Can't choose a backup PC

[carborundum]

We're currently busy with Red Hand of Doom and I still haven't made a backup PC. The opponents are getting smarter and the chance of making it all the way through is decreasing. My current character is a Duskblade 8 and he's doing pretty well, though the reflex saves and hitpoints aren't great. (CON 12)

The other party members are
Paladin 8
Fighter 7 Bow specialist
Rogue 3/ Sorcerer 2/ Ranger 2
Monk 2/ Rogue 5

So - serious shortage of healers and arcane magic. I was thinking Cleric, then Favored Soul with summoning and spells and spontaneous healing, then I fancied wizard for a while.

Which gap would you recommend plugging (healing/ blasting) and which build would you recommend. He'd start at 7 or 8 and probably go on to 11 or 12 before it's done.

 

[Mistwell]

A straight cleric would be useful, though both the Ranger and Paladin can use wands of healing.

You guys are light-fighter heavy, with essentially two rogues and your Duskblade and an archer Fighter. And what the heck is the fighter doing with a bow specialization given your party composition?

Yeah, straight cleric seems like the better bet given that party composition. Get some magic heavy armor, a magic light shield (so you can cast spells), and buffing spells on yourself like Divine Favor, Bless, Righteous Might, Divine Power, Magic Vestment, and Greater Magic Weapon. Domains like Strength and War will help even more with the melee cleric theme.

 

[carborundum]

Yeah, well, his druid got splatted by an Ettin and these Wild Elves were in the neighbourhood, ergo Bow fighter! Still, a five foot step and three rapid shots at very close range IS serious damage!

 

[Mistwell]

Yeah, well, his druid got splatted by an Ettin and these Wild Elves were in the neighbourhood, ergo Bow fighter! Still, a five foot step and three rapid shots at very close range IS serious damage!

Sure, he can do serious damage. But by not being on the front line, he's letting enemies through to pound on the light-fighters in your group, and decreasing the chance of flanking to the rogues who will more often lose their sneak attacks. It's a fine tactic for an individual, but not so much for the group as a whole.

 

[carborundum]

Pretty much sums him up
The sorcerer/ rogue has well over 30AC fighting defensively with shield up and currently ties up a heavy and keeps him/ it antagonized and angry while we mop up small fry then pound on the big 'un. It is a shame about the flanking though.

Sounds like I should roll a front-line fighting cleric, or a favored soul with quicken for the buffs. Or maybe a real front-line fighter. See - it's impossible!

 

[Corsair]

On the other hand, having these options means you can play whatever you want. Something silly like a Ruby Knight Vindicator?

 

[The Souljourner]

Cleric with augment healing and healing touch (they aren't synergistic, but each really reduce the load of having to heal people all the time).

Full plate + shield, and you'll be the most robust character in the party. Grab some divine feats to fill in the gaps.

 

[irdeggman]

Bard?

Gets cure spells and some supporting spells - his bardic music should help in most combats too.

 

[Darklone]

Yeah build a bard archer and stand BEHIND the fighter archer.

 

[Angerland]

I say go with the big melee cleric type. That way, when thos archer, light fighter types need healing they ahve to get to the heavy fighting so you can give it to him. We had an archer ranger in our last party with a +1 longbow of exit wounds, got ugly very fast, til the DM started using a few archer rangers against us.