do clerics work as tanks?

[messy]

allo

can a pure cleric (no multiclassing), in the absence of a fighter-type, make an effective tank?

what about a multiclassed cleric for whom spellcasting is a strength (such as cleric/monk/sacred fist)?

it works for durkon (order of the stick), but i'd like to know if anyone has seen it work in a game

messy

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

A Cleric designed to fight toe-to-toe has roughly the same staying power as any Fighter. So they do make fine meatshields. Superb ones if they get a chance to buff up.

As for kicking butt, they do okay if they get to buff.

One thing to keep in mind is that you only absolutely need a 12 or 13 starting Wis if you are mostly going to cast buff/utility/defensive spells. So you can afford to have a decently high Str and use a two-handed weapon if you want some offensive punch.

 

[Vorput]

Don't forget about a cleric's ability to summon thing to help it act as a tank.... Those celestial bison absorb the damage quite well.

 

[FrostedMini1337]

Good Buffs

Divine Favor
Righteous Might
Enlarge Person
Divine Power
Bull Strength and Bears Endurance
Magical Vestament
Spiritual Weapon. Not a buff but fun to have.

Righteous Might and Divine Power alone will make things go bad for enemies.

 

[Malum]

Righteous might is possibly the Clerics best melee influencing spell. This with a two handed weapon or the grapple chain “Forgetaboutit!”

Malum

 

[Someone]

allo

can a pure cleric (no multiclassing), in the absence of a fighter-type, make an effective tank?

what about a multiclassed cleric for whom spellcasting is a strength (such as cleric/monk/sacred fist)?

it works for durkon (order of the stick), but i'd like to know if anyone has seen it work in a game

messy

There was a dwarven Ftr 2/Clr 11 of Pelor IMC. The fighter levels were pretty anecdotical, though, and the character was a very good tank, almost as good as the paladin 10/templar 2.

 

[Mistwell]

Good Buffs

Divine Favor
Righteous Might
Enlarge Person
Divine Power
Bull Strength and Bears Endurance
Magical Vestament
Spiritual Weapon. Not a buff but fun to have.

Righteous Might and Divine Power alone will make things go bad for enemies.

Greater Magic Weapon is a must, once you get access to it.

I agree, Clerics make fine tanks. BUT, you must make sure your group is aware you will not be using your spells to heal them all that often, as you will need them to buff yourself.

 

[Stalker0]

allo

can a pure cleric (no multiclassing), in the absence of a fighter-type, make an effective tank?

what about a multiclassed cleric for whom spellcasting is a strength (such as cleric/monk/sacred fist)?

it works for durkon (order of the stick), but i'd like to know if anyone has seen it work in a game

messy

Yes, but the opposite, "Can a pure fighter, in the absence of a cleric type, make an effective tank?" No where near as much

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

In our current 12th level AoW game I'm playing a Bbn1/Clr11. I went Greatclub+Mithril Breastplate for momentum over AC.

I make a wonderful tank. After about three rounds. For those three rounds, I'm a total punk. I tank by watching the fighter-type get his rump kicked, and then I immunize myself to whatever is doing the kicking and "DragonBallZ" it. (Y'know, every third episode is mostly the characters screaming and glowing and getting big hair.)

It's a dicey thing, though. If I get caught with my pants down, so to speak, I'm less tough than the rogue.

--fje

 

[GeorgeFields]

Back when I ran OD&D (basic, expert sets), one player ALWAYS made a tank cleric. Somehow, he seemed to outlast the fighters. His plan was to buff up on defensive items while the fighters fought over the weapons. He couldn't drop foes as quickly, but he was always the last standing - a good thing since he had the healing spells.