D&D 3E/3.5 [3.5] Help me create a 15th Level Cleric using only 3.5 Rules and WoTC products only.

[Hackenslash]

Hello All,

Well my high level character has taken a big nose dive into the nether yonders ! and I now have to create a new 15th Level character. I have decided to create a Cleric, not a wussy robe wearing back bencher but a full on, in your face, Battle Cleric, with Full plate, sheild and a martial weapon etc...I have never played a Cleric before in 3.0 or 3.5 edition and would like some help with the decision on Feats, Skills and what sort of magic items would be cool to have. Now I do not want to lose caster levels as that was my major problem with the last character I had. So either a Straight Cleric or a Straight Cleric with a few Prestige levels from Defenders of the faith etc...would be ok as long as the Prestige class continued gaining Spell levels. Maybe a War Priest...though not too sure. I am only allowed to use official WoTC books and can only have a standard race, no ECL+1 or higher races allowed, I was thinking Human for the extra Feat. All magic items, feats, skills and any other abilites have to come from the 3.5 Edition Books. My Stats. including the +3 points (4th,8th and 12th) from levels are as follows:

Strength: 14
Dexterity: 10
Constitution: 14
Intelligence: 10
Wisdom: 18
Charisma: 15

So any thoughts out there as to how I can make a really tough battle cleric that could hold his own on the Front lines. I have a week to create this character ready for play next Thursday night and could really benefit from any help, advice or suggestions from all you ENWorlders....Thanks.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Have you seen the new Righteous Might? It gives DR x/evil or good, depending on how you channel energy. The x depends on your level.

Divine Power is decent, and Divine Favor didn't get the nerf some were expected, so of course you'll still be using it

If you can't cast Divine Power that often, use Aid instead, since it grants more temporary hit points.

Take Strength and War - Strength gives you Stoneskin. I heard it has some other nice stuff but ... Strength gives you Stoneskin. The DR stacking with Righteous Might ... OMG.

War gives you a free feat, of course. You might prefer the Destruction domain because it gives you Smite - if your DM lets you use Extra Smiting.

Actually, this probably isn't great advice. I'm used to spellcasters who hang out at the back and cast Mass Command

I can't help when it comes to prestige classes.

 

[Hackenslash]

Thanks !!

Cheers for the info. on Righteous Might and I was actually thinking of War as one of my domains but have not decided whether to go for Destruction or Strength ? Also, I would like some advice on kitting out the character with magic items. My DM has given me 200,000 gp to spend with a maximum of 37,000 gp per item.

I was also concerned about the stacking effects of certain spells and was not aware that DR's can stack via buff spells ? What about Righteous Might stacking with a Belt of Giant Strength ?Can this be true ? If it is then it would be very cool.

Any other advice or suggestions out there......

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

I made a mistake about DR "stacking" - I meant overlap, but IMC we always call it stacking.

I don't understand the hp/hardness rules for magic weapons yet. I know that a weapon gains +10 hp and +2 hardness per point of enhancement bonus (making +5 weapons very resilient against adamantine weapons) but I don't know how GMW affects hp and hardness (if at all). So I don't know if you should get an actual +3 or +4 weapon or just use GMW on a +1 weapon with a laundry list of abilities.

If you don't mind preparing Magic Vestment a few times (no Sunder issues there) you might want +1 armor with a bunch of abilities stacked on - especially since they're worth the coin now. Adamantine armor is also really cool - if you ask me mithril full plate just isn't worth it, since your speed still suffers.

Get the best shield, though.

Get a bunch of Pearls of Power, especially if you're the only cleric around. You can't afford to use up all your 4th-level slots on Neutralize Poison and Restoration - not when spells like Divine Power and Death Ward beckon. Getting a ton of scrolls is also a good idea, especially for spells like Remove Blindness that you won't be using every day.

The biggest problem with buffs is that everyone in the party will want them. I've had trouble when I've only prepared Death Ward twice - the rogue and wizard want it more than me, and it's a pain if you need those spells on multiple occasions during the day.

Remove Fear is actually worth taking now - especially if you use it on only one person.

