Embracing the combat medic

[Dragonlancelot]

It can be hard playing the cleric in a party sometimes, with others expecting you to play the role of "combat medic". But with 3rd ed, the designers tried to make it a little easier on the cleric with the ability to convert normal spells into healing spells.

What I was wondering is if anyone has actually embraced the combat medic aspect (stereotype?) of the cleric and made his/her cleric totally focused on healing? i.e. Taking the Healing domain, max ranks in the Heal skill and Profession (Herbalist), etc. How did it work out? What feats/PrC's did you take to make him/her the most effective healer you could? And what was the character's motivation for beng a healer?

 

[Mistwell]

I started my cleric this way, but turned away from it after 3-4 levels. It's very tiring being the combat medic. My group has several players that just charge in to every combat, knowing full well they will take more damage this way than if they used some tactics and strategy, and every time expect me to use not just my abilities, but my combat rounds, to be healing them so they can continue to pound their hands against the enemy.

Recently, I ran out of spells, and happened to have bought a wand of cure light wounds for personal use, from my personal funds. The expectation was, of course, that I use my wand to heal all the head pounders back up, without compensation, again.

So i've gone into "teach them a lesson" mode, as most clerics in my position tend to do when they get to this point. During combat, I'm not healing anyone unless they are unconcious at this point. If they drop, I will help them, but they run the risk of death if the final blow is too much, or if I cannot get to them in time. Maybe they will be more careful, or maybe they will be rolling up new characters soon. But this cleric is done being the combat medic, and is now turning more towards his war domain side.

 

[Henry]

In my homebrew campaign, I have a god of healing, an aspect of the Celtic deity Diancecht. I make any clerics of this deity totally focused on healing, and sacrifice. Because of this penchant for helping any who ask for it, and for self-sacrifice, my players have the outlook that any priest of this god is certifiably insane.

I have never played a priest who is totally focused on healing - if I were to do so, I would definitely consider making them a pacifistic person as well, whose main weapon would be a sap, or to have them take a level or two of monk, so that they could do subdual damage primarily to their enemies.

 

[Crothian]

In the game I played in yesterday one of the cleric (we have two) is a a great healer. Of course she died yesterday (bad, bad situation). I play the other cleric and I don't mind doing the healing which is what I was forced into. It's not a bad role to be in, just make sure you're more then sum of your spells. And use other spells creatively to help you get to the injuried and protect them.

 

[Dragonlancelot]

I once heard the suggestion that a cleric withhold healing from a party member if he/she isn't a follower of the cleric's god. And to only offer healing if a donation is made by the injured character to the cleric's church. Although this puts a rather darker, more pragmatic spin on the "healer" stereotype, I think it could work. Also, if a god is giving a worshipper some of his divine power, and that worshipper is passing that on to his party members in the form of healing spells, then that kind of makes them beholden to the god, don't you think? Like, perhaps the god might expect something from the heathens in the group in return - such as quests that benefit the god or his followers in some way.

Any other thoughts/opinions on bringing the cleric back to what he (arguably) does best, and making it interesting?

 

[Numion]

The cleric shouldn't spend any more of his spell slots to healing than the wizard uses for helping others. Which is very few usually.

They want healing? They pay for the wands.

They want Death Ward? They pay for the 4th level pearl of power.

They want Heal? That's a 6th level pearl of power.

Forget the whole Medic aspect. And kick ass instead. It's much more fun, and useful.

Sorry if this was a bit unconstructive.

 

[Tom Cashel]

The cleric shouldn't spend any more of his spell slots to healing than the wizard uses for helping others. Which is very few usually.

No, not very constructive but you bring up a good point. IME, parties that help each other out tend to have a lot more success. i.e. a Wizard who buffs a few Fighters and a Cleric who heals them are really helping themselves in the end.

 

[mseds99]

I play one...

I just started playing one, and he's been fun. He actually refuses to use the divine power granted by Chautua to harm any living ccreature directly. Basically, I buff everyone else up and then start healing while hiding behind my tower shield betwteen rounds. I'm determined never to harm another creature, even with a weapon, unless it really is a life or death situation. An extremely passive/aggresive person. "I can't hurt a living creature!!! but I'll help you slice them up to little pieces!" Oh, the hypocrisy! what a great character. It's bee fun so far, but I'll let you know how I feel about him in afew months.

 

[the Jester]

Well, I have a healer prestige class for the clerics who really want to focus on healing, if you're interested. It's part of my prc document; if you'd like I could email it to you.

 

[Doc_Klueless]

Having been a 91A... er... Combat Medic in real life, I find that I fall into the combat medic mode with my cleric quite often. In fact, I really enjoy it.

I enjoy pulling everyone's bacon from the fire, so to speak, because I know, even if they don't, that the person who contributed as much or more than anyone else to the combat was me. Makes me feel like a valuable and irreplaceable part of the party.

In addition, my healing ways tend to extend outside of combat. My cleric typically goes way beyond the call of duty to relieve suffering, strife and illness from those around him. This has the benefit of not only making me feel good, but makes those around him predisposed to aid him in his endeavors.

Plus it just fits my personality (and is probably why I've been a Combat Medic, Scrub Tech, Certified Nursing Assistant, and, now, Registered Nurse in real-life.).

Hmmm. Now that I think about it, I always play the "healer."

Unfortunately, I'm currently without game, so maybe I should change the above to past tense.