Cleric Advice

[Maniac]

Hello!

I was hoping I could get some advice.

I have a Cleric that just made 4th level and I am having a difficult time choosing what stat to boost.

Viggo is a Cleric of Thor with the Air and War domains.
Stats are:
S 12
D 11
C 11
I 12
W 17
Ch 14

Feats are Scribe Scroll, Combat Casting and Weapon Focus.
My 3rd level feat was Brew Potion but the DM will let me change that one.

There are benefits to increasing almost every stat.

Increasing Strength allows me to get Power attack at 6th and Divine Strike at 9th(I think that what its called the one from DoF that give you a + to damage based on Cha). I could also get Cleave as well as going to S14 at 8th for another +1.

Increasing dexterity give +1 to AC (up to 20), increases my reflex save to +2, adds +1 to hit with my Crossbow and gives bonuses on some skills that I don't really use.

Increasing Constitution gives my 4 extre HP immediately, +1 to fortitude and increases my Concentration.

Increasing Intelligence allows me to take the Expertise feat to become a more defensive fighter.

Increasing Wisdom increases the ever important Spot and Listen as well as being the prime stat for a cleric. Save DC goes up, better turning etc. If I go this route I think I will switch Brew Potion for Alertness and get Craft Wand at 6th. I am favoring this route right now.

Charisma does not really get me anywhere.

I am trying to play to my characters strengths but in our campaign we routinely make 5 or more Spot or Listen checks every session way more than any other skill - thats why I might go that route.

Any other ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks.

M.

 

[diaglo]

better turning

turning is a Cha based stat. air domain is cool for using against other possibles besides undead.

 

[diaglo]

are you considering any PrC?

maybe the prereqs for those might shape your opinions about what feat and stat to change.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

Put it in Wisdome. You'll get more spells/day, and they become harder to resist. You are primarily a spellcaster. Put it in Wisdom.

 

[robaustin]

I'll agree - put it in Wisdom. The long term benefits are greater with regard to spells. You can boost your other stats later.

But now that I've said my min/max piece - let's look at it this way - what is this CHARACTER like? What makes him tick? What are his goals? THAT should be directing your stats, NOT whether he gets an extra spell or can take a feat at a certain level....unless that feat contributes directly to what the character is going to be like.

--*Rob

 

[Maniac]

Thanks for the quick response!

Originally I was going for a Warrior Cleric. Thor of course likes to fight with that cool hammer and all and I was going for that feel.
Due to the party dynmics though, I am just not the best fighter (not that I thought I would be).
Between the S18 fighter who cleave though opponents like butter and our range who has +11 with a bow at 3rd level(!) I just am more valuable in a support role.
Don't get me wrong - a few well timed hammer blows have certainly helped out but I have had a much greater effect with spells and healing.

So right off the bat I fell into the traditional cleric role. After looking up some things about Thor I modeled my character as a "man of the people" - help the weaker guy and all that. At the same time I became the defacto party leader. This has lead us down some interesting paths as I have eagerly accepted quests with little immediate reward because my character would want to help.

Once, when the party was captured by some Dwarves, I decided that I would play on my Chaotic nature as someone who craves freedom at all costs both for himself and the people.

Perhaps uncharcateristically though, I am quite ahem.. thorough when it comes to looting er.. I mean finding treasure. This is because I am the most experienced player and we would miss out on a lot of things otherwise. I have not really added this aspect to my characterization.

In going over what is important to the character I think going the Wisdom route makes the most sense. I think I will switch out Brew Potion for Alertness - we've need to use spot and listen so much that I have no problems justifying this as it is good for the leader to be perceptive. So unless someone thinks Brew Potion is the greatest I will hold out for Craft wand to get extra CLWs.

Again, thanks for the advice.

M.

 

[RigaMortus]

I agree with robaustin

I just want to mention that you have spells to buff up Str, Dex, and Con. And while you could also buff up Wis with Owl's Wisdom, you do not get the full benefits of doing so (you don't get any bonus spells, but your Will save and save DCs will be higher).

 

[Garmorn]

I on the other hand would boost my strenght for the feats you have sited, then try and get a hold of magic items that boost your wisdom and charism. The items will have the same effect while insuring that you will be able to get the feats. Of course if this is a low magic campaint this advice won't apply.

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

If you really want the smack down feats than know is the time to pick them up. Later attribute bonus levels are going to have less flexibility as you need the wisdom score for spell levels and will have fewer opportunities to pick up feats, as well.

 

[Shard O'Glase]

go with str.

1, you were shooting for a warrior cleric. Yeah sure the fighter will still out gun you, but he's the fighter and should.

2. power attack divine what's it sounds good.

Then swap out the craptasitc brew potion with extend spell

at 9th take persistent spell instad of divne waht's it, put that off until 12th.

With extend spell and persistent spell you can have a bunch of buffs on you, and the team all day. The fhgter may still outgun you but it wil be by a lot less than before. A persistent divine favor even at elvel 9 gives one heck fo a boost in the to hit and damage I think +4/+4. An extended bulls tr, and endurance give more to hit and damage and more HP. An extended GMW imporves to hit and damage. Extended magic vestment on shield and armor makes you a tank etc.

By 9+ level(oh at 8th boost wisdom for the extra spells.) you'll hav plenty of spells to self uff, buff the fighter and still heal. And if the party is willing to spend th cash on a cure light wand you can use your spells to drop some baddies more often.