D&D 5E Seeking advice from those who've played high level clerics

[TaranTheWanderer]

I'm playing a Cleric in descent into Avernus and we are currently 12th.

(side)Question 1: This occured to me as I was buying spell components and didn't notice until my last game:
Protection from Evil/Dispel evil uses silver & iron filings or Holy Water but does not have a GP cost, so I should, therefore be able to cast it with a focus. But, on the other hand, Holy Water cost 25gp to make (using Ceremony). Do I actually need to spend money on spell components or no?

Question 2: I'm playing a War Cleric of Helm. What is the typical load-out for higher level spells in a combat? Specifically, 4th to 6th level spells. Any good synergies I should be thinking about? My 12th level Feat was Mobility, if that makes a difference.

I am the front-line fighter along with the monk. I'm toying with Holy Weapon but it's concentration and Spirit Guardians is a good choice for concentration.

Blade Barrier used to be pretty awesome in 3.5 and was a cleric staple but it seems kind of mediocre now. I save the slot for Heal or Harm, currently.

Dispel Evil is cool but most of the devils are already on their home plane, so the banishment doesn't work well. I've used it to banish good-aligned fey creatures back to their home plane and the protection/Break enchantment is useful.

 

[Clint_L]

If you're in the front line Spirit Guardians is hard to beat (usually combined with Spiritual Weapon), but Holy Weapon on a Monk is crazy strong, so I could see either choice, depending on the situation.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

If you're in the front line Spirit Guardians is hard to beat (usually combined with Spiritual Weapon), but Holy Weapon on a Monk is crazy strong, so I could see either choice, depending on the situation.

oh, I never thought to cast it on the monk's weapon! lol. Thanks.

 

[Maxperson]

I'm playing a Cleric in descent into Avernus and we are currently 12th.

(side)Question 1: This occured to me as I was buying spell components and didn't notice until my last game:
Protection from Evil/Dispel evil uses silver & iron filings or Holy Water but does not have a GP cost, so I should, therefore be able to cast it with a focus. But, on the other hand, Holy Water cost 25gp to make (using Ceremony). Do I actually need to spend money on spell components or no?

Number 1 is a DM's call. I personally would charge if you use holy water since it has a gold piece cost, but I would also give you 3-4 castings per flask of holy water. Iron and silver filings don't cost gold so I wouldn't charge for those.

 

[Oofta]

I have people pay for any components that have a specific GP cost, so yes you'd have to pay the 25 GP for holy water.

Other than that, I agree with Clint. Spirit Guardians and Spiritual Weapon combo is my general go-to. Whether Holy Weapon makes sense is kind of DM and monk dependent. I've done it for the fighter but a lot of the monk's attacks may be unarmed strikes (depends on options and monk) and it will be up to the DM whether or not you can cast Spiritual Weapon on their unarmed attack. In addition, Holy Weapon is a 5th level spell instead of 3rd for Spirit Guardians. Throw in the number of enemies you fight at once and how often you have more than 1 combat in an hour and it's kind of a toss-up.

 

[James Gasik]

Heroes' Feast. It's an amazing spell to cast at the start of each day and has a long-lasting buff. Sure it's expensive, but what else are you going to do with your money?

 

[Stormonu]

Note: While Protection consumes the material component, Dispel Evil and Good doesn't.

 

[Lidgar]

If you're in the front line Spirit Guardians is hard to beat (usually combined with Spiritual Weapon), but Holy Weapon on a Monk is crazy strong, so I could see either choice, depending on the situation.

This is the Way. You can also upcast both spells for extra oomf.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Heroes' Feast. It's an amazing spell to cast at the start of each day and has a long-lasting buff. Sure it's expensive, but what else are you going to do with your money?

Yeah, but sadly we have no money. The DM is running Avernus like a survival game. We managed to, only now, scrounge enough money to get the material components for a few 'must have' spells: scry, Raise Dead, Greater Restoration.

My DM is allowing me to have the 'small bowl(worth 1kgp) filled with holy water' for scry, double as the material component for heroes feast. But then I don't have the materials for scry anymore.

 

[Clint_L]

Whether Holy Weapon makes sense is kind of DM and monk dependent. I've done it for the fighter but a lot of the monk's attacks may be unarmed strikes (depends on options and monk) and it will be up to the DM whether or not you can cast Spiritual Weapon on their unarmed attack.

