Help with Cleric Build

[GameDoc]

My group is a about to start a new homecooked adventure with from scratch characters.

We wanted to get a little out of the box since we've been playing pregens that mimic your more archetypical characters. We wound up with a dwarf/wizard/sage/necomancer; a wood elf/rogue-thug/bounty hunter/archer; a halfling/fighter-duelist/thief/survivor; and I've decided to play the cleric.

I decided to build my cleric as the party muscle since the fighter is Dex-based halfling. So I went with human and got these stats (including +1 wis for cleric):

Strength 15
Dexterity 10
Constitution 11
Intelligence 13
Wisdom 16
Charisma 14

I went with the war domain and a bastard sword for a little extra damage.

I chose the solder background to emphasize him as a more militant cleric. I will have him worshiping a neutral god of war. I initially thought about priest some the party has no diplomat, but the soldier background just seemed to call out.

I'm not decided on a specialty. I'm goin back and forth on Acolyte for the added orisons and eventual ability to "smite" with a a sanctified weapon, and Survivor for the added hit dice and HP since I plan on him being in the middle of melee.

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

 

[ZombieRoboNinja]

I'd consider a sword+shield for added ac and maybe the defender specialty. Also I'd consider trading your Cha and con for extra hp, and maybe even swapping wis and str (since a war cleric doesn't use that many offense spells).

 

[GameDoc]

I'd consider a sword+shield for added ac and maybe the defender specialty. Also I'd consider trading your Cha and con for extra hp, and maybe even swapping wis and str (since a war cleric doesn't use that many offense spells).

/slaps forehead/

I can't believe I totally overlooked Defender...

 

[DogBackward]

Your best friends, at least at early levels, will be Healing Word, Divine Favor and Crusader's Strike. I've had so much fun playing a cleric that gets to smash someone with every spell.

As for going with a sword and shield, be careful about that; you need a hand free to cast a spell, and some DM's might not allow you to sheathe your weapon/shield, cast the spell, then draw it again. But most will be okay with resting a two-handed weapon on your shoulder while you cast with your off-hand.

 

[GX.Sigma]

I'd consider a sword+shield for added ac and maybe the defender specialty.

Wouldn't he be unable to cast spells with both hands full?

 

[ZombieRoboNinja]

Wouldn't he be unable to cast spells with both hands full?

Yes, but unsheathing or sheathing a sword is basically a free action now (it counts as part of your main action), so this doesn't have a mechanical effect in combat - AFAIK at least.

 

[GameDoc]

Can war clerics wield heavy weapons? I think the entry in the class descriptor only mentions martial weapons. Or are heavy weapons also martial by default?