The Amulet of Health and Amulet of Natural Armor compete for the same slot - and I'm not sure where the Periapt of Wisdom goes. Wisdom is first, of course, but if it doesn't take up the same slot I'd go for the AC boosting and use Endurance when needed. (Note - I've only tried this with 3.0 Endurance. YMMV.)

If you're trying to act like a fighter, you need several feats. Power Attack is very important, since lots of opponents (eg giants) have low AC scores. I've found clerics IMC were frustrated by their inability to keep up with a fighter's damage since the fighter was always using Power Attack and they never took it - preferring Extend Spell instead.

I also find Spring Attack useful, but a cleric is unlikely to be able to use this. Stoneskin makes a decent substitute, especially against creatures like dragons who make multiple fairly weak attacks. (Disclaimer: the dragon could just use Power Attack, which is scary.)

If you ask me clerics don't get many high-level offensive buffs. Other than Mass Bull's Strength those types of spells don't go past 5th-level (Righteous Might). Fortunately this will make it easy to heal your party - don't forget to take that sweetest of spells, Greater Spell Immunity. You might not even need to cast Death Ward on yourself

 

[Hackenslash]

MY BADD !!!!

Sorry everyone, I double posted this thread by accident or my PC just hates me !!! Please ignore the other thread and post your replys on this one. Thanks...

 

[Hackenslash]

Heads Up !!!.....

Thanks for the heads up SeveredHead....err....no pun intended...Honest !!!

So now that I have had a quick squiz through the 3.5 DMG I have confirmed my maximum per item limit to be 37,000gp and 200,000gp for an overall maximum. This has now been confirmed by my DM.

I am not sure about those hardness and magic weapon rules either yet.

I agree with the Pearls of Power but not sure what level to go for.

I am definitely considering the Dwarven Adamantine Full Plate with a +4 Bonus as that would work out to just over 32,000. Then I would get some cool DR 3/- and a good AC to boot. I will off set the speed penalty with Boots of springing and striding and they still give you a +10 on your base speed.

I was thinking of getting an Animated Steel Heavy Sheild +4 as I will be using a Medium Great Sword due to that being my Gods Favored Weapon.

Regarding my Great Sword, I am not sure to go for a +4 Cold Iron Great Sword, OR. a +2 Holy Great Sword.

I will be definitely be getting the Periapt of Wisdom and can afford a +6 version. Cool. The Periapt is a pearl on a chain so I can't have the Amulet of Health or any other necklace for that matter and I think the Wisdom is more important. However I am considering the Ioun Stone option, maybe Charisma and Constitution +2 each. As they are relatively cheap and can effortlessly float around my head and be active all the time, but I am worried about them getting snatched and stolen or even worse used against me.....DOH !!!

My alignment will be Chaotic Good and I have decided to play a Human for the extra feat and skill points. That means that I will have a Total of 7 feats to choose at 15th level. I think you are right in pointing out Power Attack and I think I will go for Cleave as well, coz it'll look cool with my Great Sword. I am considering Extra Turning and Improved Critical aswell as Improved Initiative but not sure about the remaining two Feat slots. Maybe Extend Spell for my Buff spells and perhaps Divine Sacrifice from the Defenders of the Faith. Not sure though.....?????

I have seen the new Righteous Might but I think I have definitley decided on War and Destruction as my Domains as I need the extra Martial Weapon Feat and Weapon Focus and would rather go the Smiting from Destruction I think. I would like to get the prestige Domain, Glory as well but think I can only get it through being a War Priest Prestige Class....Hmmmm !!!!

As for spells, well I have got a lot of reading to do, but Remove Fear, Mass Heals and as many Buff Spells as I can get will be there, along with the really cool Holy Aura...8th Level Spell, Sweet !!! and a few Flame Strikes and Searing Lights.

Any more thoughts, suggestions or comments on what I have already selected ??? Cheers for the replys....

 

[Kae'Yoss]

If you have extend spell, you could use Extended Magic Vestment and Extended Greater Magic Weapon and save some coin (or get other enhancements instead). If you prepare these spells more than once you can buff some friend's weapon, too (would be a good use for a pearl of power!)

Pack some align weapon spells, and a little of silversheen, and make that sword either cold iron or adamantine. You'll cover most DR options with that, at least for a short time.

The spell Spell Resistence is useful.

Always pack some Lesser Restorations.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Re: Heads Up !!!.....

