Clerics healing "status ailments"

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

So, how do your clerics handle them?

I recently DMed an encounter, where the wizard was hit with Power Word Blind. Needless to say she didn't have the hit points to resist it (she's an elf).

It could have been removed with Remove Blindness, but the cleric hadn't prepared it that day. He did have multiple Remove Paralysis and Freedom of Movement spells, as well as Delay Poison and Neutralize Poison, but nothing to remove blindness, disease or ability damage.

How do your clerics handle the above situations? Are they into item crafting, or buying scrolls and potions? Do they carry multiple Greater Dispellings and Heals? (The cleric in question isn't big on making items.)

I was picturing a lower-level encounter where PCs were attacked by wraiths. Knowing that they would fight undead, they had Remove Paralysis and Positive Energy Protection, but not enough Restoration-style spells. They nearly died (I had to go easy on them).

PS if a character gets infected by a disease, when do they know they have gotten sick? I've been evil, telling a PC who got sick at 3 PM that they feel sick 3 PM the next day (24 hour incubation period), which is after the cleric has prepared his spells (not including Remove Disease... oops). However, shouldn't a PC start feeling sick even before they suffer stat damage?

 

[Dash Dannigan]

I good suggestion for your cleric player might be to leave a slot or two unfilled for the day. If they use up all their slotted spells they'll be short, but in a pinch a quick 15 minute prayer to fill in those empty slots with a specifically needed spell or two can save when an unexpected problem such as a specific ailment comes into play. That and I highly recommend scribe scroll for your cleric, that or buy them. Very handy.

 

[Marshall]

Clerics cant do that. They have to pray for all their spells at or near their 'holy' hour.

 

[Dash Dannigan]

PHB p. 156, third paragraph, under Preparing divine spells: "A divine spellcaster does not have to prepare all his spells at once."

I think this speaks rather clearly that divine spellcasters can in fact do this

 

[dcollins]

PHB p. 156, third paragraph, under Preparing divine spells: "A divine spellcaster does not have to prepare all his spells at once."

And I believe it's expanded upon more fully by the Sage in the Main FAQ. It took me a while to swallow that, but it does seem like it's the current intent.

 

[Silver Griffon]

I think that they just have to perform their worship during their "holy hour". They don't necessarily have to prepare any spells at that time, but if they miss their scheduled prayer session and do not pray at the first available opportunity (i.e. they were chained to a wall and gagged, but pray as soon as they are freed) they can't prepare any spells at all that day.

 

[Mark Chance]

A House Rule Option

I have considered expanding the spells available for spontaneous casting to include curative spells that are not strictly Healing spells, such as remove blindness and delay poison.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Don't forget to give the Negative Energy Wielders something to make up for it!

 

[Marshall]

PHB p. 156, third paragraph, under Preparing divine spells: "A divine spellcaster does not have to prepare all his spells at once."

I think this speaks rather clearly that divine spellcasters can in fact do this

Sure, I dont have to prepare all my spells at once, but if I dont I can only prepare again during my next 'holy hour'.

IMO. That lines a leftover from 2e, where it took 10/mins a spell level to memorize spells and you had to leave slots open or spend weeks memorizing.

 

[Dash Dannigan]

Here's the Main FAQ...

I play a divine spellcaster and I generally leave a spell
slot open. I’m concerned about whether I am following the
rules correctly. After reading the Player’s Handbook, I have
assumed that divine casters can leave slots open; although,
they must still perform the daily prayer session to prepare
any spells that day. However, I can understand the
argument that all spells must be prepared at the daily
prayer session, and no slots can be left open. Page 156 of the
Player’s Handbook says a divine caster’s mind is considered
fresh only during his first daily spell preparation, so he
cannot fill a slot that is empty because he has cast a spell or
abandoned a previously prepared spell. I’m a little confused
by this statement.

A divine spellcaster does not have to prepare all his spells at
once (see page 156 in the Player’s Handbook). This means you
can leave slots open.
The text you’ve quoted merely points out that you can
replace spells you have cast or can switch prepared (but uncast)
spells for other prepared spells when your mind is fresh (and
only then). If you’ve left open slots, you can fill them in 15
minutes, even when your mind is not fresh. Arcane casters have
the same rule (see page 154 of the Player’s Handbook).