Satori
First Post
I've met one or two players that enjoy the healing aspect of playing a Cleric.
I've met dozens (at least) that don't.
DnD, in its gut, is a game about glory and fantasy.
As a Barbarian, I can rampage around the field of battle, build a stack of enemy bodies, and stand atop it while striking a perfectly manly pose (*pay no attention to the loin cloth and Fabio-like hair*).
That is FUN.
As a Wizard, I can peek into a room full of orcs, casually toss in an Empowered Fireball, then scream "FRAG OUT!" as I slam the door and cover my ears (*pay no attention to my Man Dress and phallic staff*).
That is FUN.
As a Rogue, I can quietly sneak up on a guard, stab him with a toothpick, and cause him to explode like he swallowed a grenade (*pay no attention to my fixation on small, rigid, pointy objects*).
That is FUN.
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The basic, gut function of most Core classes is, indeed, fun and enjoyable to play.
I play a Wizard to hurl fireballs, a Barbarian to cleave opponents in two, and a Rogue to obliterate enemies from surprise.
Unfortunately, the Cleric's (for all their potential power) gut function is to enable other party members to do what they are designed to do.
Extremely necessary and useful...but it really is the only class that requires a player to put other player's fun ahead of theirs (aside from maybe the bard).
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I've been in games where a Scythe wielding Half-Orc Barbarian cleaved through 8 Orcs with one attack....and 4 of those were criticals. By the 5th orc, we were all shouting, yelling, and high fiving each other like teenagers.
In another game, a 5th level Wizard hurled their last fireball at a critical position on an enemy rampart. We were at quarter health, the fighter was down, the cleric out of spells...and that fireball was the clinch shot from half-court to win the game. It needed to do at least half-max damage to collapse the structure...and all 5 of us were holding our breath as the Wizard rolled his fistful of dice. He rolled half damage exactly (one re-roll because it fell of the table due to shaking hands), and the table erupted in cheers.
---
I have dozens of these stories, and unfortunately none of them involve a gripping, fist pumping, adrenaline surging case of HEALING or BUFFING.
My point?
Cut the Cleric some friggin' slack, ok? Unless he's a saintly, angelic fellow who gets all giggly when he casts Cure Light Wounds and Bless, chances are the player would rather NOT spend their one free evening a week enabling other players to get the glory.
I've met dozens (at least) that don't.
DnD, in its gut, is a game about glory and fantasy.
As a Barbarian, I can rampage around the field of battle, build a stack of enemy bodies, and stand atop it while striking a perfectly manly pose (*pay no attention to the loin cloth and Fabio-like hair*).
That is FUN.
As a Wizard, I can peek into a room full of orcs, casually toss in an Empowered Fireball, then scream "FRAG OUT!" as I slam the door and cover my ears (*pay no attention to my Man Dress and phallic staff*).
That is FUN.
As a Rogue, I can quietly sneak up on a guard, stab him with a toothpick, and cause him to explode like he swallowed a grenade (*pay no attention to my fixation on small, rigid, pointy objects*).
That is FUN.
---
The basic, gut function of most Core classes is, indeed, fun and enjoyable to play.
I play a Wizard to hurl fireballs, a Barbarian to cleave opponents in two, and a Rogue to obliterate enemies from surprise.
Unfortunately, the Cleric's (for all their potential power) gut function is to enable other party members to do what they are designed to do.
Extremely necessary and useful...but it really is the only class that requires a player to put other player's fun ahead of theirs (aside from maybe the bard).
---
I've been in games where a Scythe wielding Half-Orc Barbarian cleaved through 8 Orcs with one attack....and 4 of those were criticals. By the 5th orc, we were all shouting, yelling, and high fiving each other like teenagers.
In another game, a 5th level Wizard hurled their last fireball at a critical position on an enemy rampart. We were at quarter health, the fighter was down, the cleric out of spells...and that fireball was the clinch shot from half-court to win the game. It needed to do at least half-max damage to collapse the structure...and all 5 of us were holding our breath as the Wizard rolled his fistful of dice. He rolled half damage exactly (one re-roll because it fell of the table due to shaking hands), and the table erupted in cheers.
---
I have dozens of these stories, and unfortunately none of them involve a gripping, fist pumping, adrenaline surging case of HEALING or BUFFING.
My point?
Cut the Cleric some friggin' slack, ok? Unless he's a saintly, angelic fellow who gets all giggly when he casts Cure Light Wounds and Bless, chances are the player would rather NOT spend their one free evening a week enabling other players to get the glory.
