Level up help appreciated

[dazm]

Hi all, once again someone requires some input in levelling up
My 7th lvl fighter has just gained a new level and I am undecided on taking a level in cleric or fighter.
This is my first 3e PC and I fancy a change from a straight fighter so eventually I will take some cleric levels, although I dont know if now is the right time!

Alduin
STR 18, DEX 15, CON 15, INT12, WIS 13, CHA 11.
FEATS: CLEAVE, COMBAT REFLEXES, GREAT CLEAVE, IMPROVED INITIATIVE, POWER ATTACK, QUICK DRAW, WEAPON FOCUS, WEAPON SPECIALIZATION.

Wears Full Plate+1, Buckler +1, (AC 22) Occasionally fights with reach weapons (hence buckler & quick draw) Longsword +1 (shock) various other minor magic items.

So, if I take another level of fighter improved critical is the feat of choice. But can I wait another level for it and take a level of cleric.

I put this question to the learned forum for your valuable input as to cleric or not, domains etc, (don't have a specific deity so any core domains are viable.) Also if anyone has other prestige ideas we are only using classes from the WotC range.

Many thanks in advance

dazm

 

[fba827]

If you're planning on eventually changing to cleric, I'd say now is as good a time as any.

The feat you mention you can eventually get while raising as a cleric (albeit just waiting a bit longer). However, the more levels of fighter that you take, the less potent your cleric level (and any spell that is dependant upon cleric level) is ever going to be.

You've gotten a good ground work of fighter feats, so, in my opinion, I would say go for the switch in class now.

 

[Sodalis]

tehnically, you cant be effective in cleric anythig above lvl 3- cause you have only a 13 wis (unless magic item- but those are very iffy- cant cast lvl 4 spells in any antimagic field or anything that suppresses magic items..) but there are a bunch of lvl 3 spells that are killer - and heals help too....

but a couple lvl of cleric for the domains (str and luck) are good for any clas.s especially for the stat boost feats- knocks down your need for magic items and save money-

plus teh skills are useful-

course- you can always use it as a means of geting into a cleric PrC (dotf)

 

[Romotre]

Well, that level of fighter will help now. Base attack(improved crit), feat, Fort save. If you party is doing ok with healing n such, you might take another level of fighter. However, you can only advance to level 12 cleric (there's always epic) which can only cast 6th level spells, while a 13th level (if you don't take that fighter level) can cast 7th level spells. This is going to sound dumb, but if you want to fight more take the fighter, if not, start cleric now. I'd be helpful to know other things, like the rest of the party and what you've got not to mention what yer up against.

 

[RogueJK]

If you only plan on taking a few levels of cleric, I would stay away from domains with level-dependant abilities, such as Strength, and ones that deal with turning and rebuking creatures. Stick with domains that give you a static benefit, like Luck.

My suggestion is to go with the Luck and Travel domains. Even though the Travel domain's ability is level-dependant, just one or two rounds of freedom can still get you out of a tight spot. And the Luck domain's reroll ability is very handy.

If you are your party's only healer, though, the Healing domain gives you a small boost to your caster level when casting healing spells, which could be useful. It helps to offset your lack of cleric levels.

 

[Bobbystopholes]

If you want to have some crazy fun, and DotF is allowed, take Farlanghan as your God. You'll get the Luck and Travel domains as RogueJK stated. Take 4 levels of cleric and max out Knowledge (Relgion). If you are already the role-playing type and have any ranks in Knowledge (Religion) already, you are golden and only need 3 levels of Cleric for this. Once you get 13 ranks in K(R), take the Contemplative PrC and choose the Celerity domain. +10ft movement (to help out that 3-4 rounds of FoM), +2 Dex, +2 Initiative. It's beautiful, I tell ya.

If DotF is not allowed, Farlanghan is still a darn good god to be a cleric of!

 

[Archer]

You want to be a cleric of time and fate, you get true strike, never flat footed and improved initiative. You get +2 fort and +2 will, neat huh?

 

[RogueJK]

You want to be a cleric of time and fate, you get true strike, never flat footed and improved initiative. You get +2 fort and +2 will, neat huh?

Judging by his post, I think dazm only wants core domains (i.e. only domains from the PHB). These two are from the FRCS...

Not to mention the fact that Uncanny Dodge doesn't prevent you from being caught flat-footed. It merely allows you to keep your Dex bonus to AC.

 

[RogueJK]

Gah... double post.

 

[Archer]

Keeping your dex bonus is the same thing as not being flat footed except that you don't get AoO's unless you have combat reflexes.