Concept Feat: Divine Archer

[Old Gumphrey]

Because as you yourself point out, Dexterity is not normally the best stat for a cleric or paladin. All this does is change the "combat stat" from strength to dexterity. Or rather open up dexterity as an alternative combat stat. It doesn't make the cleric or paladin better at anything else and doesn't synergize with anything for the single-classed paladin or cleric.

Untrue. "All it does" is allow paladins and clerics to use melee powers at range, in addition to allowing dexterity not to replace, but exist alongside their main physical attack stat.

The reason I wouldn't create a feat like the one you described is because that would be overpowered, and it isn't necessary for any concepts I know of.

Well, it's necessary (at least as much as the feat Divine Archer) for several concepts I know of.

My feat suggestion is no different than yours...and the only reason "divine archer" is even a "concept" is because 3e had a boatload of spells that catered to that build. "Divine archer" isn't a concept...it's a power source and a fighting style. It's like saying "I want to play a dude that's religious, but he uses a sword." It doesn't really mean anything apart from telling people what weapon he uses, and where the power behind it comes from.

Side note: this is why swordmage is an awful name for a class. "I'm a mage. With a sword." Big deal.

Thanks for pointing out the obvious. Of course I tried multiclassing ranger/paladin first.

You are welcome.

That's why I thought of this solution - I noticed that all the paladin's strength-dependent melee powers could just as well have been ranged and dexterity-dependent. Without being overpowered.

Haha you "noticed" this? I'm sorry, but I didn't notice this, and apparently neither did the majority of the posters in this thread. I'm pretty sure there's a good reason that ALL cleric and paladin powers that operate on strength are melee range.

So, right off the top of my head: clerics and paladins have to "pay extra" to get a good initiative score and reflex defense because they don't need dexterity or intelligence for defense or offense. With your feat, they can dump strength, max out their dex, and use melee powers from the back ranks of combat with a huge initiative bonus and extra reflex defense. Sounds like a whole truckload of benefit for the cost of one measly feat.