Help with my first cleric.

[Shin Okada]

As I was not 100% sure about the rule, I have started a thread regarding who can be the creator of magic items. The importance of Item Creation feat (say, whether if a cleric can rely on the party wizard to create scrolls or not) will depend on the conclusion.

http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=125988

 

[ST]

Anything else you can tell us about your DM's house rules? It sounds like there are so many that it's difficult for us to narrow down exactly what advice we should be giving you. So far we have limited domains, not many undead, and an XP system that means you can't burn much on crafting because you're going to have a hard time catching up.

I personally find that clerics are a fantastic support caster, and that you can do a lot with those spell slots that you'd be expending on buffs. But it sounds like your character concept's solid there, so I won't push it. I just personally think that straight Cleric is more powerful than mixing it with PrCs.

I will say that I got a ton of mileage out of using Craft Wand to make Cure Light Wounds wands. In your case Scribe Scroll could fill the same purpose.

 

[Jacen]

Anything else you can tell us about your DM's house rules? It sounds like there are so many that it's difficult for us to narrow down exactly what advice we should be giving you. So far we have limited domains, not many undead, and an XP system that means you can't burn much on crafting because you're going to have a hard time catching up.

Well, I could make a servant of anther god, but would it fit game? Domains aren't limited by house rule, but the theme. We are an a mission of good given by servants of lawfull good god. Lost our leader etc... Anyway. About undeads there have been few in every session I have been (had to skipp some - one reason for being at lower level). And we were hinted that we have seen quite a few undead and that might be a continuing trend ;-). I think that only house rule is that about XP - and is even that a house rule? from combat we do get acording to book and DMG (at least 3.0) says (not by exact words) that XP is given from things done - not killed.

I personally find that clerics are a fantastic support caster, and that you can do a lot with those spell slots that you'd be expending on buffs. But it sounds like your character concept's solid there, so I won't push it. I just personally think that straight Cleric is more powerful than mixing it with PrCs.

Well it depends. The main PrC I am taking gives me spells as cleric and turn undead as cleric. I think that saves were same too. So I am losing one point of base attack bonus with that. And there being spells that give BAB or attack bonuses... The other PrC costs more as caster levels because it cast like paladin, but I just like the idea . I like more to play with character I like and find some logic than all maxed out - sometimes just have to envy those characters when they get to theirs field and beats the s*** out of enemy or something. But have to admit that sometimes I am trying to stretch the rules and hoarding bonuses, but that is not the main thing (at least all the time ).

But I have a habit sometimes changing my plans on the fly if running into something. In one hevy customed D&D homebrew my fighter is turning to librarian (monk&wizard based PrC) whose main interest is books. He is starting to wonder what to with his sword that cost him a lot and he is modifying with runes. It is almost part of him, but it is a sword...

I will say that I got a ton of mileage out of using Craft Wand to make Cure Light Wounds wands. In your case Scribe Scroll could fill the same purpose.

From the thread that Shin Okada started, about co-operating when creating items, I got a feeling that wizards scribe scroll can be used. So I am going to some other creation feat - wondorous items be it. At sixth level Cohort who will have some other creation feat. This way we are going to have items like we want.

One thing I found out reading the forums is that clerics should know his spells really well. Let's see how big problem that is going to be - like I told my first cleric. Haven't read those spells too often. Just have to check them every now and and hope I'll start remembering them. Or... is there any good ready made cleric spell reference sheat? Have to google tomorow evening after work - once found one for wizard.

Just edited some typos. I should be sleaping and not writing this. :\

 

[CatharticMoment]

I'm not so certain the underlying concept is solid.

In any sort of challenging campaign a 4th level cleric is going to have alot of problems surviving in the front line next to 6th level characters, and will be forced back by the danger into being the parties healer - something this character looks to be relatively poor at.

Personally if I was placed in your circumstances I'd create a character that was specialised in healing and buffs (e.g. with healing and/or protection domains). A character good at turning would be tempting, but would again suffer for being lower level (effectively giving you -2 hd on all turning checks compared to a sixth level character)

As for item creation feats, I'd personally suggest passing on "Craft Scroll". One of the main advantages of scrolls is that they can be created at low levels, and provide an extra resource when you have very few spells and items. Starting at 4th you skip the levels when the feat is most useful.

Brew Potion is even poorer. I'd suspect you will find the occasional healing potion as you adventure, and you only need a few scattered around the party in order to give them the option to cure you if you fall unconscious. Note also that the ranger in your party should be able to use many of the low level wands and scrolls that you carry.

Craft arms and armour would be good if everyone started at the same xp. However it's most efficient use would be to improve the front liners rather than yourself (as these guys strike and are attacked more often). Certainly useful for the party, but do you really want to sacrifice your xp to make someone who is already more powerful than you even harder.

Hence out of item creation feats I'd suggest either craft wondrous or craft wand.

 

[Jacen]

One thing I have forgotten to say. If we desided to have downtime (couple of days is easy) we mail what we are going to do at that time. Good ideas and actions etc earn XP to us. So playing wisely at down time helps. Am I hearing a ring of sustenance ringing on my ears - clreric doesnt need 8 h sleep to get spells and days worth of making something is 8 hours.

Have to admit that is some way I am starting to like Clerics

 

[Bad Paper]

Yo. Lightning Reflexes is the feat I give every cleric.

 

[durza120]

I disagree, clericks can kick ass, if they have the proper spells. I am a clerik and I can summon a small army of elementals, an army of undead, and can use spells tha can deal up to 150 dmg or heal

 

[Herobizkit]

Well the Scarred lands PrC I am going to take gets some of those use turning attempts to get something feats. To be more excat there is a list from where to choose. 1d6 flaming, +3 sacred bonus to attack roll, flaming&keen, etc. Works only with Deitys choosen weapon -> need war to get proficiensy to that weapon. There aren't to many feats to burn for that.

Seems like the feat you should be wanting is the Extra Turning feat, then.

Way I see it, scrolls and potions take time, money, and xp. Many times in a pre-gen campaign, there is no down time for PC's. Many more times than not, you're on a schedule to stop bad guy A from doing bad deed B before time C. The DM can stretch it, sure, but don't count on it.

I'd opt for Craft Wand if you're REALLY excited to be a magic item maker/healer. Make some 50-charge cure x wounds wands and you're stylin'.