Feats for a buff-and-bash cleric

[Dannyalcatraz]

BTW, given the utility of this thread, perhaps we should LIST where the more unusual Feats, Domains or build options can be found...that is, those outside of the PHB.

Not everyone knows all of the books by heart, nor even has access to all of them.

 

[Buttercup]

Well, Helm's favored weapon is the Bastard Sword. So it seems you'll have to burn a feat on this. Personally, I'd take a level of fighter, for the extra hit points and bonus feat. I'd spend the bonus feat on the Bastard Sword proficiency.

Then I'd take power attack and weapon focus (bastard sword). That's got you pretty much set up, weapon wise. You would then be free to concentrate on cleric levels.

I'd talke Strength and Protection as my domains, given what you seem to be aiming for.

Other feats I'd pick up along the way: Scribe Scroll, Combat Casting, Cleave and maybe Diehard. Why this last one? You can't cure yourself if you're unconsious!

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Ugh! If you must waste a feat on a concentration booster, at least get a useful one. Skill Focus: Concentration is far superior to combat casting. It's only one point less, but it applies to all concentration checks--not just checks to cast defensively or while grappled. Considering that the most difficult concentration checks are those to make while damaged casting a spell (they frequently reach DC 30+ by mid levels), if you want a Concentration feat, you want Skill Focus Concentration which actually helps with those checks.

Divine Shield (CW) is a very good feat, but spending a standard action to get cha to AC is a pretty high opportunity cost--especially at higher levels.

Sacred Vengeance (CW) is not a very impressive feat. It takes an ability that's useful against undead--turning--and makes it into... an ability that's useful against undead. It's decent for a multiclassed paladin or cleric with a focus on undead hunting since their turning ability is no longer useful against undead (you need to keep your turning level pretty close to your character level--ideally above character level--if you want to turn higher CR undead). However, for a mostly single-classed cleric, it's a poor choice. Against undead, their turning abilities are best used for turning.

Combat Casting is vital. It's like a four-level boost to your Concentration checks. At first level, I'm a fan of Combat Casting and either Divine Shield or Sacred Vengeance, if your DM is undead happy.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Skill Focus: Concentration is far superior to combat casting.

Yep.

As for the OP, it comes down to whether 'maxing out' is the order of the day, or something else.

Either way though, 1, 2 or 4 levels of Fighter might not hurt too much.

I guess if you want 'value for deity' in terms of bash (irrespective of buff), choose one that gives you the War domain and a martial weapon for the free prof. + focus.

Then you'd be free to take (as a human) say, Power Attack and Skill Focus (Concentration). Just one way of doing it, o' course - and that's without a level of Fighter.


edit --- Just thought I'd ask too: are you planning on any particular PrC later on, or anything like that?

 

[IronWolf]

Ugh! If you must waste a feat on a concentration booster, at least get a useful one. Skill Focus: Concentration is far superior to combat casting. It's only one point less, but it applies to all concentration checks--not just checks to cast defensively or while grappled. Considering that the most difficult concentration checks are those to make while damaged casting a spell (they frequently reach DC 30+ by mid levels), if you want a Concentration feat, you want Skill Focus Concentration which actually helps with those checks.

I also agree with this. This is how my cleric does it, Skill Focus: Concentration. The way he figures it he is apt to be right up there in threatened squares when things are going poorly needing to cast some healing spells at times.