Caster Cleric

[saucercrab]

The campaign is probably going to involve more than the usual amount of undead, problem is that most cleric PRCs don't advance in turning. Also, the party's wizard is dipping into fighter levels and probably going to see more front line action, so my cleric will need to provide some fire support as well as healing and buffs for the melee fighters. My cleric's patron is Mystra, and I'm going with the Spell and Magic domains. I'm definitely taking Extra Turning and considering Divine Spell Power for feats.

Right now my top four PrC choices are:

Sacred Exorcist - powergaming for our undead-centered campaign
Contemplative - 11th level is a long ways off!
Divine Oracle - don't advance in turning, but a bundle of abilities to ensure the cleric survives to heal the rest of the group
Mystic Wanderer (Magic of Faerun) - pure role-playing fluff, but it fits the character concept.

Another non-Turn-Undead-advancing PrC is the revised Dweomerkeeper (Mystran PrC originally in Faiths & Pantheons), found in the Complete Divine web enhancement. Requires a 1-level-dip into sorcerer or wizard (or that cheese-feat in the back of CArc), but has a bunch of pure magic abilities. And you can spend those Turn Undead uses on other stuff, like Divine Metamagic.

 

[Hedgemage]

Another non-Turn-Undead-advancing PrC is the revised Dweomerkeeper (Mystran PrC originally in Faiths & Pantheons), found in the Complete Divine web enhancement. Requires a 1-level-dip into sorcerer or wizard (or that cheese-feat in the back of CArc), but has a bunch of pure magic abilities. And you can spend those Turn Undead uses on other stuff, like Divine Metamagic.

Ah, thanks. I had ruled out Dweomerkeeper because I was only familiar with the earlier edition that had some brutal requirements. I'm not familiar with the CArc feat you mention, though.

One extra question - if I do take 1 level of Wizard to qualify for Dweomerkeeper, what spells would be good choices since they'll always be cast at 1st level?

 

[saucercrab]

Ah, thanks. I had ruled out Dweomerkeeper because I was only familiar with the earlier edition that had some brutal requirements. I'm not familiar with the CArc feat you mention, though.

Precocious Apprentice, but after rereading the feat, it wouldn't help here.

One extra question - if I do take 1 level of Wizard to qualify for Dweomerkeeper, what spells would be good choices since they'll always be cast at 1st level?

Shield has a good AC bonus; mage armor until you can get a good pair of bracers. Until you can fly, expeditious retreat to stay out of the way in combat. Possibly true strike, but don't know how many cleric spells that could take advantage of it.

Hey, at least the wizard level will net you the free Scribe Scroll.

 

[Votan]

Another feat I would suggest is the divine feat "Domain Spontaneity" from Complete Divine, to let you burn a turning attempt to spontaneously convert a spell into a domain spell, just like how you can spontaneously convert into cures. So in the fights against non-undead, you have a lot of flexibility in your spellcasting.

This is an amazing combination, actually. The 4 domains become a much more significant advantage at high levels when you can pick spells off of them at will.

I also recommend picking domains with spells that make a huge difference -- across 4 domains and with domian spontaneity you can play half as a wizard by the end.

 

[Hedgemage]

This is an amazing combination, actually. The 4 domains become a much more significant advantage at high levels when you can pick spells off of them at will.

I also recommend picking domains with spells that make a huge difference -- across 4 domains and with domian spontaneity you can play half as a wizard by the end.

I'm deviating from the thread's original intent and getting into the realm of the silly - if I wanted to maximize access to domains, is there anything I could do better than:
Cloistered Cleric (2 diety domains + Knowledge domain)
1 level of Divine Oracle (Oracle Domain)
1 level of Contemplative (additional diety domain)
1 level of Church Inquisitor (Inquisition domain) OR 5 levels of Radiant Servant of Pelor (Glory or Purification domain)
1 level of Seeker of the Misty Isle (Travel domain)
1 lelel of Warpriest (Glory domain)

So, in theory 8 domains. Of course you'd have to be a elf or half-elf, LG or NG, pick some very specific feats, and worship a god that grants one of a few specific domains. Anything I'm missing?

 

[Sejs]

I'm deviating from the thread's original intent and getting into the realm of the silly - if I wanted to maximize access to domains, is there anything I could do better than:
Cloistered Cleric (2 diety domains + Knowledge domain)
1 level of Divine Oracle (Oracle Domain)
1 level of Contemplative (additional diety domain)
1 level of Church Inquisitor (Inquisition domain) OR 5 levels of Radiant Servant of Pelor (Glory or Purification domain)
1 level of Seeker of the Misty Isle (Travel domain)
1 lelel of Warpriest (Glory domain)

So, in theory 8 domains. Of course you'd have to be a elf or half-elf, LG or NG, pick some very specific feats, and worship a god that grants one of a few specific domains. Anything I'm missing?

Toss on Divine Disciple for another domain.

 

[RonYon]

Love this character type, but im usually on the other(eveil ) team.
Try using Spontaneous Domain Casting from the PHBII. It ditches spontaneous healing spells for the ability to cast fspontaneously from one domain of your choice.
Stack this with Domain Spontinaity if ya want.
Also try Divine Magician from Complete Mage. It trades one domain for the ability to add one Wizard spell from the Abjuration, Divination, or Necromancy schools to your list at each level that you gain new spell.Basicly, nine spells, added to your list from the the wizards list.
The choices are awsome.If you want to be cheesy, ditch the Knowledge Domain and keep the Spell and Magic.
When using the AnySpell Chain, remember that the Spell Compendium version is better in some ways, since the Arcane spell can come from any source, and need not be translated into anything you can understand.DM may nix this as cheesy.
Also consider becoming a RuneCaster, for the some of the best item creation in the game.

Consider going "naked" at higher levels, if only to benifit from a Monks Belt, along with your Mage Armor.Go this way, and anything you do to raise your Wisdom will add to your AC too.
Mystic Wanderer has Chariasma to AC,right? Good Turn/Divine metamagic synergy there.
At low levels consider The Hide Sheild for +3 AC and the option to take full cover, without the weight, expense of a Tower Sheild.

Dweomerkeeper can be qualified for via a first level Regional feat. Check out the Wotc CharOp stickies and look for the Cheater of Mystra build for details.