I allow it - it's in the spirit of the spell, and in the spirit of monk design where their body is their weapon, especially at that level. I had to make the ruling when the party cleric cast it on my spouse's monk's fists. She then made absolute hamburger of the Big Bad. Mercy Monk, so hand of harm on top of regular damage plus 2d8 per hit and...ouch.

 

[Stalker0]

I would also throw AID into the mix. AID is often underlooked because at 2nd level, its 5 hp....big whoop.

But try it as a 5th level spell, +20 hp for 3 players, it lasts pretty much all day, and NO CONCENTRATION. Its actually a very solid buff spell at higher levels.

 

[Stalker0]

I allow it - it's in the spirit of the spell, and in the spirit of monk design where their body is their weapon, especially at that level.

If your going that route, I would allow it with their standard attack, but not their extra attacks from flurry or just the bonus action unarmed strike.

The reason is, while the main attacks can be weapon or unarmed strike (and so its partly flavor which one you use), the flurry is specifically designed with unarmed strikes, and is basically there to add a specific amount of damage on top (similar to barbarian rage). It is not really designed to start getting all the same benefits as weapon add-ons imo.

But on the other hand, if your the person that thinks monks are weaksauce (especially around the 11th level range), than giving them more buff can't really hurt.

 

[James Gasik]

Yeah, but sadly we have no money. The DM is running Avernus like a survival game. We managed to, only now, scrounge enough money to get the material components for a few 'must have' spells: scry, Raise Dead, Greater Restoration.

My DM is allowing me to have the 'small bowl(worth 1kgp) filled with holy water' for scry, double as the material component for heroes feast. But then I don't have the materials for scry anymore.

...broke 12th level characters? Forgive me, I think I need to go lay down and let my brain reboot.

 

[Spohedus]

There’s basically two types of adventuring days. You’ll know your campaign and DM. In a very short adventuring day, you would use your higher level spell slots to upgrade your spiritual weapon and your spirit, guardians, etc. On the long adventuring day, level four or five aid and a heal, mass cure wounds or mass healing word will absolutely pay the bills, because this game is biggest resource for long adventuring days is hit points. Also, banish has a ton of mileage in a variety of encounters.

 

[DeviousQuail]

Insect Plague and Summon Celestial can be helpful in the right situations. Insect Plague has a 300 foot range and makes a 20 foot radius difficult terrain. I like to use it as an opener to soften up the enemies or force creatures to leave an area. Summon Celestial gives you range or a second front liner at your discretion. It's mobile, adds damage, and puts another body on the board.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Insect Plague and Summon Celestial can be helpful in the right situations. Insect Plague has a 300 foot range and makes a 20 foot radius difficult terrain. I like to use it as an opener to soften up the enemies or force creatures to leave an area. Summon Celestial gives you range or a second front liner at your discretion. It's mobile, adds damage, and puts another body on the board.

I’m curious about summon celestial. Seems cool but they only have 40hp.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

I would also throw AID into the mix. AID is often underlooked because at 2nd level, its 5 hp....big whoop.

But try it as a 5th level spell, +20 hp for 3 players, it lasts pretty much all day, and NO CONCENTRATION. Its actually a very solid buff spell at higher levels.

I use Aid every day as a 4th level spell. It’s a great buff especially for my cleric who needs to tank.

 

[Baron Opal II]

Divination and commune grant information and clues. I've always had some kind of divinatory magic at hand when I've played a high level cleric. Just being able to augury "is the wizard's teleport going to succeed"? has been a literal lifesaver. Although in this edition it has been heavily nerfed.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

...broke 12th level characters? Forgive me, I think I need to go lay down and let my brain reboot.

We have the ‘basics’: I have full plate and a magic sword, the wizard has a fancy staff etc… we have ‘gear’. But that’s it. No money. I had 300gp for the longest time and nothing to buy spell components.

We had a bit of a wind-fall in the last session so I got components for scrying and forbiddance. This wind-fall kind of prompted this thread because my funds are still limited so I want to know what’s worth buying and how my spell load out should look.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Divination and commune grant information and clues. I've always had some kind of divinatory magic at hand when I've played a high level cleric. Just being able to augury "is the wizard's teleport going to succeed"? has been a literal lifesaver. Although in this edition it has been heavily nerfed.

I used commune once and it was almost hijacked by a devil and I almost got the wrong info. Now I’m not confident to use it.