Thanks for the heads up SeveredHead....err....no pun intended...Honest !!!

Well, lots of people make fun of my real name anyway

So now that I have had a quick squiz through the 3.5 DMG I have confirmed my maximum per item limit to be 37,000gp and 200,000gp for an overall maximum. This has now been confirmed by my DM.

I am not sure about those hardness and magic weapon rules either yet.

I agree with the Pearls of Power but not sure what level to go for.

I think maybe some 2nd to 5th... it's cheaper than getting a huge stack of scrolls in the long run.

I am definitely considering the Dwarven Adamantine Full Plate with a +4 Bonus as that would work out to just over 32,000. Then I would get some cool DR 3/- and a good AC to boot. I will off set the speed penalty with Boots of springing and striding and they still give you a +10 on your base speed.

Sounds cool.

I was thinking of getting an Animated Steel Heavy Sheild +4 as I will be using a Medium Great Sword due to that being my Gods Favored Weapon.

Regarding my Great Sword, I am not sure to go for a +4 Cold Iron Great Sword, OR. a +2 Holy Great Sword.

I guess it depends on why you want a Holy Sword DR penetrating? Kick-butt potential? I wish I knew how common Improved Sunder was among monsters.

I will be definitely be getting the Periapt of Wisdom and can afford a +6 version. Cool. The Periapt is a pearl on a chain so I can't have the Amulet of Health or any other necklace for that matter and I think the Wisdom is more important. However I am considering the Ioun Stone option, maybe Charisma and Constitution +2 each. As they are relatively cheap and can effortlessly float around my head and be active all the time, but I am worried about them getting snatched and stolen or even worse used against me.....DOH !!!

My alignment will be Chaotic Good and I have decided to play a Human for the extra feat and skill points. That means that I will have a Total of 7 feats to choose at 15th level. I think you are right in pointing out Power Attack and I think I will go for Cleave as well, coz it'll look cool with my Great Sword.

I am considering Extra Turning and Improved Critical aswell as Improved Initiative but not sure about the remaining two Feat slots. Maybe Extend Spell for my Buff spells and perhaps Divine Sacrifice from the Defenders of the Faith. Not sure though.....?????

I personally haven't found Extra Turning to be worth it, but I understand DotF has some options for that. If you're into buffing-n-bashing and not spellcasting then Improved Initiative may not be worth it. Having said that, it can save you from a rogue once or twice, and that's always a good thing

I have seen the new Righteous Might but I think I have definitley decided on War and Destruction as my Domains as I need the extra Martial Weapon Feat and Weapon Focus and would rather go the Smiting from Destruction I think. I would like to get the prestige Domain, Glory as well but think I can only get it through being a War Priest Prestige Class....Hmmmm !!!!

Sounds like good choices. I don't know about the PrC, of course.

As for spells, well I have got a lot of reading to do, but Remove Fear, Mass Heals and as many Buff Spells as I can get will be there, along with the really cool Holy Aura...8th Level Spell, Sweet !!! and a few Flame Strikes and Searing Lights.

Holy Aura is really sweet. I wish it lasted longer, but it does keep the party fighter from being Dominated.

Any more thoughts, suggestions or comments on what I have already selected ??? Cheers for the replys....

Not at this time. I may think of something later

 

[Crass]

Quote:

My alignment will be Chaotic Good and I have decided to play a Human for the extra feat and skill points. That means that I will have a Total of 7 feats to choose at 15th level. I think you are right in pointing out Power Attack and I think I will go for Cleave as well, coz it'll look cool with my Great Sword. I am considering Extra Turning and Improved Critical aswell as Improved Initiative but not sure about the remaining two Feat slots. Maybe Extend Spell for my Buff spells and perhaps Divine Sacrifice from the Defenders of the Faith. Not sure though.....?????

If you're contemplating Extra Turning and/or another feat, I'd be inclined to go for the Still Spell - particularly if your campaign has a lot of encounters with grappling monsters. An alternative may be to select Silent Spell, depending upon the nature of your campaign, as these allow you to continue casting in adverse conditions and when subtlety may be required.

 

[ForceUser]

Here is my v.3.5 Cleric of Pelor. He's 13th-level; feel free to use him as a template