Pre-combat Cleric buffs

[fireinthedust]

I've got a combat to design for, where a cleric will attack with two Dire Gorillas and a Monkey Swarm (see Bestiary 2).

The cleric is going to spend a few rounds buffing before anyone attacks. He's got an amulet of Protection from Missiles, and a suit of half-plate +2.

I want to seriously threaten the PCs with this encounter; ergo I'd like to have him cast the best buff spells he can.

PCs are levels 5-7.

Also: I've never played a cleric outside a one-shot at Gen Con (and despite my efforts, wraiths got us all).

What should I do? What's a (few) good spell combo(s)?

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

What are the cleric's domains? What is his level? Do you use only PF, or 3E material also? What books would you be using to pull spells from?

 

[Scott DeWar]

i would recommend tow buffs:

Cat's grace for defense and ranged attack bonuses

Owl's wisdom for better will dc for spells like hold person and such.

 

[fireinthedust]

players will be levels 5-7

His main attack will be hiding up on a ledge and expending Channel Energy attacks through a statue in the middle of combat (ergo the PCs will have 3d6 damage every round).

His domains: as the cleric of a monkey demon, I think chaos, evil, madness, animal all work.

I'm using PF only.

 

[fireinthedust]

Buffs: good ones!

I'm thinking a good protection from fire would be good. Like, fireballs and lightning bolts vs. a boss like this guy, so something to limit them?

His two minions will be grappling asap, so maybe Bull's Strength?

 

[Shisumo]

If he's level 7 or better, I can't recommend blessing of fervor enough. The bonus to attack rolls will impact the gorillas' grapple checks and the dodge bonus will apply to their CMD, which will help keep the good guys in the grapple once grabbed. If they use the increased movement speed to get to their targets faster, it should keep the PCs off the cleric's back a little longer.