cant be made of leather but eh.
Sure it would gimp you, because in the majority of cases it's a stupid idea. And that's why it would never happen. Priests aren't combatants.

 

[ccs]

Here's what I'm thinking right now. I will likely also add 1-2 spells per level to the list of cleric spells for this variant, but I haven't worked out what those should be yet.

d6 HD
no weapon or armor proficiencies
Armor of Faith - Gain Charisma modifier to AC
Epiphany - Recover one spell slot of any level except your highest (minimum 1st) and change a prepared spell during a short rest.
Always gain bonus cantrip at 2nd level instead of bonus proficiency
Always can Potent spellcasting at 8th level instead of Divine Strike

???
I could've sworn you'd replied about how you're against gimping yourself....