Help me build an elven cleric 5 (PHB/SRD only)

[atom crash]

I have a one-shot game coming up next weekend and need to build a 5th level character. I'm opting for an elven cleric. The rest of the party includes a wizard, a rogue and a ranger (I'm almost positive this guy is going to go the archery route). So I'm hoping I can tweak an effective combatant out of this, since the group is going to be minus a strong melee character.

Here's the trick: I can only use the PHB (or 3.5 SRD, of course). And the stats will be the elite array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8).

I'm not looking for a munchkinized combat monster. I don't even know if that's possible. I'm just hoping to get an effective melee-focused cleric that I'll enjoy playing for an afternoon.

I know the -2 racial adjustment to Con is going to hurt me, but at least I should have a decent Dex (+2 racial adjustment).

The (campaign-specific) deity I've chosen gives me access to the Strength and Protection domains and has the warhammer as his favored weapon. I don't automatically get proficiency with that weapon and don't feel strongly enough about it to use one of my precious feat slots to get it. I could always just rely on my elven proficiency with the longsword.

There's no reason for me to believe that this adventure will center on fighting against undead, so I don't really need a turning machine. On the other hand, there's also no reason for me to believe there will be no encounters with the undead.

I know some of you guys love doing this sort of thing, and I'm hoping you might help me. I'd greatly appreciate it. What else would you need to know in order to build this cleric?

 

[Jdvn1]

Clerics aren't too customizable. You get two feats -- if you want to be a combatant go for Power Attack and Cleave. And use your spellslots for buff spells.

 

[Thanee]

5th-level Elven Cleric

This should be decent enough as a base.

Str 16 +3 (15 +1 lvl)
Dex 16 +3 (14 +2 elf)
Con 10 +0 (12 -2 elf)
Int 10 +0
Wis 13 +1
Cha 8 -1

HP 26
AC 22

Fort +5
Ref +4
Will +5

Skills: Heal +6(5), Knowledge (religion) +2(2), Spellcraft +5(5), Tumble +5(2cc).

Feats: Power Attack, Cleave.

Domains: Protection, Strength.

Spells: 0 - Create Water, Detect Magic (2), Detect Poison, Light; 1st - Bless, Protection from Evil, Magic Weapon, Shield of Faith, Enlarge Person (D); 2nd - 1 Slot free, Silence, Bull's Strength (D); 3rd - 1 Slot free, Protection from Energy (D).

Equipment: MW Longsword, MW Composite Longbow (+3 Str), 40 Arrows, Alchemical Silver Morning Star, Cold Iron Dagger, +1 Elven Chain, +1 Heavy Wooden Shield, Explorer's Outfit, Backpack, Healer's Kit (10 uses), Wooden Holy Symbol of <deity> (2), Sunrod (6), Tanglefoot Bag (4), Pearl of Power (1st), Wand of Cure Light Wounds (20 charges); 8 gp.

Bye
Thanee

 

[atom crash]

I was thinking I might put the 8 in Str, ruling out Power Attack.

If I took Weapon Finesse and used a shortsword, what would be a decent second feat to take?

What if I used two shortswords and took Two-Weapon Fighting + Weapon Finesse? What is the effectiveness of such a build?

Also, a shield is listed as a martial weapon when it is used to make a shield bash. Am I correct in concluding that I can't effectively shield bash then because I don't get martial weapon proficiency?

I could always put the 8 in Int. My skill points are going to suck in that case (I'd get 8 to split between Knowledge (Religion), Concentration and Heal).

Thanee: thanks! Now that I'm thinking about it, I don't need no stinking Charisma bonus! I should put a good stat into Strength. I just like Weapon Finesse.

Skills: Heal +5(4), Knowledge (religion) +2(2), Spellcraft +2(2).

Shouldn't there be more skill points? I count 8, but with no Int modifier I should get double that by 5th level. Aha! I see you edited it already!

 

[Jdvn1]

I'd have left some 2nd level slots open too. Or, taken more stat buff spells. Looks good, though, I just have one question. Maybe I'm missing something, but why:

Wooden Holy Symbol of <deity> (2)

? Do you need two?

 

[Thanee]

I was thinking I might put the 8 in Str, ruling out Power Attack.

This is hopefully a joke, if you want to make a melee-capable character, that is no option.

Also, a shield is listed as a martial weapon when it is used to make a shield bash. Am I correct in concluding that I can't effectively shield bash then because I don't get martial weapon proficiency?

Correct. You cannot attack with the shield.

I could always put the 8 in Int. My skill points are going to suck in that case (I'd get 8 to split between Knowledge (Religion), Concentration and Heal).

Yeah, had that initially, but a few skill points ain't so bad.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Thanee]

I'd have left some 2nd level slots open too. Or, taken more stat buff spells. Looks good, though, I just have one question. Maybe I'm missing something, but why:? Do you need two?

Just in case one gets lost. I always do this. Sucks to be a Cleric without a Holy Symbol.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Jdvn1]

I was thinking I might put the 8 in Str, ruling out Power Attack.

Well, that's certainly an option. Seems odd for someone with the Strength domain, personally.

If I took Weapon Finesse and used a shortsword, what would be a decent second feat to take?

Combat Expertise? Improved Initiative? Combat Reflexes? Something along those lines.

What if I used two shortswords and took Two-Weapon Fighting + Weapon Finesse? What is the effectiveness of such a build?

I wouldn't recommend it. It'd lower your attack roll and you already only have a medium BAB.

I might be thinking of something else -- does Power Attack have a BAB requirement? I'll check real quick.
Edit: Nope. Good to go.

 

[Jdvn1]

Just in case one gets lost. I always do this. Sucks to be a Cleric without a Holy Symbol.

Hm, just never occured to me. I like seeing how different people play Clerics -- I know a lady that always bought a dog. Cheap flanking when it's necessary, and a hp buffer when that's necessary.

 

[Jdvn1]

Skills: Heal +6(5), Knowledge (religion) +2(2), Spellcraft +5(5), Tumble +5(2cc).

I'm not sure if I can get used to a tumbling Cleric.