Healer character who isn't a cleric

[SteveC]

Hi everyone,
Well it looks like the D20 Modern game I'm playing in has come to an end, only to be replaced with a D&D campaign. The group I'm playing in is a small one: only four of us, and so we tend to rely a fair bit on characters that fill the classic roles. This time around, I have been tasked with playing a healing/buff character, and the obvious choice is a cleric.

The trouble is, I've been there and done that, MANY times. I'm looking for a new or different class that I can use to fill that role...any thoughts. The most recent character that I played in this line was a Spirit Shaman, who did a nice job of taking the cleric role, so that's one I'm not overly interested in repeating.

Any other ideas? We will most likely be using WotC products as the primary source, but something from another company that's balanced might get in, so feel free to suggest it...

--Steve

 

[Shazman]

Favored soul from Complete Divine or Healer from the Miniatures Handbook? There's also the Mystic from the Dragonlance Campaign Setting. I think that the Sukenga might work as well.

 

[Victim]

You could try Dragon Shaman from PHB2 if you want a healer that isn't a divine spellcaster.

 

[moritheil]

I think that the Sukenga might work as well.

Or from OA, there's the Shugenja .

A mage with arcane disciple might be interesting.

 

[kerbarian]

It's not exactly an exotic option, but you can do a decent job with a Druid if you build for it. e.g. take the Augment Healing and Spontaneous Healer feats from Complete Divine. And summoning Unicorns for their healing (Summon Nature's Ally IV) is efficient and can also be cast spontaneously. At low levels, you can stock up a little on healing with goodberry.

Once you get wild shape, you can be a monster in combat. If you wild shape into a dire lion (or a fleshraker dinosaur at lower levels) and then cast something like Girallon's Blessing + Shillelagh, you can do huge damage on a charge -- full attack with the Shillelagh plus a full natural attack routine.

 

[Jdvn1]

How about Bard?

(cricket)
(cricket)

What? Good buffer, choose cure spells, and then go around with your Whip tripping people.

 

[SteveC]

It's not exactly an exotic option, but you can do a decent job with a Druid if you build for it. e.g. take the Augment Healing and Spontaneous Healer feats from Complete Divine. And summoning Unicorns for their healing (Summon Nature's Ally IV) is efficient and can also be cast spontaneously. At low levels, you can stock up a little on healing with goodberry.

Once you get wild shape, you can be a monster in combat. If you wild shape into a dire lion (or a fleshraker dinosaur at lower levels) and then cast something like Girallon's Blessing + Shillelagh, you can do huge damage on a charge -- full attack with the Shillelagh plus a full natural attack routine.

Good idea, Kerbarian, that's actually what I did with my spirit shaman build, and it worked quite well. I should give some serious consideration to the druid, I guess, because it has a significantly different flavor... Still I was hoping for something more exotic. Dragon Shaman is also an interesting idea, but for any real healing, you need to be a bit higher level than I expect this game will be at for a long time...hmmn, the search continues, but the Druid is as good a choice as any...

--Steve

--Steve

 

[Rhun]

Archivist?

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20051007a&page=3

 

[moritheil]

Psionic characters can be built with healing capabilities.

 

[Henry]

If you can talk them into it, and if the Level is right, try the Binder from Tome of Magic. One 4th level vestige, Buer, can allow you to heal 2d8+twice your level in hit points on someone every minute, you yourself get fast healing, and anyone within range of you has any poisons and diseases halted while they stay within range of you. With the right feat, you can bind a pact with Buer as early as 5th level.

It's a poor man's healer, but it's (A) unlimited, and (B) you have many other vestiges to choose from that allow you other roles each day, such as ranged attacks, melee combat, arcane magic use, and stealthy roles.

However, NOTHING beats the wide healing ability of a Cleric. Second best are both Favored Souls, and Healers, in the Miniatures Handbook.