Mind tweaking a cleric for me?

[SpiderMonkey]

Hello all!

I've recently started playing in a Ravenloft game. We started at first level and are currently 3rd. I won't bother going into character background (it's looooong and convoluted), other than to say that my starting feats (which are non-core) reflect it. He is a human cleric of Wotan (Odin), and CG.

Str 14
Dex 12
Con 14
Int 12
Wis 16
Cha 12

Feats: Reincarnated (from Ravenloft CS Player's guide, allows me to count Animal Handling as a class skill, with some bonuses to Cha-based skill roles w/ my wild cohort); Wild Cohort (from WotC website, basically a slightly watered-down Druid animal companion); Combat Casting.

Domains: Strength, War (w/WP and WF in Greatsword--I know the Longspear would probably be more appropriate, but hey...)

I'm thinking of going for Warpriest as a prestige class later on, as well as taking Ancestral Relic at 6th level (I don't have the BoED in front of me at the moment...can you take it after 1st level?). Neither of these ideas are set in stone quite yet.

What should I consider when I advance? I'm looking for a melee-oriented cleric-type in a group already top-heavy with melee guys (I don't get to play often, and it's an archetype I've wanted to try for a long time--hell with a "balanced party!").

Thanks in advance!

 

[Angerland]

if you are going combat oriented go for power attack and cleave. Another feat worth looking at is divine m ight, though its damage is Charisma based it can be a good use of turning attepts when no undead are around. Also magical full plate armor to compliment that great sword.

 

[nittanytbone]

I would stay away from warpriest. Two reasons:

First, 5 ranks in sense motive sucks. You'll have to buy it cross class and that sucks up 10 skill points. Clerics don't get too many.

Second, you lose a caster level. Look at the benefits you gain at dipping into warpriest for two levels (or four) and weigh them against what you're losing out on (1 or 2 caster levels and will saves).

If you absolutely must have a more martial aspect, and you are willing to lose a caster level, I'd just take a level in fighter. You get a bonus feat, can do it right away, you don't waste a ton of skill points to get in, and you get access to a few different skills (might be a time to max out jump or ride, or buy cross class knowledge skills).

Finally, if you do plan on warpriest (or fighter), don't get the War domain. The free MWP is wasted if you plan on getting prof will all martial weapons via warpriest or fighter anyways.

 

[Mistwell]

I suggest you check out the Book of Exalted Deeds. There are several prestige classes there that might fit well with your character concept.

The Fist of Raziel prestige class from that book would fit well. You would need DM permission for the alignment (in addition to the normal DM permission for ANY prestige class of course), since it is supposed to be Lawful Good. However, I think the class can be easily adapted to a Chaotic Good Odin worshipper, and would work well with your character concept. To summarize, the class gets full base attack bonus, and some smite-evil abilities that grow in power with experience.

The Lion of Talisid from that same sourcebook might also be interesting for your character, though I don't know how you would get the Summon Nature's Ally II ability to qualify. Your animal companion is what made me think of that class.

The Champion of Gwynharwye is a genuinely chaotic good divine rage-themed prestige class from that same sourcebook that might fit your character concept. However, it has it's own spell list and spellcasting progression, making it probably a poor choice for a cleric.