Is the Cleric class broken/unbalanced?

[The Serge]

Okay. I've been seeing threads like this for some time, but since d20 has been out for over two years now, I figure it's a good idea to revisit some old topics.

Is the Cleric class unbalanced? I'm not interested in just a yes or no answer. I'm interested in a clear explanation as to why you take your position. I'll hold off on providing my position for a while, but I'm very interested in yours.

 

[Furn_Darkside]

For all the whining, I have yet to see or read about a player group who all made clerics.

I choose door #3- it is like most other classes. It can be cheap with the right player/dm combination.

FD

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

Its like this.

The cleric lacks the "cool factor" with most people. Therefore, it was made VERY powerful so more people would play it because the cleric is a necessary component in almost all D&D games.

The only real problem I have with clerics is that they all have the same skill lists.

You telling me a cleric of Mask shouldn't know how to Hide, Bluff, or Move Silently?!

 

[mikebr99]

You telling me a cleric of Mask shouldn't know how to Hide, Bluff, or Move Silently?!

A Cleric of Mask should have these abilities... and they do if they take the Trickery Domain.

I'll second FD's comments... A Cleric is a broken as you make it... or as the DM allows!

 

[Psion]

I have never seen a cleric "run away with the game." Nor have any clerics in my games been "swiss army knives."

So, no. Flat out.

My issue with clerics (and it has been my issue since day one) has been clerics of different deities are too similar. The addition of extra domains has helped, but they still feel a bit too monotone for me.

IMC, I allow some clerics of specific deities to exchange some of their armor proficiencies for other feats (like scribe scroll, brew potion, or extra turning) or an extra domain.

 

[Melkor Lord Of ALL!]

If you find Cleric overpowered make his Hit Dice 1d6. It is also more realistic, most of them aren`t holy warriors.

 

[CrusaderX]

I don't think Clerics are unbalanced. Sure, they have alot of power, but most of the time that power is used for the benefit of others, and not just for the benefit of the Cleric himself.

No other class is asked to contribute their powers and abilities to others more often than a Cleric, so it all balances out.

 

[hong]

If you find Cleric overpowered make his Hit Dice 1d6. It is also more realistic, most of them aren`t holy warriors.

The clerics who aren't holy warriors are generally called adepts.

 

[Furn_Darkside]

No other class is asked to contribute their powers and abilities to others more often than a Cleric, so it all balances out.

Psst- it is called the bard.

FD

 

[Mystic Eye]

I have never seen a cleric "run away with the game." Nor have any clerics in my games been "swiss army knives."

So, no. Flat out.

My issue with clerics (and it has been my issue since day one) has been clerics of different deities are too similar. The addition of extra domains has helped, but they still feel a bit too monotone for me.

IMC, I allow some clerics of specific deities to exchange some of their armor proficiencies for other feats (like scribe scroll, brew potion, or extra turning) or an extra domain.

I agree Psion, Clerics never run away with the game. If anything, most players under utilize the cleric.
I like the idea of letting them swap out armor profs to make a more scholarly clerical type.