Clerics?

[Mistwell]

I've seen Clerics that are better melee fighters than Fighters or Barbarians. I've seen Clerics that are better archers than Fighters as well. I've even see builds that, in theory, involve clerics being better rogues than Rogues, and better fighter/wizards than Fighter/Wizards.

There are three main prestige classes often worth considering for a Cleric or Favored Soul. They are Fist of Raziel (Book of Exalted Deeds), Radiat Servant of Pelor (Complete Arcane), and Morninglord of Lathander (Player's Guide to Faerun).

I'm not saying these are the ONLY prestige classes worth considering, just that they are popular, relatively powerful (but not overpowered in my opinion), and relatively flavorful.

I've seen a good Favored Soul/Divine Oracle/Pious Templar build as well (which has very good saves, Evasion in heavy armor, and Mettle). Adding two levels of Paladin or Soldier of Light (Dieties and Demigods) gives you Divine Grace, which bumps your saving throws a lot again and mixes well with Favored Soul as you already need a good Charisma.

 

[Bagpuss]

Funny I was planning on a Cleric for the campaign that our groups just starting, in the end I've gone for a Dwarven Cleric/Fighter I got some good rolls 16,16,16,14,13,10 so his final stats with dwarf mods are STR 16, DEX 13, CON 18, INT 10, WIS 16, CHA 12, went with the dwarven God of Ale from the Races of Stone, Hanseath and picked War and Strength as his domains.

So now he can wander around with his WF: in Greataxe cast Enlage Person on himself to 3d6+6 damage on a swing, at 1st level.

I'm considering getting Power Attack then Improved Bull Rush when I get my bonus fighter feats, so I'll have a +12 modifier to rushing medium sized foes with Enlarge Person. Just like the idea of a massive Dwarf pushing people around the battlefield.

I looked at all the other races, but the multiclass penalty and pestige class options were pretty poor for anything other than a Human or Dwarf. As it is I might not multiclass/pestige class at all but at least this way I have more options open.

Certainly taking Earth as a domain was another good option for a Dwarven cleric, but our party was low on tanks, with just a paladin, so I figured going the Cleric/Fighter route might work out better.