D&D 5E Suggestion replacement bonus proficiency for Life Domain cleric?

[el-remmen]

I am building a monk/cleric of the life domain, but the heavy armor bonus prof is a waste on her. I imagine her as part of an order of pugilist medics dedicated to helping the poor and marginalized. Suggestions?

 

[commandercrud]

Makes no sense to me either that life clerics have heavy armor proficiency. "Battle Medic" is more accurate. Just give them any other skill or tool instead.

 

[Mistwell]

Expertise in the Medicine skill

 

[el-remmen]

Makes no sense to me either that life clerics have heavy armor proficiency. "Battle Medic" is more accurate. Just give them any other skill or tool instead.

Sure! I just was hoping for thematic and balanced suggestions. I like Mistwell's.

 

[prabe]

Proficiency in Healer's Kit, if the character isn't getting it from elsewhere, maybe.

 

[humble minion]

If a player asked I'd probably allow a monk's Wisdom bonus to unarmoured AC instead of heavy armour proficiency. Heavily armoured life clerics have never made much sense to me either in many cases. Eldath in FR being the prime example.

 

[el-remmen]

If a player asked I'd probably allow a monk's Wisdom bonus to unarmoured AC instead of heavy armour proficiency. Heavily armoured life clerics have never made much sense to me either in many cases. Eldath in FR being the prime example.

Well, she already has that because she's multi-classed monk.

I can see how a battle medic type might typically want heavy armor if they run towards battle and prioritize helping others over fighting.

 

[auburn2]

I am building a monk/cleric of the life domain, but the heavy armor bonus prof is a waste on her. I imagine her as part of an order of pugilist medics dedicated to helping the poor and marginalized. Suggestions?

The cleric as class traces its thematic roots to the Hospitalars who were order of crusader knights. They really revolutionized battlefield medicine and the word "hospital" actually comes from them. They wore heavy armor, so this is probably why it is there.

 

[FireLance]

I recall reading somewhere that the objective of giving Life clerics heavy armor proficiency was so that they would get hurt less and can spend more spell slots to heal others instead of themselves. If you want to retain the AC boosting effect of heavy armor, here's my suggestion:

Armor of Faith
When you cast shield of faith on yourself, its duration increases to 8 hours and does not require concentration. In addition, you may cast shield of faith on yourself once without expending a spell slot. You regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest.

 

[Remathilis]

I am building a monk/cleric of the life domain, but the heavy armor bonus prof is a waste on her. I imagine her as part of an order of pugilist medics dedicated to helping the poor and marginalized. Suggestions?

Tasha's suggests an armor proficiency is worth a tool or weapon proficiency, if that helps.